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- Improved user interface on the search screen which now gives the ability to select a make.
- Ability to refine by model on the search results screen.
- Improved user interface on the motorcycle details page and the dealer gallery.
- Ability to share vehicle details and photos to Facebook and Twitter.
Targeting The Perfect Motorcycle
By Kevin Domino, Author of The Perfect Motorcycle
The following is an excerpt from Kevin Domino’s “Targeting Your Perfect Motorcycle” presentation at the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows.
The Perfect Motorcycle. That’s what we all want. But, if you ask one hundred motorcyclists to tell you what that is, you’ll likely get one hundred different answers. I have developed a process that every motorcyclist can use to target his or her own perfect motorcycle.
This process will not only help you focus on the right bike, it will save you time and money along the way. The unique nine-step process is described in detail in my book, The Perfect Motorcycle: How to Choose, Find and Buy the Perfect New or Used Bike. This article will give you an overview and a technique you can use today in your search – a simple-to-use target to determine your perfect motorcycle.
The Target
When you’re on the hunt for a motorcycle, if you don’t know what you’re aiming at, you’re sure to miss it. To aim accurately, it helps to identify the categories of choices you have and the decisions you will make. The four categories (quadrants of the scope) are Style, Type, Tradition and Social Factors. Every question you need to answer falls into one, and only one, of these quadrants. Only you can answer the questions, but those answers will balance your aim and it will be accurate.
1) Style refers to your preferences about the individual rider/bike combination. These are the subjective, opinion-based considerations like, “Why do I like to ride?” and “What kinds of bikes and features am I drawn toward?”
2) Type is the quantifiable attributes of the rider/bike combo. Answers to these questions come in values you can count, such as “What is my height and weight, what kind of riding do I want to do, and what type of bikes fit that requirement the best?” “What kind of fuel mileage and range do I need?” and “How much load-carrying capability will I need for the types of trips I plan to do?”
3) Tradition refers to your preferences about the rest of the world, such as, “How strongly do I and my riding companions identify with a particular part of the biking culture?” and “How important is it that a manufacturer has proven its bikes in competition?”
4) Social Factors take into account the quantifiable aspect of the rest of the world such as “Are there parts and service available for the bike I’m considering?” and “What is the economy like, and how will that affect prices and my ability to afford the bike I’m considering
Target Misses
Here are four examples of mistakes that were made because one of the quadrants wasn’t considered.
Bull’s Eye
Here is an example of a perfectly targeted decision balancing the answers to all four of the types of questions in the target.
I hope you find this concept useful. You can learn more about this and the specifics of the process in my book, The Perfect Motorcycle: How to Choose, Find and Buy the Perfect New or Used Bike. Consider this target and your own unique balance of criteria when you’re on the hunt for your perfect motorcycle.
The following is an excerpt from Kevin Domino’s “Targeting Your Perfect Motorcycle” presentation at the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows.
The Perfect Motorcycle. That’s what we all want. But, if you ask one hundred motorcyclists to tell you what that is, you’ll likely get one hundred different answers. I have developed a process that every motorcyclist can use to target his or her own perfect motorcycle.
This process will not only help you focus on the right bike, it will save you time and money along the way. The unique nine-step process is described in detail in my book, The Perfect Motorcycle: How to Choose, Find and Buy the Perfect New or Used Bike. This article will give you an overview and a technique you can use today in your search – a simple-to-use target to determine your perfect motorcycle.
The Target
When you’re on the hunt for a motorcycle, if you don’t know what you’re aiming at, you’re sure to miss it. To aim accurately, it helps to identify the categories of choices you have and the decisions you will make. The four categories (quadrants of the scope) are Style, Type, Tradition and Social Factors. Every question you need to answer falls into one, and only one, of these quadrants. Only you can answer the questions, but those answers will balance your aim and it will be accurate.
1) Style refers to your preferences about the individual rider/bike combination. These are the subjective, opinion-based considerations like, “Why do I like to ride?” and “What kinds of bikes and features am I drawn toward?”
2) Type is the quantifiable attributes of the rider/bike combo. Answers to these questions come in values you can count, such as “What is my height and weight, what kind of riding do I want to do, and what type of bikes fit that requirement the best?” “What kind of fuel mileage and range do I need?” and “How much load-carrying capability will I need for the types of trips I plan to do?”
3) Tradition refers to your preferences about the rest of the world, such as, “How strongly do I and my riding companions identify with a particular part of the biking culture?” and “How important is it that a manufacturer has proven its bikes in competition?”
4) Social Factors take into account the quantifiable aspect of the rest of the world such as “Are there parts and service available for the bike I’m considering?” and “What is the economy like, and how will that affect prices and my ability to afford the bike I’m considering
Target Misses
Here are four examples of mistakes that were made because one of the quadrants wasn’t considered.
