How to Promote Your Small Business Event

Every small business wants to draw a customer-friendly crowd to an event it's hosting. The key is to match your time and energy with your needs. It takes time and effort to plan an event, so make sure you have the resources to devote to its planning and execution. You'll also want to pick a time that's appropriate for your customers. Once you have the basics figured out, it's time to send out the invitations. Here are a few tips and tactics to spread the word quickly and easily.

Use the Appropriate
Social Media Tools

These days, social media offer a free and easy way to let your customers know about an upcoming event. You can create a Facebook event; or if you have a paper invitation you're going to send in the mail, take a picture of it and post it on Instagram or Pinterest. You could also try Twitter-based tools such as TweetVite or TweetMyEvents.

Don't Ignore Traditional Media

While many people now gravitate toward social media, don't overlook the traditional newspaper or local radio and television stations. Not all of your prospects use social media, so it's important utilize several information channels. Many media outlets have "community calendars" in which you can list your event for free. You could also send a press release to local journalists who might be interested in covering the event.

Create a Calendar Invitation

Speaking of calendars…

Once your event details are set, you'll want to send an email to your loyal customers reminding them to attend. By sending out a calendar invitation (via Google or on your iOS device), you can ensure the event will automatically go directly into your customers' daily schedule.

Let's Party!

So, what are you waiting for? Host the bash of a lifetime and show your customers and prospects what you can do to help them!

DMV Operator Course Costs

In order to offset cost increases related to the maintenance and delivery of the California Traffic School Operator Program (via DMVOperatorCourse.com), Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) is being forced to increase prices for these professional education courses for original and renewal Traffic Violator School (TVS) Operator license applicants.

We are pleased to announce, however, that TSC will continue to offer generous preferential treatment to those TVSs that participate in our affiliate program. Operators of TVSs licensing TSC's outstanding traffic school curriculum—in any modality—will receive a 50% discount off of the regular tuition price for either course. And you'll naturally benefit from all of the other valuable features of the program: ongoing access to the course reading material (as an always-up-to-date, common-language reference for DMV regulations) and support and guidance from our helpful and knowledgeable affiliate administrative staff.

To claim your discount, simply click the special link to DMVOperatorCourse.com (under the "TVS License Renewal" header) at the bottom of the home page of your CACourseProvider account. This link will take you to DMVOperatorCourse.com and your affiliate discount will automatically be applied at checkout. This is the only way you will be able to claim your affiliate discount on the renewal (4-hour) course.

Furthermore, one original completion certificate will be included in the cost of course tuition. However, duplicate original certificates will be available at a low price.

The new pricing structure will be effective starting January 1, 2017.

Counseling Position Open

As your curriculum provider, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) is constantly looking for new business opportunities and ways that we can expand our product offerings. We always want to include our affiliate family in these ventures, and even look to partner with individual affiliates for the good of all when an opening presents itself.

Toward that end, TSC is looking for a partner with the following qualifications:

• a bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, education, or a related field, and a minimum of two (2) years' experience in dealing with family, parenting, and divorce-related issues; or
• a minimum of four (4) years related work experience in dealing with family, parenting, and divorce-related issues.

If you meet these qualifications and are interested in partnering with TSC to expand your business, please contact our Chief Operating Officer, Lawrence Gentilucci, by email at lawrence@trafficeducation.net or by calling 1‑800‑653‑9200.

Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to discussing this project with you!

Winter Driving Tips

Driving in severe weather can be physically and emotionally trying as well as dangerous. If the conditions are too treacherous, it's far better to postpone the trip, if possible. Motor vehicles can easily handle less severe wintry conditions, however, as long as drivers slow down and proceed with caution.

Remind your students of these tips for handling winter weather driving:

General Tips for Winter Driving

The following tips are good general advice for handling winter driving conditions. In fact, some of them are good advice year-round!

• Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage, where carbon monoxide and other dangerous exhaust gasses can accumulate. (In fact…modern engine control computers allow vehicles to run amazingly well even when cold, and idling a vehicle for 20 minutes accomplishes very little beyond converting fuel into pollution. A short warm-up of 30 seconds or so may be a good idea; perhaps even a minute or two if it's really cold.)
• Never mix radial tires with other tire types.
• Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet roads, snow, ice, sand).
• Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle!
• Avoid driving while you're tired. Stay generally well rested before operating a motor vehicle and, if fatigue sets in while you're on the road, pull over in a safe place and take a break (even a short nap) before resuming travel.

Tips for Winter Road Trips

Remind students who are planning long-distance trips in winter weather:

• Check weather reports prior to a long-distance trip or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination, and estimated time of arrival.
• Make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition by having it inspected at a reliable repair facility.
• Pack a smartphone, blankets, gloves, hats, food, water, and any needed medication in your vehicle.
• Keep at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times.
• If you become snowbound, stay with your vehicle! It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don't try to walk in a severe storm. It's easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
• Don't overexert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
• Run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.
• Make sure the exhaust pipe remains clear of snow, ice, and mud. A blocked exhaust system could cause deadly carbon monoxide to leak into the passenger compartment when the engine is running.

