Build Smarter Digital Campaigns with Social-First Strategy

Social platforms are shaping conversations, but more importantly, they’re shaping conversions. Whether you’re promoting a dealership event, building long-term brand equity, or targeting first-time buyers, the key is meeting your audience where they scroll. The right platform, message, and strategy can turn casual views into real leads. With fresh data and shifting behaviors driving how users engage, it’s time to rethink what “effective” really means in digital marketing.

YouTube and Facebook Remain the Most Popular Social Media Apps in the U.S.

Despite a flood of trending platforms, YouTube and Facebook continue to dominate the U.S. social media landscape. According to Pew Research, a whopping 71 percent of Americans say they use Facebook, while YouTube remains a top contender across age groups. That means marketers still have a massive opportunity to reach cross-generational audiences on platforms they already trust and engage with daily. Whether you’re posting Reels, uploading long-form content, or running dynamic video ads, these two giants still pack the biggest punch for digital reach.

How Gen Z Is Approaching Car Buying

While Gen Z is known for browsing online, they’re also showing up informed and ready to buy. Nearly 18.5 percent of Gen Z car buyers purchased a new vehicle from January to August 2025, up from just 15 percent in 2020. What’s powering that change? Research tools, online financing calculators, and dealer transparency.

This generation is driven by tech, budget, and speed. Almost half of Gen Z buyers base their budget on what they can afford monthly, not sticker price. They’re more likely to lease, favoring newer tech and lower payments. And they’re often more prepared than millennials or Gen X when they walk into a dealership. That’s a huge cue for marketers: speak their language, lead with value, and streamline the online-to-showroom experience.

The Value of TikTok Creator Partnerships

TikTok is more than just a trend; it’s a revenue-driving platform with major upside for marketers who know how to work with creators. Creator-led content on TikTok generates 70 percent higher click-through rates and 159 percent higher engagement rates than traditional ads. Why? Because creators are fast, culturally fluent, and highly trusted by their followers.

TikTok encourages a two-pronged approach: buzzy campaign moments and always-on storytelling. Launching a new model? Partner with creators to generate excitement. Need to stay top of mind between releases? Let influencers keep the conversation going with authentic content that actually connects.

Strong Automotive: Your Digital Marketing Engine

At Strong Automotive, we know the data, but more importantly, we know how to act on it. Our team specializes in crafting social strategies that align with real user behavior–from Gen Z leasing habits to YouTube’s ongoing dominance and TikTok’s creator-first advantage. Whether you’re building brand awareness, driving traffic to your inventory, or converting leads, we deliver strategies that work – and we’ve got the results to prove it.