(FRANKFORT, Ill.) – February 26, 2010 – Dealer HD enhanced its existing autoTweet capabilities in the 1.13 service update allowing for the use of custom timing on inventory tweets.

Dealer HD has been diligently building on its integration with Twitter.  The starting point with Twitter came with DHD’s introduction of autoTweet in the 1.11 service update (June 2009).  Using autoTweet, dealers were able to connect the RIMS Admin inventory to their Twitter accounts and tweet fresh vehicles in inventory daily.  In the 1.12 service update (September 2009) the Twitter interface was integrated into the RIMS Admin – allowing dealers one login to manage their website and Twitter account.   In its latest update, 1.13, Dealer HD revisited its original autoTweet feature and added automation spanned across time.

“Tweeting your newly arrived inventory is a great addition to your twitter stream and we wanted to make it feel less automated. AutoTweet now sends your newly arrived inventory throughout the day between your dealerships tweets – enhancing your timeline and making everything seem more natural,“ said Bruce Etzcorn, Director of Product Development at Dealer HD.

Dealer HD’s 1.13 service update focused on SEO improvement and Dealership communication capabilities.  For more information on autoTweet and Dealer HD’s Automotive Website services visit dealerhd.com

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Dealer HD is an Automotive Website and Solutions Provider serving clients Nationwide. Located in the southern suburbs of Chicago, the Dealer HD team has over 100 years of combined automotive experience.  Dealer HD provides customizable dealer web sites with a comprehensive admin tool that collects dealer leads, allows the quick and easy editing of website content, inventory modification and more.  Dealer HD makes sure your dealer website is ready for mobile applications, social networking, and all future web innovations.

(FRANKFORT, Ill.) – January 22, 2010 – Dealer HD’s Vice President of Sales, Justin Duff sat down with Auto Success this month to discuss the industry, his experience and Dealer HD’s take on where dealerships are headed with interactive media, for a podcast that airs today.

The podcast, available for download on AutoSuccessOnline.com and iTunes, it is a first for Dealer HD and a starting point for becoming more vocal in the industry.  “Up until now, we’ve been fairly quiet.  Our focus has been building the best products we can and earning trust.  Now we’re ready to start making some noise,” said Justin Duff, Vice President of Sales.

Topics include: effective website tools, SEO strategy and the use of video.  Duff discusses how dealers can improve the effectiveness of their websites to garner more quality leads.  Social media is also a hot topic.  He describes the roles social media plays for dealerships.  ”Dealers need to think of social media more as a way to build relationships with their customers, rather than a direct sales approach.”  Full details are available in the podcast.

Partnering with Auto Success on the podcast as well as with other advertising ventures in 2010 Dealer HD is planning to become a more prominent fixture in the dealer website market.  With new Dealer HD products and services up for release early this year you can expect to see and hear a lot more about DHD. As always, to find out the latest with Dealer HD, visit www.dealerhd.com

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Dealer HD is an Automotive Website and Solutions Provider serving clients Nationwide. Located in the southern suburbs of Chicago, the Dealer HD team has over 100 years of combined automotive experience.  Dealer HD provides customizable dealer web sites with a comprehensive admin tool that collects dealer leads, allows the quick and easy editing of website content, inventory modification and more.  Dealer HD makes sure your dealer website is ready for mobile applications, social networking, and all future web innovations.

Remember back in school when you studied like crazy for a test – reading the book, checking homework and quizzes, but even after all that you still failed?

Ok, maybe failing is a little extreme – point is, you didn’t do so hot and neither did the rest of the class.  There are some professors in this world (not many of mine) that take pity and decide to grade on a curve.  Curving takes out the sting and inspires us to try a little harder next time.

Right now we’re experiencing the Social Media boom and dealers everywhere are trying outlets like Facebook and Twitter to get their dealerships noticed.  From the Dealer HD and Interactive Provider perspective it’s fantastic.  Social Media Outlets have given dealerships the ability to create their own image online and for an industry that has struggled with the transfer of power between print and online advertising they can see the value in it, if done right.

The problem is, right now not everyone is doing it “right,” whatever that means.  There have been blogs and articles encouraging Social Media use then pointing the finger on who’s doing it right or wrong.  I think we need to take a step back and realize that just like math or science – Social Media deserves a curve too.

Finding the right strategy for your dealership is going to take a little time.  Not everyone can use the same formula, it’s dynamic and what works in Illinois might not work in Texas.  For those dealers out there trying their hand in Social Media – go for it!  Don’t be afraid of critics or failing your first time out.  You’ll get it and once you do you’ll reap the benefits.  If you have questions as you go along, don’t be afraid to ask for help.  Talk to someone you trust or even your website provider – we’re full of ideas and ready to help.

To get you started – the best universal advice I can give you right out the gate is to put yourself in a customer’s shoes.  If your page is something you would be interesting in being a part of, chances are others would be too.