Why Subscribe to a Blog?

Many online users come across websites and within seconds someone is already asking for your email address and subscribe to this thing called a Blog??? So what is a blog and why is it important?  According to Merriam-Webster a blog is a website in which someone writes about personal opinions, activities and experiences. If you are still unclear, you are reading one.  So how does subscribing and getting updated blog content benefit truckers again?

In many blogs to include Florilli Transportation’s blog, ‘The Truckers Log’, real life stories, updates on trends, and information about the trucking industry are only a few subjects explained to readers.  Blogs can talk about a trucking company's employment qualifications, how to land a job and can even give updates on what’s important to those of us working in Transportation world. Want to know more about federal guidelines in carrying a firearm while being an OTR driver?  Big Load Blog gives you the facts about carrying firearms between different states and separates fact from fiction.  As many of us are aware laws changes from time to time. Law enforcement doesn’t care if didn’t get the updated regulations or memo and breaking the law unknowing isn’t an excuse. Meaning when you are coming down the hill and that same cop is sitting at the bottom clocking your speed. Just because you didn't see the posted speed limited sign or couldn't slow down. Chances are you will still get a ticket. 

Lastly, if you are searching for a good trucking company and looking to find out if they are as good as they claim to be, see if they have blog. Simply stated if a trucking company takes the time to educate and share the latest information with drivers and clearly communicates with them. Chances are they'll do the same when checking into your next orientation and while out on the open road. Haven't subscribed to Florilli's blog yet?  Look to right of your screen, enter your information under the contact form or connect with us on any of Social media channels and keep truckin. 

Connect with us on Facebook and as always we appreciate our drives and readers. 

Tired of Truck Stop Food? (FourSquare)

The world of downloadable social media sites and apps can be confusing at times. As of June 2016, there are approximately 2.2 million mobile apps at your disposal. When looking at what social media sites you may find useful, SmartInsight a marketing advice and data company suggests 50% of users ranging from 50-65 years of age use some form of social networking. Meaning baby boomers are social media friendly but where to start is an ambiguous process.

Focusing on what social media sites are trucker friendly, Four Square offers a unique tool for those racking up miles and thier appetite. FourSquare gives travelers/truckers a chance to find the hidden and tucked away gems while traveling across the country. You can also give other truckers the 411 on certain restaurants and leave reviews for others to read and enjoy.

If you’ve ran out of hours and tired of processed truck stop food. FourSquare gives you the chance to visit local and authentic food places. Want to grab some souvenirs for the family and kids besides the typical truck stop merchandise and you are sitting near or in Dallas Texas? Click here and explore from the beaten path.  If you are wondering where to sign up for this app called FourSquare, click here. Lastly, FlorilliTransportation understands truckers can’t always take their tractor/ trailer to a majority of locations and businesses in the US. Thankfully American’s have this awesome company called Uber. Click here and have them pick you up.  Excuses are like MVR’s, every trucker has one but some pay attention better than others. As always we appreciate our readers and drivers. ‘Keep Truckin” 

Connecting people and generations

      

        Every minute, there are 100 hours of video uploaded to YouTube and 6 billion hours of video watched monthly. Meaning there are more hours of people watching YouTube videos than the amount of hours/miles a trucker spends on the road throughout his/her lifetime. In 2006, Google purchased YouTube for 1.65 billion. Since then YouTube is the number one Video source worldwide. In terms of its audience or user base, YouTube reaches more people between the ages 24-34 more than cable.

Since the average truck driver is in his or her 50’s and baby boomers make up the majority of the trucking work force. YouTube’s presence and usage may lessen with baby boomers compared to younger generations. However 43% of Baby Boomers have YouTube accounts. Meaning age isn’t a factor but rather a difference of lifestyle.

      So why care? If you are looking to learn anything from math equations to changing your oil in your car, YouTube has videos giving the directions on the how to.  Ever get expansion foam all over your hands and can’t get it off? Yep, YouTube has video for that too. YouTube also gives truckers the ability to upload their own videos and keep the how to collection growing. Lastly, it’s predicted the driver shortage is only going to get worse. YouTube provides a platform for baby boomers to connect with younger audiences. Why not influence the next up and coming generation on trucking and YouTube is a great place to start.

Click Here if you are wanting to sign up for a YouTube account. Look for our last and next posting in Florilli Transportation’s explanation of social media, ‘Four Squares a Day’, and as always we appreciate our drivers and readers. 

An article by the Wall Street Journal states, there are more than 168,000 interstate motor carriers and more than 2 million trucks in the U.S., according to the American Trucking Association, an industry group. From the truck drivers perspective that's a lot of different employers to choose from. Where can drivers can go online to look for driving positions is plentiful, yet confusing.  When looking at job websites LinkedIn is another great resource.

