 Let’s face it—video isn’t just for your internet leads anymore.
In today’s fast-paced, digital-first world, every customer interaction is an opportunity to stand out. And one of the simplest (yet most overlooked) ways to make a lasting impression? Personalized video messages. Here’s how you can use video throughout the customer journey and why you absolutely should. 1. Thank Every Fresh Up with a Video When a potential buyer takes the time to visit your dealership, a quick thank-you video from their salesperson shows appreciation and professionalism. It also keeps you top of mind if they’re still shopping around. 2. Follow Up Every Phone Call with a Video Don’t let phone leads go cold. A short video thanking the caller for their time and offering a face to the name can build trust and move the conversation forward. 3. Make Sure Every Customer Gets Your Info Every interaction should be followed by a personalized video that includes your dealership’s contact details and the salesperson’s name. It’s easy, memorable, and adds a human touch to your follow-up. 4. Stay Top of Mind After the Sale Send a quick video 90 days after delivery, reminding the customer their first service might be coming up. It’s helpful, it’s thoughtful, and it brings them back to your service lane. 5. Celebrate Birthdays with a Smile Spot an upcoming birthday in your CRM? Send a fun, personalized birthday video. It’s a small gesture that creates big loyalty. Use Video to Break Through the Noise The digital world is noisy. Everyone’s competing for attention. By using video in creative, consistent ways, you set your dealership apart, not just with flashy cars, but with genuine, personalized experiences. Start simple. Start today. Just hit “record.”
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 Recently, I sat through an OEM webinar about, wait for it... the importance of video in today’s retail automotive space. Yes, in 2025. I’ve been beating this drum for over a decade, but hey, better late than never, right?
While the main purpose of the webinar was to announce "preferred vendor" status for a couple of video marketing companies (don't get me started, that is a whole other blog piece!), some of the data they shared had me nodding my head so hard I almost got whiplash. Messages with video have a 96% higher click-through rate. Seventy-five percent of shoppers say video influenced their purchase decision. No shock to me as I’ve seen it in action at my own store. A few months back, I pitched a video tool to my sales team. The response? Classic skepticism: “I don’t like how I look on video,” “I say ‘um’ too much,” and my personal favorite, “Nobody watches those.” Even the GM was hesitant and not willing to foot the bill, yet I believed in it so much I signed us up for MinMax Video out of my own pocket. Yep, I put my money where my mouth is. Spoiler alert: it paid off. Sure, the team had jitters at first. So, I rolled up my sleeves and made a few videos myself to show them it wasn’t that scary. Guess what? Customers don’t need Hollywood, they want real. A few "ums" and some authentic personality actually work in your favor. The results? Mind-blowing. Of the 41 vehicles we sold in June to internet leads, 39 were to customers who watched their personalized video three or more times. The average views on the last 100 videos we’ve sent? Six. That’s six solid impressions from customers already warmed up to our team before they ever set foot in the showroom. So, yeah, video works. But talking about it and actually doing it are two different things. If you’re still on the fence, hit me up I’d love to share what we see working. And if you’re looking for a solid platform to empower your team, I can’t recommend MinMax Video enough!  I remember about ten years ago, marketing vendors kept hitting me with the same line: “We stole the best minds from Google!” Supposedly, these folks knew Google’s algorithms inside and out. I even joked with one guy, “If everyone’s hired the Google team, how’s Google still in business?”
Fast forward to today, and here we go again except now it's artificial intelligence instead of search engines. Suddenly, every vendor is boasting they’ve got ex-OpenAI, ex-DeepMind, or “we basically invented AI” types on their payroll. The funniest part? I’m in a weekly study group with some truly brilliant people, actual AI developers, researchers, and innovators. And not one of them calls themselves a guru. Not one drops phrases like “I’m the AI whisperer” or “I cracked ChatGPT’s code.” So when a cold-call vendor swaggers into the store and claims they’ve got exclusive access to “the minds behind AI,” my skepticism meter doesn’t just blink red—it explodes off the charts. Maybe my wife is right and I am a little too cynical. But maybe, just maybe, it’s not cynicism. Maybe it’s just experience... and a solid BS detector. |
 Mike theCarGuy
Hey there, I'm Mike theCarGuy and here are some of my thoughts about cars, the car business and sales! Take a look around, maybe you will learn something or at the very least find your self smiling, and if you do... leave me a comment so I know I at least did something right! Thanks for stoppin by... Need to reach me? Call or Text: (909) 830-8390 [email protected] Mike theCarGuy: Grand Terrace, CA 92313 Twitter: @MiketheCarGuy1 Instagram: MiketheCarGuy Threads: @MiketheCarGuy BlueSky: MiketheCarGuy 
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