Lindsey Woodring

Tag: social-media

The Infographics of the Industry
Analysis

You will see that throughout this infographic various statistics that are related to car dealership operations, such as buyer numbers and the sales data. In a way to make it appealing to the eye, these bold colors show distinct sections of the infographic to show information effectively.
- Visual satisfaction and Organization: The overall layout is very pleasing to the eye, from top to bottom you are given valuable data in a logical order.
- Colors and the influence: These bright colors are what draws in our readers, key statistics have even been listed under the red and blue to make them stand out.
- Readability: Each key detail is in a perfect font that is readable for each viewer, sizing is great, fitting in the important data while still being readable.
- Text and Visual Balance: the mix of both icons and text adds for this infographic to be fun, and eye catching, avoiding the large blocks of text makes it an easy read.
- The Story it Tells: For this infographic, each of these segments are meant to build on one another, making it a very well-rounded picture of what to expect and what is needed.
- Takeaway for My Infographic: I like how each of the segments lead into the next, making each data point important for each segment.
A Car Dealerships Infographic
- Visual satisfaction and Organization: The overall format is structured very good, with the readers starting from top to bottom.
- Colors and the influence: Again these bright colors are what draws in our readers, key statistics have even been listed under the red and blue to emphasize the importancy of the information.
- Readability: The font chosen clearly displays all of the key factors for the reader, not too big, not too small. very easy to read with the variying background.
- Text and Visual Balance: There is a heavy use of icons for the information given, it is almost overload with the amount of icons relative to the texts, but it is nice that text is very limited and straight to the point.
- The Story it Tells: For this infographic, you see that there is a direct correlation from the compliance influencing the consumer confidence and the reputation of the dealership.
- Takeaway for My Infographic: I would use the bold-worded sections to help relay my information just as they did to draw in awareness.
Conclusion

These two infographics show how car dealerships can improve their communication throgh their visual story telling. While one is focused on the internal aspect of carsales, the second one is customer-facing values with trust and compliance as a key factor. Both of these are great examples of how dealerships are working to change for the better. As i begin to design my own, I will be taking into account the details of each of these infographics and their strong points. So let’s see how I do!
May 18, 2025
Sales Vs. Service: Bridging the Communication Gaps in Dealership Culture
While it is easy to celebrate the sales, what happens after customers get the key matters just as much. A buyer might leave the lot feeling confident and excited, only to return for routine service and face confusion, miscommunication, or a law of follow through from the dealership. These types of disconnects can damage trust and impact the long-term loyalty of that customer. In this blog post, I explore how poor or lack of communication between departments can put a gap in the bridge between the customer and the company.

Professional and Clear

To the customer, the dealership is all one place, no departments. So when sales promises something and the service cannot deliver, the buyer feels misled and even mad when promises weren’t followed through with. That disconnect ruins trust fast. Maybe it’s just a missed warranty note, an incomplete service, or the service center can’t fix what was promised, just the smallest inconvenience can lead to a unsatisfied customer and a bad review. Little gaps turn into big frustrations, when sales and service are not in sync with each other, the dealership will feel disorganized or even untrustworthy. These internal conflicts tend to be external failures, however, with better communication between departments, trust can be kept and their loyalty will be secured.

Practical and Personable

When sales and service work together, it makes the dealership stronger. Customers notice if the communication between the two departments is good, they get their service they were promised, a smooth solid transition from after buying the vehicle and the consistent updates is exactly what customers are deserving. Internal alignment helps to avoid these mistakes, providing both the best sale, and the best service the dealership can offer. So follow-up with them, check on their satisfaction and give them future service reminders to let them know that they are beyond just a sale. Customers who feel supported across all of the stages in the dealership are more likey to return to the dealership, making this not just a one time service, a life long investment into the people.

Lets Outline These Steps Towards Better Sales-To-Service Communication
- Use a shared CRM or software platform that logs all customer promises and package details
- Hold regular check-ins between sales and service teams to align on customer expectations
- Create clear internal notes after every sale, especially for warranties, add-ons, or special agreements
- Develop a handoff system where the service team gets a full overview of the buyer’s profile
- Encourage both teams to view themselves as part of the customer’s long-term experience, not separate transactions
- Make training on communication and accountability part of both departments’ ongoing development
One Dealership, One Voice

Let’s be honest, at the end of the day customers will think of the dealership as one unit, so lets make it feel like that. By making the transition from sales to service smooth and hassle free, we can make the experience turn into something they would do again. Faster service, fewer surprises and a smooth experience, we have a chance to set ourselves apart and create better success for not just us, but for the customer. So, are we going to bridge those gaps?
May 15, 2025
Why Gen Z Isn’t Buying your Pitch (Literally)

In Previous blogs I mention how todays buyers, Gen Z, come onto the lot with more research than ever. Less patient and less willing to believe what you say, the traditional sales tactics we use are having to change with this generation. Dealerships that pressure or give vague pitches are more likely to loose those customers. Dealerships that demonstrate clarity, honesty and can have a conversation that feels real is a dealership that will last. While some dealerships hit the spot, there are a lot of dealerships that miss it. If they really want to learn about Gen Z and earn their business, lets start with rethinking how they communicate with a generation that demands more from the buying experience.

If sales people want to start building their business with Gen Z, they need to stop selling and start listening. They don’t want to hear recited lines from selling cars in 2005, if thats your tactic, you’ve completely lost them. Lets keep it simple, they want it to be transparent, have multiple options and someone who can talk about what they are interested it. in order to do the last part though, we have to listen to this generation that comes onto the lot with their price knowledge, understanding of specs and the deep reviews of the cars. They know their cars, and they aren’t going to be fed fluff. With staff that can communicate clearly on both in-person experiences and those that take place online, like quick responses or honest answers, these buyers will feel trusted and that will go a long way for any dealership.

