What You Need to Know About Pinterest (And How Special Finance Group Can Help!)

Posted on June 6, 2012 by sfgadmin

One of the hottest new social media outlets of 2012 is Pinterest. Over 10 million users have signed up with the service and approximately 8 million are active monthly users. Though some would argue that its popularity has already peaked, it is still important to know how to use it as part of an overall social media strategy.

A new study from EyeTrackShop suggests that Pinterest is a unique social media outlet and that campaigns for Facebook, Tumblr, or Twitter will not work the same with Pinterest. This might seem obvious to people involved in social media marketing, but it isn’t so obvious to people unfamiliar with Pinterest (and other social media outlets for that matter).

First off, it doesn’t do much good to put a lot of time into the profile on Pinterest. Users rarely look at each others’ profiles, so it is wasted effort. Second, the layout of your pins is important. Just like a Broadway star, the pin that is front and center will get more attention than the ones along the outside. Thirdly, you want the pins to tie in strongly with the brand. For example, a car dealership will want to highlight a mix of the 2012 vehicle line-up along with old favorites. If the pins only tie in loosely with the brand, users will see the Pinterest account as disingenuous and just trying to drive traffic. Basically, the profile might get more clicks, but those clicks will not translate into brand loyalty and new customers.

The great news about Pinterest is that users who view a company or brand’s Pinterest boards will typically have a more positive view of that company or brand, so it is definitely worth having (and more importantly, maintaining) a Pinterest account. Special Finance Group’s social media team understands Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and every other main social media outlet, and they know how to use social media to bring in new customers. The Special Finance Group social media team is part of the Complete Special Finance Solution, and they can handle all of your social media marketing needs.

Click here to learn more about the Complete Special Finance Solution, and keep up with the latest from Special Finance Group by liking Special Finance Group on Facebook and following Special Finance Group on Twitter.

Daily Changes Make Social Marketing Full-Time Work

Posted on May 29, 2012 by sfgadmin

Every day, online marketing is changing and shifting. More and more, it is difficult to keep up with all the tweaks made to Facebook ads, Google AdWords, or Bing Ads, and the task of generating quality leads is a full-time job.

Today, Mashable gave a rundown of important changes made to Google AdWords in the past few months. For those unfamiliar with Mashable, it is one of the best resources for internet marketing. Mashable’s readership tends to be people who specialize in internet marketing and social media. Their article covered major changes including targeting specific locations by zip code, ad rotation settings, and matching misspelled key word searches.

Keeping up with these changes is vital, and having these tips could mean the difference between a successful ad campaign and an unsuccessful ad campaign. For a busy car dealership, there isn’t time to keep up with the daily, weekly, or monthly tweaks to these online ad services, much less integrate these changes into an overall online marketing strategy. This is where Special Finance Group comes in. Instead of struggling to master the basics of online marketing, Special Finance Group’s SEO/IRM team will handle online marketing for you. Armed with the latest tactics and techniques, their ad campaigns will bring in high-quality leads for your dealership, and after the sale is done, they will continue engaging the customer through Facebook, Twitter, and numerous other social networking sites.

To learn more about Special Finance Group’s Complete Special Finance Solution, click here, and keep up with the latest news by liking Special Finance Group on Facebook and following Special Finance Group on Twitter.

Free images from FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Mashable: When It Comes to Online Marketing, Don’t Do It Yourself

Posted on May 15, 2012 by sfgadmin

Special Finance Group has a message for car dealerships looking to gain an online audience. The message can be summed up in 4 simple words: Don’t do it yourself.

A recent article on Mashable, the web’s premiere resource for social media news and technology, had suggestions for companies who are looking into mobile ecommerce. Most of the list pertained to marketing in general like choosing the right platform or simplifying the look, but the last and best suggestion they offered was “Quit Building It Yourself.”

Most business people are overachievers. This isn’t a bad quality, but sometimes they will wrongly believe that they can still manage all of their responsibilities and take on social media and online marketing as well. The problem with this strategy is that the business will focus less time on the actual product and more time learning new technology and online tools. Car dealerships will be spending so much time worrying about their online presence that they will be distracted from providing good customer service to people walking through the door. Dealerships might think they are saving money by doing online marketing themselves, but they are much better off hiring social media and internet marketing specialists like the team at Special Finance Group.

At Special Finance Group, we have you covered in internet marketing, online engagement, and lead generating. Our team is experienced in targeting and bringing in interested car buyers, earning associated dealerships hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional revenue every month. To learn more about what Special Finance Group can do for your dealership, read the Complete Special Finance Solution here. For the latest news from Special Finance Group, like Special Finance Group on Facebook and follow Special Finance Group on Twitter.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Lenders: Auto Loans More Accessible in 2012

Posted on May 3, 2012 by sfgadmin

In 2012, the road to better credit leads right through car dealerships.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the requirements for home and business loans are still strict with most lenders, but lenders are more willing to give auto loans, even for consumers with no credit or challenged credit. They based their analysis on a survey of senior loan officers at American banks as well as foreign banks with U.S. operations.