Tips for Driving in the Snow

If a vehicle must be operated on snowy or icy roads:

• Drive slowly. Give yourself time to maneuver on slippery surfaces.
• Accelerate and decelerate smoothly and gently. Don't accelerate aggressively, and take time to slow down/stop for traffic controls and road hazards.
• Increase your following distance, beyond the normal three-second spacing, to up to eight or even ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
• Know your brakes.
• Always apply firm, steady pressure when stopping a vehicle equipped with anti-lock brakes.
• If you're vehicle lacks anti-lock brakes, the best way to stop is threshold braking: Keep your heel on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply pressure on the brake pedal just shy of the point where the wheels lock up.
• Don't try to power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.
• Don't stop when going up a hill. Traction limitations could make it very difficult—if not impossible—to get the vehicle rolling (uphill) again.
• Stay home. If you don't really have to go out…don't. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can!

Great Event Ideas That Attract Customers

If you're looking to connect with local customers, a hosted event is a great way to create excitement and attract new prospects and loyal customers alike. But what kind of event would people like to attend? Here are some great suggestions for customer-attracting events that you can actually use:

1. Learning Event: You operate a traffic/driving school, right? Why not make use of this "how-to" type of gathering to show off what you do and maybe teach your community a thing or two? A driving school might show off its new simulator or training vehicle (you might even take people out for a short drive around the block). Or you could work up a short video that you play on a loop or other traffic safety demonstration that you present periodically.
2. Interactive/Hands-On Event: Like a learning event, a hands-on event takes education and literally puts it into the hands of an attendee. It allows guests to roll up their sleeves to learn and do at the same time. Perhaps you own a performance driving school and are willing to give a brief lesson on safe driving in extreme situations. Or maybe you help participants to properly adjust their seats/mirrors/etc. or winterize their vehicles. Anything that provides a service and allows people to participate will be remembered long after the event!
3. Charitable Event: Events that have a cause tied to them are brilliant at attracting customers because of the "do good, feel good" element. Shopping or spending for a cause is something people can take pride in, and these sentiments help to make these types of events successful and memorable. You could even partner with a driving-related non-profit or service organization in your area. You can hold a charitable event any time of the year, just be sure to connect your theme/cause to something that's relevant to your audience and something they care about.
4. Special Guest Event:A special guest host or emcee for your event can be an excellent draw. Many local athletes will lend their name and presence to causes they support—and if it's driving-related sport (e.g., a NASCAR), so much the better! Or, perhaps a local custom shop celebrity can make an appearance. People love to have special, out-of-the-ordinary experiences, and these events deliver on that.
5. VIP Event: People love exclusive offerings, and a VIP event for your most loyal customers (e.g., seniors who take your mature driving course like clockwork every few years) will be a great attraction. The key to doing VIP events well is to keep it small and manageable so you can offer only the best experience—since these are your best customers.

Now that the seed for an event has been planted, it's time to start making preparations. Check out our upcoming blog post for some tips on how to get the word out, so people actually know about and show up for your soiree!

Winning Through Great Customer Service

Attracting customers is one thing. Keeping them happy is another undertaking entirely! Even when you have the best of intentions and do your best work, things somehow manage to go wrong on occasion. How you respond to customer complaints can make or break your business in the long run.

In a previous post on this blog, we've discussed how to handle bad online reviews. While this is an increasingly important skill as ever more financial and social transactions move to the Internet, there are a few invaluable customer service guidelines that apply no matter your product/service or where the customer interaction takes place.

How to Talk to Your Angriest Customers is an excellent article that outlines in detail steps you can take to deliver exemplary customer service to your most problematic patrons. (Don't forget to follow the numerous links within the article for even more in-depth coverage of various points!) And, hey, if you can placate your angriest customers, imagine how easy it will be provide great service to those making simple requests!

Oftentimes, a client's negative experience can be salvaged and turned into an opportunity. Righting something you've done wrong—or even providing extra assistance to help more smoothly resolve a situation that's ultimately out of your control—can go a long way toward retaining disappointed customers. You might even get a referral out of it. So, get out there are make happy those students you've worked so hard to attract!

Be Prepared for Roadside Emergencies

Having a Breakdown

AAA recently released a study highlighting the most common calls for roadside help. Unsurprisingly, that list was topped by battery failures, flat tires, and key problems.

Breaking down on the side of the road is never fun, but equipment failure in a remote location or inclement weather can be downright dangerous. Encourage your students to prepare for emergencies by carrying the proper gear. Remember: Even brand new vehicles or those that are in—seemingly—good condition can experience problems without warning!

