Social Networking -- Welcome to the September/October Edition of the Constellation Automotive Software Newsletter. This months newsletter is all about ways in which your dealership can benefit from utilizing social networks.

Online Social Networking

What is Online Social Networking?

Online Social Networking is the combining of individuals into specific targeted groups, utilizing the Internet. As technology becomes easier to understand and work with, the Internet is filled with millions of individuals who are looking to meet other users online, to gather and share first-hand information or experiences about any number of topics, including consumer related interests. In our case, this would be to find and discuss specific targeted items such as Automobiles and Automotive Related Services. One such Social Networking Program that is of interest to us is FACEBOOK.

What is Facebook and how do companies benefit from it's usage?

Facebook is a global social networking website that is operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. Users can add friends and send them messages, and update their personal profiles to notify friends about themselves. Additionally, users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school, and region. Businesses in particular are using more than 100,000 Facebook Pages (Business Sponsered Facebook Accounts) which allows users and consumers alike to interact and affiliate with businesses and organizations in the same way they interact with other Facebook user profiles. More than 100,000 Facebook Pages cover the world’s largest brands, local businesses, organizations and bands. A few of these include, but are not limited to: Coca Cola, McDonalds, Boeing and Chrysler Automotive.

Florida Car dealership finds social networking pays off

The following news story is taken from PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Some local businesses have taken to social networks for marketing, and one local car dealership said the move is working well. Dave Ingold, the marketing manager for Park Auto Mall, said he got the idea to use social networking as part of his marketing after selling a car in March. "The next day, when I came to work, I got an e-mail from her inviting me to become her friend on Facebook," he said. Ingold decided that social marketing tools were good for more than just socializing, and so he decided to do business using them. "My latest message is, 'Whether it rolls or floats or flies, I'll take it in on trade,'" Ingold said. Ingold said the work has paid off by driving people to the dealership Web site. "I had about 1,850 visits, 1,850 on Saturday, which resulted in 11, 12 cars sold," he said. Ingold estimates that about 20 percent of the cars sold since March have been because of Facebook and Twitter.

Social Networking News Announcement

Constellation Automotive Software Launches Facebook Software Pages

In light of the growing trend in companies making a global presence online, Constellation Automotive Software is happy to announce the launch of our new Facebook Page: Constellation Automotive Software. Whether you are a current facebook user, facebook company page-holder or plan to open a user or company page account, please feel free to "Fan Us" (add us to your facebook fan pages so you can see our regular page updates). By adding us as a "fan", you will have regular status updates in regards to what is new and exciting with our software, as well as receive invitations to online trainings and events. Implemented along with the launch of our Page is a Dealer specific bulletin board/forum which will enable dealers to communicate with each other on ideas and trends in the marketplace. We are very excited about this new initiative and invite all of our customers to join us on a regular basis.

If you would like further information on how to become a facebook user or start your own Dealership Pages, please see this link: How to Use Facebook: Video Series.

Constellation Automotive Software Call Us at: 1-800-654-4955 Software Support: Option 3 Account Management: Option 4 Sales: Option 1 Or Fax us at: 1-941-355-8980 To Access Client Care Center or visit our website, go to www.constellationauto.com