Bull’s Eye
Here is an example of a perfectly targeted decision balancing the answers to all four of the types of questions in the target.
I hope you find this concept useful. You can learn more about this and the specifics of the process in my book, The Perfect Motorcycle: How to Choose, Find and Buy the Perfect New or Used Bike. Consider this target and your own unique balance of criteria when you’re on the hunt for your perfect motorcycle.
Facebook Fan Appreciation Sweepstakes
In honor of reaching 2,000 fans on Facebook, we're giving away $200 worth of gift cards to our social media supporters. We'll run the promotion through our Sweepstakes tab on the left menu bar of our fanpage. Simply click here to enter.
If you haven't already, please LIKE our page to hear regular updates, learn of upcoming motorcycle rallies, and receive exclusive discount offers.
Who’s Eligible: All fans of Cycle Trader
What: $20 gift cards given out to 10 lucky winners
When: Wednesday April 13th to Friday April 15th
Why: Because we appreciate our brand enthusiasts on Facebook & Twitter!
Respected Powersports Industry Expert Neil Pascale Joins Dominion Powersports Solutions
Norfolk, VA (PRWEB) March 28, 2011
Dominion Powersports Solutions, the industry’s leading suite of powersports business solutions, welcomes Neil Pascale as its new Business Development Manager. In this role, Pascale will build strategic relationships between Dominion Powersports Solutions and OEMs, distributors and other industry-leading service providers.
Serving as editor-in-chief of PowerSports Business for more than five years, Neil led many multimedia initiatives to educate dealers on ways to improve their profitability. He was the driving force behind the ProfitXcelerator Conference & Expo, which deepened dealers’ knowledge on sales, operational, and marketing topics and offered one-on-one networking opportunities within the industry. Thousands of readers look for his insight in the magazine and in his PowerSports Business blog posts.
“As our company has worked to assemble a suite of innovative products to support the powersports universe, we have sought to enhance our strategic and creative team as well. We are thrilled to add Neil to this amazing lineup,” said Gwyn Price, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
In his new role, Pascale will consult with manufacturers, distributors and service providers on how their dealers may increase sales, improve efficiencies, and maximize profits using PowerSports Network’s web tools, marketing and eCommerce services. As a respected and sought-after authority, Pascale will continue to provide educational resources to the industry with his participation at manufacturer meetings, Dominion Powersports Solutions webinars and other key industry events. Pascale will work remotely with the PowerSports Network division headquartered in Sussex, WI.
About Dominion Powersports Solutions
Dominion Powersports Solutions is a leading network of world-class business solutions for powersports dealers. Through its powerful suite of lead generation services, dealer website tools, customer relationship management systems and dealership management software, dealerships can run their businesses efficiently and profitably:
CycleTrader.com – Over 10.4 million unique visitors come to the nation’s leading marketplace every year for new and used motorcycles, ATVs, personal watercraft and snowmobiles.
PowerSports Network – Top OEMs and dealers trust PowerSports Network for web, eCommerce and mobile solutions.
Traffic Log Pro – The web-based CRM platform helps dealers drive sales productivity, improve closing ratios and create customers for life.
MomentumDMS Powered by ZiiOS – The powersports industry’s leading cloud DMS lets dealerships manage all the moving parts of their dealership anytime, anywhere.
About Dominion Enterprises
Dominion Enterprises is a leading marketing services company serving the automotive, enthusiast and commercial vehicle, real estate, apartment rental, and employment industries. The company's businesses provide a comprehensive suite of technology-based marketing solutions including Internet advertising, lead generation, CRM, Web site design and hosting, and data management services. The company has more than 40 market-leading Web sites reaching more than 17.6 million unique visitors monthly, and more than 280 magazines with a weekly circulation of 2.4 million. Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., the company has 4,900 employees in more than 186 offices nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.dominionenterprises.com/.
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View the full release
Dominion Powersports Solutions, the industry’s leading suite of powersports business solutions, welcomes Neil Pascale as its new Business Development Manager. In this role, Pascale will build strategic relationships between Dominion Powersports Solutions and OEMs, distributors and other industry-leading service providers.
Serving as editor-in-chief of PowerSports Business for more than five years, Neil led many multimedia initiatives to educate dealers on ways to improve their profitability. He was the driving force behind the ProfitXcelerator Conference & Expo, which deepened dealers’ knowledge on sales, operational, and marketing topics and offered one-on-one networking opportunities within the industry. Thousands of readers look for his insight in the magazine and in his PowerSports Business blog posts.