General Emergencies

Cones, Flares, Reflectors, LED Flashing Lights

Take a tip from truckers and carry cones, flares, a reflective triangle, or LED flashing lights to warn other drivers of your presence. Oftentimes, drivers fail to give adequate space to vehicles stopped along the side of the road; don't give other motorists an excuse by failing to let them know you're there.

First Aid Kit

Whether you need it for general boo-boos (those kids just won't settle down in the back seat!) or you injure yourself working on your broken down vehicle, a good first aid kit can be handy. The Red Cross suggests that an automotive first aid kit include bandages and gauze, antibiotic ointment, non-latex gloves, and more.

Fire Extinguisher

Vehicle fires can be extremely dangerous, and the best advice is to get away from your car as fast as you can if one breaks out. For a minimal fire, though, an extinguisher can easily prevent a small flame from getting out of control.

Handy Tools

Flashlight

It seems no one ever gets a flat on a dry, warm, sunny afternoon. But even if you're weather-fortunate, you might need to see into a shaded area of the engine compartment or wheel well. Make it easy on yourself by carrying a flashlight with good batteries.

Work Gloves

Some folks wear a single glove when they pump gas, in order to keep the smell off their hand. Add its mate and you'll have a pair handy for working on your vehicle.

(Paper) Towels

A few shop towels or a roll of paper towels can be helpful to clean up messes.

Screwdriver(s) and Wrench(es)

A multi-tip screwdriver (or straight and Phillips screwdrivers) and an adjustable wrench (or a small set of wrenches) are great for quick, on-the-road fixes. A utility/pocket knife and a general purpose spray lubricant could also be useful.

Binding Elements

Make sure you have a few bungee cords and some duct tape to keep things together when they fall apart.

Spare Parts

Don't load up your vehicle with a bunch of dead weight. But a stash of a few spare bulbs/fuses or other small parts might prove invaluable if there's a problem on the road.

Tire Pressure Gauge

A properly inflated tire not only gets better gas mileage and provides better traction, but is also less likely to be punctured. A good standard gauge is the Accu-Gage 60 PSI Dial or the Accu-Gage H100X.
A fun (though potentially less accurate) alternative is this set of four tire valve stem caps from Victor that change color when tires become low on air.

Jumper Cables

Cold-climate motorists don't leave home without a good pair of jumper cables. But they can be helpful in all conditions, whether you need a jump or you're trying to provide the helpful hand that someone else needs.

Cold-Weather Items

Always remember to clear snow/ice from your vehicle's windows and lights before driving. And if your vehicle becomes stranded in a snowstorm, stay with it; most deaths occur when motorists wander away from their vehicle and get lost!

Also make sure to carry a winter survival kit that includes warm clothing/blankets, matches and candles, and high-energy foods. Beyond that, these items can help you to get out of situations where traction is poor:

Shovel

If you drive in a climate or terrain where you might get bogged down in snow or mud, a shovel can be a necessity. A durable, foldable shovel stores neatly and can get you out of tough spots when needed.

Traction Enhancers

Sand, salt, or kitty litter can help to improve traction if you get caught in snow. Traction mats (plastic troughs that you can lay down in front of your wheels to provide traction) are also good.


Few things are as frustrating as having car problems on the road and being stuck without the right tools or supplies, and these suggestions are merely a good start. Take a few minutes now to make sure you're equipped to handle whatever your vehicle can throw at you!

Refunds: Trackers & Proof of Submission

California affiliates who have students requesting a refund for the Completion Tracker or DMV Proof of Submission products should email Jennifer at the Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) offices (jennifer@trafficeducation.net) to process the refund.

When emailing, please be sure to include the name of your traffic violator school and the name and driver license number of the student requesting the refund.

Refund requests that provide all of the necessary information  will be processed within one business day—but remember that the credit may take a few days to show up on the student's online credit card statement. The invoice that you receive from TSC the following will also reflect any student billing modifications.

Now Available: Integrated Driver Ed –The Instant Student Licensing Program (ISLP)

The biggest news for the driving school industry in 25 years!!!

What Is ISLP?

ISLP is an integrated online driver education/driver training program that gets prospective young drivers into a vehicle as quickly as possible, using a unique new lesson plan that combines driver training (the "laboratory" phase of driver education, commonly referred to as "behind-the-wheel") with the online driver education program from Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc. (TSC). Rather than making students complete their driver education before they can begin driver training, ISLP gets them into the driver's seat right away!

Market research shows that teens love the integrated approach to driver training because it lets them actually drive as quickly as possible. You'll favor this methodology as well, because it not only attracts customers who are eager to get into a vehicle, but encourages kids to sign up for driver education with your school and to complete their driver training with you as well!

TSC is one of just two driver training curriculum providers to offer an integrated program in California. We designed our comprehensive program to appeal to and address the needs of today's teen motorists, ensuring customer satisfaction. Most importantly, TSC's low-cost pricing and our affiliate program's industry-leading customer service mean that it's easy and profitable to take advantage of this unbeatable opportunity.

