What’s Your Social Media Influence?

Good morning, fans! In today’s blog, we’re going to discuss your presence in social media. You’re the much-needed backbone to a digital revolution. Providing comments, retweets, check-ins and a plethora of other content to the web. We have one question though: have you ever wondered how BIG your influence was? Well Klout, a scoring system of your overall online influence, might shed some light.

Klout scores you on a range from 1 to 100 with higher scores representing a wider and stronger realm of influence. Klout uses over 35 variables to measure your reach and network score.

Klout explained: “True Reach is the size of your engaged audience and is based on those of your followers and friends who actively listen and react to your messages. Amplification Score is the likelihood that your messages will generate actions (retweets, @messages, likes and comments) and is on a scale of 1 to 100. Network score indicates how influential your engaged audience is and is also on a scale from 1 to 100. The Klout score is highly correlated to clicks, comments and retweets.
We believe that influence is the ability to drive people to action -- "action" might be defined as a reply, a retweet, a comment, or a click. We perform significant testing to ensure that the average click-through rate on links shared is highly correlated with a person's Klout Score. The 25+ variables used to generate scores for each of these categories are normalized across the whole data set and run through our analytics engine. After the first pass of analytics, we apply a specific weight to each data point. We then run the factors through our machine-learning analysis and calculate the final Klout Score. The final Klout Score is a representation of how successful a person is at engaging their audience and how big of an impact their messages have on people.”

Klout is an awesome new way to check your personal influence on the web…we know, you’re DYING to see yours. Visit: http://www.klout.com and find out your score today!


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Automotive Advertising

3 Important Safety Features !

Ever since your children were born, you’ve had the unwavering confidence to protect them against all odds. Your parental skills acting as an impenetrable field against anything put in their way. You're a knight, slaying dragons that breathe fire of pestilence, laziness, and the occasional Social Media stint that your kids can’t escape. As your children get older, however, they begin to drive, literally. A 16-year-old behind the wheel is usually a scary thought; a fear for any caring parent. In today’s blog, we discuss 3 awesome options for keeping safe while you drive.

1. A Vehicle with High Crash Test Scores – this isn’t really a safety feature, but it should be something you search for in a vehicle. Look for four or five star crash test ratings for front and side impact, as well as an endorsement from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The side impact test conducted by the IIHS is designed to measure the level of occupant protection when a vehicle is struck by an SUV or truck.

2. Frontal Airbags – most vehicles come with these stock, featuring sensors which consider factors like occupant size, seat position and crash sensitivity to determine the level they should inflate. Advanced airbags effectively reduce the risk of an injury.

3. Side-impact and side curtain airbags – These are mounted in either the seat backs or doors and protect the torso during side-impact crashes. Generally, they’re usually for front seat occupants, but manufacturers give you the option to have them for the backseat. These airbags span the length of the cabin and provide head protection for outboard occupants in side-impact collisions. Also protecting during a rollover by keeping everyone inside safe. A lost of crash related deaths stem from ejection for the vehicle.

What are some additional safety features you would recommend? Let us know!


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Automotive Advertising

7 Things You Should Have in Your Car

Ok, as an individual who enjoys a tidy workspace, I can understand why you wouldn’t want to be compared to the vehicle equivalent of the individuals on the TV show: “Hoarders.” We also want you to keep safe while you make your daily commute, so we’re feeling a bit conflicted. In most cases, your vehicle is well equipped with the necessary tools to run smoothly. In today’s blog, with help from The Simple Dollar, we provide a list of some extra essentials that could aid you daily.

1. Owner’s manual This should naturally be in your glove compartment anyway, but you want to make sure that it is indeed in your car.
2. Maps Keep a detailed map of the state you’re in in your car at all times – or even a current atlas if you have room. Don’t completely rely on a GPS navigation system.

3. First aid kit (and manual) This can be vital if you’re in an accident and someone has injuries. Slowing down bleeding quickly can mean the difference between walking something off and going into shock.

4. Flashlight (and extra batteries) Similarly, a flashlight is utterly essential at night if you need to change a tire.

5. Bottled water This is necessary for sustenance if you get stuck somewhere and have to wait for a while.

6. Food! Non-perishables, need we say more?

7. Umbrella stay dry, my friends.

Got anything you’d like to add to the list? Well come on down! Add your essentials below:

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Automotive Advertising

How to Change a Flat Tire

Imagine driving you car down a rural road on your way home from work. Your favorite song is blaring on the radio, and you finally feel a sense of ease from a busy day. At your favorite part of the song, you hear a loud pop, then the slow roll of a popped tire as you cruise to the median. First, you make sure that you’ve steered clear of any hazards. Then, you realize that your front left tire has become a disheveled piece of rubber. Hands on your hips, foot tapping the ground, you take a long sigh, but not one of relief, one of frustration. Darn! A flat tire.
Now, if you own a vehicle with run-flat tires or a low tire pressure warning system, you most likely won’t have to deal with these frustrations, if you don’t own those options, you’re in luck. We’ve got a step-by-step guide to helping you change that tire.
1. Get your tools – find your car’s spare tire, jack and tire iron. The spare is usually in the trunk under the floor mat, or in a minivan mounted on the back of the tailgate or underneath the vehicle.
2. Check air pressure- if you have an air pressure gauge check the tire’s pressure on the spare, hopefully it should be fine.
3. Remove flat tire- MAKE SURE CAR IS IN GEAR OR PARK, and that the emergency break is set. Also, make sure your car is on a flat surface.
4. Use the tire iron- (the L shaped bar that fits over the wheel lugs) to loosen each lug. They are usually very tight, so use a little force, they should loosen after a couple tries. Leave the lugs loose and move the jack under the car (shown on directions of jack). Raise the jack until it contacts the car’s frame. Continue to expand it.
5. Once the tire is completely raised off the ground, remove the wheel lugs completely.
6. Take the spare tire and line it up over the wheel studs, you’ll have to hold up the tire and try to line up the holes in the wheel. One tip is to balance the tire on your foot while you move it into position. Once done, the lugs should screw on easily. Once each of them is snug and you can't tighten them any further by hand, use the tire iron to finish the job.
7. Lower the jack- carefully, and then pull the jack away from the vehicle. Once the spare tire is on, carefully lower the jack. Pull the jack away from the vehicle. The final step is to tighten down the lugs completely. The reason you tighten the lugs now is that the tire is on the ground and it won't rotate around like it would if it was still hanging in the air.
Congrats, you’ve just changed a flat tire!!

