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.

What’s the Deal With Live Chat?

Customer service should be a top priority for your business, and as technology continues to evolve, it’s important to understand what your customers expect when it comes to communication and interaction. In recent years, we’ve learned that customers want detailed information and answers - and they want them fast. That’s why having a live chat feature has become increasingly important - it’s a fantastic way for customers to connect with you, and for you to provide them with a personal, real-time experience.

Live chat is an extremely comfortable and easy way for consumers and dealers to quickly communicate and problem solve when used properly. Many companies are adding this feature to their websites so they can answer questions in real-time - and their customers are LOVING it. According to a survey by Invesp, 73% of consumers find live chat to be the most satisfying way of communicating with a business. Phone calls used to be one of the most popular ways for consumers to receive quick answers, and though they are still crucial, it’s important for businesses to offer a variety of communication options to their customers.

And live chat doesn’t just benefit your customers, the feature can have a substantial impact on your business as well. In fact, according to a survey by Forrester, live chat can lead to a 48% increase in revenue per chat hour and a 40% increase in conversion rate. Another report by Zoho claimed that 43% of companies have a better understanding of their customers after interacting with them in a live chat software system - and knowing your customer base is everything in the business world.

So, what are some additional benefits of live chat? 

• Makes communication more personal - In a world of robots and auto responses, it’s rare to get to talk to a person in real-time when you have a question or problem - that’s where live chat comes in. While live chat is an online feature, it still lets the consumer talk to a real-life human and consumers love a personal touch. 
• Instant customer satisfaction - Consumers hate waiting - don’t we all? Live chat gives you the ability to quickly answer any question a potential buyer might have on the spot. 
• Easily accessible for customers - Live chat allows your customers to quickly and easily contact you wherever they might be with just a click of a button. 
• Builds customer relationships - If you respond quickly and efficiently, consumers are bound to come back to your site if they have future questions they need answers to. 

Did you know you have the ability to integrate live chat into your dealer page on RV Trader? 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. The chat box appears on each of your RV Trader listings, so if consumers have questions about a specific unit, they can ask you in real-time. Call your RV Trader representative today at 1-877-354-4068 they’d love to walk you through this increasingly popular feature.

Stay tuned for more information on specific tips for using live chat, coming soon!

Check Out Our New TraderTrax App

Do you love TraderTraxx, but want to have the ability to take it with you wherever you go? Well you’re in luck. We’ve created a brand new app so you can access everything you know and love about TraderTraxx in a new way. Not exactly sure what TraderTraxx is? No problem - let’s break it down for you.

TraderTraxx is a completely free platform for RV Trader customers - you heard that right, free. It is already included in your membership and provides detailed reporting to show you how your inventory is performing, insight into what RV customers are looking for, and gives you the ability to easily manage your listings.

TraderTraxx also houses two incredible tools you don’t want to miss out on, the Price Analysis Tool (P.A.T.) and Market Insights. P.A.T. gives you the ability to quickly find the optimal price in your local marketplace, as well as nationwide for your listings based on their make, model and year - no more manual research. P.A.T. also helps you compare your pricing to determine if you are priced competitively in local and national markets.

The second tool TraderTraxx offers is called Market Insights. Market Insights is made up of three individual reports each designed to paint you a clear picture of the supply and demand for your inventory locally and nationwide. While navigating through each report, you check in on what units are interesting customers and you have the ability to view the top model years for each unit and how many are available on RVTrader.com.

Sounds awesome, right?

We think so too, and we’re excited to be able to offer all of the great things you are already familiar with plus some new features in our app like:

• The option to add, remove, edit, and take pictures and videos of your listings without an internet connection, and then sync up later when you get back online. 
• The ability to turn on push notifications so you can reach out to that interested buyer right away - don't worry, you can toggle this on or off when you need to. 
• Lastly, you can listen to phone calls and reply to emails from within the app, giving you the ability to reply to your potential buyer right away. 

The app is now available for iOS & Android users today!

The Move to Digital

There’s no denying that advertising has changed dramatically over the years - and if we’re being honest, with the rise of the digital revolution, just about everything has changed. But why has digital advertising/marketing specifically taken the world by storm?

We’re glad you asked. Let’s dive in.

Take a look around - odds are you’ll see someone using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. The truth is, the way we receive and pass along information has changed in recent years, therefore the way we put out information & promote ourselves has changed as well. Traditional advertising mediums such as print and radio have had a significant impact on consumers in previous years (and in some cases still do), but the reality is - the world is becoming increasingly digital. The Internet has drastically changed the advertising industry and will continue to evolve and grow as new platforms are being created - and we’ve seen that growth first-hand. According to the Technology Review, time spent online by the average American has grown from 9.4 hours to 23.6 hours every week since 2000. Of that, time spent on the Internet at home has risen from 3.3 to 17.6 hours a week. We aren’t surprised by those numbers - in fact, we expect to see those numbers rise as the digital world continues to expand.

