Have you ever hired (or have been thinking about hiring) someone to manage your social media?
Do you know what you should be looking for? Are you worried you won’t get your money’s worth out of the job?
Today, there are many types of jobs and tasks you can have your assistants accomplish for you. When it comes to your social media manager, however, they need to be implementing a job that goes past just button-pushing.
This week I dive into everything you should be looking for when it comes to someone managing your social media and why you should take feelings out of it and just look at the facts.
Biggest Takeaways
A social media manager can be a huge expense for a business, so it is not crazy to think you should expect a huge return out of having one. This results in a big difference between an assistant who can schedule your content and post to your pages versus someone who is creating, engaging, connecting, and building up your brand. This week I want to make sure you know what you should be looking for when it comes to a social media manager and how to be sure they are worth your time and money.
Recommendations:
Check out Better Marketing With Bella and get an idea of what it is like to have all your content needs created for you. When marketing is done right you get to focus on the “why” of your business while we focus on the “what” to show it off.
Follow me (@Bella Vasta) on Instagram to see the success stories of my clients killing the business. Nothing makes me happier than getting to shout them out for all their hard work and effort!
Take a look at my Mastermind group; a beautiful community where we come together to learn and grow. Each month we have different themes on what we are talking about, HR experts come in to answer questions, and 3 years’ worth of material to answer almost anything you might want or need to know. Here you can learn from other members what works for their business (including having a social media manager!) and keep each other accountable in daily business.
Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare, or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below.
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Episode-283-Graphic-.png10801080Jump Consultinghttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngJump Consulting2022-03-23 22:00:432022-07-26 07:32:09Episode 283: How To Tell If Your Social Media Manager Is Worth Their Pay
Balancing parent life while running a business is super easy…. said no one ever!!
In reality, if you are a parent, you know how HARD it really is and all the struggles you have to go through to make it work. The mom/dad guilt of not spending enough time or attention on your child is apparent when you are giving your business the focus it needs. But the stress of your work to-do list can weigh you down when you are away from your business too.
So how do you find that balance? This week I am rocking the podcast during my daughter’s spring break to bring you all my tips on achieving running your business while parenting.
Biggest Takeaways
Running your business is your full-time job, but so are your children. Finding a balance that gives both aspects your full attention is what we, as parents, seek the most. But saying you want that balance seems easier than actually achieving it. Take some of my tips and help find that balance you are looking for:
Schedule. Schedule time each week that is set aside just for your family. Maybe after work, you put your phone away and give your kid your undivided attention to play and spend that time together.
Say no. I know, crazy right? But say no to some things! If you do not want to have meetings or calls on certain days, say no, and schedule for a day when you are available. Better yet, have it kicked over to one of your assistants and have them schedule it on a day that works best for you.
Turn off. When you have the time for your child, turn business off. This ensures they know they have 100% of your attention. Guys, we only get 18 summers with them, we need to make sure they know how important that time together is.
I have a few more really helpful tips to get you to the work-life balance you are needing in your life right now. Parent to parent, this stuff really works.
Recommendations:
If less time working in the business is what you are looking for, join the Mastermind group so I can assist you and your business achieve your biggest goals.
Email me at bella@jumpconsulting.net to chat about finding that balance between parent life and running your business. I am here to help you and show you how possible it is.
Time to join the Better Marketing With Bell Waitlist is coming to an end. Soon we will be welcoming new members to the group, gearing up to help them with all their business content needs. If that is something you are interested in, jump on the list today.
Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare, or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below.
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Episode-282-How-to-be-a-good-business-leader-while-juggle-parenting-duties-spring-break-edition.png10801080Jump Consultinghttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngJump Consulting2022-03-16 22:00:262022-07-26 07:32:34Episode 282: How To Be A Good Business Leader And Juggle Parenting Duties: Spring Break Edition
If someone were to ask you today “Have you ever been in a toxic relationship?” what would be the first thing to come to mind?
When we think of a toxic relationship, we often think of it as either a romantic relationship or even a friendship. More times than not, you wouldn’t think of the relationship you have with your business.
But the truth is, you and your business can be in a toxic relationship right now.
This week I dive into the red flags that stand out when it comes to a toxic relationship with your business and what you can do to ensure it gets to a healthy place.
Biggest Takeaways
We’ve previously talked about how to grow your business, how to ensure you aren’t leaving money on the table and how to keep a positive mindset to move you forward. But this week I want to talk to you about the relationship you have with your business and if there may be some red flags that are occurring.
You might notice
Clients that always nitpick
Employees holding you hostage
Boundaries with time that don’t exist
Worry taking over your sleep
And at least 8 more serious red flags you need to be watching out for as well as ways to turn it around into a healthy place.
Recommendations:
Look into help from Better Marketing With Bella for all your business content needs. If that is something you are interested in, jump on the waitlist today. Next week we are gearing up to get commitments from existing customers for their renewals (which was over 80% last semester!) before welcoming our new members, so now is the time to get on the list.
Shoot me an email and let’s chat! Bella@jumpconsulting.net, I want to hear from you and how I can help YOU move your business forward in a healthy direction.
Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare, or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below.
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Episode-281-Graphic-1-1.png10801080Jump Consultinghttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngJump Consulting2022-03-09 22:00:032022-07-26 07:33:00Episode 281: Are You in A Toxic Relationship With Your Business?
What do you think pet parents want to see when they go to your website?
Do they want to feel like they are being sold? Talked at? Or trying to figure out how they might fit INTO your company?
Do you think they might feel overwhelmed, not knowing if you are the right fit for skill or money?
All of these are probably true and how you present yourself on your website will make or break your bounce rate.
(Bounce rate: How long someone stays on your site until the “bounce” off going to look elsewhere to solve their problem)
Recently I got a DM from someone who was going to be updating their website asking, “So what’s important on a website these days??”
Truth is, there is a lot to consider. Unfortunately, most business owners are so close to their business, it is often hard to get the 30K view and put themselves in their potential client’s shoes…
Biggest Takeaways
If your website is the first thing potential clients are seeing about you, then you need to draw them in. You need to make them say, “Yes, I want to work with them!”
I started off doing this as a 7 point podcast but by the time I got to the end, it turned into 8. I was on a roll.
Make it about THEM not about you.
Keep it simple like a 1st grader is reading your website.
Pay attention to the navigation.
Don’t make them think
…and there are a lot more. Listen to learn more!
Recommendations:
I highly recommend Erika and her team at Barketing Blog for a website. I have been recommending her for years and she has done countless client websites. They are very happy. You can’t go wrong. Great price too!
Need a group of knowledgeable people to bounce your website copy of design off of? Heck! You want three months of training dedicated to this topic? Join us in the best community in the pet industry, the Jump Mastermind!
Want to make sure that once your website is popping, your social media also gives the same feel for your brand? Look no further than the leading industry marketing agency, Better Marketing with Bella where we ensure that your colors, fonts, logos, copy, and creativity are all on point!
Maybe you are a DIY person? You can learn everything that you should have on your website here in my one hour class that comes with a workbook and on audio. Enjoy!
Let’s Connect
Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!
Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare, or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below.
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/BIYB-New-Podcast-Templates-1.png10801080Jump Consultinghttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngJump Consulting2022-03-02 22:00:392022-07-26 07:33:52Episode 280: 8 Considerations To Make Your Website A Selling Machine
What if I told you I knew what was preventing people from thousands of dollars in sales for their business, and what you can do about it?
This week I had the chance to reconnect with some old friends who I haven’t seen in close to a decade! It had felt like I stepped into a time machine and no time had passed at all. A gal that was there said she owned a house cleaning business and did petting sitting as well. Knowing I am a business coach she wanted to ask a little advice from me. Now, typically I don’t get into this with friends but I just couldn’t help myself this night! We started chatting, the energy was flowing, the conversation was amazing, and it inspired me for the topic of this week’s podcast.
Each week I receive wonderful messages from loyal listeners letting me know that they really are landing thousands of dollars in sales! What are they doing that is setting them apart from those who aren’t succeeding? If it was something that anyone could do, would you be willing to give it a try?
In this week’s episode, I break it down and examine what is the one thing that is preventing you from landing sales and what you can do over and over again to achieve this type of success.
Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare, or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below.
