Henrietta: The Dish

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. 

 

 

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. 

 

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 up with the whole grooming thing?

Every month or so mom gets a bug up her bottom about how I might not smell as good as I should. So, guess what? Rather than her spraying on some perfume or putting a clothes pin on her nose, I have to be the one to pay the price and head off to the groomer. I mean, while I as a Diva Poodle, are above mere mortal dogs I happen to revel in my own special doggy smell. Apparently Mom doesn't share my thoughts so she packs me into the car and off I go. 

In case I didn't mention it, I love a good car ride but for some reason I knew when she was sing-songing about "who wants to go for a car ride?" that it boded ill for me. I'm not sure how I knew but I did. I was right. 

She took me to the Old Dogge Inn for a grooming. Sure, the ladies there are very nice but there are too many dogs barking and cats meowing and the shavers are loud and make my skin tingle and I am not fond of the water and shampoo and I WANT MY MOM! But, she doesn't care and leaves me there for the three hours until I am no longer a hostage. 

When Mom finally comes back -- even though I am SO mad at her -- I run across the counter, jump into her arms and snuggle in. Once we get home I will shun her and make her feel guilty but for now, I just want her to GET ME OUTTA HERE! 

The only good thing about a bath and a haircut is that I do get new clothes out of it all. But, couldn't she just buy me clothes and forgo the bath? Sigh. Apparently not. 

Finding your niche in writing about pets

You love your dog, cat, ferret or fish, right? They are amazing, fun, do the coolest things and you find a way to talk about them to everyone you meet. Your Facebook profile starts with, "I love my bossy poodle..." Oh  it, that's mine! 

So you've determined you have a passion for your pet and you'd like to spread the word about him or her, right? Do you have a blog? Are you thinking of starting a blog in which you can write about your pet? What's holding you back? Is it lack of time? Are you unsure of what you'd write about? Read on for 5 tips to get you started in the pet blogosphere:

1.  Find a focus/your audience: Will your blog be about Fluffy or Fido's adorable antics? If so, who will be your audience? Are you writing/blogging about them for your own edification? To hone your writing skills? To get invited on Letterman for his Stupid Pet Tricks segment? All are good reasons, but if you're looking to grow your blog and gain a following you might want to expand it a bit. Perhaps you can focus on topics related to your pets' specific breed, what you did to train him and how long it took to pick up the new skill.

2.   How often will you blog: If you want to gain a following, your audience will want to see fresh content at least weekly. More than weekly -- at least three times - is ideal. If people click to your site a few times and don't see anything new, chances are they will lose interest and find another blog to follow. 

3.  How will you spread the word: Do you have your own personal Facebook or Twitter page or blog? Have you considered setting up a Fanpage for your pet's blog? It's a great way to find followers and promote your posts. 

4.  Will you be relevant: Pet rescues because of hurricanes or tsunamis, pet food recalls, heroic acts performed by dogs (perhaps by the same breed as your own dog) -- these are great topics to blog about (and link outside of your blog to other people who are talking about the same subject). Do you want to be looked to as an expert in a particular pet area? Blogging about current events can help make your blog more searchable. 

5.  Grammar and style matter: If you're a great idea person but not so great a speller, you may want to ask a friend to proofread your posts before they go live. In the past, bloggers were given a pass on bad grammar, spelling and punctuation, but no longer. Individuals who follow blogs are as interested in reading something that's well written as they are in reading something that's interesting. If nothing else, run your post through spell check but a second set of eyes can be your best friend when it comes to your posting. 

Pet bloggers are taking over the world! Okay, that may have been a bit dramatic, but pet bloggers are gaining notice and recognition within the blog world. Pet lovers are a force to be reckoned with. Now is the time to add your voice to the conversation!