Is in-person car buying dead? It’s the question on every dealership’s mind—and in this episode, Travis Miller and Jimmy Vee break down the data that tells the real story.

From test drive statistics to customer psychology, we explore how in-person experiences still play a crucial role in the modern car buying journey.With 85% of buyers saying test drives are essential—and 95% of luxury buyers insisting on them—it’s clear the human connection still matters. But as tech giants and digital platforms push toward fully online car shopping, what does that mean for local dealerships?We share powerful insights into customer behavior, generational trends, and why confidence, value, and confidence in value are key drivers of satisfaction. You’ll learn why in-person dealerships still hold a competitive edge, how to leverage human relationships in a tech-driven world, and why the "miracle of the car business" is far from over.✅ Like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss future episodes.✅ Join the conversation at BetterDealerships.com✅ Want real dealership growth? Visit RichDealers.comShare this video with your team and dealership peers—help shape the future of car buying.💻 RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:▸ http://www.BetterDealerships.com📖 Get Jim & Travis' best-selling book on automotive sales strategy: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Up-Curious-About-Future/dp/0985478233/📌 Want even more tips for your auto dealership? Subscribe to This Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMf39DeFH2l7LKb-PNRzNpg?sub_confirmation=1ABOUT JIM & TRAVIS===================Jimmy Vee and Travis Miller are the founders of Rich Dealers®, the nation's leading experts on attracting customers and the authors of Gravitational Marketing.🖥️ Website: https://www.RichDealers.com🖥️ Website: https://www.GravitationalMarketing.com__________👉🏻 Did you enjoy this video? Please share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below - we love hearing from you! Also, we appreciate it when you share these videos with your friends and colleagues in the car dealer business.#cardealership #autodealer #betterdealerships #cardealershipmarketing #automotivemarketing #automotiveindustry #marketingtips #autodealer

In this episode, Travis and Jimmy reveal the three key elements that make any marketing message more effective: urgency, scarcity, and believability. Whether you're running a dealership or any local business, mastering direct response marketing is essential for driving customer engagement and increasing conversions.Learn how to craft irresistible offers that get customers to act now, avoid common advertising mistakes, and stand out from the competition. Plus, discover why real limits and a strong reason for your offers can boost credibility and make your marketing more powerful than ever.🔥 "Key Takeaways:"✅ Why urgency compels immediate action✅ How scarcity increases perceived value✅ The importance of believability in marketing offers✅ The difference between Tier 1 vs. Tier 3 advertising✅ How to craft high-converting messages for dealerships & local businesses🔔 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful advertising strategies!

In this episode, Jim and Travis break down one of the biggest frustrations for car dealerships: lead quality. While bad leads do exist, many dealers struggle with lead conversion due to poor processes. The key to success? Speed to lead—the faster you respond, the better your chances of closing a deal.We explore the lead conversion funnel, why timely responses are critical, and how improving dealership sales processes can turn so-called "bad leads" into real opportunities. If you're in automotive marketing or dealership sales, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you increase conversion rates and boost sales.*Key Takeaways:*✅ Lead quality is a common concern, but the real issue often lies in response time and process.✅ Speed to lead is critical—the first 60 seconds can make or break a deal.✅ Only a small percentage of leads convert, but handling them correctly can maximize success.✅ Effective communication with leads improves appointment scheduling and sales.✅ A strong lead management strategy can increase dealership performance.⏳ *Chapter Timestamps:*00:00 - Understanding Lead Quality Challenges09:55 - The Importance of Speed to Lead💬 What’s your biggest challenge with lead quality? Drop a comment below! 👇

