A lot of you are hoping that 2012 is going to be an awesome year online and I am pulling for you, but what kind of plan have you developed to make it happen? Read on and I’ll map out eight steps you can do to accelerate your results.

One of my favorite quotes is, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

Similarly, a client of mine shared with me their method to ensure they meet expectations. They don’t allow their managers to use the word “hope” when projecting future results. They plan and expect.

By planning well, then executing on their plan, they can expect the results they planned. What’s the method at your dealership?

Have you taken the time to work with your team to map out your 2012 Internet sales and marketing plan?

If not, I’d be glad to provide a free document with the framework to help you develop your own plan that will allow you consider the key operational variables you’ll need to strategize on to make this an awesome year online.

As a start, you may want to use our “8 Steps to Internet Success Outline.”

Step 1: Outline your vision and goals with your team

Step 2: Develop or update your Internet customer experience (hint: mystery-shop your own dealership and see if it’s done like you’d like it to be done.)

Step 3: Develop or update your Internet lead (online/phone) handling process (hint: fewer tasks completed every time are better than more tasks completed half the time.)

Step 4: Review your operational structure and make sure you have the staffing in place to accomplish all the tasks outlined in your process.

Step 5: Update your communication tactics: e-mail templates, scripts, voicemail scripts, chat verbiage, video usage, etc.

Step 6: Review your tools and technology. Is your team using your CRM properly (both variable and fixed ops)?

Step 7: Develop or update your digital marketing and social media plan. This is such a huge part of your success but it is the seventh step in our outline
because if you don’t have the other variables buttoned up, you are wasting valuable money in this area.

Step 8: Review or create a metrics plan so you can measure your results. Focus on the three key variables: sales, gross and return on investment.

Each step invites deeper strategic planning and the better you plan and execute the better the “expected” results.

For more information, visit www.kainautomotive.com.