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August 12, 2010

Social Media Etiquette

The wonderful world of social media and our businesses, who would have thought 10 years ago that social media would be an amazing way to market your business, reach people all over the world in an instant? Yes websites were doing that already, but not on the level that Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and so many other forms are doing. But in the really fast paced world of social media, often times, normal business etiquette gets tossed aside to self promote. While everyone wants to get ahead and do well no matter if your business is a for-profit or non-for-profit business, etiquette and some sort of business formality should still take place. I asked our resident social media expert, Michael Ayalon of www.Petwebdesigner.com, to give me a list of “Social Media Etiquette” tips to help guide you, keep your followers, fans and friends, gain more through proper social media etiquette and promote yourself without pissing anyone off and ruining a friendship or business relationship.

In any form of social media you need to have a bio, (who your work for, website, motivations and background), of some sort and a photo of yourself attached to your social media account. These are a must. Otherwise your can look like spam, and not get followers/fans.
Don’t try to be someone that you’re not, just be yourself.
On Twitter it’s OK to follow people you don’t know, Facebook tends to be more of your real life social network. If you want to promote your business on Facebook, start a business fan page.
Try to send people @reply messages instead of direct messages on Twitter. That way, other people can join in the conversation, and that’s the whole point!
Personal (or private) conversations should be made via direct message or direct email or direct phone call.
Do not spam people with automated direct messages. People will unfollow you!
Promote others instead of promoting yourself, they will return the favor! (Retweet often!)
You should follow the 80 – 20 rule. 80% of your messages should be interesting content about your niche. Only 20% should be self promotion.
The more you respond to other people’s messages, the more likely they consider you to be a “real relationship” and the more likely they are to buy or use your service.
Try to be consistent in your social media efforts (daily or weekly attention, even if it is a short duration). Don’t knock people over the head with the same tweet all day long!
Always give credit to the person who originated the message. For Twitter it’s easy to RT what someone said. Or if you find a link you like you can put (via the news source) at the end of the tweet. On Facebook sharing an original Facebook event invite vs. creating your own for the same event (i.e. copying their event to self promote, even if it’s a cross promo), is more polite, and less confusing to anyone rsvping, if there are more than one of the same events.
It is polite to follow back those that follow you, assuming they are not a spam account or something malicious.
It’s bad form to swear or curse in social media.
Check the links before you promote them!
Thank people for RTing (Re-Tweeting) your Tweets, sharing a link on Facebook, etc. and do the same (RTing & sharing) for them. Thank you still goes a long way in business.
Have fun, but don’t forget those who have helped you get thousands of followers/fans and friends!

July 8, 2010

Guest contributor, Michael Ayalon of PetWebDesigner.com for LIPP Service today:

Pet Website Do’s and Don’ts

For over 7 years, I’ve been helping other pet businesses succeed on the Internet. I’ve helped animal shelters, dog trainers, veterinarians, pet sitters, pet celebrities, and even new pet products. Along the way, I’ve learned several things that I wanted to share:

Do:

Put your name, address, phone number, and email address on your website. Many people will type their town into Google (i.e. “Huntington pet sitter”), so you will give yourself an edge over your competitors by putting all that information in. This also helps if they only know your name but not the name of the business. It gives your business more credibility if they know exactly where to find you.
Make your website stand out from the competition. If your site is boring or is not interactive (i.e. videos, slideshows), people won’t be coming back.
Use your meta tags. Your website should have a title, description, and keywords coded into the site. It helps the search engines understand what your site is all about.
Include an “About Us” section that talks specifically about your experience. That is helpful when comparing you versus others in your area.
Include testimonials, with pictures if possible. This is the most powerful tool you have to sell your business – what other people say!
Become an expert. Write articles, get a large following on Twitter and/or Facebook, and be active in your community. If you are known as the expert in your field, people will seek your advice and give you new business. Then you can direct traffic from all these sources to your website.
Gather email addresses. Too many websites today don’t have a newsletter sign up on their homepage. This is a big mistake. You are spending tons of money and time getting people to your site, and they typically do not buy on the first visit. However, if you capture their email address for your newsletter, you can market to them over and over until they are ready to buy. Your email marketing list is worth its weight in gold. Good programs to use to capture these email addresses are Aweber.com and ConstantContact.com.
Ask for links from local pet businesses that don’t compete with you. If they can add your website link to their website, you’ll get some new customers from them and get higher rankings in Google.

