Henrietta: The Dish

Henrietta

 

How to find a market for your writing

Whether you're a new writer or a writer of repute that is looking to break into new markets here is a quick top seven list for you to make the change from becoming published to becoming even more published. Regardless of whether you're a new or established writer there are no shortcuts to success and publication. Writing is hard work and requires perseverance and dedication. 

Here are our top bits of advice on getting your foot in the door of a new market:

1. Uncover new solutions to ongoing problems. Is there an easier, quicker way to get your dog to take his pill? Have you found a foolproof way to keep pet hair off your furniture? Write about it.
2. Money-saving tips. Regardless of the current economic times, who doesn't want to save money? No one that I know of. If you have money-saving solutions to everyday problems, pitch it to an editor. 
3. Being proactive. Why not offer the readers ways to prevent problems from ever happening? If you have tips on preventative measures to age-old issues such as keeping your carpets flea-free or keeping Fluffy from jumping on the guests, write about it. 
4. Make a list. Readers love lists. With the limited time that people have to devote to reading and leisure, offer a quick Top 10 list. 
5. Take it from me... Readers enjoy learning vicariously through the writer, with whom they are identifying as the expert in this situation. 
6. Technology solutions. With the proliferation of Smartphones and netbooks, there are myriad apps that can offer quick and easy solutions to everyday problems. If you've found an app for that, write about it. 
7. Pssst, I've got a secret. How many times have you picked up a magazine and seen titles such as, "Secrets to rapid weight loss," or "Secrets to puppy housebreaking success"? Everyone wants in on a secret. Tell yours. 

What's your secret to success in breaking into a new market?

 

Are people flocking to your blog? Draw them in

Regardless of whether you’re a business owner or an individual with a dream, you want people to know about you and buy your “stuff,” right? If you have a blog you can become known as an expert, a thought leader, and can use your blog to engage your readers.

Are there bloggers out there that you simply love to read – so much so that you can’t get through a day without checking them out? What do they have that you don’t? They’ve found a way to make their blog a place where things are happening and they want to be part of it. What do the other pet bloggers have that you don’t? Probably a niche. What’s yours? If you can find it you can corner the market on it and soon readers will be flocking to your blog like kittens to a milk dish!

Here are five tips to draw them in:

1.  Be interesting. This may sound like a no-brainer but sometimes blog writers forget about that. Here are a few ways to help make you interesting: a) use “how to” titles; b) use lists, top 10s, etc.; c) offer money saving tips; d) write about what’s topical today; e) be unique
2. Is your content easy to read? Do your sentences flow smoothly into one another? Do you stay on topic? If your title says, “How to save money on pet food” but you write about, “What’s the best organic food for your pet,” you are in the same topic area but not on topic. As with newspaper articles, get to the point quickly because readers will stop reading if you haven’t engaged them within the first paragraph or two. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, numbers.
3. Are you using SEO (search engine optimized key words)? While you don’t want to write for the search engines you do want to be found. If you’re writing about dogs, use that key word, if you are writing about poodles and want to be found on that topic, be specific.
4. Talk to me. Does your blog allow for comments? Do you ask questions in your blog that writers would be interested in engaging in with you?
5. Be shameless… in your self-promotion. If you’re writing a blog, don’t just hope that readers will find you; take their virtual hand and lead them toward your blog. Promote yourself on Facebook, Twitter, add sharing buttons to your posts, tell your friends and ask them to share your information.

How will you set yourself apart and draw readers to your blog – not only draw them there, but keep them reading. 

 

 

Want to be a published pet writer? Make a plan

You’ve written a book on, oh let’s say, “How To Write A Romance” and now you’re looking to snag a publisher. Which one will you choose? The book publisher that only publishes scholarly tomes on ancient Egyptian history or one that publishes sci-fi cozy mysteries? No, you will want to find a publisher that specializes in romance publishing, right? It would seem obvious but there are many people I found in my career as an editor who will simply see the work “publisher” in a search and drop their manuscript in the mail.

When I published my magazine – which was for writers and discussed the craft of writing – I would receive manuscripts on how to grow a garden, the number one brake pad on the market or the best grooming tips for your poodle. What the heck? Did they not read our guidelines? Apparently not, right? But, the worst part was when the writer would argue with me about the greatness of their manuscript and that I should publish it. Word to the wise… don’t argue with the editor.

Okay, back to the topic at hand, how to put together a killer book proposal:

• Keep your proposal to one page. Draft it up, summarize the book, who you are, why you wrote the book, and your skill
• Include a two sentence biography
• Include market research about your book, write a marketing plan
• A brief description of the book, with a hook to drag the publisher in
• Details about your manuscript, how long is the book, is it a good candidate for an ebook format
• What makes your book stand out from the crowd
• Include your chapter titles
• A sales pitch for the book – your tagline, as it were
• Who is the audience for you book? The “general public” is too general, you need to let the publisher know that “my book’s target audience is aspiring romance writers and that there are 1.2 million (I just made that up!) aspiring romance writers and they’re my potential audience”
• Are you involved in the industry in which your book is targeted? For example, if your book is about the manufacturing of widgets and you’re a stay-at-home-mom who’s never seen a widget in her life, what makes you an authority on the subject?