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Episode-279-Graphic.png10801080ChrisPodcasthttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngChrisPodcast2022-02-23 22:00:262022-07-26 07:35:03Episode 279: One Thing That Is Preventing Thousands Of Dollars Of Sales
Imagine starting a new job, feeling welcomed, and having all the resources you need to succeed, compared to feeling lost and unsupported. Bella will share some relatable examples and personal experiences to help you understand why onboarding is crucial for employee retention and company success. In this week’s Podcast, Bella is going to take you on a journey of understanding the importance of a smooth and effective onboarding process.
Biggest Takeaways
Real-Life Examples of Things Pet Based Business Owners Say and Do When It Comes to Employees [7:28]
Why you’ll be needing to onboard employees in record time very soon and how you can be ready [10:10]
Exactly what NOT to do in the onboarding process [10:45]
Defining Onboarding and what it means [11:45]
Studies pertaining to high employee turnover [13:00]
Why employees leave companies [13:30]
Standardization of onboarding process [13:05]
Importance of schedule for onboarding [18:30]
Why pet care team training videos can give you a headstart [21:45]
What is an employee’s worth vs a client’s worth? [23:35]
Types of employee learning and training styles for employees [26:30]
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Current-Podcast-Graphic7.png10801080Jump Consultinghttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngJump Consulting2021-07-28 22:00:362023-01-12 13:54:20Episode 251: How To Decrease Turnover and Create Raving Employees
In this week’s podcast, we are going to get MOTIVED and TAKE ACTION. I am so thrilled all of you get so inspired but it is time to do something with that inspiration
I am going to tell you how you can motivate yourself to take action and what to analyze to make sure you continue to take action.
BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS:
Inspiration and Results
Many people get inspired but no one really does anything about it. We are going to jump in and get motivated. It is time to take action!
Actions to Take
Just trying to figure it out… that is the worst thing you can do. There are so many positive actions you can take from your inspiration. Think about them all and use your resources.
Get Motivated and Get Uncomfortable
Taking the proper steps to get motivated and actually do something with your inspiration can be challenging. But what happens when you get challenged? You get uncomfortable? Then what… you do something about it. Recognize the time you stepped out of your comfort zone and think about what happened when you did.
Show Highlights
What is Being Done with Your Inspiration? (3:30)
Actions that can be taken from Your Inspiration (5.30)
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Current-Podcast-Graphic29.png10801080Jump Consultinghttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngJump Consulting2021-07-14 22:00:162021-09-01 19:20:47Episode #249: Get Inspired, Then Take Action
Finding the right office manager for a pet-sitting business can be a challenging task, as it requires someone who is organized, detail-oriented, and has a passion for animals. An office manager will handle the day-to-day operations of the business, such as scheduling, bookkeeping, and customer service. They will also be responsible for managing the staff and ensuring that the business runs smoothly. In this week’s podcast, we are talking about how to find and hire the RIGHT office manager successfully.
BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS
How Set Yourself Up for Success to Hire an Office Manager (10.00)
Determining the Foundation to Have an Office Manager (20.00)
Knowing Who You are Hiring and Different Personalities (27.50)
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Copy-of-Copy-of-BIYB-PODCAST-TEMPLATE-12021.png10801080ChrisPodcasthttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngChrisPodcast2021-06-30 22:00:032023-01-12 14:32:31Episode 247: How To Hire An Office Manager For Your Pet Sitting Business
Unlock the secret to attracting the right clients for your pet-sitting or dog-walking business with our exclusive guide to the 4 different types of avatars that work best in this industry! Say goodbye to generic marketing strategies and hello to tailored techniques that will help you connect with your ideal customers and grow your business. In this week’s podcast, we are talking about 4 different types of avatars that work for pet sitters and dog walkers.
BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS
Finding and Attracting the Right People to Hire (11:50)
Who are the 4 Different Avatars (24.00)
The Psychology Behind the Avatars and Ourselves (30.30)
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/EPISODE-245-1.png10801080Jump Consultinghttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngJump Consulting2021-06-23 22:00:262023-01-12 14:35:23Episode 246: 4 Different Types of People Every Business Needs to Hire
Dr. Tanaka founded Coronado Psych with the mission to offer clients evidence-based psychological services. She’s dedicated the majority of the last decade to developing and providing evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and accessible psychological services to patients. Dr. Tanaka specializes in working with young adults, adults, and seniors struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, stress, life transitions, health behavior changes, health-related psychological distress, and her practice offers services to children, adolescents, and adults struggling with a wide range of concerns. In addition to providing in-person psychotherapy, Dr. Tanaka has extensive experience providing remote psychological services through telehealth.
Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want To Miss:
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.
Whether it’s yourself, a staff member in your business or someone you care about, we have all felt the impacts of a stressful year behind us and the pandemic is still impacting lives everywhere. One of the first things Dr. Rika mentions on the show, is how a key part of identifying a concern or issue is to recognize it is completely acceptable to recognize something is wrong and talk about.
Recognizing the signs or symptoms of depression, anxiety or other cues that you or someone you care about may be struggling with.
Anxiety and depression can present differently from person to person. Kids are especially different. Dr. Rika shares some of the ways these symptoms show up and also gives tips on how to determine whether or not something more serious is going on while being careful to let the professionals do the diagnosing.
How to approach someone you care about or suspect may be struggling.
What to say? How to say it without being offensive or making them feel embarrassed. The importance of creating a safe space to share and not feel judged.
Telehealth and Virtual Therapy.
Is it here to stay? Did you know there are some accepted benefits of utilizing this form of help? In fact, you may be surprised to learn that you have access to more options and greater levels of care. Listen to this section to learn more.
Show Highlights
How do we recognize the signs of anxiety or depression that could also be related to the pandemic? [4:10]
How should we approach or begin a conversation with someone we care about when we suspect they are struggling with anxiety or depression? [7:55]
The importance of providing a safe space for someone to feel comfortable sharing. The importance of our own “give and take” in helping someone not feel judged. [8:00]
Creating safe spaces while simultaneously maintaining and keeping up healthy relationships. Taking the pressure off and “just checking in.” [10:20}
Virtual Therapy and Telehealth. Why it’s here to stay. The benefits and validity of the virtual experience. It’s just as effective as in person. Learn why. [14:00]
Why talking more about it is best. Helping people help themselves and making mental health an open topic [21:00]
Links
Dr. Rika Tanaka encourages everyone to reach out and talk to a mental health professional if you need to.
She also says if you are in California, please feel free to reach out to her through her website at Coronado Psych or send her an email
Share The Show:
Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Episode-228-1.png10801080Jump Consultinghttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngJump Consulting2021-02-17 22:00:542021-09-22 13:19:11Episode 229: How Has The Pandemic Affected Our Mental Health?
When my clients think about going in front of the video camera, it typically scares the heck out of them. I have been squawking about the use of video for years and all the predictions have only proven to be true.
Video is The Present.
The social media feeds have exploded with ways to show a video like Instagram Stories, Facebook Stories, Instagram TV, and a myriad of apps now available to help you edit together video clips you might have taken and look like a pro!
Today, I really want to blow the lid off any fear of using video in hopes that I can show you there are many different methods you can apply to reap the incredible benefits.
All the apps
Wave.video – this is on desktop and one of my favs. They have a library, they will adapt the video to the size of the platform you want to post on, and they are very affordable. I also know the CMO and he is a really nice guy :). Check them out here.
Canva for gifs – I have been using the software for a long time and only recently started using the gif feature. It is really neat to be able to design a graphic and then have it fly in from the sides as you save it as a Giphy. I especially like this for IG and FB stories
Giphy to make GIFs – Do you know how you can comment with a gif on Facebook? What if I told you there was a way that you could type in your name or business name into the comments and a video you created from your business comes up? Want to see what I mean? Go type in Bella Vasta in the search bar of the Giphy and you will see a few that my friends did of me.
Quic – this is a great app if you have a few videos that you need to splice together and want a one-touch filter on them that make you look like Steven Spielberg.
Filmora-this is an app on your phone and desktop that requires a little more work than something like Quic but also has hundreds of downloadable special effects packages that you can purchase. If you want something retro, bachelorette party, Hawaii themed… this is the app to use. It can really change up the feel for what you want to do.
iMovie – if you are an Apple user, iMovie is on your phone and desktop. The phone version is a “lite” version and you can’t do as much Jason desktop but honestly, it is what has used for most of all the videos you see on my Youtube channel.
