ACtion Magazine - November/December 2012 - (Page 28)

Y ou’ve probably heard a lot about Facebook. It’s a big thing in the social media trend. MACS maintains a Facebook page at www. facewbook.com/macsw . We hope that if you are a Facebook user you will follow us there. It is another way to stay connected and see what is going on with the Society on a daily basis. Now what about a Facebook page for your business? Here’s some great advice from our friend Sheri Hamilton, AAM, at AASP Missouri/Kansas. Social Media Using Facebook; what to post and how to get more likes and shares. Many automotive service facilities are now using Facebook to communicate with their customers. But how do you know what to post and when to post for the best readership? Here are some tips to consider. • Add pictures. Photos bring the highest number of engagements across the board, followed by text and then video. • Speak in first person. Posts with words like “I” and “me” get more likes. (Note: this concept does not work well on Twitter) • Timing of your posts is key. Updates posted later in the day bring in more shares and likes. Post when others aren’t, such as late in the day or on weekends. Facebook posts that go up on Saturdays and Sundays tend to get more likes than those during the week. Facebook posts do better earlier in the week. Thursday is the least active day for likes. Interaction with your Facebook followers is key to your social media campaign’s success. Here are a few examples of how you can further engage your customers: • Encourage likes in your e-mail signatures. Example: “Like us on Facebook for updates and a chance to win a free oil change.” Include the link to your Facebook page. (e.g.: www.facebook.com/visionkc) • Take your camera with you. Use your 28 ACTION • November/December 2012 camera in the shop to take pictures of failed parts, worn tires, even customers with their car that is over 100,000 miles, etc. This helps educate your customers and demonstrates your upfront ethics, expertise and behind-thescenes equipment. • Work towards a cause. Show your customers your shop’s involvement and support in the community. Do you sponsor a baseball team?—post their picture. Have a food drive and post pictures. Did you or your employees participate in a local fundraising event or even run a 5K? Post the pictures! Make it personal so your customers feel connected to you and your staff. • Promote your specials. Use your Facebook page to promote your seasonal specials and customer loyalty programs. • Brag about your training and acquisitions. Inform your customers of training that you or your team have attended. And don’t forget to let them know about awards or mentions in local press. Have you purchased a new piece of equipment? Let your customers know about it and how it helps you better serve them. In summary, get interactive and be consistent. Don’t let “autoposts” from informational or review sites and services be the only activity on your shop’s Facebook page. Take control of your Facebook page and engage your customers! ❆ http://www.facebook.com/macsw http://www.facebook.com/macsw http://www.facebook.com/visionkc http://www.facebook.com/visionkc

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ACtion Magazine - November/December 2012

ACtion Magazine - November/December 2012
Contents
Outlook
Expansion Valve
Leonard’s Law
Under the Southern Cross
News & Updates
Meeting the Need
See the Best of the Best
The Bumpy Road to R-1234yf
Virtual View
Association News
Obituary
Quick Check
New Products & Services
Last Watch

ACtion Magazine - November/December 2012