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VNN Media Insider
February 24th, 2011

Dear VNN Member: 

 

It's great to see and hear from so many of our members every week!  We have been extremely busy planning various webinars and, of course, preparing the resources that you count on to help manage your media efforts.  It's so encouraging to hear the positive feedback and ideas that you all are sending us each and every day!

 

In response to some of your feedback, we created a NEW resource for VNN members.  Our VNN Animal and Veterinary Events Calendar is now live at the website.  Although we have just set this up, there is a lot more work that needs to go into it.  But, as of right now,  you can see many upcoming celebrations about animals and veterinarians for the months of March through June.   We will continue to add information to these pages every day and we welcome any feedback or ideas that you have! 

In This Issue
Animals in the News!
Stay Secure with Facebook
Three Things Social Media Recently Taught Us
Upcoming Events and Reminders
New Webinars Planned
New VNN Promotion Videos
Animals in the News This Week
 
Big News graphic

Sad news to report this week...a veterinarian was one of the four hostages killed by Somali pirates on February 22nd.  Seattle veterinarian, Dr. Robert Riggle, was one of the pirate's victims.  Given how small the veterinary community is, I am certain some of you knew Dr. Riggle and from all of us at VNN, you have our condolences.

 

Many stories about pet insurancehave been crossing the wires and alerts in these past few days.  Thankfully, we have you covered!  On March 1st, our latest VNN story, Putting Pet Insurance to the Test, will be released at our website.  Want a "sneak peek"?  Check out the video link below! 

Pet Health Insurance Comparison - VNN

Pet Health Insurance Comparison - VNN

 

VNN Member, Dr. Martha Smith of the Animal Rescue League of Boston did a great interview with a well known pet blogger recently.  Read her answers to questions about a proposed feline oral contraceptive.

 

Also, I really liked this column...What Are the Differences Between the Different Distemper Shots?  This is a great example of a veterinarian who is using his media resources to educate pet owners on the potential issues with using low cost or discounted vaccines.

SocialStay Secure When Using Facebook Wirelessly!

Lots of us check our Facebook accounts via our phones or even at popular Wi-Fi spots, like Starbuck's.  But, in doing so, there is a slight risk of someone accessing your account information.  Thankfully, there's an easy and quick fix to make your Facebook experience more secure.

 

Click Account in the upper right hand corner and then click Account Settings.  Go down to Account Security and click the "change" button.  Enable "Secure Browsing" by clicking the checkbox.  Click Save.

 

That's it!! Now your information will be encrypted when sending and receiving wirelessly!!

 

To see a video of this, go to:  http://shankman.com/how-to-make-facebook-a-bit-safer-when-browsing-wirelessly/

 

Now...there is a caveat...if you enjoy playing any of the Facebook games, like Bejeweled Blitz, etc, you will not be able to play them in a the secure browser.   If you choose to play the games, it will automatically disable your secure browsing.

 

Three Things Social Media Recently Taught Us

Dr Jim Humphries on VNN set

Three Things We've Learned About Social Media From The Middle East

  

These are amazing times we're living in.  Social Media is forcing transparency.  This is being proven out right in front of our eyes in the world events of the Middle East.

 

If you're good at what you do and seek to add value to your clients or co-workers, there have never been easier ways for that message to get out.  ALSO if you're a horrible manager, boss, team leader, dictator, or whatever, there have never been easier ways for that message to get out either.

 

So, what have we learned?

 

1. Its Getting Harder To Hide From The Truth

 

There was a time not that long ago when you could control people by controlling the information they received.  Those days are over.  Technologies like Facebook and Twitter have given anyone anywhere with a cell phone access to the same level of information that previously only traditional media companies typically had.

 

2.   Ignoring People Will Catch Up With You

 

 

It is amazing to see how as people start to revolt, many old-school dictators think they can just ignore their people.  The ironic thing is that the uprisings usually start as simple requests for communication.  And the dictators just ignore the people and act as if there is nothing going on.  Common (uncommon) courtesy says that if someone is trying to communicate with you, you should acknowledge them and reply.  Ignore people (both in person and in social media) at your peril.

 

3. You Can't Outrun Your Character

 

No matter where you go, there you are.  In the 90s it was all about the "spin doctors".  With so much access to information nowadays, trying to sugarcoat something is a strategy that's doomed to fail. It may work in the short term but it will never work in the long term. 

 

Social Media is nothing but a communications tool.  The most amazing communication tool ever invented so far.  Imagine if everyone in the world spoke the same language.  We're getting there.  Yes, there are different languages, but Social Media is bringing those walls down.

 

The walls are coming down because even if we speak different languages, we all are so much more alike than different.  We all want to be respected, loved and appreciated. Once they get a taste of freedom and the opportunity to express themselves, you can't put that genie back in the bottle. Your lesson; Listen to the Net, Respond with openness and kindness, don't hide from the bad stuff, know that your good work and reputation will win! 

 

Future generations will look back at these days as pivotal to world events and how people communicate.  

 

Upcoming Events and Reminders
March Events and pet related celebrations:

 

March is National Kidney Month.  This could be a good news hook to discuss canine and feline kidney issues!

 

March is also Poison Prevention Awareness Month and Animal Poison Awareness Week is March 20-26th.

 

The American Red Cross is honored in March.  This is a good story to tie in with any disaster preparation for pets you might be considering.

 

For dog sled race enthusiasts, the Iditarod starts on March 5th.

 

You can honor some of our four legged veterans by helping to promote and celebrate K9 Veterans Day on March 13th.

 

We now have a new resource at MyVNN.com.  Check out our Perpetual Animal Events Calendar!
Sincerely,



ContactsThomas Dock, CVJ
Managing Editor

[email protected]

317-281-8658

 

 

Dr. Jim Humphries

President/News Director

[email protected]

719-495-2100

 

 
Red light siren

Upcoming Webinars and Archived Webinars at MyVNN.com

 

Yesterday, February 23rd, I was honored to present a webinar on Facebook Business pages to many of our members.  Over the course of about 50 minutes, we dove into the changes that Facebook has applied to Business Pages and learned what to do to take advantage of the new look.

 

IF YOU MISSED IT, don't worry!  On Thursday, March 3rd, we will have a repeat performance of this webinar.  Again, we will start at 2:00 pm EST and continue for about an hour.

 

 

Coming up on Tuesday, March 22nd, a brand new webinar will be presented.  This time, the topic will be Twitter!  This webinar will start a little later (3:00 pm EST) to allow our West coast members to have an opportunity to join us too.

 

 

You can also RSVP for any of the webinars on the MyNewsDesk page at MyVNN.com.

 

All webinars are being archived and can be found at our VNN Webinar and Training Center.  Wednesday's webinar on Facebook should be archived by Monday, February 28th.

 

 

NEW VNN PROMO VIDEOS!

Television Camera
Since you are receiving this newsletter, you already know the benefits of VNN membership.   BUT..have you ever been tongue-tied trying to explain all of the amazing things that VNN can do for veterinarians and their practices?
  
Fear not!!  Dr. Jim has created some really incredible videos that bring home  the power and reach of VNN.  You can see the short version of the video (about 1 minute long) at our About Us page.  From here, you can click the link to the longer, more detailed video or simply view it directly here.
  
Let us know what you think about the videos and if it is something that you would share with your colleagues.
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