Facebook groups are a powerful networking and information source for automotive businesses.

They can be public or private, and people can come together to connect, converse, and share information. Members of the group can ask technical questions, discuss issues, ask for feedback and opinions, and learn more about a particular product or service.

Facebook groups also offer the unique ability to gain real-time feedback. Business owners can use the forum as a built-in focus group that can be used as a sounding board for new ideas and can gain insights from people who have used a product or are considering a change.

Join Many Groups

The first recommendation is to join as many groups as possible that are related to your business operations. By joining groups that span local, national and international demographics, you will be able to see a broader perspective. Trending topics that receive lots of interaction between members will appear higher in your Facebook timeline so you will be across the popular topics and discussions.

Start Your Own Group

Why not start your own automotive industry group for Queensland?

You can build a community for your automotive sector that fosters shared-learning and innovation. This space can assist with navigating the road ahead by sharing industry insights and research, consumer trends, training suggestions, software recommendations, pricing strategies, asking technical questions, dealing with difficult customers and problem situations, and human resource advice.

Recently, MTA Queensland’s Automotive Remarketing Division (ARD), representing retail second-hand dealerships, developed the ‘Qld Used Car Dealers’ Facebook group.

An initiative of ARD Chair, Peter Dever, Managing Director of Supamerc in Coopers Plains, the ‘Qld Used Car Dealers’ group represents a communal place for Queensland used car dealers to engage and discuss all things related to the used car sector of the automotive industry.

Automotive Staffing Crisis

Groups can also discuss major issues impacting the sector.

One of the most critical issues affecting all sectors of the automotive industry is recruitment strategies for hiring quality, skilled new staff.

Facebook group discussions have revealed some creative and innovative ways to attract new staff. Some of these include posting job advertisements on community groups, interest groups, school pages and university groups. Where traditional job advertisements on platforms like SEEK often result in limited or unsuitable applicants, using more creative postings in groups and pages often reach different and wider demographics (eg: someone may be prompted into a career change after seeing your posted position).

Apart from utilising groups, Facebook also has a range of free business tools. One such tool, that is useful for automotive businesses, is the ‘Post a Job’ function. This allows employers to list job opportunities and assists them in finding qualified candidates. Other tools include adding appointment bookings to a Facebook page and adding Messenger to a business’s website.

Whether creating a new group, or joining existing ones, automotive businesses can use Facebook groups to connect with businesses to overcome hurdles and grow together as an industry.

Groups also represent a great opportunity to find new staff.

To find out how to create a Facebook group for your business, click HERE.

27 August 2021