Don’t

Don’t use flash on your website. Flash is the fancy moving pictures or intro pages that you might see from time to time. Unfortunately, the search engines can’t make any sense of these pictures. They can only read text and then suggest others come to your site based on the text they read that matches the search.
Don’t have an amateurish looking website. People will judge you based on your website, so spend the time or money to build one that you are proud of. Website design should not be expensive.
Don’t choose an inappropriate domain name. It should be memorable, short, and easy to spell.
Don’t have a website that loads slowly. If it doesn’t load within 5 seconds, I’m leaving.
Don’t have a stagnant website. Consider a blog for fresh content weekly, or update your website on a regular basis to keep visitors interested.
Don’t use free or cheap hosting. Usually you get what you pay for. You don’t want your website to be down frequently or bad customer support when you need it most.

If you are struggling with your pet related business, ask for help! There is no reason why your business can’t succeed online with the right tools.

Michael Ayalon
516-690-PET1
http://www.Petwebdesigner.com

May 19, 2010

Checking out the competition.

We are so obsessed with trying to get our own websites, businesses, store fronts or rescue groups off the ground or continue with the success that they already have, that a lot of us forget to check out the competition. Our competition or even possible future business partners may be ahead of what everyone else is doing and that is why they are staying above the rest. Staying abreast of what your competitors are doing is important and can keep your own pet business in check. Another thing business owners and business acquaintances should be doing is to be familiar with other businesses like theirs or that compliment theirs. There might just be something there that we can offer each other, but if we don’t get our heads out of the sand, so to speak, and get to know our fellow pet industry professionals, that connection will never happen!

One suggestion is take 10-minutes a day and dedicate that time to getting to know either your competition or possible business acquaintance. Of course the easiest way to do this is to check out their website or blog. You may just find that they are not such total competition and you might be able to work with them on a combined event. 10-minutes a day is not a long time, and if you see something you like, and they are not a competitor email them and let them know. The more aware you are of what is going on around you, in your town or community the better you will be.

Checking out the competition may be just what you need to give yourself the boost you have needed to get going on that promotion you have been thinking about doing.

April 21, 2010

Business Emails

In our fast forward world of 140 characters, text messaging with its own abbreviated language, social media and instant messages – email seems quite antiquated at this point. However, we still rely on email in our every day business lives and should still be treated as such. Often times, someone writing an email will add jokes, sarcasm, or content that doesn’t pertain to the actual email. In our days of high volume work loads, it is often hard for the receiver of the email to wade through the muck of the content to get to the writers point or question. Here are a few tips to help you re-think and hopefully re-write your business emails:

Re-read your email before you send it. Simple as that. Think about the person you are sending it to, are you trying to get business from this person, are they a referral from someone else, is it someone you just met? If the email is not time sensitive, printing the email and reading out loud is even better. You may find mistakes; realize that something you said may not be appropriate and so forth.
Long emails – if your email is very long, chances are your busy reader will not read the entire email. Concise, to the point and shorter emails are best.
If you don’t know the person you are emailing that well or only met a few times, sarcasm, complaining and jokes may not be taken very well – and doesn’t always read the way it sounds in your head!
Slamming another contact in an email – this is not only unprofessional, but how do you know that contact and the person you are emailing are not good friends? You could very easily burn that bridge. Refrain from bad mouthing and critizing another contact; it is immature, and not suitable. You also don’t know if that person is forwarding your message or not.
Answer the question – If a business contact is asking you a question about your business, event details or information – answer them. There is nothing more frustrating when you ask an important question, (could pertain to a time sensitive matter, etc.), and the person you need information from doesn’t answer, but instead mentions something else in their email response to you.
Appropriate content: If you are passionate about something and you and the person you are emailing have a similar passion about it, don’t bombard them with content that may not be appropriate for that email address. Simply let them know, “I have some wonderful information on xyz, would you like me to email you about it or is a phone call better?”
Thank you emails. You would be surprised, but so many people in business tend to skip over saying or sending a thank you in an email. If someone does something nice, refers you, promotes in some way, thank them! It goes a long way, a simple short email, thank you so much for your help with, referral of, etc.

March 29, 2010

Promote your Pet Business at Local Pet Events

Springtime on Long Island = tons of pet events. How to figure out what event might be the best fit for your pet business can seem tricky. Should host your own or get involved with another event? What to name your event that will draw people to you? How to get the word out about your event? These can all seem like daunting questions and keep you away from participating, but you shouldn’t let it.