“As our company has worked to assemble a suite of innovative products to support the powersports universe, we have sought to enhance our strategic and creative team as well. We are thrilled to add Neil to this amazing lineup,” said Gwyn Price, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
In his new role, Pascale will consult with manufacturers, distributors and service providers on how their dealers may increase sales, improve efficiencies, and maximize profits using PowerSports Network’s web tools, marketing and eCommerce services. As a respected and sought-after authority, Pascale will continue to provide educational resources to the industry with his participation at manufacturer meetings, Dominion Powersports Solutions webinars and other key industry events. Pascale will work remotely with the PowerSports Network division headquartered in Sussex, WI.
About Dominion Powersports Solutions
Dominion Powersports Solutions is a leading network of world-class business solutions for powersports dealers. Through its powerful suite of lead generation services, dealer website tools, customer relationship management systems and dealership management software, dealerships can run their businesses efficiently and profitably:
CycleTrader.com – Over 10.4 million unique visitors come to the nation’s leading marketplace every year for new and used motorcycles, ATVs, personal watercraft and snowmobiles.
PowerSports Network – Top OEMs and dealers trust PowerSports Network for web, eCommerce and mobile solutions.
Traffic Log Pro – The web-based CRM platform helps dealers drive sales productivity, improve closing ratios and create customers for life.
MomentumDMS Powered by ZiiOS – The powersports industry’s leading cloud DMS lets dealerships manage all the moving parts of their dealership anytime, anywhere.
About Dominion Enterprises
Dominion Enterprises is a leading marketing services company serving the automotive, enthusiast and commercial vehicle, real estate, apartment rental, and employment industries. The company's businesses provide a comprehensive suite of technology-based marketing solutions including Internet advertising, lead generation, CRM, Web site design and hosting, and data management services. The company has more than 40 market-leading Web sites reaching more than 17.6 million unique visitors monthly, and more than 280 magazines with a weekly circulation of 2.4 million. Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., the company has 4,900 employees in more than 186 offices nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.dominionenterprises.com/.
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View the full release
Top 5 Tips for Social Media Success
By Fred Rose, Marketing Coordinator for CycleTrader.com
Picture this scenario. You're a small business owner and just set up a Facebook fan page, you’ve uploaded tons of pictures, invited your friends but then all of a sudden, you hit a significant wall…what to do next? Why not break through the brick wall, and create a window of opportunity through social media?
1) Feature posts around holidays and special calendar events (i.e. Superbowl, New Years, Fourth of July)
2) Ask questions! Remember social media is a two-way street. Web content managers need to regularly monitor the online health and ‘pulse’ of their communities. If your customers want to receive information with no interaction, they can turn on the TV. By asking questions, it sparks a comment rather than just a status like.
3) Successful social media strategies usually post 80% engagement topics and 20% hard sell of products/services
4) Remember to throw in giveaways every now and then, it makes social media fun, and like the hokie pokie, fun is what it’s all about. For example, let your fans know that for the month of April they can receive 10% off certain products/accessories.
5) Take social media seriously, but remember to HAVE FUN!
Picture this scenario. You're a small business owner and just set up a Facebook fan page, you’ve uploaded tons of pictures, invited your friends but then all of a sudden, you hit a significant wall…what to do next? Why not break through the brick wall, and create a window of opportunity through social media?
1) Feature posts around holidays and special calendar events (i.e. Superbowl, New Years, Fourth of July)
2) Ask questions! Remember social media is a two-way street. Web content managers need to regularly monitor the online health and ‘pulse’ of their communities. If your customers want to receive information with no interaction, they can turn on the TV. By asking questions, it sparks a comment rather than just a status like.
3) Successful social media strategies usually post 80% engagement topics and 20% hard sell of products/services
4) Remember to throw in giveaways every now and then, it makes social media fun, and like the hokie pokie, fun is what it’s all about. For example, let your fans know that for the month of April they can receive 10% off certain products/accessories.
5) Take social media seriously, but remember to HAVE FUN!
Fraud Tip of the Month -- Beware of Phishers!
By Kathy McCain, Ad Verification Manager of Private Seller Advertising
Things to consider to remain safe online.
Phishing is a way of attempting to gain your personal information, such as user names, passwords and credit card information. Emails purporting to come from legitimate businesses are commonly used to lure unsuspecting customers. Phishing targets customers by sending a legitimate looking email that will direct you to click on a link within the email to enter your personal information. Many times the persons behind this type of fraud will attempt to cause alarm by either stating your account has been frozen, there was a problem with your billing, or claim that your account was recently accessed or used for fraud. Read tips for safe online activity here.
You can stay safe online from phishers by following these simple rules:
Passwords, PINs, and Usernames
• Never give out your usernames, passwords, or PINs to anyone.