Within the U.S alone, there are 125 Million users on LinkedIn, and accounts for 37% of U.S digital population. To date there are 195,989 job openings in transportation found on LinkedIn. For the job seekers, the process in finding your next driving position is simple. Click here and first sign up for your LinkedIn account. Next click here, and follow five easy steps in setting up a great and eye popping account. Next you can view openings by state and location.  Looking for a local job and tired of having national carriers calling you?  You can view current openings within the transportation industry and choose who's calling your phone.

Lastly for drivers who are looking at transitioning to a trainer, maintenance or office position at a trucking company. LinkedIn has the openings and you may find another career path while searching for your next driving position. Simply state, LinkedIn is limitless.

Look for our next post, ‘Connecting People and Generations (YouTube)’ , Like us on Facebook and as always Florilli Transportation appreciates its readers and drivers. 

Blue Birds tweet

  

Birds tweet when they talk and social media posts released on Twitter are referred to as Tweets.  Each tweet is only allowed 140 characters per post on Twitter Accounts.  So why should truckers care about some tweeting blue bird and social media posts no bigger than two sentences?  News, weather, road conditions and much more are posted in real time. The difference between getting your weather from the 5 o’clock forecast verses Twitter updates is the real time reports and current information. A lot can happen since yesterday at 5 pm.

What about the news? A case study conducted by (Rebekah DawnGiordano, 2014), 86.82% of tweets posted by those actually on location during the Boston Marathon Bombing (2013) were used by the media as their coverage and live updates.  A large percentage of information was unavailable to media and Twitter users with smart phones feed the American media and people the coverage.  Driving into a large metropolitan area and trying to guess if your route has been compromised or congested? Twitter is excellent for those on the move. You can also give other trucks the 411 on road conditions and news.

Lastly, Twitter offers leisure online browsing options such as sport updates of your favorite team, entertainment and technology.  You can even find other trucking companies posting job offers and opportunities. Unlike Facebook, you don’t have awkward friend requests but followers  and you can follow pretty much anyone. Don’t have a Twitter account? Sign up here and begin discovering while in back of sleeper cab.

Look for our next post in Florilli’s 5 part analysis of Social Media, ‘Link with LinkedIN’. Like us on Facebook and as always we appreciate our drivers and readers. 

           Facebook and Trucking 

     

             By definition and according to Merriam-Webster, Social media are forms of electronic communication (as Web sites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (as videos). Going a few steps further according to Whatis.com, Facebook is...

·                 ·     Free social networking site

·      37 different Languages

·      Share Ideas, photos, personal identity

·      Events

·    Information and buying options of current technology

          ·    Promotes brands and businesses

So why care? If you consider yourself a professional Truck Driver and take pride in your career field. Facebook is a perfect outlet for truckers. Facebook offers OTR driver something that wasn’t available until recently. The ability to communicate while in the back of sleeper cab and parked in the middle of nowhere. With over half of drivers owning smart phones, the tools are there. The next time you login into Facebook search words like trucking, trucking humor, trucking accessories and the possibilities are endless. You can start a page promoting your business, idea, or social change. Don’t have a Facebook, sign up here.

Lastly there is the argument that you are too old for technology or it’s just for the younger generation. The tech giant Apple’s CEO Tim Cook is 55 years old and baby boomer. Meaning it’s all about perspective and age is just a number if you allow it.

Look for our next posting “Blue Bird’s help Truckers” in our five part explanation of social media. Connect with us on Facebook and as always we appreciate our drivers and readers. 

Why Should Truckers use Social Media?

             Like it or not social media and digital age have reshaped how people, businesses and consumers communicate. Whether you use it in your daily life most likely depends on your age, regardless it’s not going away. When looking at transportation as a whole. Trucking is one of the few industries struggling to understand usage and the power of social media.

Sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn can be located on websites, printed advertisement and much more. So why should you care? Social Media is one of the many tools we have available to better research, understand and inform of what's happening around us. According Overdrive’s  May 2016 article, ‘A truckers Guide to Social Media', recorded over half of truck drivers have smartphones and at least 30% have tablets. So why isn’t Social Media popular?

In terms of what each social media platform, how it’s used and how it can benefit drivers may be unclear. Covered in the next 5 postings,Florilli Transportation takes the time to explain each channel and how they can benefit you. For example DOT post’s weather updates and accident reports on Twitter. Won't it be nice know if you have to take alternative route before sitting 3 hours in traffic? Follow us and looking for next posting,'Facebook and Trucking'.

Connect with us on Facebook, and as always we appreciate all of our viewers and drivers.