VNN Media Insider
December 2nd, 2010 |
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| Dear VNN Member: |
 Do you have snow where you live? We actually got some on the ground here in Indy and it really sets the tone for the holiday season for me! Holiday safety for pets is, of course, a popular media topic during this time of year. We have been mentioning this for about 3-4 weeks now and you can continue to use this media hook for another 3 or 4 weeks. We just updated some new holiday dangers message points at MyVNN.com (thanks Dr. Justine Lee and Pet Poison Helpline). Later this weekend, I hope to add a new "Gifts for Pets and Pet Lovers" set of message points. I will gladly include any new gadgets or pet related gifts that you have seen if you send me a note. I sent an email out earlier today...please watch your mail for a letter from VNN. This letter has very important information about some changes at VNN and we don't want anyone to miss it! You can find a copy of the letter and information at http://www.MyVNN.com/renew. |
| Are You "Listening" to Social Media? (Part 2) |
 Last time, we looked at how to use Facebook for search and, as promised, today we will delve into the bizarre world of Twitter!
Listening on (or to) Twitter is going to depend on the application you choose to use for "tweeting" but it will essentially take the same steps.
Find the search function on your application or on the Twitter website and simply type in your hospital name. Search results will appear and you can see what people are saying about your hospital. Due to the fragile nature of the Twitter website, it might take you multiple tries to get results. Personally, I like the search ability of my TweetDeck and HootSuite seems to do a good job as well.
Listening is a vital social media tool that is often overlooked in the rush to post updates, new pictures or other business information. Take the time to hear what is being said about you and, in many cases, you will also need to take the time to respond. This is a task that needs to be accomplished multiple times per week.
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| Animals in the News | |
I don't know why these stories run in cycles, but some bizarre animal abuse stories are surfacing again this week. A lab mix puppy is recovering after someone tried to cut off his ears with a pair of scissors, a pit bull lost her life when a burglar shot her while robbing the family home and someone is poisoning pets with antifreeze in California.
Another story that angered me and many other VNN members who saw my posting on Facebook is the story of the Washington couple charged with animal cruelty after more than 440 dogs/puppies were removed from horrendous conditions at their home last year. This couple will end up not facing any jail time because of an "Alford plea" which enables them to acknowledge that they will probably be found guilty but not actually admit guilt. Dr. Cary Waterhouse, a VNN member in Seattle saw many of these pups after the raid. I hope that after I get a chance to talk with Dr. Waterhouse and research this case a little more that we will have a blog posted at PetDocsOnCall.com
And, in Indiana, another puppy mill raid saw about 120 dogs rescued and our own Dr. Lauren Bowling was instrumental in helping many of the pups from that raid.
All of these topics lend themselves well to blogs and/or articles for local media or on your website. The horrific nature of these acts will spark your outrage and you will write an impassioned article that will likely get lots of comments. If you need help getting started, contact us and we can provide some input for you. |
| Help Clients Do "Business" With You |
 No matter where we go there we are. We can't outrun our character. And as John Connelly said, only one thing lasts - Character! That's a good thing. With over 85,000,000 people using LinkedIn, over 600,000,000 people on Facebook and over 200,000,000 people on Twitter, there's a lot talking, listening and posting going on. Social networking is great for connecting with old friends, with existing clients and even generating interest from potential clients. And here's a shocker for some people: no matter how many connections you make on Social Networking sites, no amount of connections, friends or followers is going to give you a pleasing personality. That's the irony of Social Networking.
It is also so important to remember that what is said in print loses so much of the intent and nuance that we have in conversations face to face. So you have to be extraordinarily careful and nice in such postings. Tom is such a good example of this.
The most common thing Kevin Knebl says in his social media seminars is so very true: All things being equal, people do business with and refer business to people they know, like, and trust. For every minute that folks are learning the newest LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter functionality, they should be spending a corresponding minute in a book like Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People". Technology will come and technology will go, but human nature ain't changing. Not a bit. (We hope to have Kevin lead a webinar for us next year).
As you're surfing around your favorite Social Networking sites, watch what people are posting. Listen to what they're discussing. Not from a judgmental position, but from an observational position. What signs and symptoms are they giving? Are they talking about themselves and their business a lot? Are they showboating? Are they criticizing, condemning and complaining? Are they seeking to add value to their connections, friends and followers? Are they complimenting people? Are they looking for chances to pay it forward? Are they looking to help people? It's not hard to determine this, just listen. And most people are still not using the social networks to do enough "listening".
Differentiate yourself from the crowd. Seek first to serve. Look for opportunities to help. Don't be so guarded with your intellectual property. Give away a little. You may gain a lot! You're already giving away something with every post, interaction and conversation that you engage in. Make sure that your contributions to your site, your social networks and even your traditional media are serving others and who knows, before you know it people may be "telling" lots of others about you. And that is how it works!
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| Reminders |
To my knowledge, there are no national observances related to pets during this month of December. Of course, as mentioned above, you can still talk about a lot of animal related topics during this season. From giving animals as gifts to ice melt products and antifreeze to keeping your pet out of the animal ER...many media topics do jump to mind. Now...if you need something to celebrate (beyond the big holidays), today is National Fritters Day, Saturday is National Cookie Day, Dec 7th is Cotton Candy Day, the 8th is Brownie Day and the 9th is National Pastry Day!
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| Just for Fun | |
Is someone in your house or your hospital spending a little too much time in social media? Well, maybe this public service announcement parody can help you intervene!
Social Media Will Tear Your Family Apart!
Personally...this reminded me of the many "after school specials" we saw during the 70's. :-)
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