How Does ISLP Work?

Students simply register for the ISLP integrated program online and get started right away. They'll contact your driver training school to start their behind-the-wheel instruction after they've completed the first phase of driver education. Before driving, students are issued a Student License, which allows them to drive only at the direction and under the supervision of a qualified course instructor from their school. As the program progresses, lessons alternate between online and in-vehicle phases.

ISLP is intended to be a supplemental product, and does not replace any existing driver education or driving training programs that you offer—even if those programs are purchased from another curriculum provider. TSC simply adds a link to your existing website (ISLP is designed for use as an online driver education program only), and ISLP integrates seamlessly with your existing educational programs. We'll notify you (and your students) when a driver education phase is complete and a student is eligible for the next phase of their driving training. And, as always, affiliated schools will have access to TSC's proprietary, custom-designed CA Course Provider site, an online information management tool designed to allow you to easily and efficiently maintain school records and track the progress of your students.

In addition to the online driver education program and student management tools, TSC's Instant Student License Program features the following helpful curriculum materials:

• Instant Student License Program checklist
• driver training contract
• Student License materials
• driver training lesson plan and checklist
• driving log and parent-teen contract

How Can I Offer ISLP?

Contact Chris (1-800-487-1699 or chris@trafficeducation.net) or Tara (1-800-863-2590 or tara@trafficeducation.net) for all of the details about the new Instant Student License Program!

Now Available: Integrated Driver Ed –The Instant Student Licensing Program (ISLP)

The biggest news for the driving school industry in 25 years!!!

What Is ISLP?

ISLP is an integrated online driver education/driver training program that gets prospective young drivers into a vehicle as quickly as possible, using a unique new lesson plan that combines driver training (the "laboratory" phase of driver education, commonly referred to as "behind-the-wheel") with the online driver education program from Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc. (TSC). Rather than making students complete their driver education before they can begin driver training, ISLP gets them into the driver's seat right away!

Market research shows that teens love the integrated approach to driver training because it lets them actually drive as quickly as possible. You'll favor this methodology as well, because it not only attracts customers who are eager to get into a vehicle, but encourages kids to sign up for driver education with your school and to complete their driver training with you as well!

TSC is one of just two driver training curriculum providers to offer an integrated program in California. We designed our comprehensive program to appeal to and address the needs of today's teen motorists, ensuring customer satisfaction. Most importantly, TSC's low-cost pricing and our affiliate program's industry-leading customer service mean that it's easy and profitable to take advantage of this unbeatable opportunity.

How Does ISLP Work?

Students simply register for the ISLP integrated program online and get started right away. They'll contact your driver training school to start their behind-the-wheel instruction after they've completed the first phase of driver education. Before driving, students are issued a Student License, which allows them to drive only at the direction and under the supervision of a qualified course instructor from their school. As the program progresses, lessons alternate between online and in-vehicle phases.

ISLP is intended to be a supplemental product, and does not replace any existing driver education or driving training programs that you offer—even if those programs are purchased from another curriculum provider. TSC simply adds a link to your existing website (ISLP is designed for use as an online driver education program only), and ISLP integrates seamlessly with your existing educational programs. We'll notify you (and your students) when a driver education phase is complete and a student is eligible for the next phase of their driving training. And, as always, affiliated schools will have access to TSC's proprietary, custom-designed CA Course Provider site, an online information management tool designed to allow you to easily and efficiently maintain school records and track the progress of your students.

In addition to the online driver education program and student management tools, TSC's Instant Student License Program features the following helpful curriculum materials:

• Instant Student License Program checklist
• driver training contract
• Student License materials
• driver training lesson plan and checklist
• driving log and parent-teen contract

How Can I Offer ISLP?

Contact Chris (1-800-487-1699 or chris@trafficeducation.net) or Tara (1-800-863-2590 or tara@trafficeducation.net) for all of the details about the new Instant Student License Program!

Now Available: Integrated Driver Ed –The Instant Student Licensing Program (ISLP)

The biggest news for the driving school industry in 25 years!!!

What Is ISLP?

ISLP is an integrated online driver education/driver training program that gets prospective young drivers into a vehicle as quickly as possible, using a unique new lesson plan that combines driver training (the "laboratory" phase of driver education, commonly referred to as "behind-the-wheel") with the online driver education program from Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc. (TSC). Rather than making students complete their driver education before they can begin driver training, ISLP gets them into the driver's seat right away!

Market research shows that teens love the integrated approach to driver training because it lets them actually drive as quickly as possible. You'll favor this methodology as well, because it not only attracts customers who are eager to get into a vehicle, but encourages kids to sign up for driver education with your school and to complete their driver training with you as well!