So, why exactly is digital marketing gaining so much popularity in the advertising world?

• It can be more cost-effective - Traditional marketing mediums such as print, radio, billboards, etc. all have higher price tags, while digital marketing lets businesses choose specific packages that would work best for their advertising goals - giving them the most bang for their buck. 

• It can reach a more targeted audience - Digital marketing also allows businesses to tailor campaigns to certain segmented demographics for more effective marketing. 

• It’s easily tracked & monitored - Digital marketing can help businesses easily see which advertising efforts are working best for their company, or where there could be room for improvement. 

• It caters to the mobile consumer - People are glued to their phones - plain and simple. That’s why having a responsive digital marketing platform that works seamlessly on mobile devices is crucial. 

It levels the playing field with small businesses - In previous years, larger companies took over the marketplace. Digital marketing allows smaller and medium-sized businesses to compete and gain their share of the market.

But don’t get us wrong, digital advertising still has similar benefits to traditional advertising, just in more in-depth and advanced ways. For example, here at RV Trader we have the unique ability to track many facets of your dealership’s performance such as: customer behavior, inventory performance, and so much more through our Dealer Center platform. With traditional advertising/marketing mediums, it’s a bit harder to determine who exactly responded to your advertising and what impact it had on your business - that’s where easily tracked digital marketing comes in to play.

It’s important to realize your marketing mix should be diversified and varied - but digital should make up a decent portion of your overall strategy, and companies around the world are recognizing the need to have an increased online presence. Digital is undoubtedly the way of the future, and as a digital platform ourselves, we’re privileged to provide you with a wide array of modern and effective advertising/marketing solutions to best reach your customers.

Top Searched Makes and Models for Q2 2018

We love keeping you in the know when it comes to the latest industry news and consumer trends, and in Q2 2018, we saw some interesting data. We’ll catch you up on the makes and models RV Trader consumers were searching for in the second quarter of 2018. The results might surprise you!

Top 5 searched models of Q2 2018: 

• Travel Trailer 
• Class A 
• Class C 
• Fifth Wheel 
• Class B 

We continue to see Travel Trailers come in at the number one spot for top models of RVs on RV Trader, accounting for 25% of total searches in Q2 2018. Class A models came in second place and resulted in 19% of total searches, while Class C models came in third with 14%. Class B models placed fifth in Q2 2018, pushing Toy Haulers down to sixth place as compared to Q1 2018. We are interested to see how this data might change next quarter as buying season is still in full swing.

Top 5 searched makes of Q2 2018:

• Forest River 
• Keystone 
• Winnebago 
• Jayco 
• Coachmen 

Forest River secures first place when it comes to most searched makes in Q2 2018 - accounting for a total of 13% of all searches on RV Trader, rising 2% from last quarter. They have consistently ranked highest in overall searches of makes, with more than 5.3 million searches in Q2 2018 alone. Keystone isn’t far behind in second place attracting 7.3% of all consumer searches, and Winnebago rounds out third place with a total of 6% of all searches on RV Trader.

We’re interested to see how these numbers fluctuate as the year progresses. As always, we love to hear how our findings compare to your dealership. Let us know in the comments below!

KOA's 2018 North American Camping Report Might Surprise You

It’s no secret that RVing and camping go hand-in-hand. So when KOA released their 2018 North American Camping Report earlier this year, we were excited to see new camping trends and updated data - and they did not disappoint. We’ll give you a quick breakdown of KOA’s findings and how these numbers could potentially impact your business.

Right off the bat, KOA reported that since 2014 more than 6 million new North American households have started camping, and the number of campers who camp three times or more each year has increased by 64%. The length of time campers are spending camping is also increasing and 39% of new campers plan to camp more often in 2018. KOA reports that in 2017, there has been an increase of 2.6 million camping households, representing all ethnicities, and that there is a nearly even split between white and non-white campers. We’re encouraged to see these numbers on the rise and to see a more diverse group of campers enjoying the great outdoors. 

The diversity seen among campers was not only in ethnicity, but in age range as well. According to the report, Millennials and Gen Xers make up three-quarters of all campers, with Millennials accounting for 40%. Millennials are beginning to follow in their parent’s footsteps by enjoying the camping experience and many are choosing to RV, with 37% making up all RVers.

As we know, camping doesn't always need to be in a tent, and new campers seem to agree. While 53% of new campers say they still camp in tents, 25% chose cabins and 19% chose RVs, but those numbers are on the rise. RVers spent the most nights camping in 2017, and it was reported that there is a strong desire among non-RV owners to try RVing, with more than half saying they would consider renting from a peer-to-peer service. These buyers are your perfect potential customer - they are already interested in the lifestyle, so show them specifically how RVing can improve their already great camping experience. Focus on things like affordability and amenities because those are likely big barriers to entry for tent campers looking to make the jump into the RV life.