Animoto – This is an old but goodie. Personally, I haven’t used them forever – just not my style, but they are still popular which does say a lot about them. It is nice to see software still relevant 5 or 6 years later.
Final Cut Pro – This is a step up from iMovie with a little more bells and whistles. Honestly, I purchased it (expensive) and admittedly still stick to iMovie. Many of you might think I am saved when it comes to this stuff but mostly I like to stick with what I know and the path of least resistance.
The Importance of Going Live
Going live doesn’t always have to be your face. Sue, in the Mastermind, said her reason for not going live is because she doesn’t like the sound of her voice. Well, she and I both! But I want you to imagine if you never saw me online? If I never did any videos? Would you feel as close to me as you do today?
Probably not.
Video connects you to your audience. You don’t have to do it every day, and you don’t have to do it for hours, but I would challenge you to try to do it at least once a week for one or two weeks. It will make a world of a difference.
Another important thought I need you to consider is that social media is a SECOND thought. Hardly anyone will see you on social media and think, “Gee, I am glad they popped up on my feed I want to hire them“.
It just doesn’t work that way.
The way it DOES work is that they find your website… typically through google…and then they click on your social media icons to “see” more of you. If they are browsing and see your videos, chances are they will feel a deeper connection with you. Not because you are perfect on camera, but because you are showing vulnerability by BEING on camera. It shows that you are human. That ALONE goes a long way – especially when the people who are searching on your social are trying to decide if they can trust you.
Video During COVID-19 Has Been So Important
Especially while we are all isolated in our homes everyone from a five-year-old to the 90-year-old great grandparents have developed video skills. The time is now. So many of our Better Marketing with Bella clients have taken it by storm.
Let me show you Poop’d Out going live with tips and tricks:
And then there is another Better Marketing with Bella client, Woofin’ It who has gone live just to reach out to her clients and followers:
And yet again, another Better Marketing with Bella client, using his stand up skills to use to his community:
Then there is Rockey’s Retreat where she actually did a scavenger hunt in her community! Ahhh all of these marketeers make me so happy… and this is just the tip of the ice burg!
Ways to Go Live
FB share your screen
Facebook recently came out with a feature allowing you to share your screen while on live. It could be neat to do videos to show how to sign up with your company using this new feature. No one else is doing it and you would stand out. The only downside is that once you go live showing your screen, that is all there is. You can’t flip back to your face.
FB live on location with pets
This one is the obvious one. But how about making it fun?
How long until Fido finds the perfect place to potty?
You wouldn’t believe how long it takes until Fido goes potty.
Who gets tired first? How many throws until Fido is tried?
Countdown of how many bites will it take him to eat his food?
How fast will he eat his food?
IGTV
The best part of this is that you can reuse the content. So if you have a video that you have already created and you want to upload to IGTV, go for it! You also have the option for it to show up in your IG feed, it will play the first minute and invite people to go watch the full thing. Keeping this in mind, make the first one minute as engaging as possible.
Snapchat glasses
Honestly, I think this is one of the BEST video features for pet sitters and dog walkers. But first, let me ease your worries, you do not have to be posting onto Snapchat for this to happen. These are actual sunglasses that you wear on your head and press a button to take a picture or hold it down to take a 10-15 second video. Once back at home, you can upload them to your social media or device and edit the clips together (if you want).
The point of view from these glasses is like watching from someone’s eyes. Take a look here as I show you in the pool with my daughter:
Showing up on social media through videos is huge. These videos give potential clients the opportunity to see who you really are and what your business represents. Do you do video on the regular? Why or why not? How can I partner with you to help you?
Did you know that the Better Marketing with Bella program helps coach you through all of this? Yup! Just like you saw above – a lot of our members gain the confidence, know how, and content to go live through our program. The doors are closing the beginning of May 2020 . If this interests you – join us. Don’t be left behind. I would love to help you!
Does all this social media management seem like a lot? You can actually get all the social media content with Better Marketing with Bella
Join us for a six-month contract to get all the graphics, captions, square videos, cover videos, vertical videos, blog/video outlines, emails, individual and group coaching calls, and more.
Are You New Here?
Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below.
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Utilize-Video.png788940Bellahttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngBella2020-04-28 03:00:262021-09-02 15:19:10Ultimate Apps and Ways to Use Video in Your Dog Walking Business
The idea of being human is so obscure when you think of it. Obviously we are all human. However, nowadays it’s becoming more and more necessary to prove that you are human. Especially when it comes to the internet and consistent technological advances.
How do we remain human in a fast-paced technological world?
The answer isn’t as simple as we would think. Remaining human has a lot to do with identifying who we are, what we represent and what we want our clients to see. Then, it’s about transferring that human quality not only in face to face contact but through our social media as well.
Thankfully, Bryan Kramer, the founder of the H2H movement as well as Keynote Speaker, TED Talk Speaker, Coach, and CEO of H2H Companies, a Business Performance Coaching Company, came on the show to teach us more about human to human interactions and how you can build trust in your business on social media.
Biggest Takeaway You Don’t Want to Miss
What makes us uniquely human is the way we talk and interact with others. Living in the land of automation has left us with the necessity of differentiating ourselves from online robots and the way to do that is to sound more human. Remaining human is going to be the key factor in building trust in your business!
How do we remain human? How do we make sure we aren’t taking all of the new apps and programs too far?
Your Purpose.
Your purpose is made up of an equal balance of your inspiration, your vision, and your innovation.
Make sure to prove you’re not a robot and listen in to this week’s podcast with Bryan!
Show Highlights
What is H2H? [0:52]
How to figure out who we are as a human [3:30]
Our why and our purpose [5:05]
How do we remain human in a fast-paced technological world? [7:42]
The different ways we share in person vs. social media [11:02]
How can we find out what traits we innately have? [12:34]
6 categories of sharers [13:41]
Body language and first impressions [17:25]
What does an agreement look like? [21:35]
How do we get away from not delegating and trusting? [25:16]
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Untitled-design-3-e1573054510854.png500500Katie Giacalonehttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngKatie Giacalone2019-11-13 21:00:002021-02-27 16:01:42Episode 172: How To Build Trust In Your Pet Business On Social Media
One of the biggest challenges marketers (that’s you!) face is getting their community to know about their pet sitting business.
We don’t need the entire world to know about our services, just a saturation of those geographically the closest to us. We need to get them so excited that they are the top of the mind when the need arises for themselves or their loved ones.
I specifically say excited because being known typically means that you have a certain emotion that is being evoked, which means people might not always remember exactly what you do, but they will always remember how you made them feel.
This is the secret sauce.
But how exactly can we become known to our community beyond the usual posting on Facebook, having a blog, a website, Instagram, and shaking hands and meeting other pet business professionals in the area?
This phenomenon is what is your brand saying about you when you are not there? Do you know? Or, not saying anything because people don’t know you can be just as bad.
What Do You Want To Be Known For?
Getting known has to do with getting clear on what you want to be known for. What makes your business unique? There are hundreds of businesses in your area that take care of pets and there are a lot of friends and family that can do it, too.
So, what really makes your business unique and different?
Often times this isn’t the facts or what you do, but it is the how you do it all that matters. That leaves the feeling that gets people talking.
Answering this question will be the key to your success.
Your Unique Competitive Advantage
If your brain is coming up blank I want you to take a minute and listen to this podcast episode when I had Jennifer Diepstraten on. She talked about quantum benefits and it was really enlightening to see how our businesses really were different.
I want you to try to think of 3 – 5 things that your competitors can’t say that you can.
Use these questions below to help you fill in the blanks:
Are you memorable for your:
Story?
Name?
Logo?
Operations?
Cost (high or low)?
Use this in all your marketing.
Talk about it at events. Make it apart of your unique story that no one else can tell. Mark Schafer is really good at this. He is the author of KNOWN — The handbook for building and unleashing your personal brand in the digital age.
He presented in the Mastermind and really pushed our beliefs on how exactly we were accomplishing this in our own marketing…
How we were going to stand out and actually hold space for the pet parents in our community to actually belong.
Check this out:
Pretty powerful, right?
That is the type of goodness we have in the Mastermind.
It was really eye-opening as to how to stop doing the same things that everyone else does and start doing the unique things in our own business marketing.
So How Can We Stand Out On Social Media To Be Known In Our Community?
Ah!
This is the million-dollar question, isn’t it?
