New Links Get Customers in NJ!

At Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) we see ourselves as partners of our affiliates, and we want YOU to succeed. Toward that end, we come to you with great news!

We have spent the last year analyzing the Defensive Driving School market in New Jersey and how prospective customers there respond to marketing efforts. We've taken what we've learned and developed effective call-to-action link buttons that you can add to your websites to really drive sales of your defensive driving course.

TSC's lead Web designer, Justin Miller, will be contacting you via email very soon with information about updating your websites. We hope that you're interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, and we look forward to working with you to increase your profitability.

Marketing Seminar a No-Go

Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) regrets to inform you that the Internet and Social Media Marketing Seminar that we had planned to conduct for Florida affiliates on Saturday, February 26, has been cancelled because not enough people could participate.

We strongly believe, however, that the information that we were planning to present to you is critical to the future success of your traffic school. More and more commerce is being conducted online, and customers are increasingly attracted to the ease and convenience of Internet-based traffic safety education programs. Without the skills necessary to successfully market your business on the Interet, you could be left behind.

Therefore, TSC plans to mail to you in the near future a packet highlighting the materials that we intended to discuss at the marketing seminar. These will be followed up with a call from our marketing specialists to make sure that all of your questions are answered. We want you to experience great success with your traffic school operation, and we are committed to helping you to achieve your goals!

New Product: Practice Permit Test

As you are aware, January 1, 2011, marked the end of the pilot program which allowed prospective drivers in the state of Florida to complete the "written" testing for their driver's permits via the Internet rather than having to test in-person at a Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) field office. Traffic Safety Consultants (TSC) and its affiliates allowed young drivers to take advantage of this convenient option via the Driver's Permit Test Online program. Unfortunately, the DHSMV recently announced that it has decided to permanently discontinue the online testing option.

This in an unhappy turn of events not only because the Driver's Permit Test Online was a highly profitable offering for traffic safety educators, but because young Floridians will now be forced to expend considerably more time and effort to complete the testing process at a DHSMV office. If they could have the knowledge and confidence to pass the test on their first attempt, however, their inconvenience could be significantly limited. An opportunity exists, therefore, to assist prospective young drivers in studying for the permit exam.

TSC is currently working to design its own Practice Permit Test program that we will soon make available to affiliates. This "test prep course" will provide students with simulated testing conditions and sample test questions, as well as other helpful information that will allow them to show up at a DHSMV office fully prepared to obtain their permit. The program is currently in development, and will be rolled in a few weeks.

Gloria and Donna will be contacting you shortly with the details about how you can participate in this exciting new opportunity.

FREE Internet & Social Media Marketing Seminar

As we enter the new year, we at Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) hope that you have big plans for your traffic school enterprise—and we want to help you to realize your goals.

Internet-based traffic safety education courses offer a compelling multi-media experience to your customers, and they allow students to complete the programs at their own pace and in a location that is convenient for them. Online courses are an emerging market that presents dramatic growth potential for providers who would capitalize. Best of all, online programs require minimal effort to administer on a daily basis.

As with any product, however, only consumers who are aware of your online traffic school course can become paying customers. Internet marketing isn't tremendously difficult or time-consuming, and it's not necessarily expensive. But sometimes you need a helping hand to get you started. Therefore, TSC would like to invite you and an associate to an informative seminar on effective, practical Internet and social media marketing techniques that will help you to confidently tap into this lucrative opportunity. We'll provide easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions on how to drive relevant online traffic to your site, as well as a chance to ask questions of our panel of marketing experts.

What:
FREE Internet and Social Media Marketing Seminar, offered exclusively to TSC affiliates. This will be a three-hour tour of minimal- and no-cost Internet marketing techniques that can instantly boost your online visibility and attract more students. We'll explore:

• search engine optimization
• website metadata
• blogging and using keywords in site content
• sources of articles and information
• sample text modifications
• reference sources
• Facebook and Twitter
• paid search engine campaigns

Lunch will be provided following the seminar, and there's absolutely nothing to buy. At TSC, we view our relationship with you as a partnership, and we're dedicated to help YOU to succeed!

When:
Saturday, February 26, 2011, beginning at 10:00am

Where:
TSC's Regional Headquarters
3092 Aloma Avenue
Suite 205
Winter Park, Florida 32792

Please respond to Donna (via email or by calling 800 . 252 . 9951) by Friday, January 14, 2011, if you are interested in joining us for this invaluable presentation of cutting-edge marketing tactics. We look forward to seeing you there!