As the number of campers continues to rise, we are encouraged to see them exploring different accommodations, such as RVs. As we mentioned before, many people want to “try before they buy” and it’s important to stay in front of these potential buyers so when they are ready to make the big purchase, your dealership is top of mind. We all know the power of the camping and adventure lifestyle, and we’re excited to see the future growth of the industry - according to these numbers, it doesn't look like it’s slowing down any time soon.

To read the full report, click here.

Building Your Business on Instagram: 3 Tips to Expand Your Audience

It’s no secret that Instagram has become one of the most prominent digital marketing outlets utilized by thousands of businesses today, from small local markets to multi-million dollar corporations. The idea behind the social media application is actually pretty simple - a digital online scrapbook. With nearly 800 million users, if you’re not already interacting with your audience on Instagram, it’s probable that you’re doing your business a disservice.

Just like you market yourself on RV Trader and on local print and media advertisements, marketing your company on social is now just as crucial. However, it’s not just about “being” on Instagram. It’s about growing and engaging an audience of interested, loyal audience members. It might sound easy- but getting started with this digital business expansion can often be the hardest part.

To help you hone your social strategy on Instagram, we’ve come up with three key tips to grow your following, engage your audience, and get customers interested all through the simple use of this social platform.

• Get your company's profile completely filled out. Nothing is worse than a customer receiving a follower request or getting a picture liked by a ‘business’ with no profile photo or a missing website link. Though many companies may feel that Instagram is “just a social profile” that doesn’t need the same attention as a website, users may think that your activity without a full profile on Instagram could be regarded as spam. Not only could you be blocked, unfollowed, or turned down for a following, you could even be reported- just because users think you look suspicious. Don’t let that happen. Be sure your Instagram profile includes all of the following elements in full:

• A clear profile image, featuring the most simplistic version of your logo possible. The amount of space provided for a profile photo is incredibly small, so you want people to be able to identify your business identity easily and without straining their eyes.

• A link to your website. Now that Instagram has a section on your profile where you can include a website or link, take advantage of that space! If a user notices you on Instagram and visits your profile, that is your chance to introduce yourself to them as who you really are. This way, they aren’t having to exit out of the app, open a browser, and search you on Google- they are directly linked to your website for information.

• A short bio, perhaps even with a clever or motivational spin. You have a very limited number of characters to fill the “About” section of your profile before people either (a) become annoyed at you for talking too much about yourself, or (b) decide not to read the rest of your description, because they are distracted or get bored. Grab their attention. Include something about yourself being a business (“Family RV Dealer located in Sunny Southwest Florida”), but add something to help them remember you by. Try not to be too corny, but whether it’s your company slogan or a quote, this can help draw your audience in and get them scrolling through your feed.

• Engage with your followers to grow your audience. The thing about Instagram for business is that it isn’t an exact science - is more of an art, with stable practice over time. You’re not going to grow by 20,000 followers overnight, but you definitely can grow by at least 20 a day with the proper tricks on hand. Try a few of these strategies known to grow business’ follower numbers exponentially over time:

• Use hashtags in your posts. When people are searching for something on instagram, such as a travel trailer, they will type into the searchbar “#traveltrailer.” Obviously, you want your dealership’s profile and related posts to show up in their search, so use that hashtag to help that customer find you. The most successful and engaging posts include at least 11 hashtags, so depending on your niche, primary models carried, etc., choose the best ones that work for you. At least one should be focused on your company name, and most of the rest should be focused on the type of model/RV experience in your photo or at your dealership.

• Whether you have a specified social media specialist or you’re the director and handle social yourself, you should be engaging with Instagram users regularly as though they were all your prospects. One way to do this is by searching one of your target hashtags (i.e., “#traveltrailer”) and liking posts related to that hashtag. It may sound tedious, but liking at least 50 posts a day - focusing on the most recent posts, which have less likes - will get your name on a user’s notifications as someone who liked their photo.  

• Another way to do this - scroll through those hashtags, and when you see a photo you find especially interesting, comment on it! Even if it’s just a statement such as “Great photo!”, users love engagement. Talk to them, and whether it’s through a like, follow, or simple response back, you are putting your name out there - and once you comment on their photo, it’s now in front of that individual’s followers, too. Much more simple than it sounds at first!

• Pay special attention to the quality and type of photos you post. Don’t take the same photos of different units over and over again. Rather, try to mix your messages. Take this idea for a sample strategy: 

• One day, take a photo of a special rate sign in your dealership. 

• The next day, go ahead and share a photo of a unit for sale- but aim to do so every other day, mixing these photos with other types of media. 

• This will communicate to your audience that yes, you are a dealership, and your goal is to get units sold, but you also care about the experience the have with your company- both online, and in person. 

We hope these tips have helped you gain a clearer vision of what steps you can take to refine and develop your presence on Instagram - be sure to tag @rvtrader and hashtag #rvtrader to gain the most exposure possible for your photos - and possibly even get featured on our own Instagram page!