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For decades, advertising enjoyed a fairly predictable business. Print, radio, and TV coalesced into a three-pronged approach that was mastered after decades of relative stability. Simply put, if a vendor demonstrated expertise, then clients willingly trusted them, generation after generation. Then the Internet happened.   The ones and zeros that began streaming through our phone lines created a reverberating disruption to media that is still being felt wirelessly today. From video pre-roll to dynamic targeting, to machine-readable content, advertising has been dealt an onslaught of changes. While some merged, and others went out of business, some have faced the tide, developed new capabilities and are standing tall against the emerging, digitally native competition. Or, so they’d have you think.   While there are some very talented agencies out there, the sad truth is that many advertising mediums talk the talk but do little to walk the walk. Understanding today's advertis...

Choosing Friends is an important role toward your college experience and future. According to the dictionary, a friend is ''a person you know well and regard with affection and trust.’’ The people you choose to spend most of your time with will either make or break you. Like the saying goes,''Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are.’’If you hang out with a group of people who are dishonest, into gangs and drugs, or often cut class, their traits will eventually rub off on you somewhat. It all comes down to one thing peer pressure. It's either your down with their actions or your just not cool enough for them. One thing I learned in life is that you don't just go around seeking friends. Stumbling upon a true friend is very rare today. Friendship is like a train, numerous people will ride it, most will get off earlier than others, but only a few will stay until the last stop. Choosing friends is not all about looks. It’s mainly about characte...

Most likely, whenever the time comes to purchase a new car, you will not buy the first car you look at. You’ll look around to find the best deal you can get. You should also explore car loan options. Before you begin shopping for a new car, you can take steps toward finding the most financially feasible loan for you. Build Your Credit Score When you plan to buy a car, one of the first things you should do is find out what your credit score is. An excellent credit score number falls within the range of 781-850. A good credit score number would be between 661 and 780. In general, the higher your credit score, the better interest rate you can get on a loan. If your score is not good, it’s best to delay purchasing a car if you possibly can. Boosting your credit score takes time, but each step you take to improve your score will be beneficial to you. Explore Your Loan Options When looking for a car, you’ll probably visit several dealerships searching for the car that best fits your ne...

When you see someone using their smartphone, what is your first impression? Do you assume that person is engaged in personal business or professional business? Logically there’s no way to know because people use their smartphones for both reasons.   On a personal level, smartphones are used to text family and friends, check social media and play games. On a professional level, smartphones are used primarily for phone calls and replying to emails.   Recently however, vendors in the retail automotive industry (and other industries) are releasing mobile versions of applications that can be used on either smartphones or tablets. If you ask your employees what their personal preference is, many of them will choose the smartphone versions of these apps.   I believe this is a mistake. Based on feedback from our dealership clients, I now believe that mobile tablets are the better choice for mobile apps in the workplace .   The usage of mobile apps in the dealership i...

Whether you have chipped your windshield, or you have crashed your car and extensive repairs are now required, dealing with vehicle problems is known to become easily stressful. While you have so many auto shops offering services, actually finding one that can cover your specific needs and provide you with exceptional work quality is not that easy. Also, there are other relevant details that need your attention on the matter, so without informing yourself properly, you could easily make your unpleasant situation even worse. How can you face repair demands successfully ? What are your must-knows on the topic? The following details will cover the answers to these two important questions:   Tackling the process of choosing a repair shop While the repairs you need to pursue might seem simple at first, they still need to be carried out by people with experience, who can guarantee successful outcomes from the start. This might seem simple, considering a quick search on the web is all ...

No person should get behind the wheel without knowing the traffic laws and the basic driving practices, which help reduce collisions or fatal accidents. Making a mistake or breaking a traffic law results in receiving a well-deserved fine, losing the driver’s license or being sent to jail for a certain period, but what happens if the irresponsibility of the individual sitting on the driver’s seat causes the sudden death of an innocent passer-by? The reality is that no amount of regret or repentance can turn back time and who would want to end up in jail anyway? The answer: nobody. For this reason, apart from taking responsibility for your actions, safe driving requires knowledge, skill and maybe the use of the latest car safety technologies in order to enjoy more control when driving on public streets and private roads. In fact, manufacturers agree and choose to show it by implementing innovative features to new models. No, we are not talking about the traditional airbags, which have t...

Motor (or engine) oil is crucial to keep your engine in the best condition.   However, not all motor oils are made equal. Choosing the wrong one for your car or truck can leave your engine without the right protection and lubrication, affecting its performance over time.   How can you tell the difference between one type of motor oil and another? Why does its quality matter? Let’s take a closer look …      The Power of Good Motor Oil   Motor oil’s main job is to prevent your engine’s metal surfaces from grinding against each other, which ultimately causes them to wear down over time.   How does it do this? It forms a film of oil between different components and helps to disperse the heat generated when the engine’s running for long periods. Certain kinds of motor oil can protect your engine against the build-up of dirt and other elements (such as sludge).   Motor oil of a high quality has the power to combat oxidation and reduce corr...