Fortunately there are so many different events already being planned, looking for vendors or someone to partner with, pet professionals actually can pick and choose an event or events to take part in. There are many different dog walks, community fairs and festivals, adopt-a-thons, and so forth. Here are a few tips to help make sure you have a successful event whether you are hosting or being a vendor at one.

Hosting at your own:

Research, research, research. Find out what else is going on in your neighborhood so that when planning your event you don’t pick the same day as another pet event, or another large community event that could take away from your event.
If you have a store front, make sure you get permission from your landlord to host any event, find out if there are any permits or requirements needed from the town you are in. Talk to your business neighbors, see how you can get them involved – do they have a business that may be able to contribute or help you promote?
Start early! Don’t wait until 2 weeks before to decide to throw together any event. Even if it is a small event you are hosting, let’s say a Yappy Hour, you want to organize it at least 2 months in advance, (especially if it is your first time hosting), so you can have all your ducks in a row. (Quack, quack).
Promote within your store or business by letting all your customers know ahead of time. Use social media to promote on Twitter, FB and any others you are involved in. Send out emails about the event. If you don’t have a store front and are hosting an event at a specific location, ask surrounding stores if you can post fliers in their windows for the event.
If you are having giveaways or goody bags, be sure to have enough for everyone. That means if you are expecting 100 people – make 150 to 200 bags just to be safe. You can always use leftovers for the next event.

Being a Vendor at an event:

Make sure you have enough products with you if you are selling at a booth or table. Offer a discount just for that day on those products and let people know that. “Today only, buy one get one half off” or something along those lines.
If you are not selling anything, but letting people know about your product or service? Have giveaways with your business info attached, i.e. a business card attached to a dog bone, make sure you have enough. Have a place where people can drop their business cards in for a give away, or fill out a quick form with their email addresses, so you can collect their emails and send a follow up email.
Ask the organizer if you can be a sponsor as well as a vendor, this way you may get included in more of their promotional items or advertisements. You may have to pay more than just a vendor fee, but depending on your business may be worth it.
Make sure to be polite, upbeat and social the day of the event. Vendors that are too busy talking amoungst themselves or just sitting there not interacting with people attending the fair or pet event, can really be a turnoff to people. (You know what I am talking about!) Some products sell themselves, but who wants to buy from someone who does not look like the want to be there? Smile, be happy, promote your business and as they say, you will attract more flies with honey! On the other hand, don’t be overly pushy either.
Make sure if you are bringing signage that it is done professionally, is clean and presentable. A great looking booth or table will also attract more people.
Of course have plenty of literature and business cards available. Bring more than you will think you need.
Last but not least, get involved! There are so many different pet events to get involved with or host yourself to boost your business.

____________________________________________________________

February 9, 2010

The pet industry is a 45.5 billion, (yes Billion with a B), dollar a year industry and with the economy the way it still is, it is one industry that has continued to grow slightly. Though many times the pet industry isn’t taken as seriously as other industries, it should be because the amount people that own pets, spend money on them, and care for them. On Long Island alone it is estimated that there are over 500,000 owned dogs, and that doesn’t include cats, horses, reptiles, birds, small animals, fish, and animals in rescue waiting to be adopted. Pet owners have still been spending on their pets, and the majority will continue to do so. The pet industry continues to grow on Long Island with many people following their passion for pets. There is room in this industry for everyone. Many people have dreamed of following their passion for working with pets in one way or another. Or have turned to the industry because they lost their full time corporate job. The pet industry can be an extremely rewarding industry, but is also an industry that requires hard work, dedication and well, passion.

One way to continue to make this a strong and more respected industry is by working together. Pet professionals that work together have a better chance of expanding their business, learning, gaining clientele from referrals, and realizing we are all here for one reason, our love for pets.

So if you are new to the industry or a seasoned professional, strive for the best you can be in what you do!

January 11, 2010

The Power of Twitter for Pet Businesses

I know what you’re thinking, “I don’t have time to Tweet!” or, “how can it really affect my pet business and help it grow?” or, “I know what Twitter is, but don’t really understand it.” Well pet pros here are a few reasons why some of you might just rethink this amazing free social media and business tool. A while back we had a “Twitter Tweetorial” in which Mike from Pet Web Designer did an amazing presentation (there was a lot of learning happening at that networking event). One of our attendees and members Richie Schwartz from Pets Photography (@petsphotography) attended and joined because he found me on Twitter (@LIPetPros) from someone he was following. So not only did he join LIPP, but since I’ve met him, I have been able to suggest him to a few people looking for a pet photographer. Likely this would not have happened if he didn’t find out about us on Twitter!