• Always make sure they are a combination of letters and numbers.
• Change them as frequently as you can, and don't use the same pins or password for different accounts.
• REMEMBER - Traderonline (or its affiliated websites) will NEVER ask for your password or PIN.
• Do NOT click on links within an email. INSTEAD go directly to the website by typing in the URL in your browser as you normally would.
• Check the “FROM” address listed on the email claiming to come from TraderOnline; does it match the address of your Confirmation Email or Contact Seller email address?
If you receive a suspect email or response from your advertisement or email seller inquiry, please forward to [email protected]. For more information about protecting yourself online as a buyer or seller, please visit the TraderOnline.com Security Center.
Example of Phishing Email:
From: Cycle Trader [email protected]
Date: Fri, Feb 25, 2011 at 1:06 PM
Subject: Action Required
Dear valued customer,
CycleTrader temporarily suspended your account.
Reason: Billing failure.
We must properly verify your CycleTrader again
Tips to unlocking your account - It's Easy
Here's how you get started:
1. Log into [There will be a link here that takes you to a fraudulent / copied site that looks legitimate]
2. Follow the steps to update your personal records and you will not run
into further problems with your online service.
3. Once you have completed these steps, we will send you an email notifying
that your account is active.
4. Please allow three (3) business days for processing.
Note: please do not reply to this email.
This mailbox is not monitored and you will not receive a response
--
We hope these tips have been helpful and that you keep them in mind each time you list a bike or make a purchase on CycleTrader.com.
Things to consider to remain safe online.
Phishing is a way of attempting to gain your personal information, such as user names, passwords and credit card information. Emails purporting to come from legitimate businesses are commonly used to lure unsuspecting customers. Phishing targets customers by sending a legitimate looking email that will direct you to click on a link within the email to enter your personal information. Many times the persons behind this type of fraud will attempt to cause alarm by either stating your account has been frozen, there was a problem with your billing, or claim that your account was recently accessed or used for fraud. Read tips for safe online activity here.
You can stay safe online from phishers by following these simple rules:
Passwords, PINs, and Usernames
• Never give out your usernames, passwords, or PINs to anyone.
• Always make sure they are a combination of letters and numbers.
• Change them as frequently as you can, and don't use the same pins or password for different accounts.
• REMEMBER - Traderonline (or its affiliated websites) will NEVER ask for your password or PIN.
• Do NOT click on links within an email. INSTEAD go directly to the website by typing in the URL in your browser as you normally would.
• Check the “FROM” address listed on the email claiming to come from TraderOnline; does it match the address of your Confirmation Email or Contact Seller email address?
If you receive a suspect email or response from your advertisement or email seller inquiry, please forward to [email protected]. For more information about protecting yourself online as a buyer or seller, please visit the TraderOnline.com Security Center.
Example of Phishing Email:
From: Cycle Trader [email protected]
Date: Fri, Feb 25, 2011 at 1:06 PM
Subject: Action Required
Dear valued customer,
CycleTrader temporarily suspended your account.
Reason: Billing failure.
We must properly verify your CycleTrader again
Tips to unlocking your account - It's Easy
Here's how you get started:
1. Log into [There will be a link here that takes you to a fraudulent / copied site that looks legitimate]
2. Follow the steps to update your personal records and you will not run
into further problems with your online service.
3. Once you have completed these steps, we will send you an email notifying
that your account is active.
4. Please allow three (3) business days for processing.
Note: please do not reply to this email.
This mailbox is not monitored and you will not receive a response
--
We hope these tips have been helpful and that you keep them in mind each time you list a bike or make a purchase on CycleTrader.com.
Get Social With Cycle Trader
JOIN over 1,400 motorcycle enthusiasts and become a Facebook fan of Cycle Trader today! Hear about upcoming special events, dealer discounts and other happenings before anyone else.
Follow us on Twitter and see what nearly 2,000 people have discovered. Read industry news, view featured videos and learn about great riding destinations!
Also, don't forget to enter our FREE Koozie Giveaway! Contest runs until March 17, 2011.
Cycle Trader Releases iPhone App Version 2.0
By Phillip Billups, Director of Product Development
Mobile is the future and the future is here. At Cycle Trader we recognize this and we are working everyday to be the dominant motorcycle marketplace on smart phones and tablets. To that point we have made some key improvements to our iPhone app on the search home screen, search results & the ad detail. iPhone 2.0 Improvements:
Featured February Destination: Daytona Beach, Florida
The 70th Daytona Beach Bike Week takes place this year from March 4-13, 2011. Each spring thousands of riders from across the country converge on this beautiful Florida resort city. Learn more on the official bike week website