TSC is one of just two driver training curriculum providers to offer an integrated program in California. We designed our comprehensive program to appeal to and address the needs of today's teen motorists, ensuring customer satisfaction. Most importantly, TSC's low-cost pricing and our affiliate program's industry-leading customer service mean that it's easy and profitable to take advantage of this unbeatable opportunity.

How Does ISLP Work?

Students simply register for the ISLP integrated program online and get started right away. They'll contact your driver training school to start their behind-the-wheel instruction after they've completed the first phase of driver education. Before driving, students are issued a Student License, which allows them to drive only at the direction and under the supervision of a qualified course instructor from their school. As the program progresses, lessons alternate between online and in-vehicle phases.

ISLP is intended to be a supplemental product, and does not replace any existing driver education or driving training programs that you offer—even if those programs are purchased from another curriculum provider. TSC simply adds a link to your existing website (ISLP is designed for use as an online driver education program only), and ISLP integrates seamlessly with your existing educational programs. We'll notify you (and your students) when a driver education phase is complete and a student is eligible for the next phase of their driving training. And, as always, affiliated schools will have access to TSC's proprietary, custom-designed CA Course Provider site, an online information management tool designed to allow you to easily and efficiently maintain school records and track the progress of your students.

In addition to the online driver education program and student management tools, TSC's Instant Student License Program features the following helpful curriculum materials:

• Instant Student License Program checklist
• driver training contract
• Student License materials
• driver training lesson plan and checklist
• driving log and parent-teen contract

How Can I Offer ISLP?

Contact Chris (1-800-487-1699 or chris@trafficeducation.net) or Tara (1-800-863-2590 or tara@trafficeducation.net) for all of the details about the new Instant Student License Program!

Branding Your Small Business

Get your branding right and you'll score customers just by "being you." You certainly can't afford to do nothing, but small businesses can't bear the costs—time or money—of hiring a flock of consultants and ad agencies. So, how do you proceed with this critical business management task without breaking the bank or the clock? The Guardian offers A Guide to Branding Your Small Business. Check out the full post for the details, but in short…

1. Know Your Audience

Don't invest time or money developing your brand without first knowing your target audience and their needs. You must know what will resonate with your customers in order to talk to them effectively.

2. Use Your Knowledge Carefully

Know your market to carefully tailor your design and pitch, and deploy these tools consistently in your sales and marketing activities across all channels so the brand becomes easily recognizable.

3. Embrace Failure

It seems counterintuitive, but a great deal can be learned from branding failures. The marketplace is crowded and it can be difficult to know where you fit in. Each failure is a guide in the right direction.

4. Don't Think Like a Small Business

Thing big from the start. Act as if you're operating across multiple territories—you never know when that might actually happen, and you'll be prepared when it does!

5. Color and Design Matter

Visual identity, including your logo, is often a consumer's first encounter with your brand, so it must create the right impression. Unless you're a designer, avoid the DIY approach and hire a professional; services like Fiverr.com or PeoplePerHour.com can help you to find a freelance designer who suits your style and budget. And keep your identity consistent across media channels by creating a set of brand guidelines with detailed information about the color palette, fonts, and tone of voice to use.

6. Go Beyond Your Logo

Many small businesses make the mistake of confusing their brand with their logo. A logo is merely a symbol or other design adopted by an organization to identify its products, property, etc. A brand, meanwhile, is the public personification of your company, conveying everything you believe and hold dear about what you do. As the saying goes, people buy a product but they join a cause—make your brand memorable.

7. Choose Your Brand Name Carefully

Don't ruin great branding by giving your brand a bad name. A brand name must reinforce the key elements or objectives of your business. Remember: The more it communicates to your audience about your business and what it provides, the less effort you'll expend trying to explain it. (If you need some help, a recent article in Inc. talks about How to Come Up with the Best Name for Your Brand.)


These are the basics, but you can always read the original article (and its linked material) for more information. Happy branding!

Why Drivers Don't "See" Motorcyclists

It's that time of year again! The weather's getting warmer, and motorcyclists start thinking about hitting the road on their bikes. Drivers and cyclists alike need to be wary, however, as drivers often overlook cyclists when checking for traffic. There are normal, biological reasons for this failing, but it's a failing that has potentially fatal consequences.

This fascinating article from Road & Track magazine explains in detail why drivers fail to see motorcyclists on the road. It also offers tips that will help drivers to see things that are invisible to them right now—it's like having super powers that will keep everyone safer!

California Internet Curriculum Modification

In response to monitoring requirements, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) is implementing a "silent" timer for its Internet-based traffic violator school (TVS) program. This timer is intended to prevent students from racing through the course without studying the reading material. No countdown will be displayed to students, and the functionality will be completely invisible to those who actually spend time with the course as intended. However, students who attempt to take the final exam before having spent at least one (1) hour reviewing the course material will be prevented from doing so and will be presented with a short warning message and a prompt to return to the Student Center (table of contents) to continuing studying. Once the one-hour limit has expired, students will be allowed to proceed to the final exam.