All this information and more will be covered in my BlogPaws 2011 seminar session on Saturday morning! Have any questions you’d like me to answer? Send them along. 

 

Don't forget your post-Blogpaws follow ups

You had a great time at BlogPaws, right? You handed out business cards, collected business cards, shook hands, petted pets and vowed to keep in touch. How's that working out? Have you connected? Here are some tips for post-conference follow up:

1. Strike while the iron's hot. Sure, you're busy and trying to catch up from the conference but you need to contact those with whom you've connected -- even if it's a brief email reminder with a promise of a longer communication at a later time. 
2. Remind the contact of who you are and how you met. If you've connected with people from PetSmart, for example, imagine how many people they talked with. Did you have a particular conversation that you can spark their memory with? If so, do that so they remember who you were and the reason for your connection. 
3. Even if you're a social media guru who is looking to pick up new clients, don't let that be your first communication with a contact -- unless they specifically said, "Contact me about some work I might have for you."
4. If you're Friending people on Facebook, make certain you send a personal message with it -- again so they remember who you are and why you connected. 
5. Plan for meet ups for next year in Salt Lake City. BlogPaws 2012 will be here before you know it! 

How far are you into your follow ups?

 

Blog locally be found globally

While it's true that your blogging can -- and will -- be read by people from all around the world, have you ever considered blogging for the locals? If you're a pet blogger, chances are there is an animal shelter or rescue group in your area. There are probably even "meet ups" for people who love Poodles, Pugs, or Pomeranians, right? Are there agility groups that come to your neck of the woods? How about a dog or cat show? Who's writing about it? No one? Well, there's your niche!

If you've ever worked at a newspaper you can become a bit of a celebrity with the stories that you cover and the same goes for your blogging about local pet happenings. Do a Google search for animal-related events in your area -- choose a 50 mile radius -- then start making contacts. Send some emails, introduce yourself, send links to your blog, let them know that you're the go-to personal for all things animal! 

From the small events to the large, you will have fodder for your blogging, make contacts within your local community which can then help you spread your influence to the larger pet community. Starting small, especially if you're just starting out as a blogger, is a fantastic way to build a reputation and grow your readership! 

 

Conference planning: Make the most of it!

If you weren't already aware, Blogpaws 2011 is fast approaching! Have you taken time to make your plan for the event? Here are a few of my favorite conference-attending-getting-ready-tips for you:

1. Check out the program and decide which sessions you want to attend. The best way to determine this is to have an idea of what you want to get out of the conference; is it networking, learning more about writing, monetizing your blog, finding a publisher, etc. 
2. Dress for the weather. Sure, it's warm outside but the air conditioning in hotel conference rooms range from steamy to downright hypothermia inducing. Bring a sweater. 
3. If you're bringing your beloved pet, make arrangements for him or her to be entertained while you attend sessins. If you're leaving your pet in the room, make arrangements for him to not escape if housekeeping makes its rounds. 
4. Bring business cards. Don't have business cards or don't think you need them? If you don't have something on it with your name, email, phone, etc. how will any connections you make at the conference remember you or get in touch? There are many sites at which you can get free business cards. You'll be glad you didn't leave home without them. 
5. Following the conference, don't forget to follow up. Chances are you will shake a lot of hands, collect a lot of business cards and make numerous connections. Send a follow up email after you get home, remind the contact of your connection and keep in touch until next time! 

This is just a quick and dirty list to get you thinking about what you'll need to do for this -- and any -- conference. Bear in mind that at times conferences can get overwhelming and you can get information overload but relax, have fun and shake a lot of paws! 

Be sure to look me up, say hello and attend my Saturday 11:30 am seminar, Snag the Publisher, Advertiser or Sponsor of Your Dreams. 

 

Is your four-legged friend conference ready?

The countdown to Blogpaws 2011 continues and I am in the midst of stringing up a dog bone chain -- you know like the ones you made out of red and green construction paper at Christmas time when you were a kid. I've made my travel plans, have found a  roomie for the conference and have made my plans for Henrietta to be taken care of while I am away. 

Blogpaws is a great event for pet lovers who are coming with pets in tow and I'd love to bring Henrietta but I know her limitations with crowds and especially with unfamiliar locations, sights, sounds and yes, other four-legged would-be friends. Hen and I have driven cross country three times now and she is an amazing traveling companion when strapped firmly into her harness and surrounded by the sounds of the road and her toys, blanket and food dish. When we stop at rest stops and hotels for the evening though, she works herself into a state of anxiety that isn't good for either of us. She paces, pants, jumps (and barks) at every noise -- not good for a restful night's sleep for either myself or the other hotel guests. 

Typically when we make a rest stop there other families traveling along with their beloved pets and again, it is a time fraught with high tension for Henrietta. As much as it pains me to consider leaving her home and for as much as I know she will pant, pace and fret while I am gone, her anxiety levels will be much lower if she stays behind than if she travels along to Virginia. 

