This is the first article in a 3-part series about four key elements of professional selling and marketing: 1) relationship selling tips and strategies, 2) hiring, training and leading a sales force, 3) integrating marketing and sales teams to perform as a whole unit, and 4) tips and strategies to measure sales and marketing effectiveness and performance.

RLD’s 2-part Marketing Matters series with industry marketing veteran Cleo Franklin continues with a doable approach for developing a marketing plan, for dealerships of any size. Franklin also looks at how to set a budget so that your plan actually brings results.

Jeremy Wishart, director of off-road business development for the Propane Education & Research Council, comments on what propane offers in terms of savings on total cost of ownership, not just fuel costs. "Going green should not cost you more," he says, referencing alternative power.

In this episode of the Rural Lifestyle Dealer podcast we're joined by Kelly and Mike Estes, brothers and part of the third-generation ownership of BTI, a 6-store John Deere dealership based in Bucklin, Kan.

This 2-part Marketing Matters series with industry marketing veteran Cleo Franklin kicks off with a simple way to improve your marketing by asking customers 3 simple questions and then tracking that data.

For the 14th consecutive year, Rural Lifestyle Dealer is sponsoring its "Dealership of the Year" awards program to recognize North America's best rural lifestyle equipment dealers. Dealers, manufacturers and others are invited to participate by nominating top dealers from across North America. Deadline is March 13.