Tips for Using Live Chat

We’ve covered the general benefits of live chat before, but now it’s time to take a deeper dive into a few useful tips on actually using this popular feature. And just to give a quick recap - live chat is beneficial in many ways because: 

• It gives communication a more personal touch 
• It lets consumers get a quick and instant response 
• It builds customer relationships 
• Last but not least, it’s easily accessible for consumers AND businesses 

We’ve heard it time and time again - customer service is everything in the business world, and live chat can give you the power to enhance that service in a new and easy way. We’ll give you a few quick tips to make sure both you and your customers get the most out of the online chat experience.

• Be quick to answer your customers - No one likes to be kept waiting, so it’s important to keep in mind when a consumer chats you, they want a response quickly. They are more likely to move on to a dealer who will answer faster rather than waiting around for a response. Keep a vigilant eye on your chats and make yourself available to answer questions in a timely fashion. 

• Introduce yourself - It’s so important that the consumer you’re speaking with feels like they are talking to a real person instead of an automated robot. So start by introducing yourself by stating your name, position, and how you’re going to assist them today. Building a consumers trust is vital and that can all start with a personal experience through online chat. 

• LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN - Some might think this sounds obvious, but it’s so important to really listen to the consumer and to stay attentive during the entirety of your conversation. Customers will notice if you’re just treating them as a sale, so make sure to continue to cultivate an authentic and helpful conversation. Also, make sure to read all questions or concerns thoroughly so you can avoid repeating questions throughout your chat. 

• Be honest with the customer - If you don’t have an instant answer for the consumer - that’s okay. Sometimes you won’t have all the answers immediately, but it’s important to let the customer know you will look into their question and follow up immediately after you get the correct information. Yes, consumers love instant gratification, but they will appreciate you taking the time to get the answer correct in the long run. 

• Steer away from Internet slang - Consumers want to know they are speaking with a professional so we suggest avoiding Internet slang in your live chat conversations. Even if a consumer is using slang we recommend keeping a professional tone. 

• Avoid “pitching” during live chat conversations - While securing a sale is the ultimate goal, we recommend avoiding pitching customers via live chat. We do recommend voicing additional plugs about a specific unit, but only as it relates to their initial question. It’s important not to overwhelm consumers with too much information in the early stages, just see where the conversation takes you. 

We hope these tips will enhance your next live chat experience, and if you haven’t talked to your RV Trader representative about integrating live chat into your dealer page on our site, what are you waiting for? Our live chat product can be easily added to any package and offers you the chance to connect with potential buyer’s in a whole new way. Call your RV Trader representative at 1-877-354-4068 and get chatting today.

A Guide to Making Your Listing Photos Great

It’s no secret that the buying process is changing, and with technology on the rise, online research is becoming increasingly important to consumers before they make a purchase - large or small. That’s why taking high-quality photos is crucial to get more eyes on your listings. Interested in upping your photo game? We’ve got 8 easy tips to make sure your listing photos are painting a clear picture to your potential buyers.

Make it Shine - We know cleaning an RV can take time depending on the size of a particular unit, but a deep cleaning can have the potential to make or break a sale. It’s important to know that buyers want to see their potential unit in tip-top shape not just before making a purchase, but before even stepping foot on your lot. New or used, you’ll want to make sure the outside of the unit is washed, and that the inside of the unit has had a full detailing. We suggest removing any clutter inside of the unit and if you do want to stage the RV, we suggest simple decorations.

Use the Right Camera - Consumers are likely to move along to the next listing if your photos are grainy or blurry. So our question to you is, are you using a high-quality camera to take your listing photos? You’ll want to make sure that you have a fairly newer camera to ensure that your photos are crystal clear. Most smartphones have incredible cameras and can be great options for taking photos if you can’t splurge on a new camera. If you want to take your photos to the next level, consider buying an updated point and shoot camera. They are very simple to use and take extremely clear photos.

Shoot at the Right Time of Day - Ask any photographer and they’ll tell you, lighting is everything when it comes to taking photos. That’s why it’s so important to keep in mind the time of day you’re taking your listing photos. We recommend avoiding taking photos midday when the sun is at its brightest and lighting can come across as harsh. Shooting during the morning or late afternoon is ideal for capturing “warmer”, less washed out photos. As long as it’s not raining, cloudy days can also be great photoshoot days - just make sure it’s not too dark outside! While taking photos inside of the unit, highlight the natural light that the unit provides by opening up all of the windows while shooting. If there are darker areas inside, we suggest turning on the cabin lights as needed - avoid flash if at all possible.

Keep in Mind Positioning and Location - When taking listing photos, you’ll want to keep in mind where you’ve positioned and parked the RV. Make sure that the unit you are trying to sell is the focal point of your photo - you don’t want to confuse customers by taking a large shot with many RVs in the background. While inside the unit, stand in corners and point the camera outward while taking photos to make the unit feel larger and longer.

Take a Few Test Photos - It’s important to take your time while shooting your listing photos, as they are a crucial part of your listing. Take a few test photos of your unit to make sure the lighting is right, the images are clear, and that you are satisfied with the outcome. If you aren’t pleased with the photos you can take a step back and see what might need to change to enhance your photo (positioning, lighting, etc.).

Have a Variety of Photos - Consumers want to see photos and LOTS of them. Potential buyers want to see the entirety of the unit even before stepping foot on your lot - they want to picture themselves in their new RV on the road to their next destination. To paint your buyer a clear picture, we suggest taking a few full shots of the outside of the unit (showing the whole RV) as well as detailed, close-up shots. When taking indoor shots, we suggest showing all aspects of the unit. We recommend having a full outdoor RV shot as your main listing photo to grab the customer’s attention right off the bat, then they can explore more photo options as desired.

Be Honest and Authentic - For our used sellers out there, it’s extremely important to be honest and authentic with your customers. Don’t hide the imperfections of the unit you are trying to sell. If the unit has a few dings or scratches, or if there’s a tear in upholstery, consumers deserve to know before visiting your dealership. As for new RVs, it’s a good idea to stay away from using stock photos of your unit - consumers appreciate original photos and want to see exactly what their potential unit looks like.

Highlight Special Features - Does the unit you’re selling have any special features like extra storage, great natural lighting, or new technology? Make sure you are highlighting them in both your listing photos AND descriptions. As we mentioned earlier, consumers want to picture themselves in their new RV, and showing them unique features will having a higher chance of piquing their interest. 

We hope that these 8 tips have helped you realize taking listing photos doesn’t have to be difficult. Taking the right photo can take some practice, but your buyers will thank you in the end.