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Automotive Advertising

Summer Cool!

Summer. The byproduct of pent up pubescent energy, barbequed sausage links, and strangely warm swimming pools. It’s a time of childhood freedom, family road trips, and a generous amount of suntan lotion, all wrapped into a 3-month span. Driving your vehicle during the summer months can put wear and tear on your car, the extreme heat causing internal frustration and outward sweat spells. In today’s blog, we suggest ways to keep yourself and your vehicle cool during the summer months.
Our first option is an auto shade that sets in your front window. It cools your vehicle, and protects your dash from cracking from sun damage. Make sure your shade:

• Fits your car fully
• Dark and reflective shade
• HEATSHIELD- made to conform to specific makes and models of vehicles.

Another way to drop your car’s temperature is to install a window film, or tints on your vehicle. Several companies’ make a nearly clear film that reflects U.V. and infrared rays. By keeping your vehicle temperature down, it takes less time for your A/C to cool your car down. Thus, saving you energy and promoting overall efficiency. If you have any other options to contribute, please leave a comment below. Have a great summer!

Preventing Auto Theft

The restaurant is dimly lit; creating an ambiance that is both inviting and tasteful. You bite into your steak, looking through the window outside as you measure the flavor of your first morsel. It’s then; you see a shadowy figure huddled by the drivers’ side of your car. You watch, as if in slow motion, as the individual quickly enters your car via force and drives off in your brand new car. The scariest moment during theft is watching your hard earned vehicle being taken by someone who wanted a quick buck.
In today’s blog, we discuss some solutions for protecting your car from theft. Theft begins with opportunity, as we all know. The thief sees a opportune moment to strike. Diminish these opportunities by being prepared. An alarm system is a good beginning, however most thieves have a full understanding of most theft systems. Here are some ways to protect your vehicle:
Obviously, you should never do any of these things:
• Never leave the windows down or the sunroof open;
• Never leave the keys in the ignition, or someplace else in the car such as under the visor;
• Never leave the car running and unattended, even for only a few minutes;
• Never leave car unlocked
• Don't leave your spare key somewhere a thief is likely to look, like magnetically stuck to the exhaust pipe or sitting on top of the tire;
• Only leave the ignition key with the valet, and make sure that the key to the glove box is a different cut;
• When you park on the street, turn the front wheels sharply into the curb and always use the emergency brake;
• Disable the car in some way, either by removing the electronic ignition fuse or by some other method;
Stolen vehicles are usually sold as parts because it’s more difficult for police to track hundreds of vehicle parts, as opposed to an entire car. Want to keep your car immune from theft? Consider these options:
• Ignition and fuel kill switches;
• Floorboard, gearshift, tire/wheel and hood locks;
• Vehicle tracking device
• If you have a rear-wheel drive vehicle, back into the driveway; if you have a front-wheel drive vehicle, drive straight into the driveway;
• If you have a garage, clean it out and park your vehicle in there, and always lock your garage doors;
• Install a motion-sensor light or alarm system on your garage doors;
We hope that we provided some great tips for you, guys. Have a great week! Feel free to share any experiences you might have had, or additional tips. Thanks!

“What in the World is “Hypermiling”?

The focal point of personal funding woes begins at the pump. Our recent blogs have discussed what precautions you can take to avoid high gas prices In lieu of rising gas prices; a select few have decided to go the distance. Literally. Some individuals have been getting above 65 mpg. Is this a typo? With LASIK eye surgery I can honestly say it’s not. Hypermiling has become the newest craze and in today’s blog, we delve into what it is and how it’s done. Oh, and as a precaution: DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME!

Hypermiling is an unorthodox technique for increasing your mpg. These techniques include coasting for blocks with the car engine tuned off, driving at or below the speed limit, pumping up tire pressure far beyond recommendations and carefully manipulating the gas pedal to avoid fuel-burning excess. Options also include keeping the air-condition turned off, and the window cracked slightly. Hypermilers also carry a journal that records their daily commute, gas consumption and mileage. All in an effort to avoid the ever increasing price of gas.

Hypermiling has become a niche, with websites dedicated to the cause. Driving Safety advocates forbid some of their habits, but applaud others. Some Hypermiling habits are very dangerous. “Turning the engine off while coasting can, in some cars, leave the driver without power steering or brakes and allow the possibility that the steering wheel will lock up. Drivers can endanger themselves and others if they go too slow for the pace of traffic.” The list goes on.

However, some Hypermilers ARE safe. They obey all traffic laws and mix city and highway driving in a combination of strategic and gas saving options. Using a truck for a windbreak is dangerous, but safer Hypermilers stay the recommended distance while still maintaining a saving of mpg by putting safety before mileage.

Drive Safely!