Social media, the power given to every one of us to share events in our lives and the opinions they generate, to a global audience has transformed the way we consume information and the way we choose and purchase products.

While the medium is very much a technological one, the vast majority of the views expressed is based on human interaction.

What we have shared with friends, colleagues and the people will meet in all walks of our lives.

And shopping is no exception.

How you promote your business and the effectiveness of your online marketing strategy is the new shop window – with observers able to praise and criticise almost instantly.

And whereas it used to be said a consumer would tell around 10 people of their shopping experiences now they can tell hundreds.

Do it well and you will reap rewards with loyal followers, some of who will be customers, others who might not be now, but could well be in the future.

What the judges are looking for

This is a new category for 2014.

Clear demonstration of a well thought out social media strategy that has the buy in of all your staff, not just those using social media.

Demonstrate to the judges what has inspired your social media campaign, how you have enacted it, the key elements, the investment allocated, how you monitor its effectiveness and the impact it has had on your business, internally, on winning and retaining customers and on the bottom line.

> Open to franchised dealers only.

How to enter

• To request an entry form, please email amawards@bauermedia.co.uk giving details of which categories you wish to enter.

• We will then send you the appropriate entry forms for completion.

• IN ORDER TO FULLY AUDIT EACH RELEVANT ENTRY, ALL COMPLETED ENTRIES MUST REACH US BY NOVEMBER 1, 2013.