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I Need Your Input, Please – Do You Want Pet Tech At The Conference?

pet tech badgeOne of the greatest pleasures I receive when putting together the details for the upcoming 2014 PetSittingOlogy Conference is the input from other pet sitters.

I love receiving suggestions for topics and speakers, being connected to potential sponsors, and hearing details that would make the event that much better for you.

One such approach is today’s topic: a potential Pet Tech training and certification course built right in (and at no additional charge… keep reading!).

Are you familiar with Pet Tech?

At its core, Pet Tech bills itself as the first international training center dedicated to CPR, First Aid and Care for dogs and cats.

As pet sitters complete their own training, many go on to become trained instructors to teach other pet sitters in their local market to become trained, themselves. Instructors will learn the necessary skills and teaching methods to properly train pet owners in first aid and care, too.

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Want More Clients? Google Can Help in 2014.

An OstrichChances are you know the name Marcus Sheridan (The Sales Lion).

I have spoken about him plenty, have done a Google Hangout with him (and Bella Vasta), and he was our keynote speaker at both PetSittingOlogy Conferences in 2012 and 2013.

(And rumor has it, he will be along for the ride at our 3rd conference in October 2014.)

Much of what Marcus teaches is insightful, informative and spot on.

Here is one point he likes to make in his presentation.

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Is GPS Tracking a Smart Idea for Pet Sitters to Use?

GPS trackingAs you know, pet owners have many options when choosing a pet sitter in their area to serve them.

Our job then becomes to create a professional first impression through our website and hope that they make contact.

From there, you will have to continue to dialogue and differentiate yourself to become the clear and only choice.

Some pet sitters like to offer GPS tracking to their mix to give the pet parents an extra sense of security and control.

However, at times the concept is not all its cracked up to be.

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13 Articles from the PetSittingOlogy Vault You May Have Missed

lucky 13The end of the year is always a good time to look back on your business and take inventory on where you are and where you want to go.

Whether it’s in the form of New Year Resolutions, or not, the start of a new year can empower you to reach the next level of success.

This February, PetSittingOlogy turns 5!

I thought it would be wise to put together a list of some of my favorite and most helpful articles here so you can inch closer to your personal and business goals.

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How Your Driving Habits Affect Your Pet Business Success

traffic jam
All it takes is just one car to hold everyone up!
If you had to rate your own driving ability on a scale of 1 – 10, where would you land?

There are two kinds of drivers in the world: Good drivers and bad drivers.

We all know what the bad drivers are like: they hardly ever signal and change lanes without warning. They speed out in front of you and then go 16 miles per hour. They hold up traffic without a care in the world.

I happen to love driving and consider myself a good driver. I’m aware, I’m defensive, and I’m considerate to those around me.

I do also like driving a bit on the faster side. I’ll always choose the left lane when possible. I do not believe that makes me any less of a good driver. I just like to speed along.

My wife, however, will disagree. She happens to hate my driving! She would prefer I slow it down a bit even though I feel I am safe as can be.

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How To Create Your Very Own Viral Ecards For Social Media

viral ecard example
Online Tool makes it incredibly easy for you to create your own viral cards! Click image for FULL size view.
One of the most shared items on social media, as you know, are photos or images – especially ones of cute adorable pets.

Inspirational quotes and funny sayings are also extremely popular.

How would you like to be on the front end of a wildly popular shared image that you yourself put out?

Thanks to ReciteThis, you can now do just that.

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Does Angie’s List Work for Gaining New Pet Sitting Clients?

listing optionsAs you have certainly seen in the recent past, many directory-style profile websites have popped up catering to our industry.

Sites such as Angie’s List, Care.com, DogVacay, Rover, and others are looking to be a viable resource to pet owners looking for reliable pet care.

I completely understand that the conversation here may be “these sites are nothing but filled with hobby sitters.”

But is that the case with Angie’s List?

And if that is the case, what does this mean for the future and direction of you and me (the professional pet sitter)?

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4 Specific Ways To Improve A Blog Post [Case Study]

case study image

Whether you are comfortable with it, or not, blogging (or simply creating content) is a requirement in the battle of SEO (search engine optimization).

Google has repeatedly said that creating unique, original, relevant content matters. Or, as they say it specifically: “Provide high-quality content on your pages, especially your homepage. This is the single most important thing to do. If your pages contain useful information, their content will attract many visitors and entice webmasters to link to your site.”

OK, so with that out of the way, today’s post looks at a recent blog article from pet sitter Laura Capra of Keep Me Company Pet Sitting.

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Client Won’t Accept Their House Keys Back! Now What?

old keysHow many sets of client house keys do you currently have in your possession?

Plenty, I’m sure.

But, what is your [process,system] for returning those keys to the pet owner when the job is complete?

Now think about how your process would change if, for whatever reason, the client did not want to claim their set of keys.

Sound crazy?

Well, I received an email (a plea for help) recently from a frustrated pet sitter who finds herself in this predicament.

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These Pet Sitters Will Be Joining Us in Vegas as Our Sponsor A Pet Sitter Winners

winner picOur 2nd Annual Pet Sitting Live Event and Conference is coming along nicer than I could have imagined – thanks, in part, to our incredible sponsors.

We created 2 programs this year to allow even more pet sitters to attend who otherwise could not because of financial restraint.

Personally, I created the Sponsor-A-Pet-Sitter program and the PetSittingOlogy Scholarship to help do all I can for those pet sitters who want to attend, but simply do not have the financial means at this time.

Plus, keep reading… we have great news for those pet sitters not selected who truly want to attend the conference, as our guest! (Watch video below.)

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