I mean we know that 68% of Americans use Facebook. Oddly enough the same exact percentage also have pets according to the 2017-2018 National Pet Owners Survey
(Side note…I thought that was crazy that they are BOTH 68% when I was writing this article too! LOL)
There is no doubting the fact that our clients are on Facebook. Instagram is close behind. They are the sister to Facebook and growing just as fast.
Did you know that over 70% of users are under 35 years of age? Do you also realize that the buying power of this segment is major with many waiting until much later in life to start a two-legged family so they are able to pour a lot of their discretionary income into their four-legged loved ones?
We have to know the latest trends in social media.
We have to know how to connect with others, but we also have to know how to get them to:
Reshare content
Spread it virally in their local community
Even though likes are going away on Instagram, (did you know that?) we can still show the social proof of the engagement of the people who actually stop their scroll long enough because they find us interesting or relevant enough to interact and respond to our posts.
The Value Of Being A Resource In Your Community
Do you want to be a drive-by or a destination in your community for the best pet sitting business?
Imagine being the first thought of pet resource in your community. I am talking about getting all the calls from people saying things like…
“I need something for my pet — I know you don’t provide it, but I thought you would know.”
This basically means they are thinking of you as the thought leader or expert in your town.
This is powerful.
This is top-of-the-mind awareness. But if you have no unique presence, no professional presence online…
Then this is going to be pretty hard to accomplish.
We need to stand out on social media by having professional graphics, captivating captions, and reactive engagement with our communities.
Here is Exactly What You Can Be Posting Every Month To Be Known (And Shared) In Your Communities:
Here are my thoughts on ways to be seen in your local community:
Facebook Lives and Blogs: Write two blogs that are meaningful and follow them up with a Facebook live (record the video to embed in the blog post)
Professional Graphics: Post at least 8-10 professionally made graphics with an interesting description that reflect your branding, logo, and colors. The graphic is there to capture attention and the copy is there to engage the reader.
Videos: Once a week, create a square video for Instagram and be sure to convert it to vertical for Facebook to have the most visibility across platforms. Be sure to keep it to a good time limit and not to overpower the message as an advertisement.
Facebook Video Cover: To give an impression that you keep up with your marketing, are trustworthy, and are up to date on all the new things, impress your viewers with a new Facebook video cover each month highlighting something relevant to the time of year.
Email Marketing: Since Rover is sending emails out weekly, I highly suggest that you do yours at least twice a week. Make it about your clients, be relevant, use minimal design elements. The sole purpose of this is to elevate you as a thought leader. Even if they don’t open it.
Instagram and Facebook Stories: The viewership of these two platforms is growing exponentially. Creating stories in real-time WITH professionally produced graphics that link together for a common message is powerful and underutilized. Not to mention, very much reusable as you build an arsenal.
Thought Leaders: Follow social media thought leaders like Mari Smith, the Queen of Facebook, and Jenn Herman, the world’s forefront blogger and author on Instagram to stay in the loop. They’re both my friends. 🙂 Follow them. Read every update.
Conclusion
If you do all of this, you will be well ahead of your competition and other pet-sitting businesses in your area.
You will be perceived as a thought leader, someone who is on top of it all, and someone they can trust.
You will want to connect with other key influencers in your area and prompt them to share your hard work so you can be helpful to them and their brand, their communities, and of course expand your own.
If any of this seems overwhelming, you can actually get all that is listed above and more for the lowest price ever offered via Better Marketing with Bella.
Join us for a six-month contract to get all the graphics, captions, square videos, cover videos, vertical videos, blog/video outlines, emails, individual and group coaching calls, and more.
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/chatting-dog-faces-745045-1-e1568321284536.jpg500500Bellahttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngBella2019-09-24 04:08:522021-09-02 15:29:10How To Get Your Community To Know About Your Pet Sitting Business
As a pet sitting business owner, one of the most challenging hurdles you may encounter is hiring the right staff to help you grow your business. Many reach a point where they absolutely cannot take on anymore clients, unless they bring on some extra hands. But hiring is not as easy as it may seem, it requires a lot of consideration and preparation to make sure you’re hiring a HERO rather than a ZERO.
On this episode, Bella is joined by three successful pet sitting business owners who have been through the process many times before. Listen in as they share their personal stories, tips, and tricks for hiring the perfect pet sitting employees. In three 10-minute segments, you will learn from the best in the business, and gain valuable insights that will help you make the right hiring decisions for your pet sitting business. Don’t miss out on this exciting episode!
Biggest Take Aways:
What is the best way to find pet sitting employees?
What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made when hiring pet sitting employees?
What’s your best secret that you would tell your old self about hiring pet sitting employees
Maureen McCarthy
Maureen McCarthy has worked with dogs and cats either grooming or pet sitting since 1980. When she moved to North Carolina in 2006, she started Love and Kisses Pet Sitting which she continues to successfully operate today. Love and Kisses Pet Sitting is now an award winning company (4 years and counting!), honored as the recipient of the Best Pet Sitting Business In Union County. Additionally, Maureen’s business has attained the 2015 and 2016 Angie’s List Super Service Award. Maureen now has 21 pet sitting employees working for her, all of which she requires to continually undergo continuing education to ensure they provide the best service possible.
David Steinberg
David Steinberg founded David’s Pet Sitting while studying in graduate school to become a therapist at the UConn School of Social Work. Luckily, the program was located in his hometown (West Hartford). His friends then demanded he watched their pets when they went away. David happily obliged and before he knew it, David’s Pet Services was a thing. David now has a number of employee’s working under him, and is continuing to hire more and more while honing the process.
In 2003 Cara Armour co-founded Active Paws Inc., in the Boston, MA area. In 2009, Cara won Pet Sitter of the Year. She is decorated in many accolades and even expanded to opening a grooming and holistic pet supply store.
Cara Armour
Since 2003, Cara has been trained by the American Red Cross as well as several veterinarians in Pet First Aid and CPR. In 2011 she completed an instructor training course and became a certified Pet First Aid and CPR instructor. In 2015 she co-founded an online Pet First Aid academy and now works as a product and marketing manager for ProPetHero, the Pet First Aid and CPR division of ProTrainings.
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/BELLA-IN-YOUR-BUSINESS-itunes.png16001600ChrisPodcasthttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngChrisPodcast2017-08-31 06:00:552023-01-12 14:58:52Episode 62: The Do’s & Don’ts Of Hiring Pet Sitting Employees
On this episode of Bella in Your Business, Bella spends time with Paul Adams, President and Founder of Sound Financial Group.
Paul Adams, President and Found of Sound Financial Group
They discuss:
The roles finances play in our business
Why it is so hard for the self-employed to pay themselves
What happens when we don’t focus on being financially fit
Steps you should take to get yourself financially fit
How Luke 16:10 pertains to building business & wealth.
Paul Adams is President and founder of Sound Financial Group where he and his team help clients maintain healthy balance sheets, stop forfeiting money unnecessarily to the IRS, and to build and protect their plans for the future. The cornerstone of his advice relies on the belief that people should always make their financial decisions based upon indisputable math and independent scholarship, not based on media hype, hearsay, or trend. Paul is also an accomplished speaker and the of author two essential financial guides – Stop Burning Your Money and Sound Financial Advice – and in 2016 was interviewed by Forbes, Entrepreneur and Inc. magazines.
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Untitled-design-6.png300300ChrisPodcasthttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngChrisPodcast2017-07-13 06:00:042021-02-27 18:21:12Episode 55: Financial Planning in Your Business With Paul Adams
On this episode Bella speaks with David Barnett, an Author, Speaker, Educator, Seminar Host, Consultant, and Business Buy/Sell Process Coach.
David Barnett
They discuss things you need to keep in mind when considering selling your business. These include:
Biggest mistake pet business owners make when running their business
Understanding that there are several reasons people sell businesses. Most of the time it is not for retirement.
Learning that keeping your business in the best shape to sell (i.e. have strong processes in place) will actually benefit you even if you aren’t yet selling it.
When you will and when you won’t benefit by using a broker.
A high level overview of the selling process.
David Barnett has been working to help the owners of Small and Medium Sized businesses for almost 20 years. As a former business broker and financing broker, Barnett has helped people buy, sell, plan, manage and finance businesses.
Since 2014, Barnett has authored 6 small business books, 3 of which have become Amazon best-sellers.