Learner's License Pilot Program Ends

The authority for traffic schools and other vendors to offer an "Online Driver's Permit Test" to prospective drivers in the state of the Florida was granted by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) as part of a 4-year pilot program that concludes on December 31, 2010. As required, the Traffic Safety Consultants (TSC) Web Development Team will be removing all pertinent referring links from our affiliates' websites before the end of this year.

The "Online Driver's Permit Test" program may be allowed to resume after the DHSMV has completed a statistical evaluation of its effectiveness, but there is currently no proposed time frame for that to happen. If the DHSMV grants vendors the permission to offer the program in the wake of their effectiveness study, TSC will promptly reactivate the pertinent links on affiliate websites.

TSC thanks you for your participation in this valuable pilot program and for your help going forward. If you have any questions, you may follow up with Donna via email, or call her at 800 . 252 . 9951.

Ring In the New Year Right!

The new year is a time for revelry and renewal—not for an arrest for driving under the influence of controlled substances. Be sure to remind your students that now is a good time to start considering their transportation options if they'll be going out to celebrate New Year's Eve. After all, the penalties for DUI are getting harsher every year—and rightly so: roughly a third of motor vehicle fatalities involve an intoxicated driver, and the number is substantially higher during the winter holidays.

Earlier this month, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood highlighted the new "No Refusal" strategy that a number of states are employing to put an end to drunk driving. The "No Refusal" program allows law enforcement officers to quickly obtain warrants from "on call" judges in order to take blood samples from suspected intoxicated drivers who refuse a breathalyzer test. (The latest data show that the states with the highest refusal rates included New Hampshire at 81%, Massachusetts at 41%, Florida at 40%, Louisiana at 39%, and Ohio at 38%.) States that have adopted "No Refusal" programs report more guilty pleas, fewer trials, and more convictions.

What can drivers do to avoid a DUI—and, likely as not, save their lives or the lives of others? They can avoid driving after they've consumed alcohol or other intoxicating substances. Some alternatives include:

• Have a designated driver accompany their party.
• Take a cab, bus, train, etc.
• Call a sober friend for a ride home.
• Stay overnight at or near where they are consuming.
• Celebrate the New Year with activities that do not involve alcohol or drugs.

Also, some taxi services and auto clubs sponsor anti-DUI programs on New Year's Eve, but the details vary. Fortunately, there are still a few days left to investigate these services before they're really needed!

Marketing to Younger Drivers

You naturally hope (for their sake and for the benefit of the driving public) that you never see a customer again. We know, however, that despite the demonstrated effectiveness of traffic safety education, it's likely that you'll encounter a repeat customer or two. Why not lock in younger drivers and earn yourself a lifelong customer—or, at least, a lifetime of referral business?

Branding is incredibly important to the teen market, so establish your products' credibility and make sure to extract and promote the qualities that will raise you above your competition. Be specific and sincere. Bear in mind, also, that parents' opinions matter: they are the economic providers, and you must address and cross-market to them with a well-positioned message.

Jump on the bandwagon. Nothing is so enticing to the teen market as whatever their friends are doing. Encourage them to join the crowd by buying your product. Promote through the new social media websites. Highlight the "coolness" factor and you'll have trouble keeping them away!

Excitement! Who could ever have imagined that traffic safety education could be so much fun? Make sure to position the entertaining features of the course at the front of your marketing message.

Boredom in a classroom vs. FUN on the Internet. How would new drivers rather learn? Why should teens—and their parents—be inconvenienced when driver education is approved and available in their home, at any time they want access to it, backed by great customer service?

Good for the entire family. Rebelliousness aside, kids are more likely to purchase a product that considers adult approval and doesn't come across as just another slick marketing message. As well, you'll need to appease the parents who will actually be handing over their hard-earned income. By appearing fun but responsible, you can have the best of both worlds.

Facts and stats. Use statistics and other hard facts to enhance your products' credibility and put you ahead of the competition.

Remember that teens are a constant target of marketers, and can be a challenging crowd to woo. Marketing communications should be direct and to-the-point, with no frills or embellishments. Most importantly, your message should be trustworthy. You are not selling something for your benefit; you are selling something that will benefit them. Keeping these points in mind when developing marketing strategies for your younger prospects can help you to attract customers that will be with you for a lifetime.

TSC's Mature Driver Course Approved

Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) is constantly working to expand and improve the product lines that we offer to our affiliate partners. Toward that end, we are proud to announce that our own TSC-developed online Mature Driver Course curriculum was recently approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).

