Auto Dealer Video Listings

Originally Posted by Jason Hatchett

Jason,

I'm not sure where your coming up with your time frame. I've already done 6 vid's for one of my dealers (a friend of mine) it took me less than 2 hours from start to finnish, so really no big deal. youtube is great place to host them, no cost, plenty of space. I don't want high production vid's. I want it to look like the people are right there and the salesman is showing the car.

Thanks everyone for your input,
Jason Hatchett

Thanks for the questions Jason,

I would find it hard to believe that you could take a call from a sales manager, go shoot 6 1 minute spots, then edit and make them live on the site all in the 2 hours you have said.
However,I don't question your ability, so if you can do this all in 2 hours, maybe your calling isn't detailing cars?????
Perhaps, your time would be better spent delivering 1 minute videos to regional auto dealerships for $30/ with a min of 5/visit.
Heck $150 for 2 hours from start to finish ain't bad.
4 dealers in the same town could produce a gross of $600/ day, 5 towns per week can generate $3k per week vs. the $3K a month you hope for cleaning cars.

My point is this Jason: Do something and specialize in it, if you want to be a jack of all trades, you will be nothing more than a laborer worth nothing more than the lowest bidder is wlling to work for!

If you are dead set on offering this service, wouldn't a professional vid service be more efficient at delivering quality vids that you, the detailer? By this I imply you could clean 3 cars or $90 in an hour, while the vid may take you the same hour. To hire someone to shoot the vids may cost $90. Given that you just got your vids for free as you freed up your time to clean cars instead of shooting free vids(which you cost you $90?) The chance that the quality of the shooters work will be better is great as that is what they do, vs your profession of making autos look new.

I'm certain that Phil can point to an appropriate thread on the art of time
leverage in this forum as well as accross the net.

Make scence or no?
Jason

I think it would be a good idea to keep the salesman OUT of the picture.

Ideally, to focus on just the car while starting it up and letting it idle throughout the clip.

I would also look into potential up-sells. Maybe something like color CAR VIDEO business cards to sell each dealer for their Salesman to grab and write their name on and pass out for referrals.

That also offer some sort of a free report on the back like 'How to Buy a New or Used Car and Win!' for prospects to visit the car video site and enter their email address to receive. Which allow the dealer (or you too) to follow-up.

I really like the idea of promoting a combination of online and offline marketing to the more traditional offline dealers and merchants (see below). And have put some short videos together that didn't much time shoot or edit (especially if you go with just a slideshow). Though transferring the video can waste a lot of time if you're not careful.

Good luck,

Rod

I was in contact with an auto salesperson Chris Hanson awhile ago. His blog is pretty interesting

www.followupforsuccess.com

He has some impressive credentials in auto sales. One tool he uses is video email to follow up with prospects. I heard one of his customer came to his house to clear his driveway of snow. Most salespeople do not get that kind of loyalty.

He sends the prospect a video email which is personalized (including a car walk-around) for each person. It is all in his blog.

Now I live in Canada and Mr. Hanson is in the US but he took the time to send me a video email when he knows I will probably never buy a car from him. I cannot get type of service from the person I bought my car from!