Welcome to this week's edition of Black Book Market Insights, with in-depth analysis of used car and truck valuation trends and insights straight from the auction lanes.  Click here to download the full report . This week’s Black Book Market Insights report shows a stabilization of prices for the majority of car and truck segments. Some segments, such as Sporty Cars and Sub-Compact Crossovers continue to see increases even after the spring selling season. The report also looks at the latest gasoline and diesel trends. “The used vehicle market prices were stable last week after a good spring season this year on mainstream sedans. Sporty cars are experiencing an increase in seasonal demand,” said Anil Goyal, Executive Vice President, Operations. • Volume-weighted, overall car segment values decreased by 0.09% last week. In comparison, the values had decreased on average by 0.18% per week in the previous two weeks. • In cars, Mid-Size Car segment decreased the most in value l...

Before internet marketing took over, walk-in car dealerships were all the rage. All the dealerships needed were a few ads in the paper, TV or radio, and perhaps a billboard or two. However, as with most businesses, there is a serious change in dynamic about how car dealerships approach advertising. Clients don't pay as much attention to traditional means of advertising, and with just about every other dealership setting up online, dealerships have to find more efficient ways to market themselves.   Social media advertising Social media presents the perfect platform for dealers to market their business. With a single post, you could reach thousands of potential clients. Of course, to do that effectively, you need to set up a dedicated page or account for your dealership and go above and beyond to outsmart your competition. Assuming that all a client wants is a good picture of the car with a price tag attached is a grave mistake. While the picture goes a long way, people generally...

If you are new to or planning a visit to Sacramento, then let us help you to move around the city. Instead of hiring a car and drive yourself in a very high density of traffic, just call our  Sacramento taxi  so we can deal with the traffic problems for you while you can sit back and relax. Coming here you don’t need to worry about traffic and transportation because we are here to help you with all your concerns about transport and help you to have a safe journey. Sacramento taxis are everywhere and also the most available and most convenient form of transportation from and to any airport. We are the best preferential transportation services for first-level officials and visitors. We offer world class airport taxi service to all our customers when we arrange our taxis immediately in front of the airport terminals to serve you to and from the to other nearby areas. Your itinerary will not only be well-planned but also the cost is well estimated. We are also the best known cab...

When the glass of the car is damaged, probably what you think first is: how much will it cost me? When a dent appears, a crack or other type of damage occurs, the last thing you should do is postpone the repair or replacement of the car's glass due to cost. For this reason, we offer competitive prices that allow you to repair the damage as soon as possible. Repairs can be made by submitting a claim to the insurance or not. If the dent has a size that does not exceed the diameter of a 25 ¢ coin, and the crack does not exceed three inches in length, an attempt will be made to repair the glass before recommending replacement. In Safelite we offer several solutions so you can choose the most accessible price to repair your windshield or glass.   Cost of windshield repair and replacement: payment with insurance What some people do not realize is that the cost of windshield repair is usually completely covered by insurance. To facilitate the process, Safelite   he works cl...

The windscreen of your car provides functional benefits along with giving it a visual appeal. Any kind of damage is a reason to give it your full attention. In most cases, you will need to replace the windshield; delaying replacement will only add to the problem. However, there are a few things you must know prior to getting it replaced. Therefore, before you visit various centers, go through the following points: Consult reputed glass companies As you might have guessed, anything related to auto glass requires expertise. Only companies or centers with considerable experience in the field can offer you the right solutions. Hence, choose experts that use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) windscreen as the replacement. Make sure that they explain the difference between OEM glass and aftermarket glass. Moreover, they’ll be able to explain certain properties such as Solar optimization to you. The adhesive The car glass requires a strong bond to function properly and this necessit...

A lot of people hold on to an old or spare car when it’s no longer really required or valuable. Then it will come to point where the car will have to be disposed off, more often than not because of simply being in the way or it may be regarded a safety hazard. A well-run down car that has only been left to decay in the backyard, may also become an unsightly eyesore. On the other hand, an issue like this is easily addressed when you are capable of calling the service of reliable cash for scrap car removal company . At this point in time, it is relatively common to encounter lots of cash for scrap car removal companies, and these significantly provide a service to get rid of old or derelict cars that are then stripped for spare parts or recycled as scrap metal. Even if, you may get a small amount of money or compensation for the removal of the car, the actual amount obtained is totally dependent on the mode, kind as well as age of the car. Also, prior to an auto being eliminated, you d...

