Car dealership finds social networking pays off

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Ingold uses Twitter and Facebook to market his dealership's cars.

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.

Getting set up meant spending several hours on the computer.  Now, every time he receives a car in inventory, it automatically shows up on the Twitter feed. He also lets potential customers know about offers.

"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.

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