Dr. Curtin’s annual shipment forecasts often missed the mark during the past decade...
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Thursday, December 3, 2009
Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part series on making friends with Internet search engines. This first article deals with search engine traffic and keywords and key phrases. The second article will talk about the importance of keywords in website...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Taking some simple steps can help your dealership generate more leads and sales while saving money.
What is the most common reaction in a challenging market? Hiring freezes, layoffs, and of course marketing budget cuts – whether traditional or...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
An amazing 85 percent of Sutton RV’s sales are Internet generated, most from outside its local market. The Eugene, Ore.-based Airstream dealership credits multiple online sources – including Go RVing – for generating leads that keep the...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Web logs are an emerging, important way for businesses to communicate with their customers. Implementing a couple of simple strategies can increase the chances that the web log will be an effective tool.
In today’s wired world I know that I don...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
A few years back several RV manufacturers began producing videos that highlighted their respective products. They had thousands of them burned to DVDs and sent out to their dealers where, unfortunately, they would usually collect dust on a shelf.
At the time,...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Converting online shoppers into buyers involves treating all leads equally, responding promptly and on point and consistent follow-up.
In today’s digital economy, most consumers do their purchasing homework online, some of whom sending e-mail...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
It’s not enough to simply have a website. A really good website is intuitive in its design, offers eye-catching content and calls prospects to action.
More than 60 percent of potential RV buyers research their purchase online, visiting as many as...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The company’s SMART RV Anchor Pods lets users attach a variety of products, including  the kitchen sink, to the outside of an RV.
An RV industry newcomer is betting on a palm-sized widget and its company name to make a big splash in an...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The company has created a niche for itself in the RV replacement parts market, while keeping its eyes open for new growth opportunities.
Photos by Ryan Crepinsek
All-Rite has made a name for itself in the RV industry by providing a quick order turnaround time...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Photos by Brent Schlemmer and courtesy of Stoett Industries
Stoett Industries Inc.’s unusual beginning in the toy hauler market came when LaSalle Bristol of Elkhart, Ind., a large RV distributor, came to Stoett owners and its father-son team, Jack and Chris Stover...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Parts that increase towing performance in pickup trucks represent a largely untapped market for many RV dealerships.
As RV dealers and shops owners are well aware, the vast majority of the 8 million RVs traveling U.S. roads today are either fifth wheels...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The diesel performance market isn’t a new one, but it might be new to some traditional RV accessory retailers and installers.
While diesel technology has aided in towing heavy loads for decades, increased consumer demand through performance retail channels...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Selling towing and braking products is serious business. Not just because of the billions of dollars in revenue these generate for dealerships each year, but also from the perspective of how much liability it can bring when dealer employees don’t know their...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
After some initial difficulties associated with the merger of three different hitch brands, the company is once again focused on producing quality products and providing top-notch service to its customers.
Plymouth, Mich.-based Cequent Towing Products has been...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The hitch manufacturing company has made a name for itself in the industry by focusing on product innovation, particularly related to its powder-coat finishes, and by placing an emphasis on customer service.
Today, CURT Mfg. sells a full line of hitches and towing...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Hitches and towing equipment shouldn’t be treated as simple add-ons. Many manufacturers stand ready to help retailers with a multitude of marketing materials and other assistance.
A fifth wheel hitch or a tow bar for a tow vehicle often isn’t a top concern...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
They are out there, if you know where to look for them and how to cultivate relationships with them.
RV dealerships and towing products installers regularly rely on recreational enthusiasts to buy their products. Lately, though, these customers are few...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Offering solutions to help RVers with the problem of properly aligning their tow vehicle and trailer offers profit potential for aftermarket retailers.
For those RVers with trailers, one of the most daunting tasks can be properly aligning their trailer...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The Emporia, Kan.-based manufacturer finds its mark making products that combine innovation and ease of use.
There’s a maxim in the advertising industry that says “simple is powerful.” While it operates in a different industry, the...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Running a successful parts department today requires dealerships to wisely manage their parts assets, implement waste control systems and optimize their parts personnel.
In the first installment of this series, I suggested that the parts department in...