The Complete Guide to Facebook Reels for Car Dealers (2023): How to Promote Your Dealership using Video

In this article, we will be discussing how car dealers can effectively utilise the Facebook Reels feature to promote their cars and boost sales. We will cover everything from the basics of the Facebook Reels feature, to best practices for creating engaging and effective reels, to strategies for using Facebook Reels to reach a wider audience and drive traffic to your dealership.

Additionally, we will provide examples of successful car dealer reels and explain how they were able to achieve their success. We will also provide tools and resources that car dealers can use to make their reels stand out, and discuss how to measure the performance of your reels and use analytics to improve your strategy.

By the end of this guide, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how to use Facebook Reels to promote your cars and drive sales.

What is Facebook Reels?

Facebook Reels is a short-form video platform with vertical videos capped to a length of 30 seconds. It was introduced in March 2021 (following India's TikTok Ban, and amongst rumours that the United States would also ban TikTok) as a competitor to the Chinese short-form video platform TikTok.

Have you heard of Facebook Reels? If not, don't worry – you're not alone. Trust us, your customers are already using it. And if you're not promoting your dealership on Reels, you're missing out on a huge opportunity. So what are Reels and how can you use them to promote your business? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Facebook Reels for car dealerships in 2023!

Who has written this article?

My name is Gary Lewis Cheetham, an automotive marketing specialist with over a decade of experience in the industry. I am the founder of GL Digital Automotive Marketing, a company that helps independent car dealers in the UK and US with their digital marketing strategies.

My goal is to help independent car dealers maximize their potential. I have a strong foundation in the car trade, having worked in my dad's dealership as a teenager and my passion for the industry has enabled me to develop effective strategies for reaching and engaging potential customers, driving sales and building a strong online presence for car dealerships, through my focus on using new technology such as Facebook Reels for car dealership marketing.

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Introduction to Facebook Reels for Car Dealers

Welcome to the wild world of Facebook Reels, where car dealerships have an unfair advantage (more on that later)! If you're new to the game, let us fill you in on what Facebook Reels is all about.

Essentially, it's like TikTok for Facebook, a platform where you can create short videos that are all about showing off your dealership's personality, inventory and sales. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good car video?

You can add music, text, fun effects and more to your videos to keep viewers glued to the screen.

What are the differences between Facebook reels and other features?

But hold on, before you start filming your next reel, let's talk about the difference between Reels and other features. Sure, you can post car videos on your regular feed, but reels are optimized for short-form, mobile-first videos, and they're also discoverable through a dedicated section on Facebook. So, it's like having your own little TV channel on Facebook.

What are the potential benefits of using Facebook Reels for your Car Dealership?

Now, onto the good stuff, the benefits of using Facebook Reels for car dealership marketing. First, it's a great way to showcase your inventory and sales in a fun and engaging way. Secondly, it's a great way to create a strong online presence for your dealership and reach a wider audience.

And last but not least, it's a great way to humanize your dealership and build trust with potential customers.

So, what are you waiting for? It's time to start filming and let the reels roll!

How to create Facebook Reels for your Car Dealership

Okay, so you're a seasoned car dealer, not a social media whiz. But that's okay! Even the most technologically challenged among us can master the art of the Facebook Reel.

1. Make sure your Facebook page is set up and optimised. This means having a killer profile picture, a snappy bio, and all the relevant information filled out. Trust us, you don't want potential customers Googling your dealership and finding an empty page. If you need help with this, check our full guide here.

2. Open the Facebook app on your smartphone. We know, we know. It's like trying to navigate the Bermuda Triangle. But don't worry, we'll guide you through it.

3. Click on the watch tab. This is where all the magic happens.

4. Click on Reels. Ta-da! You've officially entered the realm of short-form video content.

5. Click on the small camera icon in the top right corner

6. Point and shoot. No need to be fancy here. Just point your camera at whatever you want to capture and press record. And there you have it, you've just made your first Facebook Reel!

Why use your smartphone? Most smartphone cameras these days are good enough to shoot video on, and you don't need to go out and buy fancy equipment. Just start shooting straight away, and find out what works and what doesn't.

Best Practices for Creating Engaging Facebook Reels for Car Dealers

Here are our top tips, based on what we recommend to the dealerships we work with:

1. Make the algorithm your friend: Understanding the algorithm is key to getting your Reels seen by more people. Create content that is engaging, relevant, and timely, and optimize your Reels by using hashtags, captions and sound.
2. Show behind-the-scenes footage: Use Facebook Reels to show the human side of your dealership by introducing your team, showing behind the scenes footage, or hosting Q&A sessions.
3. Use calls to action: Encourage viewers to visit your website or dealership by including calls to action in your Reels, such as "Visit us today" or "Learn more on our website".

Make the algorithm your friend

Ah, the mysterious world of algorithms, the backbone of social media platforms like Facebook Reels. Just like TikTok, the platform is all about the algorithm, meaning that the more likes, views, and shares your Reels get, the more it will be recommended to other users. In other words, the algorithm is the gatekeeper to the kingdom of views, likes and shares.

Think of it as the bouncer at the hottest club in town, and your Reels are trying to get in. The more popular and well-received your Reels are, the more likely the bouncer (algorithm) will let you in and show your content to a wider audience.

But don't let the algorithm intimidate you, just focus on creating high-quality, engaging content and the views, likes, and shares will come naturally. And who knows, your dealership's Reels might just become the VIPs of the Facebook Reels club scene.

Show behind-the-scenes footage

In a world of polished and slick content, that to be honest, most people scroll past, you have to stand out. How can you do it? Like that bad advice your mum gave you before your first date, just be yourself!

Let's face it, car dealerships can sometimes have a reputation of being stuffy and uptight. But why should that be the case? We're all human, and there's nothing more relatable than a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of a dealership. That's where Facebook Reels come in, my friends.

Think of it as a sneak peek into the secret lives of car dealers. Show off the hardworking and dedicated team that makes it all happen. Give a glimpse of the daily hustle and bustle of the dealership. Show the world the human side of your dealership, and watch as customers flock to your doors.

And if you really want to give your audience a laugh, don't be afraid to show the occasional mishap or blunder that happens behind the scenes. It's all part of the fun and it'll show that your dealership is made up of real people who make mistakes and learn from them.

Remember, when it comes to Facebook Reels, transparency is key. Show the world what makes your dealership unique and watch as it becomes the talk of the town!

Use Calls to Action

Want to know the secret to making bank as a car dealership? It's all about the calls to action, baby! And there's no better place to include those juicy calls to action than in your Facebook Reels.

Imagine, you've got a potential customer hooked with your behind-the-scenes footage and team introductions, now it's time to reel them in (no pun intended) with a strong call to action. "Visit us today" or "Learn more on our website" are just a couple examples of the magic words that will turn those viewers into paying customers.

But don't just stop there, get creative with your calls to action. Encourage viewers to come in and check out your finance and credit options, it's a great way to put more money in your pocket.

In short, Facebook Reels are the ultimate tool for turning viewers into customers and customers into cash. So don't be shy, be bold with your calls to action and watch the profits roll in (okay, I promise that's the last reel pun)

Tips for filming and editing to make your reels stand out

You don't need to be Spielberg, the three things we recommend to the dealers we work for Facebook Reels are the three L's: Lighting, Location and Likeability

1. Lighting: Lighting is key, so make sure you're filming in well-lit areas or invest in some affordable lighting equipment.
2. Location: Film in the showroom, at your sales desk, in the mechanics bay, but make sure it's clean and tidy so you're showing the best side of your dealership.
3. Likeability: Get your team involved! Show off the human side of your dealership by having different team members take turns filming reels.
   And most importantly, don't overthink it. Keep it simple, be yourself and most importantly, have fun with it! Remember, the goal is to connect with your audience and grab their attention, not to win an Oscar.

Will using Facebook Reels really result in more sales for your dealership?

Facebook Reels may not directly result in more sales, but well, let's put it this way, if you're still relying on newspaper ads and AutoTrader to sell cars, then yes, Facebook Reels will definitely result in more sales for your dealership.

People will start visiting your showroom saying "I saw this one on your video" or "I was watching this car on my phone last night"

Facebook Reels can be a powerful tool to establish your dealership's presence in the local community. By sharing interesting, informative and entertaining content, you are not only providing value to potential customers, but also creating an emotional connection. People will start recognizing you and associating your dealership with a friendly and accessible atmosphere.

Plus, let's be real, who doesn't love a good reel that showcases the newest models and the behind the scenes of your dealership? It's like a sneak peek into the secret life of car dealers. Just make sure to include some good old-fashioned calls to action (like come and visit our showroom we're open Monday to Friday) and you'll be driving those sales up in no time!

Conclusion

Well folks, there you have it! You've made it to the end of our ultimate guide to Facebook Reels for car dealers, and let me tell you, it's been quite the journey. From learning what the heck Reels even is, to discovering all the ways it can boost your dealership's online presence, I hope you've come away with some valuable insights.

But let's not forget, knowledge is nothing without action. So don't just sit there, put down the remote (or in this case, close the article), and get to work on creating some killer Reels for your dealership. Trust me, your customers will thank you, and your sales will thank you even more.

And hey, if all else fails, just remember to make the algorithm your friend and you'll be good to go. Happy filming!

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