The Mature Driver/Insurance Discount Course is a 6-hour traffic safety education program that focuses on basic driving and accident prevention skills, but also features discussions of the special considerations that older motorists might need to address. It is available to Florida drivers age 55 and older who would like to save money on their auto insurance premiums (and who doesn't want that?). The successful completion of a Mature Driver Course confers a state-mandated three-year reduction to the driver's automobile insurance premiums, and the course may be completed every three years to effectively extend the reduction indefinitely. While the exact amount of the discount varies by insurer, the low-cost course easily pays for itself many times over.

Affiliates who would like to offer TSC's DHSMV-approved Mature Driver Course should email Gloria Verver, our Director of Affiliate Programs, or call her at 800 . 252. 9488 for the details. It takes just moments to update your existing traffic school website with the appropriate link to this online course. As always, we look forward to working with you to provide the best traffic safety education products available!

Feeling More Secure

Perhaps the single biggest reason why large corporations continue to grow their business is because they've built an established brand and have a reputation for customer satisfaction. As customers, we're trained to trust no one and question everything—especially when it comes to on-line vendors. The slightest hint of questionable content or behavior can push potential customers away with the assurance that they're unlikely to return. It is vital, therefore, that a website create a connection with the viewer and provide legitimate, factual information on the merchant's products, payment methods, and return policies.

In short, you need to build customer confidence in order to build sales. Here a few tips that will help:

Demonstrate professionalism at every opportunity. The design, structure, and navigation of your site must always be first-rate, and content is king. Put your customers first and make sure you deliver an appealing, professional site that provides great information.

Let your content sell. An excellent opportunity that many websites forego is the ability to pre-sell products. Including third-party feedback (e.g., testimonials), press "clippings," and unbiased product descriptions is a great marketing tactic that prepares visitors to make a purchase before you try to sell them something.

Provide easy-to-locate and reliable contact information. Always provide a physical address, phone number, and e-mail address for customers who need help. Customers should be able to find this information easily, and you should be available as much as possible to field incoming communications. If customers leave a phone message or an e-mail, be sure to respond in a timely manner.

Present your company's information. Enlighten visitors as to what your business does and how you plan to help them to solve their problems once they make a purchase from you. Tell them why they should shop with you instead of your competitors.

Communicate your security policies. Nothing will build customers' confidence in your e-commerce business better than your taking a strong stance against the selling or sharing of e-mail addresses and other personal information. Displaying icons that highlight your secure payment service inspires customers to pay with the confidence that their information will not be intercepted and misused by cybercriminals.

Repeat and referral business is built on relationships, and relationships are built on trust. Visitors who have faith in your services, your products, and your website are more likely to make a purchase with you; and happy customers are sure to provide you with a steady stream of income over the years. By making your customers feel safe and secure, you're well on your way to securing a profitable business for yourself!

New Promotional Opportunity!

Safer motorists are our
driving passion.^SM

Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) is continually working to expand the customer base for all of our affiliates in all of the states in which we operate. Remember that your success is our success! Toward that end, we are always looking for new markets and new ways to drive customers to your websites. As part of these efforts, we have launched a social media marketing campaign in conjunction with a companion website that provides general information about traffic safety.


Our Strategy

The Website. TrafficSafety4U.com (TS4U.com) is an "umbrella" site that aims to be motorists' one-stop, go-to resource for information related to safe, responsible driving. TS4U.com will offer authoritative assistance with: driver education and training; traffic laws and citations; licensing, records, and point removal; and vehicle safety and technology. Of course, in the TSC tradition, it also offers a bit of humor to help motorists recover from a stressful day on our nation's roadways. Most importantly, however, the site contains links to traffic schools for those who need our help the most.

Social Media Marketing. Integrated with the TS4U.com site is our social media marketing effort. The social media sites cross-link with TS4U.com, and social media "feeds" are also presented on the Social Goodness page of the TS4U.com site. The content on the social sites will attract attention and prompt readers to share it with their friends. Ultimately, this traffic will be driven to TS4U.com, where referral links will encourage customers to use our traffic schools. Targeted social media platforms will include:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube (content coming in the near future)

What You Can Do

It's easy for you to take advantage of this great new opportunity to market your site:

• Take a look at the site. Give us your feedback. If you're not already on the Approved Courses list and would like to participate, contact Gloria, our Director of Affiliate Programs, via email or by calling 800 . 252 . 9488.
• Promote the program to your students:
• Mention TrafficSafety4U.com—and that we're on Facebook and Twitter—to students in your classes.
• "Like" us if you have a Facebook account of your own.
• "Follow" us on Twitter if you have an account.

Remember that getting the word out will not only provide a valuable resource to students in the future, but will help to keep you "top of mind" the next time that that driver needs traffic school, or their friend needs traffic school, or someone they know needs driver education, or…you get the idea.