Before transferring a number plate from one vehicle to another, you must have a valid DVLA certificate. This post can throw more light on the matter. Using the V317 Form By Post You will have to use the V317 application form to retain or transfer a vehicle registration number. You may collect this form from the post office or download it from the internet. Section 2 of the form should be completed and duly signed by the keeper of the donor vehicle (one from whom the registration is being transferred). Section 3 of the form, on the other hand, asks for details of the keeper and the vehicle to whom the registration is being transferred to. Transfer requirements The following requirements apply to both the vehicles involved in the transfer. You will require: A vehicle registration certificate (AKA a V5C document, issued by the DVLA, containing information about the keeper and the vehicle the registration certificate pertaining to). Correct status of your tax. Up-to-date M...

Last year, BMW announced that they would be ready to debut a car that was completely electric and as good as its gas-guzzling counterpart by the year 2025. In 2020, they will be making the first iX3, which is an electric sports utility vehicle. This will make BMW will be the first luxury car manufacturer to export something from China. BMW’s current X3 design is considered so high-tech that the company is going to consider making all of its luxury car models in China, switching over in the next several years. Beyond luxury and cutting edge innovation, the vehicle will offer consumers some other fantastic features. Competitive value Coming in around $55,000, the X3 is an easily affordable luxury vehicle. Anyone who invests in the X3 crossover will not be disappointed. The luxury on the inside and with the tough exterior is definitely worth every penny...and then some. One of the most practical yet luxurious cars in the market, the X3 comes in at a great price--one that many in the m...

Purchasing a car is not a luxury anymore. It is more of a need than a status of luxury and superiority over anyone. However, purchasing a luxury car is required lot of investments and you need to maintain the same with regular Mazda services. Mazda is a well-known automobile brand and many people prefer to drive the Mazda luxury car. So, if you have one then you need to go for the regular maintenances prescribed by the manufacturing company.  Why Would You Go for The Mazda Service?   Maintenance of luxury cars is as equally important as maintenance of any other because, naturally, they are all made of machines and all machines need to be checked upon regularly so that they can work efficiently. No luxury car can work as effectively as it claims to do so if they are just kept under the garage without undergoing any services or checks. Mazda, a very renowned brand of automobiles, provides the types of luxury cars which fulfil the needs of your daily life and catch up in th...

Great content comes in several forms. However, many people think of content as just the written word, such as blogs and articles. For those who aren’t writers, or don’t have the time to write, this can seem like a daunting task. It’s tough coming up with ideas and, even when you do, explaining your idea in writing, rather than speaking about it in person, can be difficult.   Well, I have great news for those of you that feel that way. One of the most popular forms of content today is also the easiest to produce. It can also be the best way to get your message to your audience in your own words –and that is video.   Video content plays well across all publishing points. Your website, YouTube and other social media channels see increased engagement and studies show that these days audiences prefer video content. As a result, publishing platforms give video content increased reach.   Here are a few pointers that can help with developing video blogs:   Appearan...

We are in a new era; one in which dealers make most of their money on the service side and not in new vehicle sales. Yet, as an industry we still spend far more money marketing the sales side of the business, and on conquest marketing, than we do on service marketing and customer retention.   Some dealers justify this by saying that sales drives service business. I would argue that equally, service drives sales business. When customers service with you, they are two-and-a-half times more likely to buy their next vehicle from you.   Yet, service is where most customer defection occurs. If you can plug the holes in your service bucket, you won’t have to pour as much water in the top. Here are a few strategies that will help.   Invest in the Relationship   We all know the goal is to develop a relationship with every customer, but what does that mean?   Your relationship with your customers is not defined by how you treat them. At the heart of every relati...

Jumpstart Automotive Media, a leading media, insights, and marketing solutions company, today released additional data from its eighth annual Insights Book that illustrates key demographic shopping trends among luxury and non-luxury shoppers. This collection of consumer shopping patterns spans Jumpstart’s portfolio of automotive websites representing 20 million in-market shoppers. Click here to download the 2017 – 2018 Insights Book. Across Jumpstart, 34% of shoppers are researching luxury vehicles, but there have been some surprises uncovered through in-market research and when looking at shopper behavior: Luxury owners can be younger than we typically think: 1/3 Of Luxury Owners Are Between The Ages Of 25 – 34 Years Old Of consumers in this age group: ·       72% have a household income of more than $100K ·       82% are purchasing a new vehicle to be used as their primary vehicle ·      ...

Manufacturers, dealerships and vendors are all rolling out digital retailing initiatives to sell vehicles online. But some dealers remain skeptical and believe that their customers don’t really want to buy cars online, or aren’t ready for that step yet.   Car shoppers already use the Internet to research brands and models, buy insurance and look for dealers. How many consumers would start the purchase process online, if the option were available?   Let’s look at some research. According to Cox Automotive’s “Future of Digital Retail Study” released earlier this year, 83 percent of consumers want to do one or more steps of the purchase process online, and 85 percent said they would be more likely to buy from a dealership that offers at least one component of digital retailing.   In a separate 2017 survey conducted by Capgemini Consulting, just 42 percent of consumers said they were “likely” or “very likely” to buy a car online in the future. Another 2017 study by Roo...