LIPP Service, Shhh!

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.