Studies have shown that car ownership can lead to upward mobility in the workforce and higher pay since car owners are not reliant on public transportation. They won’t be late to work because of a delayed bus or train, and they have more employment options open to them. When a steadier source of income is combined with new available credit, the end result is that the consumer is put in a much stronger financial situation.

Since other forms of credit are not accessible to consumers with a sub-prime credit score, there is a whole market of people looking to re-establish their credit history who will be looking for car loans. Car dealerships that partner with Special Finance Group can tap into this market and have a brand new source of customers. In addition to tradition advertising methods, Special Finance Group has an established online presence and utilizes the latest in online marketing to target the right car shoppers.

To learn more about what Special Finance Group could do for your dealership, read the Complete Special Finance Solution here, and keep up with the latest from Special Finance Group via Facebook and Twitter.

Image: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Press Release: Special Finance Group Brings On Garden City as New Partner

Posted on April 17, 2012 by sfgadmin

Long Island, New York, April 17, 2012 – This week, Special Finance Group announced that it will be partnering with Garden City Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram to help sub-prime customers in the New York tri-state area, particularly in the Long Island area.

Special Finance Group’s ApprovedLoanStore.com gives consumers with no credit or poor credit another chance at getting a car. People with good credit will also have a wider selection of vehicles and rates available to them. On average, Special Finance Group’s partner dealerships bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional revenue.

Special Finance Group’s Director of Operations Roberto Barca had nothing but praise for Garden City Jeep Chrysler Dodge. “Our customers will love Garden City’s selection and their attention to customer service,” he said regarding the partnership. “We couldn’t be happier to have them part of the Special Finance Group family.”

Garden City Jeep Chrysler Dodge is the premier spot for new and used car shopping in Hempstead, Long Island. Located at 283 N Franklin Street, they have a vast inventory of Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, and Ram vehicles including favorites like the Grand Cherokee, Town & Country, and Charger. Go to http://www.gardencitycardeals.com or call 877-819-3836 for more information.

Located in Midtown Manhattan, Special Finance Group helps connect qualifying customers with dealerships willing to work with them through their website ApprovedLoanStore.com. ApprovedLoanStore.com also provides financial resources, educational materials, and the latest news from the auto lending industry, helping consumers make better informed financial decisions.

Record-Breaking Months for Special Finance Group

Posted on April 13, 2012 by sfgadmin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY – April 13, 2012 – Special Finance Group celebrated record-breaking months in February and March after funding over $1.5 million and $2.2 million in auto loans.

In February, 91 customers were approved for loans through Special Finance Group’s Approved Loan Store program, and in March, 124 customers were approved. These customers had an average income of $27,000 per year and an average FICO score of 545. Despite their clients’ less than ideal financial situations, Approved Loan Store found a way to work with lenders and fund $3,740,978 in auto loans for February and March.

Special Finance Group and Approved Loan Store work with auto dealerships in the New York tri-state area to bring in additional business while also helping car shoppers obtain auto loans. Most Approved Loan Store customers have challenged credit and are unable to get approval for a car loan at their local dealership. With U.S. auto sales continuing to rise, car dealerships partnered with Special Finance Group will get to work with a wider range of car buyers and bring in higher sales and profits than their competitors, benefiting both customers and dealerships.

Contact:
Rachel Godfrey
info@specialfinancegroup.com
Phone: 877-217-2217

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Consumers With Low Credit Scores Dominate Auto Loan Market

Posted on April 11, 2012 by sfgadmin

Car dealerships that aren’t offering car loans to consumers with challenged credit are missing out on significant business.

According to research by J.D. Power & Associates, consumers with credit scores between 0 and 649 now make up a whopping 15 percent of sales for new-vehicle buyers. To clarify, this does not mean that 15 percent of car shoppers have sub-prime credit, it means that 15 percent of actual sales are for people with sub-prime credit.

Analysts have attributed this trend to the fact that credit standards for auto loans are not as restrictive as they used to be. They have also pointed to the rise in auto sales as proof that lenders are willing to work with consumers regardless of their credit situation.

Special Finance Group is in the business of helping car shoppers connect with dealerships that want to work with them and get them into a new or used vehicle. Customers with challenged credit can get approved, and customers with good credit can find a better deal. Go to http:///www.specialfinancegroup.com to read more about Special Finance Group’s Complete Special Finance Solution and how it could benefit your dealership. You can also like Special Finance Group on Facebook and follow Special Finance Group on Twitter.