The text of the message is as follows (see screenshot below):

The purpose of this traffic safety education program is to help you to become a better, safer, defensive driver. It is expected that the material will be read thoroughly, and the course is designed so that students will need to spend at least one hour studying the material.

It appears as if you have not taken the time to thoroughly study the course reading material. Please review the instructional material and attempt the final exam once you've done so.

This timer will be implemented starting Monday, May 23, 2016. No action is required on your part. This is simply a courtesy notice to you in case students should ask about this new functionality.

Social Media Posts That Engage and Get Clicks

We've encouraged you, on many occasions, to get active on social media to promote your business. While our previous blog posts have offered valuable advice on what to post, it can be tough to know how to craft a compelling message if you're not a professional wordsmith. The following tips offer helpful suggestions on how to grab your customers' attention and get them to interact with your business more deeply:

• Use more action words. Posts filled with verbs and adverbs tend to engage readers and deliver better results than those that have a lot of nouns and adjectives. For example, the headline
       Mask Your Ticket Quickly and Easily
  is likely to get a higher click-through rate than
       Traffic School is a Good Way to Mask Your Citation
• Post more links. It may seem obvious, but…accounts that post more links get more clicks. If you want to drive more traffic to your site, at least half of your posts should include a link to your site. But don't go overboard; keep the number of posts with links to your site to under 80% of your total social media activity. If every post you put up includes your link, you'll come across as "spammy."
• Complete your profile. Inexperienced marketers neglect this simple but effective step. Be sure all of your social media profiles include a professional photo, a brief but compelling bio, and a link to your site. Accounts that provide all three of these items have more followers and more engagement than those that don't.
• Don't talk about yourself (except in your bio). A business's social media posts that are too personally self-referential may catch the interest of your family and close friends, but may not necessarily draw potential customers. Talk more about them to get them to click, share, and engage. (If you participate in some activity that your clients might find interesting, it's certainly okay to share those experiences with them. It's attention-grabbing and provides a connection. But make the post relate to your audience somehow, not just all about you.)
• Provide a clear call to action. If you want more clicks, ask for them! Don't just provide a link, explicitly tell readers how to follow up. For instance, you might change
       3 Tips for Safer Winter Driving: www.link.com
  to
       3 Tips for Safer Winter Driving? Click here to learn more: www.link.com!
  
  Further, be creative with your calls to action. Don't use "click here" all the time. Try alternatives like "Check out this new [post/product/etc.]:" or "What do you think about [some event/claim]?" to encourage a response.

Greater social media engagement and more clicks can help you to draw more customers. Make these simple tweaks to your social media activity to get the marketing results you want!

Make Sure You're Mobile-Friendly

Are you leaving money on the table because your outdated technology isn't optimized for today's consumers? Just 51% of small businesses have websites. And while four out of five consumers use a smartphone to shop, a recent survey found that over 93% of small business websites aren't compatible with mobile devices.

TSC Has You Covered

If you've taken advantage of the Web design services of Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) you're ready for the future! TSC provides our affiliated partners with sites—including the "front end" and the educational content presentation—that are engineered to be mobile-friendly. Our Web- and curriculum development teams deploy state-of-the-art Internet technologies to ensure that you and your students enjoy the best online experience possible.

If You're Providing Your Own Website...

Driving schools and traffic schools who have developed their own websites could be missing out if the site isn't optimized for the mobile era! Nearly half of mobile consumers won't return to a site that doesn't load properly. And Google recently began expanding their use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal.

If you haven't yet taken steps to ensure that your customers are having a good mobile experience, consider these points:

• Is your site easy to read on a mobile device? If your users have to pinch-to-zoom to read your content, your site isn't mobile-friendly.
• Is your site easy to navigate? Navigation should be intuitive and smooth. Thirty percent of mobile shoppers will leave a site and go to a competitor's if they have a bad experience.
• Is your site designed to be responsive? This means the code will adjust the presentation according to the screen size of the user—whether they are on a desktop, tablet, or phone.
• Does your site load quickly? As with 0-to-60 and quarter-mile runs, every second counts. Users will become frustrated—and leave for a better site—if they have to wait a long time for your pages to load.

If you don't know if your site is ready for mobile users, consider taking Google's mobile-friendly test. Google will grade your site by looking at how "Googlebot" sees your home page, and a good score means your site is ready to go!

The Bottom Line

Today's shoppers are using mobile devices to search for products and services, and the next generation of consumers is even more dependent on these technologies. Make sure your business gets found and that your site makes it easy for visitors to get what they need!

Important Reminder: Changes in CA Booklet Administration

This post details changes to traffic violator school (TVS) administrative procedures. Please read it carefully. Schools are responsible for implementing these changes, effective April 4, 2016, and may be subject to regulatory actions for failing to comply.