Jim and Travis dive into the power of *radio advertising for car dealerships,* explaining why it remains one of the *most effective marketing channels* despite the rise of digital media. They introduce the concept of *Tinkerpox*—a common tendency among car dealers to frequently change their marketing strategies, often undermining their own *success.*You'll learn how radio *creates a celebrity effect*, *builds trust*, and leverages road hypnosis to make your advertising messages more memorable. Plus, we break down the challenges of measuring radio effectiveness and why consistency is the *key to generating quality leads.*🔑*Key Takeaways:*✅ Why radio is a game-changer for car dealership marketing✅ The dangers of Tinkerpox and constantly changing marketing approaches✅ How road hypnosis makes radio ads more effective✅ The secret to creating a celebrity effect through consistent advertising✅ Why measuring radio ad success is difficult but necessary✅ The importance of reaching your local community through radio📢 Don’t let Tinkerpox ruin your marketing strategy! Tune in now to learn how to make radio work for your dealership.*🔔 Like & Subscribe for more car dealership marketing strategies!*

In this episode of Better Dealerships, hosts Jimmy Vee and Travis Miller discuss seven automotive marketing trends that have died in 2024.

They explore the implications of these trends on dealership strategies, emphasizing the need for personalization, mobile-friendly websites, and the importance of generating first-party leads. The conversation highlights the shift away from outdated practices and the necessity for dealerships to adapt to the evolving market landscape.

*Key Takeaways:*✅ Personalization is king – Generic sales slogans and robotic lead responses are out!✅ Your website must be mobile-friendly – Most car buyers start their search on mobile.✅ Google Business Profile matters – Ignoring local SEO is a costly mistake.✅ Stop outsourcing your leads – Take back control of your customer pipeline.✅ The ‘spray and pray’ ad strategy is dead – Targeted marketing is the future.*Are you ready to future-proof your dealership’s marketing strategy? Tune in now!* 🚗💨

Why Targeting Only In-Market Car Shoppers Is Costing You Sales!

In this episode, Jimmy Vee and Travis Miller break down the biggest myth in dealership marketing—the obsession with in-market car shoppers. While many dealerships focus heavily on targeting "ready-to-buy" customers, this strategy is limiting your potential and driving up costs unnecessarily.

Instead, we discuss why everyone is a potential customer for a nicer, newer car and how tapping into non-intenders (or ‘sleeping buyers’) can transform your marketing approach. Learn how to reach more people, lower your ad costs, and boost engagement with smarter, data-driven strategies!

✅ Stop focusing solely on in-market car shoppers.
✅ Everyone is a potential customer for a nicer, newer car.
✅ Marketing to non-intenders can yield better results.
✅ In-market buyers are often labeled as "premium leads," but that’s misleading.
✅ The obsession with in-market shoppers is a costly myth.
✅ Data-driven marketing can be more effective and less expensive.
✅ Dealerships can engage sleeping buyers successfully.
✅ The car-buying process is emotional and driven by life changes.
✅ Challenging conventional wisdom can lead to higher profitability.
✅ Alternative marketing strategies can enhance dealership success.

Watch now to rethink your dealership marketing strategy and unlock new opportunities!

In this episode, Jimmy Vee and Travis reveal the four critical business functions that dealerships must prioritize in 2025 to achieve extraordinary success.

From mastering marketing to creating a positive workplace culture, they dive into actionable strategies that can transform dealerships into high-performing operations.

Learn how strong leadership inspires teams and drives accountability, why systems and processes are essential for streamlined operations, and how a winning culture attracts top talent and fosters greatness.

Discover the importance of focusing on marketing to control sales opportunities, improving leadership skills for better performance, and building a culture that creates an enjoyable and impactful workplace. This episode is packed with practical tips to help dealerships thrive in 2025 and beyond.

🎧 Tune in now to unlock the blueprint for dealership success!

In this episode, Travis and Jimmy discuss six essential marketing skills that can help car dealerships succeed in 2025. They emphasize the importance of generating first-party leads, responding quickly to inquiries, fostering meaningful human interactions, differentiating from competitors, maintaining high marketing frequency, and establishing a strong gravitational positioning to attract customers. The conversation highlights the need for dealerships to adapt to changing market dynamics and consumer behaviors to thrive in the future.takeaways