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/BELLA-IN-YOUR-BUSINESS-itunes.png16001600ChrisPodcasthttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngChrisPodcast2017-06-15 06:00:032021-02-27 18:25:17Episode 51: Selling Your Business With David Barnett
In this episode, Bella speaks with Wendy Van de Poll, the founder of The Center for Pet Loss Grief and an international best selling and award-winning author and speaker. They discuss pet loss grief and what pet professionals can say and do to be supportive to their clients in their loss. They also talk about how pet professionals can deal with their own grief.
Topics covered are:
What is pet loss grief
What you as a pet professional should do when a client gets the news that their pet has a terminal illness
How to help your clients when their pets die
What you shouldn’t say or do
How a pet professional can deal with their own grief over losing an animal client
Wendy Van de Poll
Wendy Van de Poll is a pioneering leader in the field of pet loss grief support. She is dedicated to providing a safe place for her clients to express their grief over the loss of their pets. What makes Wendy successful with her clients is that she get’s grief! “Over the years I’ve dealt with my own grief and helping many families communicate and connect with their pets long after their loss. It’s what I’ve done since I was just 5 yrs old!”
She is compassionate and supportive to all who know her. Her passion is to help people when they are grieving over the loss of a pet and her larger than life love for animals has led her to devote her life to the mission of increasing the quality of life between animals and people no matter what stage they are in their cycle of life! She has been called the animal whisperer. She is a Certified End of Life and Pet Grief Support Coach, Certified Pet Funeral Celebrant, Animal Medium and Communicator. She is the founder of The Center for Pet Loss Grief and an international best selling and award-winning author and speaker. She holds a Master’s of Science degree in Wolf Ecology and Behavior and has run with wild wolves in Minnesota, coyotes in Massachusetts and foxes in her backyard. She lives in the woods with her husband, two crazy birds, her rescue dog Addie and all kinds of wildlife.
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Untitled-design-6.png300300ChrisPodcasthttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngChrisPodcast2017-04-20 06:00:192021-02-27 18:54:07Episode 43: Helping Your Clients Deal With Pet Loss Grief With Wendy Van de Poll
On this episode, Bella talks with Carey Conley, speaker and Co-Creator of Infinite Nation; a community created for skill building, mentorship, and community for aspiring leaders and business owners.
Carey Conley
Bella and Carey talk about:
Why “Vision is Victory”….especially for entrepreneurs
The biggest stumbling blocks for people to actually put a vision down on paper and follow through with it
What happens when people try to run a business without a clear, concise vision
Community and accountability
You can find out more about Carey Conley and the services she offers on her website at InfiniteNation.com. You can email her directly at carey@careyconley.com
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Untitled-design-6.png300300ChrisPodcasthttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngChrisPodcast2017-03-23 06:00:412021-02-27 18:59:13Episode 39: Vision Is Victory With Carey Conley
On this episode Bella speaks with George Thomas, Inbound Marketing & Brand Strategist for The Sales Lion. George also specializes in training people on HubSpot.
George Thomas
George spent 15 years working in a traditional marketing agency to design and build websites and other types of content. George then joined The Sales Lion where as an inbound designer and brand strategist. There his daily contributions include inbound strategy and design, HubSpot intensive training, speaking at conferences, content marketing, and social media marketing as well as business management and development.
George and Bella discuss branding. In particular, they talk about:
How to get started in video
How long videos should be
How often you should be putting out content
How to push your content in multiple formats
Changing your thinking to being a production company first.
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Untitled-design-6.png300300ChrisPodcasthttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngChrisPodcast2017-03-16 06:00:042021-02-27 18:58:38Episode 38: Branding & Content Marketing With George Thomas
Tarran Deane is Australia’s Corporate Cinderella a Leadership Development Company. Tarran works with executives, entrepreneurs, experts and emerging leaders to increase their personal effectiveness, capability, communication and commercial savviness. Bringing a maverick edge, and entrepreneurial trends to established businesses and organizations, Tarran boldly challenges, honors and equips people to shift the performance of their organization’s people, practice, and profit. Tarran intentionally cuts through the whispered frustrations of workplaces today, equipping you to lead strategically and tactically in the fast pace of real life @ work, so you and your team can get the job done and love the company you’re in. A sought-after international keynote speaker, Tarran’s warmth, humor and 43,000 hours in leadership have helped more than 26,000 audience members to hit the shift key and lead like they mean it with boldness and humility.
Bella and Tarran discuss:
How as a woman to be taken seriously in the corporate world
In this episode, Bella talks to Britney Young. Britney is a digital marketing professional and social media enthusiast. Her day-to-day life as a social media marketing manager includes: finding/curating relevant content to post to social channels, analyzing post data and post performance to see key trends or spikes in engagement, looking for relevant industry influencers to connect with, and responding to customer inquires, etc.
They discuss:
What a social marketing manager does
The pros and cons of using automatic republishers like Meet Edgar
How often should you post
What should you be posting
What you should be doing with all of those pet pictures you post
Their favorite apps for doctoring up pictures
The differences in the social media channels and a good workflow for pushing one post through many of them.
Focusing your efforts on a few selected channels.
Knowing your audience and finding out what channel works best for them.Apps mentioned:
– Canva
– Abobe Spark
– Pixaby
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.png00ChrisPodcasthttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngChrisPodcast2017-01-19 06:26:212021-02-27 19:09:11Episode 30: Proven Social Media Marketing Methods
In this episode of “Bella In Your Business”, Bella is joined once again by Kate McQuillan from PawsomeMedia. They discuss the timeless question they always get, “How do I get more pet sitting and dog walking clients?”
List All The Services You Offer On Your Website:
In order to get more pet sitting and dog walking clients, Bella notes that people search for many different terms. For instance, she says that if you are dog groomer and you want to groom small dogs or even cats, make sure you list that. Someone looking to get a cat groomed likely won’t search for a dog groomer first. Make sure you are putting all the services you offer, along with descriptions, on your website. Kate notes you should really review your website periodically and make sure what you want out there is very clear.
Promote Yourself On Facebook:
Kate mentions that people often get caught up sharing pet pics, memes and news, but should not forget to put out something everyday about what you do. Images, articles you have written and tips are all good ways to do that. Also, make sure you have filled out all the about sections in Facebook, especially the contact information. Also make sure your banner clearly says what you do. Facebook pages get Googled and so having all of that information in there may actually help you show up more often in Google searches. For those who feel such promotion is too “salesy” Bella recommends you check out “Gary V” (Gary Vaynerchuk ) who has a book called Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to tell your story in a noisy social world. He writes that it is about giving value, value, value, and then a sale. Bella says it’s ok to keep sharing valuable items, but don’t forget the “right hook”!
Blog About What You Do:
Bella says to blog and talk about what you do. Discuss things like “How much does dog grooming cost?”, “Should I get my cat groomed?”, “How do I train my dog?”. She says to take every question people ask you, use the exact question as the title of your blog post, and then answer it. She says it’s not only good for SEO (getting higher placement in Google results), but also gives you an “arsenal” to use when people call with questions. Ask them for their email address and send them the blog post that answers that question. Kate points out that you also need to SHARE your blog post (see tip #2)! And don’t forget to reshare things you wrote months and years ago. Keep sharing it for those who may not have seen it the first time. And revisit them periodically to “tidy” them up and make them more current.
Make Free Downloads For Your Site:
Kate suggests that you offer things on your site like free EBooks you create or checklists (like one on things to do before your next vacation), cleaning tips, etc. It doesn’t always have to be about the services you offer, just things that are useful to your customers.
Create and use “Bark Cards”
When you are out performing mobile services (grooming, pet sitting, dog walking) and you (dog) hear barking at a neighbor’s house, your worker can leave one of these bark cards. Bark cards are small postcards with a picture of a barking dog you get made up that say “BARK, BARK, BARK, BARK, BARK”. On the back leave the top half blank and on the bottom put your branding, list of services, and contact info. In the blank area, take a pen and write something like. “I think I heard a small dog and they were saying ‘Come groom me! Come groom me!’. I was in the neighborhood and if you call me for more information I would like to offer you….” Bella says these cards are shocking and attention grabbing. They also target your demographic. Personalization in key with these cards.
Email Marketing:
Kate said to make better use of the email addresses you have collected through newsletter sign ups, or people opting in to your free downloads. Send information periodically to ensure people remember who you are and what you offer. Bella suggests it could be a “drip campaign” where you have a series of say 5 emails go out over a period of time or it could be a short periodic newsletter. Kate notes that email is important because not everybody is on Facebook or checking out your website, but they may likely be checking email.