New Regulatory Requirements

Under new regulator-imposed requirements, TVS students completing a booklet-based home study program will be required to pass (rather than merely complete) the "Participation Questions" portion of their student materials. This is intended to fulfill the regulatory mandate for "procedures used as an equivalent to the classroom requirement for student participation" (California Code of Regulations (CCR) §345.30(e)(2), §345.31(f)(3)(B). Consequently, booklet students, going forward, will be required to correctly answer at least 70% (16 of the cumulative 22) of the participation questions before their final exam may be graded. Further, regulators have determined that TVSs must actively present students with feedback on the final examination (CCR §345.30(d)(1)(J)), rather than merely passively addressing student queries about the final exam questions that they might have missed.

TSC's Simple Solution

As your TVS curriculum provider, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) has made these compulsory changes easy to address with an update the CA Course Provider Administration website.

Administering the Participation Questions

TVS personnel administering book students will have to grade each student's Participation Questions response form and, if a student gets a passing score, check the box in the student's record in the CA Course Provider database to indicate that. The system will not allow a student's final exam to be scored until that student has achieved a passing score on their participation questions. Students who fail to achieve a passing score on their participation questions must have their student materials returned to them so they can correct any wrong answers they provided. Students should return corrected answer sheets to the school so the participation questions can be graded again.

Providing Reasoning and the Correct Answer on the Final Exam

Administrative personnel must also enter students' answers to the final exam questions. The computer will score the students' test and will automatically generate and send an email to the student specifying: the question(s) that student answered incorrectly, the incorrect answer given, the correct answer, and the reasoning behind the correct answer. If a student did not provide your school with an email address, this information must be sent to the student's mailing address.

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TSC representatives will be contacting schools to explain the administrative website updates and provide training on the new procedures.

New sample instruction sheets (the first page of the student forms sent to booklet students), in English and Spanish versions, are available for download from the CA Course Provide Administrative website booklet materials download page (must be logged in).

Please inform all administrative staff working for your school of these procedural changes and ensure that they are properly trained to distribute the new instruction sheets and use the new functionality on the CA Course Provider Administration website. Schools are responsible for these changes, effective April 4, 2016.

If you have any further questions about this mandatory administrative procedural change, please feel free to contact your TSC representatives.

Changes in CA Booklet Administration

This post details changes to traffic violator school (TVS) administrative procedures. Please read it carefully. Schools are responsible for implementing these changes, effective April 4, 2016, and may be subject to regulatory actions for failing to comply.

New Regulatory Requirements

Under new regulator-imposed requirements, TVS students completing a booklet-based home study program will be required to pass (rather than merely complete) the "Participation Questions" portion of their student materials. This is intended to fulfill the regulatory mandate for "procedures used as an equivalent to the classroom requirement for student participation" (California Code of Regulations (CCR) §345.30(e)(2), §345.31(f)(3)(B). Consequently, booklet students, going forward, will be required to correctly answer at least 70% (16 of the cumulative 22) of the participation questions before their final exam may be graded. Further, regulators have determined that TVSs must actively present students with feedback on the final examination (CCR §345.30(d)(1)(J)), rather than merely passively addressing student queries about the final exam questions that they might have missed.

TSC's Simple Solution

As your TVS curriculum provider, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) has made these compulsory changes easy to address with an update the CA Course Provider Administration website.

Administering the Participation Questions

TVS personnel administering book students will have to grade each student's Participation Questions response form and, if a student gets a passing score, check the box in the student's record in the CA Course Provider database to indicate that. The system will not allow a student's final exam to be scored until that student has achieved a passing score on their participation questions. Students who fail to achieve a passing score on their participation questions must have their student materials returned to them so they can correct any wrong answers they provided. Students should return corrected answer sheets to the school so the participation questions can be graded again.

Providing Reasoning and the Correct Answer on the Final Exam

Administrative personnel must also enter students' answers to the final exam questions. The computer will score the students' test and will automatically generate and send an email to the student specifying: the question(s) that student answered incorrectly, the incorrect answer given, the correct answer, and the reasoning behind the correct answer. If a student did not provide your school with an email address, this information must be sent to the student's mailing address.

---

TSC representatives will be contacting schools to explain the administrative website updates and provide training on the new procedures.

New sample instruction sheets (the first page of the student forms sent to booklet students), in English and Spanish versions, are available for download from the CA Course Provide Administrative website booklet materials download page (must be logged in).

Please inform all administrative staff working for your school of these procedural changes and ensure that they are properly trained to distribute the new instruction sheets and use the new functionality on the CA Course Provider Administration website. Schools are responsible for these changes, effective April 4, 2016.

If you have any further questions about this mandatory administrative procedural change, please feel free to contact your TSC representatives.

Magic Marketing Words!

