Why Car Dealerships Struggle with Video—and How to Succeed with a Winning Strategy
- Ro Edge
- Oct 20
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 20
In today’s digital-first world, video is a game-changer for car dealerships. When done right, it can skyrocket brand awareness, drive leads, increase showroom visits, and boost conversions by 20-30%. But poor execution? It’s a fast track to wasted resources and missed opportunities. At AutoForce Digital, we’ve seen why so many dealerships fail at video—and we’re here to share seven proven tips to help you succeed.
Tip 1: Build a Strategic Video Plan
Randomly posting videos on social media won’t cut it. Without a clear strategy, you risk creating irrelevant, low-quality content that fails to resonate with today’s savvy car buyers. A thoughtful video strategy aligns with your dealership’s goals—whether it’s building trust, showcasing inventory, or driving sales. Map out your objectives, target audience, and distribution channels to ensure every video delivers measurable results.
Tip 2: Empower Your Team to Create Authentic Content
Involve your staff in video creation to add authenticity and personality. Raw, relatable videos resonate with modern audiences who crave genuine connections. Choose a user-friendly video production platform that simplifies the process, enabling your team to produce short-form videos (15-60 seconds) at scale. These bite-sized clips are perfect for sharing across social channels and keeping your audience engaged.
Tip 3: Mix Up Your Video Content
Variety is key to capturing and retaining your audience’s attention. Experiment with different video types to showcase your dealership’s unique value:
Introduction Videos: Highlight your dealership’s mission, team, and facilities to build a strong first impression.
Walkaround & Test Drive Videos: Show off vehicle features, performance, and the driving experience.
Pre-Sale Inspection Videos: Build trust by showcasing the quality of your used cars.
Customer Testimonials: Let happy customers share their stories to boost credibility.
Promotional & Event Videos: Announce sales, special offers, or community events to drive urgency.
Behind-the-Scenes & Employee Spotlights: Humanize your brand with glimpses into your dealership’s culture.
Tip 4: Set Clear Goals for Every Video
Before hitting record, define what you want each video to achieve—whether it’s educating customers, building your brand, or driving conversions. Tailor your content to the strengths of each social platform and your target audience. For example, use Instagram Reels for quick, engaging clips and YouTube for in-depth walkarounds. Clear objectives ensure your videos work smarter, not harder.
Tip 5: Optimise for Each Platform
Every social platform has unique requirements. Optimise your videos with the right dimensions, aspect ratios, and formats to maximise impact. Adding captions is a must—many viewers watch videos without sound, and captions improve accessibility and engagement. A little extra effort here goes a long way.
Tip 6: Track, Analyse, and Refine
Data is your friend. Monitor key metrics like views, average watch time, and audience feedback to gauge your videos’ performance. Use these insights to refine your approach, experimenting with new formats, messaging, or posting schedules. Continuous improvement keeps your content fresh and your audience hooked.
Tip 7: Stay Ahead of the Competition
In a crowded market, a robust video strategy isn’t optional—it’s essential. Dealerships that fail to embrace video risk losing leads and relevance to competitors who do. By investing in high-quality, strategic video content, you’ll connect with digital-first buyers and position your dealership for long-term success.
Conclusion: Drive Results with Video
Video is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s a must for car dealerships looking to thrive in the digital age. At AutoForce Digital, we help dealerships craft video strategies that deliver real results.
Ready to transform your video game? Contact us today to learn how we can accelerate your dealership’s success.
Car Dealership Video Strategy: 7 Tips to Succeed in 2025 | AutoForce Digital
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