Talk To Vets
Bella says a lot of pet business owners just walk into a vet’s office, drop their cards and leave. More than likely the cards get dropped in the trash. So Bella recommends that you build a relationship with the vet’s office manager. People rarely ask the vet about pet sitting or grooming services, but they do ask the front office staff or call in with that kind of question.
Start A Facebook Group:
Kate says that you start a private Facebook group not to sell services but to allow customers and members of the group to get to know you personally. Members get to know each other, build relationships, talk about pets, etc., and build a good community.
Start A Dog Walking Club!
Bella says that by starting these clubs you will have a micro area of people all interested in the same thing. Do it with your existing customers to build up brand loyalty or expose them to other services you offer. You can encourage them to bring a friend. You could start one at an apartment complex and have the complex promote the club as an activity. Kate suggests you could combine that with the private Facebook group as well.
Create Competition
Kate recommends that you create competition events as they are a good way to get new clients. But do it right! Don’t just do a like and share campaign. Really plan it out. Kate has more information about doing so in her online marketing academy which Bella says is awesome!
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/bella-pet-sitting-industry-podcast-album-cover.jpg300300ChrisPodcasthttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngChrisPodcast2016-10-04 18:00:152021-02-27 19:17:39Episode 18: How to Get More Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Clients
In this episode of “Bella In Your Business”, Bella discusses whether you should still offer overnights if you have to pay per hour? This is a hot topic because during this election year many are talking about raising the minimum wage, in some places as high as $15/hour. In California, not only is the minimum wage being raised but they are mandating sick days and other things which are really going to cost businesses more and more money.
Education is Key to This Decision!
Bella emphasizes that you really need to educate yourself on the legislation in your particular state, what risk that implies for your business, and what it will cost your business to comply. She says she really wants you to focus on the right team members (bookkeeper, CPA, lawyer) and to reach out to your state’s Department of Labor. Learn as much as you can and then make your own educated decision. Don’t listen to everyone on Facebook or your competitors! Just because someone else elects to take one action doesn’t mean it’s the right one.
So, should you still offer overnights? The easy answer for some will be no because they figure if they have to pay someone $15/hour for 8-10 hours, they would have to charge at least $200 for an overnight and they believe their clients would never pay that. Bella points out, that could mean you are automatically giving up (what is on average) 20% of your revenue. In short, she recommends that you still offer overnights even if you have to pay per hour.
Put it on your website (with or without the price) and make sure you price it according to the 30/30/40 rule (30% for the business, 30% for you, and 40% for wages). Just be aware of what happens when you get to 40 hours (another great question to ask your state’s Department of Labor).
Remember, you don’t get to decide what is too expensive. Your clients do. If a client does tell you it is too much, simply explain why it is that high. Then offer them a less expensive alternative like 3 visits a day. Let them know that it will probably be alright but if they feel that still isn’t enough then they could try the overnight option.
How To Sell Overnights:
Bella points out that if you don’t at least offer the option then visitors coming to your site looking for that option will “bounce” over to another service’s site. Leave it on there. Keep them on your site. Engage them in a conversation giving them the reasoning and statistics and let them make the decision.
Another question to ask your state’s Department of Labor is whether or not you are exempt from the minimum wage due to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) which states that people who make less than $500,000 don’t have to adhere to it.
Add More Value:
You could also consider additional value for these overnights like perhaps sending video and photos. You might include things like taking out the trash and/or sorting the mail. Add value to the overnights and make them exclusive benefits. Any of these additional values can help make a client feel better about spending the money.
Bella points out that in reality most pets are perfectly fine sleeping by themselves and that the real benefit offered in overnights is making the client feel less guilty about leaving their precious pet. So let’s appeal to them and keep offering this service. Because if you don’t you have no idea just how much money you might be leaving on the table and walking away.
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/bella-pet-sitting-industry-podcast-album-cover.jpg300300ChrisPodcasthttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngChrisPodcast2016-09-22 13:01:312021-02-27 19:18:18Episode 17: Should Pet Sitters Still Offer Overnights If They Have To Pay Per Hour?
In this episode of “Bella In Your Business”, Bella discusses getting rid of “bad apples” otherwise known as bad relationships. At some point in your personal or professional life you have had that person who is a vampire of your time or energy. And they can be very influential in your life.
You need to constantly take inventory because it is said you are the sum of the 5 closest people in your life. Bella says she sees a lot of pet business owners not “trimming the fat” of these toxic relationships when it is really necessary and they end up with “tummy aches”.
Bella Has Dealt With Bad Apples…
Bella confesses that she has had to deal with “bad apples” over the years. She reminds us that some “bad apples” may not have started that way. Life can change people. And sometimes it is even harder to get rid of someone if your relationship with them started out great.
Consequences To Keeping Negative People Around:
There are many negative things that can result from keeping “bad apples” in your company. For one, it could put you in a bad mood and that might spill out in the next conversation you have with a client or another employee. You may be disappointed in yourself because you know that you are being walked all over. Or you might feel stressed or scared over what retaliation might happen if you do dissolve or walk away from that relationship.
These types of toxic relationships are like a disease. They can continue to grow and take over more and more of your life and spoil a lot of things. We need to protect ourselves, our business, and our employees.
Are YOU The Bad Apple?
Of course, it doesn’t always have to be a bad worker. Sometimes YOU can be the “bad apple” as sometimes it is a bad boss. Are you the one creating bad relationships? For instance, if instead of helping and building up employees who seem to ask the same questions all the time, you lose your patience and yell at them. Bella references a recent article that points to bad bosses as being among the chief reason people leave their jobs.
But whether you or one of your employees is the bad apple, not addressing it can have consequences on your business. It can affect morale if employees see you treating another employee badly or if you accept bad behavior from another. If you allow a “bad apple” to stick around it takes the power away from you for running your business. For instance, if someone has a lot of job responsibilities and they develop a chip on their shoulder it could bring about a negative attitude that will multiply when you bring in others to start taking on some of that person’s responsibilities.
So when people have a “bad apple”, why don’t they take care of it right away? Fear. They might be afraid that by getting rid of that person there is some service or benefit that person still supplies that they will lose.
Don’t Fear The Break Up Of The Bad Relationships:
It could be fear of retaliation or of getting sued. For that fear Bella suggests that you have a good team of legal and HR professionals you use who can help guide you through the correct process. She points out that fear is just not understanding information. Bella says that if you have more information and knowledge you are more able to make better decisions in life. Do not let fear hold you back!
There is also a fear of who you will get to replace the “bad apple”. To that, Bella says always be hiring. Even when you think you don’t really have the business to support a new hire, still consider it. Because, if you find the right candidate and you have the right pricing structure and strategies in place, you can be instantly boosting business and getting the new person some work.
Another fear is that of the unemployment rate going up. Many business owners are afraid that the terminated employee will file for unemployment potentially causing their unemployment rate to go up. Bella says, once again, the best way to overcome that fear is to educate yourself. Call up your state’s Department of Labor and find out what it would mean if the terminated employee filed. But, don’t be afraid to fire them even if your unemployment is going up. Just compare that increase to what it may cost you by maybe ticking off some of your best clients or missing out on opportunities or not having your sanity day to day.
Is It Really Them, Or You?
One final important point that Bella stresses is that once you realize that an employee is a “Bad Apple”, and you choose to keep them on staff, they are no longer the problem. You are! You are the problem. Holding on to “bad apples”, in addition to giving you headaches, will hold your business back from becoming everything you dreamed it would be. You have every right to build the team you want, with great relationships, and people that work well with you!
Just remember, you are going to get back what you give. If you show people that you appreciate them and that you care, they will give that back to you tenfold. But if you are constantly struggling with hiring and finding the right people for you business, or you are having trouble with people respecting your business, or there is a constant struggle with your team, you might just want to take a deep look inside yourself. It’s just possible that you might just be the “bad apple”!
In this episode of “Bella In Your Business”, Bella is joined by Kate McQuillan from Pawsome Media. They dismantle the myths surrounding the fear of delegation in pet sitting businesses and discuss the profitable advantages of it.