Image: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Subprime Auto Loans in an Upswing

Posted on March 15, 2012 by sfgadmin

Recent studies are showing that dealerships that are not putting their resources behind special financing are missing out on a prominent and steadily growing market.

According to Automotive News, there has never been a better time to get in on special financing. Interest rates are dropping, even for high-risk loans, and 41.5 percent of auto loans are subprime auto loans. Only a few years ago, subprime auto loans were closer to a third of all auto loans, and now they are creeping up to half. Besides that, Standards and Poor has estimated that subprime loans in general will be higher this year. In 2011, subprime loans were 24 percent of all loans, and in 2012, they are expected to make up 25 to 30 percent of all loans.

With these numbers, putting resources into special financing is a no-brainer for any car dealership, and Special Finance Group can help dealerships make the most of their special finance departments. Special Finance Group brings years of experience as well as the latest in internet marketing and social media tools to bring in new clientele and hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional revenue.

Read more about Special Finance Group’s Complete Special Finance Solution here and find out what it could do for your dealership. Also, keep up to date on the latest from Special Finance Group by liking us on Facebook here.

Image: winnond / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Shoppers Flock to Fuel-Efficient Cars

Posted on March 6, 2012 by sfgadmin

Last month, the American auto industry continued its momentum into one of its strongest sales months in quite some time, shocking analysts, and the reason for its continued comeback might surprise you.

In the past few months, gas prices have been on the minds of millions of Americans with prices recently as high as $3.70 per gallon. High gas prices might seem like an odd reason for a surge in car buying, but when you consider that these car buyers are looking for more fuel-efficient cars that will cost less in the long run, it makes much more sense. During the month of February, 15.1 million vehicles were sold, and a good portion of those vehicles were compact cars like the Chrysler Fiat 500, the Ford Focus, and the Chevy Cruze.

The rising interest in fuel-efficient vehicles can be attributed to a more educated public (and thus a more educated first-time buyer) and long-time car owners getting fed up wasting money at the pump. Still, 15.1 million car sales in one month cannot be solely attributed to high gas prices, especially in a time when many people don’t have solid credit or money for a large down-payment, so what is driving car sales?

According to industry analysts, credit availability is also improving, and with many dealerships offering special finance options, more and more consumers are able to afford a car. What Special Finance Group can offer to dealerships are cutting-edge ways to connect with new customers and get those customers into a car. From the quality customer service offered by their call centers to their extensive knowledge of new media and social networking, Special Finance Group consistently brings in new business to its associate car dealerships.

To learn more about Special Finance Group’s tested and proven program, click here, and check out Special Finance Group on Facebook here.

Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Credit-Challenged Consumers Getting Cars Through Special Finance Programs

Posted on November 21, 2011 by sfgadmin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY – November 21, 2011 – With today’s troubled economy, consumers with poor credit are a mostly untapped group of potential customers in the car industry. They get frustrated going from car dealership to car dealership putting more hard inquiries on their credit reports and not getting any closer to purchasing a car. Some dealerships, however, are opening their own special finance departments to get sub-prime clients into a car while still making a profit at the same time.

After opening a special finance department, many dealerships have seen a huge return on investment (ROI). Special finance departments alone often bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars gross profit monthly, usually with a 50 percent net profit on the monthly gross.

Additionally, these new customers will need to maintain their newly purchased cars. It is likely that they will stop by the dealership’s service and parts center, once again getting more return on their investment.

Dealerships are looking to special finance companies like Special Finance Group to start or supplement their special finance department and bring in more clients. While each of these companies works differently, Special Finance Group works within the dealership, and their special finance experts manage the department and bring in an additional 200 to 300 clients every month.

The two biggest advantages that Special Finance Group has over other third-party special finance companies is their company guarantee and founder Todd Campanella’s years of experience in special finance. The company guarantee listed on the website states, “We guarantee the integrity of each and every deal we assemble. If any lender will not fund a contract on a vehicle we delivered to a customer, SFG will buy the contract or write a check for any loss associated with the recession concerning the specific deal.”

Founder Todd Campanella also personally stands behind that guarantee in his letter which is also available on the website. He cites his 14 years working in special finance and his “dedication to compliance, ethical business practices and…keeping the dealership’s best interests in mind.”

Companies like Special Finance Group are a win-win for consumers and dealerships alike. Consumers with challenged credit can have a better chance of a dealership working with them, and dealerships get more potential customers which cannot be understated in today’s economy with people hesitant to commit to large purchases.

Contact:
Rachel Godfrey
info@specialfinancegroup.com
Phone: 212-239-7270