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CHICAGO — Cars.com is hosting a free online seminar Friday that is designed to show dealers how they can best use video in selling vehicles via the Web.

The workshop — which starts at noon (EST) — will include a panel of experts who will delve into their tips for helping dealers succeed in this arena.

Serving as the panel's moderator will be Kathy Kimmel, director of training for Cars.com. Joining Kimmel will be the following:

—Kirk Davis, executive vice president and founder of Liquidus.

—Rob Fontano, digital sales and marketing director for Marazzi Motors.

—Eric Miltsch, Internet director of Auction Direct USA.

"Video helps bring vehicles to life and lets buyers take a virtual test drive," commented Kimmel. "As shoppers form an emotional attachment to a listing, they're more likely to make contact and take the next step toward a purchase." 

The best practices to be dispensed to attendees will include the following, as listed by Cars.com:

—What car buyers want to see in online video. 

 —How to produce a walk-around demonstration or personal introduction video. 

 —Where to share videos to increase exposure and generate traffic for the store.

"For dealers working to set themselves apart from competitors, video is proving to be a powerful tool," Kimmel noted.

"Successful Internet managers report deeper engagement with their both their websites and third-party listings, as well as higher quality leads from shoppers," she added. "In fact, we found through a recent study that video increased dealer contacts by 13 percent."

To register or find out more about this particular Dealer Advantage Live workshop or view archived recordings of past events, visit Cars.com's DealerCenter (http://dealers.cars.com/live).

You do not have to be a Cars.com customer to take part in the Webinar, officials said, but it is required to download free WebEx software via http://www.webex.com/.