Bella leads off by talking about her first delegation experience with the website Fancy Hands , a website that for a small fee will perform a few simple tasks for you. But she warns that your instructions need to be clear to ensure the task is done as you expect. She says it’s like “the bootcamp for learning how to delegate.” Doing this, will decrease your fear of delegation.
Bella then talks about how she moved up to getting a virtual assistant (VA) and how with that she learned that prioritizing tasks for the VA is key. She realized that she also needed to communicate how many hours she expected to be spent on the task as it better clarified the expectations and led to both her and the VA feeling a sense of control over the task. Kate pointed out that setting expectations on both sides is a very important step.
Kate then says that she feels that if you are going to delegate a task, make it one that needs to be repeated periodically. Doing so means that the time you spend setting up the expectations for the task the first time, will in essence, be training the assistant to do it in the future. As you set up expectations and outline the process for each task, you are essentially at the same time building an employee handbook. It becomes time well spent!
Kate also points out that you need to make sure you are putting a task in the hands of the right person. For instance, more complicated repetitive tasks are best done by someone like a VA who is consistently the same person, rather than using FancyHands or Fiverr ) where you may not be getting the same person each time. Bella points out that mindless one-off tasks are better suited for those sites.
At this point Kate manages to blow Bella’s mind by suggesting that you have your VA document the process while they are doing the task. As Bella puts it, “Delegating the Delegation!”
Bella then tells the listeners not to get discouraged when finding the right VA. She points out that just like hiring, sometimes a person does not work out. Or, even when you find the right VA, they may have to leave for personal or family reasons. She reinforces this by relating an experience she had. Kate adds that sometimes you or your needs change and that you should not be afraid to change your VA if things stop working out.
Bella mentions that some VAs can be more expensive than others but may bring a bigger skill set that can ultimately make you more productive. She points out how critical a VA was in helping her organize and publish the first ever comprehensive chart of all the software companies in the pet sitting field. Kate says to think of it as an investment rather than a cost as it may help you and your business make more money.
Kate then discusses how one of the biggest hurdles people have in moving to delegating is the fear of letting go. They are afraid that someone else can’t do it as well as they can do it. She says rather than fear it, use it as an opportunity to examine and streamline the process. You just may make it more efficient!
Kate mentions that one online tool she has found very helpful for delegation is Trello. It’s a free tool for putting up lists of tasks (which can be shared with others like your VA) and setting up a project timeline. Bella notes that visually it reminds her of Pinterest.
Since they have gotten on the topic of technology tools, Bella points out that most of us probably only use about 20% of the functionality of the tools we use. So she encourages the listeners to take the time to look at the tools website or seek out tutorials in order to really learn how to the get the most out of each tool! Kate adds that she has tried to take the time this year to do just that.
Bella says that business owners should always make sure that their business is healthy and you always have enough money set aside to pour back into the business. You can then use the “business” money to invest in these tools and processes that will ultimately help you grow your business.
They wrap up by stressing the importance of streamlining the processes and delegating the tasks. Kate also points out that there are some tasks, like contracts, that ABSOLUTELY should be delegated to the appropriate professionals, like lawyers. Bella agrees as she has had other business owners come and ask her for her service contract or her employee manual to use in their businesses, prompting her to ask “Do you want my underwear too?” A perfect way to end an episode.
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/bella-pet-sitting-industry-podcast-album-cover.jpg300300ChrisPodcasthttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngChrisPodcast2016-08-02 10:19:042021-02-27 19:19:21Episode 15: How to Get Rid of the Fear of Delegation
In this episode of “Bella In Your Business”, Bella discusses whether or not you should offer a discount daily dog walks. She covers points on both sides of the issue.
Bella starts by stressing that before even considering a discount for daily dog walks, you really should know just how much profit you make off of a dog walk or pet visit. She points out that many company owners aren’t fully cognizant of that number or even understand how the costs and profits are divided. Bella points out that some of the money goes to the employee who walked the dog (usually a fixed amount) and some of that money should go to your business to cover expenses and business profit. Finally, some money needs to go directly to you the owner, so that you are paying your salary.
Can You Even Afford it?
When offering a discount on a daily dog walk you have to decide out of which of these pots that discount will be taken. You can’t really pay your employee less, so it will need to come out of either your pot or the business’. If your business has stabilized costs, you may be able to find some money in the business pot to support the discount. But if you are in a period of steadily increasing expenses, then you may not have it there. Bella advises you to be careful about taking discounts out of your own pot as many business owners hurt themselves by not paying themselves enough to sustain themselves, and the business.
Discounting Can Be Good!
On the pro-discount side, Bella talks about how even “rich people” like discounts and
you should not be offended if someone asks you to discount daily dog walks.
She even suggests that you set a higher “standard” rate and that the “discount” you offer be actually in the range of what you need to keep the business growing. This could also be couched as a “Friends and Family” discount, or be given through package plans that encourage clients to use your services more often.
When You Should Never Discount
On the anti-discount side, Bella suggests that discounts on daily dog walks are not likely appropriate if your rates are currently low, especially if they barely cover costs. In those cases, it is best to gradually increase your rates to a level where you can offer discounts.
I once hear someone say “An expert is someone who knows a LITTLE bit more than someone else.” Hmm…This could be true, but it is also important to know who the expert is.
In addition to being an “expert” you need to have your niche. No one can possibly be an expert about everything. If they were, they would be God.
It annoys me to all get out when someone claims to know something about everything. We all know those people. They are usually the ones that either
a) End up messing everything up because of their ego or low self esteem.
b) End up leading the flocks of sheep into the loin’s den and not realize it until it is too late.
An expert, in my opinion, is someone who is proficient in a subject. They know a LOT more about something than everyone else. They are the ones that usually always have the answers, but are honorable and humble enough to say “I don’t know” when they don’t know.
An expert, usually has a niche. Niche. There is that word again. Webster define’s niche as a defined market. A defined market doesn’t include everything under the sun and beware of those who think their niche is everything under the sun.
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/photo_25752_20110103.jpg400297Bellahttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngBella2011-02-20 21:10:422016-01-28 12:32:33Who Exactly Is An Expert?
Danielle, I just don’t get it. It is all GREEK to me and none of this makes sense. What is social media? How does social media all go together? and WHY do I need it for my business? Can you explain it all to me please? – Kat
Sure! I would love to! The best way to explain is to first show you these two videos and then discuss each of the major social media components. I included a parody to try and explain it better!
Here is the first video. I am not responsible if it gets you really excited… it gets me every time!
Ok, so now that you are excited about what it can DO and how big it is from the video above…. lets try to break it down to a local level so you can apply it to your small business…
Basically it is broken down to these major components:
Website –Hosts everything!!!! It is like your PARENT and everything else You Tube, Facebook, Twitter, Digg) are the KIDS who bring the other neighborhood kids to your house.The more kids at your house, the more popular your house and you are the “coolest” on the “Pet Sitting or Dog Training street” The more popular you are, the easier it is for people to come to your house. You want people in your “house.” We are going to keep using this analogy.
Facebook– Place that has the LOUDEST voice that is calling kids into your home. Here, you have a DAILY interaction with your likers (kids) and are able to give them milk and cookies every day (like a “cool” parent would). There can be instant feedback and all the kids in your home have the best ability to call more people to your house (let’s say, on their “cell phones”) becasue of the SHARE buttons. Anytime something is posted on your website, it posts to Facebook, and then goes to Twitter.
You Tube –Videos… makes you come to life, lets you host your own channel, with all your branding around it. You can take these videos and bring them to your Website, and Facebook. They make you come ALIVE with being able to give a tour, a day in the life of, video biographies, highlighting products or services, or whatever you want. The possibilities are endless. People can “subscribe” to your channel, but the chances of this happening are very low on the scale. It is important to put in the RIGHT key words when uploading videos. Google holds you Tube Videos in HIGH ranking and they *will* come up when you do google searches if they are SEO’ed right (have the right key words) This is like kids at your house taking video and uploading them to the internet or to your Facebook/House to show everyone. This then results in more kids wanting to come to your house becasue it “looks” cool!
Twitter–Is for short conversations. Only 140 characters of less (like two sentences) Great points: to connect your website and facebook postings to it, becasue your followers might see what you are posting and click on it, therefor going to your website. You can update twitter as much as you want during the day becasue they are constant updates. However as a customer or client, few actually “follow” people. If you want to know what is going on with a business you can go to their Twitter page and read what they have been posting. How many people you are following doesn’t matter. to an extent. I would only recommend following people you want to keep in touch with or who are information resources. How many people follow you does matter. It tells how big your audience is. It is better to have quality than quantity. Think of this like kids being at your house and text messaging their friends to come over….there are just LOTS of text messages at a time.
