Scroll Top

Virtual Retailing Resource Center Articles

1 2 3

All Resources

Show All Articles
Clear Filters
Getting Started with Email Marketing: Measuring Email Campaigns
Getting Started with Email Marketing: Measuring Email Campaigns

In our Getting Started with Email Marketing series finale, we’ll be covering how to measure…
Getting Started with Email Marketing: Measuring Email Campaigns
Articles Marketing
Getting Started with Email Marketing: Implementing Dynamic Email Campaigns
Getting Started with Email Marketing: Implementing Dynamic Email Campaigns

In our Getting Started with Email Marketing series, we’ll be covering how to measure the…
Getting Started with Email Marketing: Implementing Dynamic Email Campaigns
Articles Marketing
Getting Started with Email Marketing: Planning Dynamic Email Campaigns
Getting Started with Email Marketing: Planning Dynamic Email Campaigns

In our Getting Started with Email Marketing series, we’ll be covering how to measure the…
Getting Started with Email Marketing: Planning Dynamic Email Campaigns
Articles Marketing
7 Ways to Incorporate Video into Your Dealership’s Marketing Efforts
video marketing
7 Ways to Incorporate Video into Your Dealership’s Marketing Efforts

Video marketing is a powerful tool for attracting consumers and extending your dealership’s reach.
7 Ways to Incorporate Video into Your Dealership’s Marketing Efforts
Articles
4 Tips for Accurate Pricing
4 Tips for Accurate Pricing
4 Tips for Accurate Pricing

Having guidance for pricing will help you remain competitive and drive your dealership to the top when it comes to maximizing sales.
4 Tips for Accurate Pricing
Articles
4 Tips for Selling Outside of Your Market
Selling Outside Your Market
4 Tips for Selling Outside of Your Market

Your dealership might be laser focused on reaching local customers, but in a competitive market,…
4 Tips for Selling Outside of Your Market
Articles
8 Digital Marketing Tips for Customer Retention
8 Digital Marketing Tips for Customer Retention
8 Digital Marketing Tips for Customer Retention