The point of all of this? Do you have pet etiquette? Is your pet going to be a good guest and a good attendee at Blogpaws, or anywhere that you take him or her along with you? Will your pet be nervous or is he one of those pets that simply thrives in chaos and new environments? Does your pet make a good hotel roommate? Will he or she play nice with others in the doggy daycare setting? 

Believe me, it's very hard for me to not want to bring Henrietta along to show her off because she is the "cutest and best Poodle in the whole entire world," as I tell her every night but she's not much of a partygoer and we know our limitations. 

Make sure you track me down at the conference because believe me, I have a telephone full of pictures of Henrietta! 

 

 

Top 10 signs you spend too much time with your pet

There comes a time in every pet lover’s life when you have to ask yourself, “Is it possible that I need to interact with humans more often?” If you’ve ever wondered if you spend too much time home
alone with Fluffy or Fido, here’s a checklist to make that determination:

1. You look over to the pillow next to you and ask your pet if he thinks it’s time to get up yet.
2. Before you get dressed you pull out a couple of outfits and ask your pet, “Do these jeans make my butt look fat?”
3. You greet visitors with a belly rub rather than a hello.
4. You’ve stopped talking back to the television and ask your pet, “Can you believe Snookie just said that?”
5. When friends ask how old your dog is you say, “Oh, she’s 37 months old.” And you can – and will – let them know not only the date and time she was born, but her weight and length as well.
6. Your dog sits in a chair at the opposite end of the dinner table for all of the meals and you keep up a running commentary about the news topics of the day.
7. Your social and/or dating calendar revolves around your pet. There are simply times when she seems out of sorts so you cancel dates.
8. Your dog’s wardrobe is more extensive than your own.
9. When you talk about “Sam” with new acquaintances, it takes them a while to realize Sam is a four-legged companion, not a two-legged one.
10. Your dogs’ birthday parties more elaborate than the ones you’d planned for your children.

I will admit that a couple of the items in the top ten jump out at me for reasons I should get out of the house more, but then Henrietta is not seeming herself today so I can run those errands tomorrow, right?

 

What's all this Weiner talk about?

I can't remember if I've ever mentioned this, but my Mom always listens to talk radio. I mean, where's the music or the soothing sounds of puppies barking? Anyway, getting back to the topic of this post... for the last few days all I have been hearing on the radio is talk about "weiner." Naturally, I ran around looking for some Oscar Meyer or Zweigle's in my dinner dish, to no avail. 

Then I realized, it's a Congressman? I mean, really don't get a poodle's hopes up if it's all just a tease and there is going to be no good, beefy follow-through in my dinner. Current events, who needs 'em?

Tips to keep your pet safe in an emergency

By now, everyone has heard of the tragedies that have struck the mid-West and it got me to thinking about how prepared -- or unprepared -- am I to take care of Henrietta in the event of an emergency. Sure, she is small enough to grab up and run but what happens after that? What about food, water, hermedical records. If my area of the country was struck by a tornado or a flood, how would I do the simple things like hold onto her in the face of a torrent from Mother Nature?

There are countless tragic and heartbreaking as well as uplifting stories being told about pets being reunited with their families and that made me wonder -- Henrietta is an indoor dog (to the point of being a house cat!) how would she survive if we were separated? She is skittish around strangers, too bold around animals bigger than herself and has never had to fend for herself. It got me thinking...

Here are some tips put forth by the federal government on how to prepare your pet and its care in an emergency situation (paraphrased):

• Food: Keep at least three days of food in an airtight, waterproof container.
• Water: Store at least three days of water specifically for your pets, in addition to water you need for yourself and your family.
• Medicines and medical records: Keep an extra supply of medicines your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container.

• First aid kit: Talk to your veterinarian about what is most appropriate. Most kits should include cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solution. Include a pet first aid reference book.
• Collar with ID tag, harness or leash: Your pet should wear a collar with its rabies tag and identification at all times. Include a backup leash, collar and ID tag in your pet’s emergency supply kit.
• Important documents: Place copies of your pet’s registration information, adoption papers, vaccination documents and medical records in a clean plastic bag or waterproof container and also add them to your kit.
• Crate or other pet carrier: If you need to evacuate in an emergency situation take your pets and animals with you, provided that it is practical to do so.
• Sanitation: Include pet litter and litter box if appropriate.
• A picture of you and your pet together: If you become separated from your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet. Include detailed information about species, breed, age, sex, color and distinguishing characteristics.
• Familiar items: Put items that will make your pet more comfortable in an unusual environment – blankets, chew toys, etc.

You should pack an emergency kit for your pet and all of your family members and keep it in a closet by the front door. In the event of an emergency situation, you want to be able to grab the items and go. Check the items every few months and replace as needed -- in the event the food becomes outdated, etc.

While you hope it never happens to you, in an emergency situation, it's always better to be prepared well in advance.