Digg – Great information source again. This is depending on who “follows” you or “diggs” (sort of like a LIKE) your article. It is another way to connect your content to the world. People can be on Digg looking for information and go to the search box and pull up your info. Digg articles also show up on the search engines. Will this directly translate to customers? No. Will it possibly help with clicks to your site? Yes. Your Digg is connected to your site so any blog that is posted gets posted to Digg. Then it posts to Twitter. This is like a kid at your house throwing a newspaper out on the sidewalk and hoping that someone finds it.
Ok, so how does this all flow?
Website —> Facebook —>Twitter
Website —>Digg —-> Twitter
YouTube —>(gets posted on your Website)—->Facebook/Digg —–>Twitter
Posting Emails from icontact —-> Website —->Facebook/Digg —–>Twitter
Important things to remember:
*The more times links are out there with the CONTENT being hosted at your website, the BETTER chances of people clicking on your website.
*The more people who click on your website, the higher you will get in the the rankings.
*The more reviews you have, the more important you will be in the search engines.
*The more valuable content you post at a consistent pace, the more important you are to the search engines.
I hope this helps explain a little bit more… Let me know if you have any questions.
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/freebook.jpg118290Bellahttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngBella2011-01-10 11:49:462016-09-13 21:24:16What IS Social Media anyways? | Small Business Coaching
Bella, I just don’t get it. It is all GREEK to me and none of this makes sense. What is social media? How does it all go together? and WHY do I need social media in my pet sitting business? Can you explain it all to me please? – Kat
Sure! I would love to! The best way to explain is to first show you these two videos and then discuss each of the major social media components. I included a parody to try and explain it better!
Here is the first video. I am not responsible if it gets you really excited… it gets me every time!
Ok, so now that you are excited about what it can DO and how big it is from the video above…. lets try to break it down to a local level so you can apply it to your small business…
Creating The Flow Of Social Media In My Pet Sitting Business:
Your Website Hosts Everything!
It is like your PARENT and everything else YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Digg) are the KIDS who bring the other neighborhood kids to your house.The more kids at your house, the more popular your house and you are the “coolest” on the “Pet Sitting or Dog Training street” The more popular you are, the easier it is for people to come to your house. You want people in your “house.” We are going to keep using this analogy.
Facebook Has The Loudest Voice That Is Calling Kids Into Your Home
Here, you have a DAILY interaction with your likers (kids) and are able to give them milk and cookies every day (like a “cool” parent would). There can be instant feedback and all the kids in your home have the best ability to call more people to your house (let’s say, on their “cell phones”) because of the SHARE buttons. Anytime something is posted on your website, it posts to Facebook, and then goes to Twitter. Consider creating some groups and doing FB Live on a weekly basis to help your strategy as well.
Youtube Videos Make You Come To Life!
Social media for your pet sitting business can really explode by creating videos and hosting them on Youtube. It lets you host your own channel, with all your branding around it. You can take these videos and bring them to your Website, and Facebook. They make you come ALIVE with being able to give a tour, a day in the life of, video biographies, highlighting products or services, or whatever you want. The possibilities are endless. People can “subscribe” to your channel, but the chances of this happening are very low on the scale. It is important to put in the RIGHT key words when uploading videos. Google holds you Tube Videos in HIGH ranking and they *will* come up when you do google searches if they are SEO’ed right (have the right key words) This is like kids at your house taking video and uploading them to the internet or to your Facebook/House to show everyone. This then results in more kids wanting to come to your house because it “looks” cool!
Short Conversations are for Twitter
Only 140 characters of less (like two sentences) Great points: to connect your website and facebook postings to it, because your followers might see what you are posting and click on it, therefore going to your website. You can update twitter as much as you want during the day because they are constant updates. However as a customer or client, few actually “follow” people. If you want to know what is going on with a business you can go to their Twitter page and read what they have been posting. How many people you are following doesn’t matter. to an extent. I would only recommend following people you want to keep in touch with or who are information resources. How many people follow you does matter. It tells how big your audience is. It is better to have quality than quantity. Think of this like kids being at your house and text messaging their friends to come over….there are just LOTS of text messages at a time.
Digg is a super information source!
This is depending on who “follows” you or “diggs” (sort of like a LIKE) your article. It is another way to connect your content to the world. People can be on Digg looking for information and go to the search box and pull up your info. Digg articles also show up on the search engines. Will this directly translate to customers? No. Will it possibly help with clicks to your site? Yes. Your Digg is connected to your site so any blog that is posted gets posted to Digg. Then it posts to Twitter. This is like a kid at your house throwing a newspaper out on the sidewalk and hoping that someone finds it.
How should you make it flow to help the social media for your pet sitting business?
Website —> Facebook —>Twitter
Website —>Digg —-> Twitter
YouTube —>(gets posted on your Website)—->Facebook/Digg —–>Twitter
Posting Emails from icontact —-> Website —->Facebook/Digg —–>Twitter
Important things to remember:
*The more times links are out there with the CONTENT being hosted at your website, the BETTER chances of people clicking on your website.
*The more people who click on your website, the higher you will get in the the rankings.
*The more reviews you have, the more important you will be in the search engines.
*The more valuable content you post at a consistent pace, the more important you are to the search engines.
I hope this helps explain a little bit more… Let me know if you have any questions.
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Dollarphotoclub_49589633-1.jpg13632048Bellahttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngBella2011-01-10 11:49:462016-09-24 21:41:32Why Do I Need Social Media In My Pet Sitting Business?
“When doors open, it is still your responsibility to walk through them. So get stepping!!!” – Andrew P.
If you have ever had the opportunity to contract my pet sitting business coaching services, I start out by telling you that I have two rules.
RULE #1 – You are your own worst enemy.
RULE #2 – Who cares about the competition.
Rule #1 is the one I am about to focus on and rip apart. Are you ready?
So many times in life things leave us petrified by fear. Like the petrified forest in Muir Woods, nothing has changed in hundreds of years… Our own thoughts and perceptions in life is what holds up captive.
I meet so many smart, intelligent, creative minds through my pet sitting business coaching services… sometimes they are trapped by nothing else other than just themselves. So how does someone get out of it?
FOUR THINGS TO STEP OVER SO YOU CAN START STEPPING FORWARD!
1 – Get over yourself! Stop thinking that the world begins and ends with you… not everyone is watching you and you are not the best thing since sliced bread.
2 – You will make mistakes! The sooner you realize you are going to mess up, the easier it will be to accept it. You are not perfect. Just when you are able to take the step and have someone JUMP with you (www.jumpconsulting.net) then it will be easier along the way because I will look back and tell you “Don’t make that mistake. I did and it sucked!”
3 – You can’t always make everyone happy.Don’t let your fear of not for filling others plans for your life prevent you from moving forward. The more you know about yourself and who you are, the easier this will be. Not everyone is going to agree with your decisions, but in order to move forward with confidence, you need to be confident in yourself.
4- Stand up to the voices in your life that are not you. All too often, while trying to impress others, we give up self in order to fulfil their projected outlook on our lives. THEY DON’T MATTER (to an extent). You must have a strong sense of self, direction, and passion to push forward. No family member, spouse, or friend can hold you back…unless you let them.
These are the same things that prevent us from setting goals. From turning dreams into reality. You attitude should be filled with I CAN. Not… “I can only if…” You must get rid of the stinking thinking, acknowledge that you are not perfect, you can’t always make everyone happy, and make a conscious promise to yourself to take a STAND in your life!!!!
You CAN do it. Why? Because no one else can do it for you.
If you would like that extra accountability, sounding board, and encouragement… consider shooting me an email. I love being a cheer leader with my pet sitting business coaching services to you. I have a big dose of motivation to push you forward for YOUR OWN goals..
https://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Taking-a-step-of-faith-4d2622714a37c.jpg189216Bellahttps://jumpconsulting.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JUMP-CONSULTING-LOGO-2018-2-01-2.pngBella2011-01-08 09:00:092016-09-17 22:49:07I Can’t Help The People That Aren’t Willing To Do These 4 Things | pet sitting business coaching services
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Bella and Tarran discuss:
