This special post was prepared for all of our owners, dealer principals, sales managers, salespeople, automotive marketers, internet managers, BDC managers, and anyone else inside a dealership who has a desire for self-improvement. We’ve curated a comprehensive list of the best automotive industry blogs, web content, YouTube channels, conferences, and more so that you don’t have to search around for them!
Are you an automotive professional looking to perfect your craft? This special post was prepared for all of our owners, dealer principals, sales managers, salespeople, automotive marketers, internet managers, BDC managers, and anyone else inside a dealership who has a desire for self-improvement. We’ve curated a comprehensive list of the best automotive industry blogs, web content, YouTube channels, conferences, and more so that you don’t have to search around for them!
Whether you’re looking to sell more vehicles, improve leasing penetration, teach new hires, try some new marketing channels, or learn new skills, this is the right place to be!
BLOGS
The Autovance Blog
A little bit of shameless self-promotion here… It’s our goal to make the Autovance blog a gold mine of information for Canadian auto dealers. With monthly publications, collections, and communications we are sure you will find value in it! For all the updates and industry news delivered straight to your inbox, just drop your e-mail address in the “Subscribe” box in the sidebar.
DealerOn Blog
The DealerOn blog primarily focuses on topics such as automotive marketing, search engine marketing (SEM) and optimization (SEO), as well as video. Whether you’re killing time, trying to improve your dealer website, or just plain curious what kind of marketing details you might be missing, this blog does not disappoint! This blog is updated every single week and is loaded with video content, so you can always discover new techniques there!
Dealertalk by Kijiji
The Dealertalk network established by Kijiji aims to create a network of insight, resources, and access to some of the best automotive minds. Their blog features valuable insights and conversations on the trends in the Canadian automotive industry. Kijiji also hosts their annual “DealertalkX” events in Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal which feature A-list keynote speakers, networking and training sessions all in an action-packed day with streams for both Dealership executives, in addition to all other dealership personnel.
E-BOOKS
The Secret to Leasing More Vehicles
A little bit more shameless self-promotion here… We worked hard to produce an awesome resource for Canadian dealers and we want to share it with you! The Secret to Leasing More Vehicles contains insights from our years of experience working with some of the top-performing dealerships in Canada who have experienced tremendous success using our platform. In fact, we did a case study with Subaru of Lethbridge and Autovance Desk: utilizing our unique approach to desking, they saw a 71% increase in lease penetration, 54% increase in average front-end gross profit, and were rated the #1 Subaru Dealer in Canada for two consecutive years after being introduced to our software! Seriously, get the e-book!
Google Dealer Playbook
In 2017 Google launched the Google Dealer Playbook following their study of automotive dealerships and consumer behaviour. They dive in deep on the concept of “micro-moments” and help guide dealers to implementing strategies that meet the needs of today’s consumer and how they actually use the Internet rather than guessing how we think they use the Internet. In addition, the Google Dealer Playbook touches on the importance of fundamentals and getting the simple things right to truly collect the dividends of your efforts and marketing investments. If you spend any serious time browsing our collection of resources, the Google Dealer Playbook is a piece you absolutely do not want to miss.
PODCASTS
The Dealer Playbook
The Dealer Playbook is brought to you by Michael Cirillo. This is one of the absolute best podcasts for automotive professionals, featuring some of the brightest minds in the automotive industry. If you love podcasts and aspire to dominate the industry, you’re going to love The Dealer Playbook!
The Car Pro Insider
Another awesome podcast for automotive professionals, the Car Pro Insider podcast is loaded with endless hours of content and Robert Wiesman continues to produce even more! This podcast is another secret weapon you can use to affirm yourself as a successful dealer or automotive professional. The link provided to listen to this one is on YouTube, however you can also find the Car Pro Insider on one of the many podcasting platforms.
The Hardcore Closer Podcast
The Hardcore Closer is a bona-fide sales podcast. If you’re looking to up your sales game, this is the podcast for you: Ryan Stewman is a master sales trainer who is happily sharing his wealth of knowledge on sales, marketing, prospecting, closing, and more. If you’re a manager or dealer don’t hesitate to share this with your sales team. Remember: coffee is for closers!
YOUTUBE CHANNELS
DrivingSalesTV
DrivingSales is a monster when it comes to producing educational content for the automotive industry. Between the wicked content on their website, loaded YouTube channel, constant high impact events throughout North America, this organization works hard to advance the automotive industry. Visit the DrivingSales YouTube channel to find tips on almost every role in the dealership and hear the valuable industry insights they have collected throughout their events.
Gary Vaynerchuk
It would be hard to find somebody on the Internet that produces more content than Gary Vaynerchuk. GaryVee is a personal favourite of mine: with his high-energy style, it’s hard not to feel motivated after listening to him speak. This big-time entrepreneur and hustler provides daily value in his keynotes, vlogs, meetings, and ridiculous documentation of life for the sake of educating us all. If you’re looking for some exciting, high energy content to get yourself going, make sure you dig in to GaryVee‘s content! Crush it!
Grant Cardone
Grant Cardone is the expert sales trainer and hustler that you need to follow! He claims to be the “uncle you never had” and is sure to get you fired up. If you’re in sales or business there is sure to be something of value for you on Mr. Cardone’s YouTube channel. If you like what you find, be sure to share it with your sales team! Get out there and 10X your business!
EVENTS
NADA 2018
March 23-25, 2018
Las Vegas, NV
Most car dealers are well-aware of the biggest automotive tradeshow in North America, NADA. Come see what’s new in the industry, and learn from the many dealers and vendors in attendance. This year, NADA is being hosted in Las Vegas, so if you plan on attending, be sure to visit us at our booth (#3693C) with Quorum DMS.
ACE: Automotive Conference & Expo by TADA
April 11-12, 2018
Niagara Falls, ON
Autovance is excited to be exhibiting alongside Quorum DMS at this event, so make sure to stop and visit if you will be in attendance! The Trillium Auto Dealer’s Association will be hosting the Automotive Conference & Expo in Niagara Falls. This year’s lineup features some exciting speakers including Peter Mansbridge, former correspondent on CBC’s The National and Michele Romanow of Dragon’s Den.
Digital Dealer 24
April 10-12, 2018
Orlando, FL
The Digital Dealer conference is being held this year in Orlando, Florida. This event is the ultimate event in North America to learn about digital technology in the dealership. During the three day event seminars will be taking place for dealer operations, management, fixed operations, sales strategies, marketing and advertising, and too many topics to even list. Digital Dealer looks like a great opportunity if you’re looking to really grow and expand your dealership, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s hosted in the beautiful Orlando, Florida.
DealertalkX by Kijiji
TBA
Calgary – Toronto – Montreal
DealertalkX is an annual event hosted by Kijiji in Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal. As I mentioned earlier in this blog post, they put on an awesome event and have had some A-list speakers in the past such as Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Scott Stratten, and Paul Patratz.
Western Canadian Dealer Summit
November 1-3, 2018
Las Vegas, NV
The Western Canadian Dealer Summit brings dealers from Alberta, BC, and Saskatchewan together for highly-anticipated keynote presentations, social functions, networking, and sponsorship opportunities. Keep posted on the event website for more information on the speakers and functions as November nears. If you are a dealer in Western Canada, this event is one worth checking out!
CADA Summit 2018
February 14, 2018
Toronto, ON
The Canadian Auto Dealer’s Association annual event is being held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre this year. The event features guests such as The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Peter Leto, Head of Retail Sales for Google Automotive, Craig Alexander, Dennis DesRosiers and more. Don’t miss this one-day event loaded with insight from Canada’s premiere automotive industry experts.
DrivingSales Canadian Dealer Forum
TBA for 2018
DrivingSales put on an excellent event in 2017, and you can bet Autovance was in attendance in Calgary, Alberta. The event is typically full of information-packed training sessions and keynote presentations. This one had to make the list, but unfortunately, event details for this year have not been announced yet. Look out for the details on the 2018 Canadian Dealer Forum on the Driving Sales website or check out their other events such as the Executive Summit!
CONCLUSION
Thanks for taking the time to read the Autovance blog. We’re excited to share some the resources from industry powerhouses, along with our own personal favorites. If you liked what you read, or think this post may be of value to someone, please pass it on or share on social media! If you haven’t followed us already you can find us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Now get out there and dominate!