As the industry has moved online, digital marketing is vital to your dealership when generating leads and retaining your customers.
8 Digital Marketing Tips for Customer Retention
Articles
4 Steps for Personalizing the RV Buying Experience
buying experience
4 Steps for Personalizing the RV Buying Experience
Are you ready to take the next step in better attracting and retaining customers? Follow these four steps for personalizing the buying experience.
4 Steps for Personalizing the RV Buying Experience
Articles
Creating a Referral Program in 4 Steps
The most effective form of persuasion often comes not from the glitziest campaign, but from casual conversation with a trusted friend. Your current customers can be your most convincing advocates, though while they are dedicated to your brand, they may not always think to mention their recommendation. That’s where customer referral programs come in. After discussing the benefits of referral programs, we’ll give you four easy steps for creating a referral program. BENEFITS OF A REFERRAL PROGRAM Encouraging clients to pass along their passion and loyalty to your brand is an easy, relatively cheap form of marketing that leads to more sales, organically grows your reputation, and creates an ongoing source of lead generation.  EASE & AFFORDABILITY Customer referral programs are not only simple to understand, they’re also simple to set-up. All it takes is a relatively inexpensive prize and some basic promotion to get started, and program costs should be quickly recouped from the profits generated by the new business. GREATER SALES POTENTIAL According to referral marketing company Extole,1 word-of-mouth is the primary factor behind 20-50% of purchasing decisions. In fact, when specifically referred by a friend, people are 4X more likely to make a purchase, and business-to-business companies with referrals have a 70% higher conversion rate than those without referrals. At the end of the day, humans are social creatures who don’t want to be left out of popular trends and who often mirror the actions of friends they trust. REPUTATION MANAGEMENT Customer referral programs are also a great way to strategically develop your dealership’s reputation. Because people typically trust their friends, a friend’s recommendation can transfer that perception of trustworthiness to your dealership. Data from consumer research company Nielson indicates that referrals are the most trusted form of marketing (better than ads, editorial content, or sponsorships).2 RETENTION & REFERRAL LOOPS After generating individual sales, a referral program continues to benefit your dealership by increasing the chances that current customers return. Clients acquired through referrals have a 37% higher retention rate than those who were not referred.1 Referral programs not only keep current customers loyal, but they also create a referral loop, in which referral clients themselves recommend your dealership to their own contacts. In fact, referral customers are 5X more likely to refer new clients, compared to customers who were not acquired via referral.3 With a customer referral program, your dealership has the potential to create a network of recommendations that can dramatically extend your reach and influence across the market. 4 STEPS FOR CREATING AND IMPLEMENTING A REFERRAL PROGRAM The steps for setting up a customer referral program can be simple, but it should be noted that all of your implementation efforts will be for nothing if your dealership programs and employees do not provide a pleasant and productive experience for your customers. Over 80% of customers will agree to make a referral after a positive buying experience,1 but very few — if any — will make a referral after a negative experience. Be sure you have the kind of dealership that is worth a referral, and then you can engage in the four steps for creating and implementing a referral program: STEP 1: DECIDE WHAT COUNTS AS A REFERRAL Is a current customer rewarded if they help you obtain a sales appointment? Or, does your program require that a sale be successfully closed before a current customer is rewarded? As your program launches, it may be best to start with referral appointments, in order to convince current customers that the reward is obtainable and that they should participate. However, depending on available resources and your ability to offer rewards, you may need to limit your program to completed referral sales. You should also consider how long a current customer has from the time of their own purchase to make a referral before they’re no longer eligible. STEP 2: SELECT THE REWARD YOU WANT TO OFFER Prizes for providing referrals can be anything from gift cards or branded souvenirs to minor products or a free month of service. You know your business best, so you’ll have to decide what rewards are most practical and affordable, and which would most effectively incentivize your customers to participate. STEP 3: PROMOTE THE PROGRAM You’ll want to promote your referral program in-person, inside your dealership, and on relevant collateral. It’s also important to remember that today’s buyers complete most of their research — and come as close as possible to making a purchase — online, before they ever reach out to a dealer or visit a dealership. Customers on your website may already be deeply engaged with your brand, and are likely ideal candidates to participate in a referral program. In fact, customers are 4X more likely to share about your business when a referral call-to-action (CTA) is integrated into their online purchase path,3 and 16X more likely to share when a referral CTA directly appears on a post-purchase page.1 Again, you know your dealership best, so you’ll have to decide how to best reach your customers and promote the program. STEP 4: TRACK YOUR REFERRALS Once your program begins, you’ll want to have a way of tracking both the customers who made the referrals and who they referred. Additionally, you should keep track of when they were referred, if the referral led to a sale, and any other communication. Utilize a customer relationship manager (CRM) to keep track of these connections and correspondences. Once you receive a referral from a customer, follow up as soon as possible. The sooner you can make an impression on a referred customer, the more likely you’ll be able to keep them from going with a competitor. This individualized communication will make a customer, or potential customer, feel valued and loyal to your brand. Conclusion: Your dealership’s referral program should be unique and set your company apart from the competition. By following these tips, your referral program can retain customers, boost word-of-mouth marketing, and generate more leads. Sources https://www.extole.com/blog/15-referral-marketing-statistics-you-need-to-know/  https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/  https://www.extole.com/blog/4-key-funnel-metrics-from-400-referral-programs/ 
Creating a Referral Program in 4 Steps

The most effective form of persuasion often comes not from the glitziest campaign, but from…
Creating a Referral Program in 4 Steps
Articles
8 Tips for Taking RV Pictures for Inventory Listings
recreational vehicles
8 Tips for Taking RV Pictures for Inventory Listings
Having top-notch photos is crucial to get more eyes on your RV listings. Here are our eight tips for taking RV pictures for your inventory listings.
8 Tips for Taking RV Pictures for Inventory Listings
Articles
8 Tips For Selling Your RVs
8 Tips for Selling Your RVs
8 Tips For Selling Your RVs
If you’re wondering how to make sure your listings stand out, check out our tips for getting more eyes on your listings.
8 Tips For Selling Your RVs
Articles
How to Combat Low Inventory & High Demand During the Pandemic
RV Inventory
How to Combat Low Inventory & High Demand During the Pandemic

Our mission is to help you and your dealership succeed. Even with the adversity of…
How to Combat Low Inventory & High Demand During the Pandemic
Articles
5 Benefits of Dynamic Email Campaigns
email marketing
5 Benefits of Dynamic Email Campaigns

Despite new forms of digital communication constantly emerging, email remains an important tool in any…
5 Benefits of Dynamic Email Campaigns
Articles Main Featured Article
What’s The Fuss About Content Marketing?
What’s The Fuss About Content Marketing?

  Consumer expectations have changed over the years, and now more than ever before, people…
What’s The Fuss About Content Marketing?
Articles Main Featured Article
Virtual Retailing Enhancement: Make an Offer
Team brainstorming. Photo young creative managers crew working with new startup project in modern office. Generic design notebook on wood table. Horizontal, sunset effect
Virtual Retailing Enhancement: Make an Offer
Virtual Retailing Enhancement: Make an Offer
Articles