In This Issue

One of the major shifts in social media trends in the past few years is the proliferation of live streaming video and story platforms, which both have a high level of organic consumer engagement. Started on Periscope and Snapchat, respectively, these social media tools are now on Instagram and Facebook and available to a wider audience.  Trying any new social ...

Social media moves fast. Once you think you’ve got it mastered, there’s a new trend or platform to learn. And your customers are moving right along with it – they want information in the palm of their hand, right in the moment, and what they consider “engaging content” is constantly changing.  One of the major shifts in social media trends ...

50 of the best new products for the boating industry For the fourth annual Boating Industry Top products list, we’ve selected 50 of the best new or updated products and services for the marine industry, ranging from accessories to boats to engines and more. To be eligible, products had to have been introduced or significantly updated since January 2016. From ...

More than anything else, it’s new product that pushes boat, engine and accessory sales.  Whether it’s a new, more efficient engine or a feature-loaded boat model, boaters are driven to pursue the latest, greatest thing. Without innovation, there’s no burning desire to buy. We know that – and we also know that new product information is one of the most ...

The last couple of years have seen an upswing in dealer consolidation. An improving market, an aging owner base and easier access to capital have made it an attractive time to buy a boat dealership or marina, especially for those who can realize some economies of scale. In the marina segment, we’ve seen Safe Harbor and Suntex scooping up marinas ...

Over the past decade, the fuels and additives market has been heavily focused on ethanol in gasoline: what it does to fuel systems, how to raise consumer awareness of its potential dangers, and developing products to meet the market need.  And while consumer awareness of ethanol is still a market focus, it is not the same driving message it used ...

In previous issues we’ve talked about the process your boat buyers go through, called the “Educational Spectrum,” and how you can take advantage of your competition’s lack of understanding by offering the “researchers and evaluators” the information they are searching for already. But as I wrote earlier, it could backfire on you if you don’t provide an exceptional experience. That ...

As the economy and the marine industry have improved over the past few years, the floorplan financing market has followed suit. Banks are lending more as dealers are looking to stock more boats to meet consumer demand, which is causing dealers to experience high turn rates.  “Growth in the marine industry has been great the past few years and inventory ...

The growth in recreational boating over the past several years has been achieved in large part due to corresponding advances in outboard power. It’s impossible to walk through any consumer boat show these days and not be struck by the overwhelming prevalence of outboard engines. From lightweight portables to behemoth V8s, outboard engines continue to dominate sales figures not just ...

Labor shortages, especially in service and manufacturing, are hampering industry growth Listen to political speeches or check out the news and you’d get the idea that there isn’t a job – especially a good paying blue-collar job – to be found in this country. Statements like “What will it take to bring back domestic manufacturing jobs?” or “Why Trump will struggle ...