A key to good boat show follow-up
Making a sale starts with creating a relationship, and your post-show email is the place to start.
Dealer Outlook
Good signs from Houston; Are boat shows for building relationships?
Measuring the strength of a relationship is challenging, but can lead to successful boat sales.
Nothing tops the power of boat shows
The emotional appeal of a smartly laid out exhibit space can be your best sales tool.
Twelve New Year’s Resolutions for 2019
Here are a dozen resolutions worth keeping to build your dealership.
The last straws
The Cleveland Boat Show does away with plastic straws, and the Modern Fish Act — unanimously passed by the U.S. Senate yesterday — needs our support for a push through the House of Representatives.
A workforce solution that we could advocate
The industry needs a concerted effort to craft and execute a call for increased spending and priorities on vocational education programs.
State issues are eye-openers at ACMA meeting
State and regional marine trades associations work hard to advance the industry while protecting it from ill-conceived legislation and regulation.
Social media: contributing or confusing?
Dealers need to at least know the basics to navigate the world of online content.
Ethanol war is lost; George H.W. Bush; Handling customer complaints
Tom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, was typically measured in his response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s announced ethanol fuel-volume levels for 2019: “Consumers are an afterthought under the current RFS (Renewable Fuel Standard),” he said.
Tempers rise in the Everglades; Ohio dredging costs to rise
Two different environmental issues will impact local marinas.
ACMA to meet at MDCE; Houston show announces 2019 plans
Extreme Raptors and Build-a-Boats for kids will be featured in Houston.
The importance of addressing negative reviews
85% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.
Should dealers focus on “buy” or “use” these days?
Today’s consumers are looking more at the overall experience, not just the purchase.
What could go wrong this time?
A replica of the Titanic is reportedly under construction in China. Will it ever set sail, and can it do so without a black cloud hanging over it?
Lake Erie boating interests demand officials get tough on algae blooms
An executive order to designate eight watersheds as distressed by phosphorous pollution goes to vote today. Will a pattern of delays continue?
It’s time for … Christmas?
Take advantage of this year’s robust consumer spending by offering holiday specials and promotions.
Start adding video to your digital marketing mix
A study shows that most people would rather watch a video about a product than read about it.
Don’t be an old dog; learn a new trick
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas offers a wide range of educational opportunities for dealers, and its annual conference includes additional programming.
Facebook advertisers ripped off; Algae bloom legislation needed
You might be entitled to refunds if you were victimized by fake Facebook metrics. Also, it’s time to tell our politicians that we need action to prevent harmful algal blooms.
Have we lost the ethanol battle?
The Trump Administration proposed allowing the year-round sale of E15. We must tell Congress to stop this directive