We all know that language can influence emotions and persuade action. But unless you're a professional copywriter—or at least an amateur wordsmith—it can be tough to know how to get started. Different motivating words and phrases work better in different situations, of course, but the following article from marketing services provider Vertical Response offers some helpful hints. Check it out and get your marketing efforts off to a successful start!

The 30 Magic Marketing Words You Should Be Using

New California Laws for 2016

A new year brings new traffic laws to California. Several new laws will take effect in 2016. As a provider of traffic violator school (TVS) instruction, you should familiarize yourself with these changes so you can provide proper education and assistance to your students.

Internet Curriculum Update

As your curriculum provider, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) has already updated the Internet-based curriculum, and your students are using it now. No further action is required for this modality.

Booklet Curriculum Update

Those of you who are offering the home study booklet must ensure that you are providing students with updated curriculum materials. Download from the CA Course Provider administrative website (login required) the latest final exam forms and answer keys, available now, and begin using those immediately.

The copyright notice is at the
bottom of the Table of Contents page.

The next order of books that you receive from TSC will be the latest edition. You may continue to use "old" booklets from your inventory. However, if the bottom of the Table of Contents page of a book that you are sending to a student does not have a 2016 copyright (see example picture), you must include a "booklet insert" (available for download from the CA Course Provider Administration website) in the packet.

Make sure that you ship the latest versions of the home study booklet (or include an insert) and testing materials, as you will be responsible for teaching/testing students on this new material!

Classroom Curriculum

Those of you who are delivering classroom instruction must ensure that you are teaching students the updated curriculum. Download the electronic files from the CA Course Provider administrative website (login required) for the latest Lesson Plan updates (normally we would provide the modified pages only, but this year's update includes the complete Lesson Plan due to substantial repagination), Safe Driving Journal (student and instructor versions), and final exam forms/answer keys. The files are available now, and you should begin using the updated materials immediately.

Make sure that you and/or any instructors you employ are explaining the new laws to students and distributing the latest versions of the classroom materials, as you will be responsible for teaching/testing students on this new material!

Internet Infrastructure Maintenance

Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) has been informed by our Web server hosting provider that Internet service to their facility will be disrupted due to scheduled maintenance. The expected downtime will occur on Wednesday, February 17, from midnight to 6:00 a.m. (PT), though service may not be out for that entire duration.

This schedule maintenance will leave all of TSC's Web-based programs and services unavailable during that time. Internet-based students will not be able to access traffic school reading material or tests during that time, and your online traffic school administrative tools will likewise be inaccessible. No changes are being made directly to TSC's hardware or software systems, and full functionality should return immediately once Internet access to the facility is restored.

TSC's IT team is working to present a notification banner that will display for students of our Internet-based programs warning them of the system downtime. This banner will display to students accessing Internet-based programs for a few days prior to the event.

No action is required on your part. TSC is simply informing you as a courtesy and so you can offer an explanation in the unlikely event that a student should affected.

Help Your Car to See in the Winter

Hazardous Conditions: Winter Driving

Driving in winter weather is challenging. Traction can be limited, and snowy conditions reduce all drivers' ability to see. Drivers should remove snow and ice from their windows and lights before departing, and it's helpful to see that the windshield wipers (including the washer fluid) and defroster are well maintained. They should also kick snow from their footwear (so their foot doesn't slip off of the pedals while driving) and activate the low beam headlights.

With today's high-tech vehicles, however, it's important not just to ensure your own visibility. These days, the car can do some of the driving, and it's critical that the vehicle be able to "see" as well. An increasing number of vehicles are equipped with driver's aids such as  lane departure warning systems, crash avoidance systems, adaptive cruise control, emergency brake assist, and more. These systems use cameras, sensors, radar, and ultrasound (or some combination thereof) to do what they do, and a thick coat of ice, snow, and/or grime can significantly hamper their effectiveness.

When discussing hazardous driving conditions with students, remind them:

Keep Your Car Clean So It Can "See"

In addition to all windows and lamp lenses, don't forget to clear obstructions from the following sensors (if your vehicle is so-equipped):

• lane departure camera system
• adaptive cruise control radar window
• blind spot monitor cameras/sensors
• 360° view side cameras
• rearview camera
• ultrasonic parking assist sensors

Common Locations of Sensors

Some of these sensors are less sensitive to being blocked by ice or snow. The radar window and the bumper-mounted ultrasonic sensors should be more tolerant of obstructions, though their effectiveness can be impaired by ice or snow or dirt, so you may as well get them clear if you can. Other systems, like lane departure and some forms of adaptive cruise control and emergency brake assist are camera-dependent, and those cameras are just like your eyes—they can't see through snow and ice. If you don't clean these sensors well, not only will they not work, but they may drive you crazy with false alerts.

A little extra effort before you slide behind the wheel can make a big difference in the effectiveness of your safety systems. Help them to help you, and stay safe when driving in winter weather.