“All car dealers are the same. They just want to rip you off!”
We don’t believe this stereotypical statement–but many of your potential customers do.
Why shouldn’t they lump all car dealers in the same category? Most dealerships look, act, sound, and feel like all the others.
The biggest part of the problem is that most car dealers ADVERTISE the same. And that’s what your potential customers see first–your advertising.
If your advertising looks the same, people assume that everything else you do is the same too. And since all used car dealers are “out to rip us off,” you must not be any different.
Of course, this isn’t the case at your store. So if you’re not like those stereotypical car dealers, why advertise like them? Same is lame.
But the good news is you can fight back – with a vengeance!
These are the basic ingredients you’ll need to market smarter and make a bold and clear statement that you ARE NOT that stereotypical car dealer.
Do The Opposite
One great way to get more than your fair share of the market is to take Earl Nightingale’s advice, “If you want to be successful, look at what everyone else is doing, and do the opposite.”
What are you doing to be different?
Most dealers all have similar backgrounds and experiences in the business. But the opportunity for success and the attention of your prospects is endless.
You must become a risk-taker. Status quo thinking and common sense action deliver status quo and common results. If you are seeking more than average results and success you need to do the opposite.
Doing what’s comfortable is safe for you–but boring for your customers. Boring is invisible and invisible means no sale.
Give Value First
At the beginning of every customer/dealer relationship, there is a set of emotions like fear, distrust, uncertainty and lack of knowledge that exists and stands between you and the sale. Think of this as “The Mighty Wall Of Mistrust.”
In the car business, it’s a higher and thicker wall than in any other business. Most dealers and salespeople try to do a standing jump over the wall, only to miss it by a mile.
It’s foolish to try to jump the wall in a single bound. The smart thing to do is break the wall down from the bottom, brick by brick.
By providing your customers with valuable information you put yourself on the same side of the table as them. You become a trusted advisor instead of a product pusher.
This allows you to chip away at the wall more quickly and ultimately overcome all the emotions that stand in the way of the sale.
Create An Irresistible Offer
While all of your competitors are screaming price or payment, service or selection, you must create a truly compelling, irresistible offer.
Analyze your dealership and find out what you do that your competitors don’t do (or don’t talk about) that delivers a high return on investment for your customers.
Focus on the value-added services your store provides. Do you offer a unique warranty or satisfaction guarantee? Do you include a maintenance package with your vehicles? Do you give free car washes to your customers for life?
This is not about pulling silly marketing stunts like putting pink gorillas on your roof or talking dogs in your commercials. This is about offering a truly unique and valuable experience and benefit to your customers that effectively removes you from the commodity pricing game.
Want to learn more marketing strategies that’ll help you grow beyond the competition and sell more cars today? Get our free eBook, The ONE THING You Can Do Immediately That Will Give You A Tremendous Advantage Over Your Competitors to learn more.