When dealerships fail to adjust their approach, they risk more than just losing a single sale. They’re risking long-term damage to their reputation. Gen Z customers are vocal, connected and anything but afraid to share experiences, especially bad ones online. A single poor interaction can spread like wildfire across all platforms, resulting in damages to your company. According to a 2023 report from McKinsey, Gen Z places a high value on authenticity, transparency and digital responsiveness. They expect brands to meet them there. In today’s market, poor communication isn’t just a mistake, it’s a business risk.

So how can we limit these risks? Firstly dealerships need to start by training sales staff to prioritize listening over pitching. Encourage staff to ask better questions to truly understand the customers needs. Being upfront about price and inventory, no one wants to sit around for a car they won’t be able to buy. Secondly, invest in quality digital communication tools, allowing customers to chat online with sales reps on the floor, giving quick responses and clear messaging not just through chat but throughout your website. Many companies have already adapted to appeal to this generation, dealerships can come with the same approach will not only gain Gen Z trust, they build a foundation for customers that want to come back.

May 4, 2025
How the ACC is Strengthening Sales Through Communication

Communication is one of the most important aspects of selling cars — plain and simple. The Automotive Communications Council (ACC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to emphasizing the importance of building trust and loyalty, particularly within the dealership and automotive industries. Through a focus on education, collaboration, and strategic communication, ACC explores how these elements can drive meaningful advancement in the automotive world. By encouraging even small but intentional improvements, ACC is reshaping how the industry builds trust, enhances customer loyalty, and creates sustainable growth.

ACC’s mission is made to make great changes to such an important industry. All by increasing awareness of great communication in the automotive world. They have found that by promoting eudcation, professional development and using collaborations to their advantage, dealerships can grow their revenue, and increase customer satisfaction for long-term success.

What you might ask is, what sets the ACC apart from other companies? well, they aren’t just looking for short-term solutions, they are looking at the big picture for the companies, and using those ideas to help dealerships all around the world. I say it again and again, communication is key, and the ACC is using this knowledge to shape the industry into something spectacular. Pushing for sales professionals to think bigger than just one deal at a time, why limit yourself? in my opinion, pushing towards a trust-building and respectful environment inside these types of interactions is what customers deserve. they have what it takes to lead the way for dealerships all around to adapt.

At the end of the day, customers don’t just remember what you sold them — they remember how you made them feel. Organizations like the Automotive Communications Council are helping dealerships and sales teams realize that real communication is the competitive advantage. Building trust, having real conversations, and focusing on long-term loyalty is how you stay ahead in today’s industry.

Thank you for listening!

April 27, 2025
Real Selling Happens Before the Customer Shows Up

Every great sale starts with preparation, not a handshake. For car sales, the real work starts long before you even get to that handshake. Having knowledge, being preparation and great expertise lay the foundation for clear, confident communicate, the kind that builds trust and sets you apart from the competition.

Customers aren’t showing up clueless anymore, most of the time these days, customers walk into dealerships already knowing what they want. If you aren’t prepared to meet them with real knowledge, you can loose your credibility in minutes.

That’s why I can’t stress enough how important it is to be prepared, especially if you are trying to be the best in the industry, it’s not an option anymore. These genuine conversations are essential, along with true knowledge of your products, that is what is going to change the game and put you on top.

You can know every little feature on the lot, but the way you communicate it, tell it’s story, is going to be where you start to step ahead of people. While you can sit there and rattle off features about this and that, listening just might be what every customer needs. Great communication isn’t just about you talking, it’s about hearing what our customers need, their wants, this huge financial decision is theirs, they must feel like they are being heard. People will remember the way you made them feel more than the exact words you used.

Selling a car is great. Building a loyal customer? that’s even better. Not only does that secure revenue for a company, that also shows other consumers who they can trust in such an overwhelming industry. When communication feels respectful, people don’t just buy once, they will keep coming back, and recommendations and word of mouth references are how those larger networks come into benefit you in the long haul.

At the end of the day, Selling is simple when you are prepared, knowledgable and have the tools to communicate that to your customers. Those that understand this, who invest their time and skills into their work, don’t just sale cars, they build relationships with loyal customers that drives real growth.

April 27, 2025
What Communication Gaps Are Costing Dealerships Today?
In this blog, I’ll be talking to you about something that often gets ignored in the car sales industry; the role of communication in shaping the customer experience. So lets get into it.
For many consumers, buying a car is a major financial and personal commitment. yet, one of the most intimidating parts of the process is the dealership experience itself. Customers frequently leave feeling overwhelmed, or even unconvinced that the salesperson truly knows what they are selling.

This blog aims to explore that gap.

During my time at the University of Oregon, I developed a strong foundation in public relations and understanding the importance of strategic communication. Now, i’m focused on how brand messaging, customer service, and sales strategy intersect. Over time, I’ve seen how dealerships can either build trust or lose it; that depended entirely on the way they communicated. All too often, this communication feels rushed, scripted and when it gets to be disconnected, consumers ask “do you even know what you are selling me?”

If you’re curious about how communication can make or break a car sale, here’s what you can expect to find here:

Why product knowledge enhances credibility

How mixed messages lead to customer doubts and lost loyalty

ways to build real, lasting relationships just through communication

PR practices that dealerships can learn from

why having clear and consistent messaging is key for long-term brand loyalty.

Whether you’re part of the industry, learning the ropes like i am, or simply want to understand how communication impacts buying decisions, you just might find something here worth reading.

To dive deeper into what customers truly value in a sales experience, this article from Harvard Business Review offers a dive into the intricate eyes of customers and the power of genuine communication, a principle that doesn’t just stop applying in the world of car sales.

Thanks for reading and welcome to the discussion!
April 23, 2025