Here’s another example – I followed Mike Korol of Furry Paws Pet Portraits (@Real_Images) on Twitter, because someone emailed his website. I clicked on his Twitter link on his website to follow him – he followed me back and joined LIPP. Then Mike came to a networking event and asked me if I knew of any pet boutiques that were looking to take holiday photos, and I suggested two of our members Cozy Pet and Fetch Pet Bakery & Boutique. He and Brittney Pearce from Fetch ended up doing a very successful Santa Shoot and are now on for a Valentine’s Day event as well.

Need more? There is this hysterical dynamic dog duo on YouTube called Ramsey and Pablo, (@RamseyandPablo), maybe you have heard of them? Ramsey is a Doberman and Pablo is a Chihuahua living with their owner and Directory of Photography, Chad. They are not located anywhere near Long Island – they are in Minnesota. A couple of months ago I tweeted out to my followers to follow them, and Mike from PetWebDesigner (@petwebdesigner) did follow. Chad noticed his website and contacted Mike who lives on Long Island, to have him design his new website for Ramsey & Pablo. These two most likely would have never connected if it was not for Twitter. Um, need I say more? (By the way Ramsey and Pablo have a pretty large following on Twitter & Facebook – and the videos will crack you up!)So even if you not twAddicted like I am, Twitter like everything else if you manage it properly, can help you not only meet some really great new people, it may just help you grow your business, whether it be locally, nation or worldwide. Twitter also helps social online networking turn into real face-to-face networking. Also, if you are on Twitter, it will only help if you are active. If you have an account and you haven’t updated it in a month or two, most likely people are not going to follow you. Being active is all what you can fit it into your schedule. If it’s a couple times a week or day, do what works for you. I am personally on Twitter probably 3 – 5 times a day, for about 5 minutes each time, using it to continue to promote LIPP, our members, and meet some other great pet professionals around the world!

Oh and follow me if you are not already! @LIPetPros

January 5, 2010

Happy New Year and welcome to our first edition of LIPP Service! Long Island Pet Professionals newest addition – with LIPP Service, we will bring you fun, informational, newsworthy and timely articles all pet related and Long Island based!

I am so thrilled with Long Island Pet Professionals success in just under a year. We have had fantastic networking events, a lot of awesome pet pros have joined to become members, new connections have been made, and we are uniting as a stronger industry here on Long Island! And that my friends, is what Long Island Pet Professionals is all about! Next month we will be celebrating our 1 year anniversary, which I cannot believe. If you didn’t know, Long Island Pet Professionals was started as a whim on Facebook, (our new fan page on FB http://bit.ly/51oIbu ), in the end of last January. Why? Out of necessity, as there was no where else for pet pros to network together, which seems crazy since there are so many of us!

We had our first networking event on February 24, 2009 in which 45 pet pros attended! It was a wonderful meeting. From that very first meeting, connections were made and pet pros started working together to better our industry for owners, pets and Long Island. A new business that was created just because two individuals came to that first meeting is Caring4Pets, now a fully functioning unique pet sitting service. You can learn more about them here: www.Caring4pet.com.

We have also been able to feature many animal non-profits on the website as a way to help inform the public about them, help promote the amazing work they do, and ultimately help the animals they work with. Bravo to our wonderful animal NFP’s and be sure to check them out monthly.

And of course our Free Weekly LI Pet Events email blast, all pet events in one nice email sent directly to subscribers. No fuss, no muss – pet and pet related events that take place all across LI featured in one simple email, every Friday morning. Not a subscriber yet? Click here: www.longislandpetprofessionals.com/weekly-pet-event-email-blast

We have very impressive members as well, many incredible dog trainers to choose from, professional pet photographers to capture the most precious moments, mom & pop pet boutiques giving you the best quality and customer service, seasoned groomers, outstanding pet sitters, our caring veterinarian, animal lawyer, unique and compassionate non-profits and more. Click on our Member Directory to see everyone and visit their websites to learn more about them, what they do, can offer, etc.

There is a lot in store for 2010, new features on the website, networking events will continue across LI, announcements are always made on Twitter, FB and if you’re a member get exclusives in our Members Only Monthly Newsletter. Not a member yet? www.longislandpetprofessionals.com/about

I am always happy to hear from you, feedback is welcome. Looking forward to an awesome 2010!

LIPP Founder,

Nancy@LongIslandPetProfessionals.com

By the way, if you love our website as much as I do, check out www.petwebdesigner.com – Mike will hook you up, and is great to work with.