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[Audio Interview] Pet Sitting Business Owner Reveals Method of Hiring ICs

Joshua — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:59:57 +0000

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Pampered Pet Care of Atlanta company owner Sarah Paulk on the subject of independent contractors.

Sarah’s pet sitting business was voted “Best Pet Sitting Company” in 2009 by Atlanta Magazine and with a roster of 13 independent contractors on board, the company must be doing most things right.

In this open and honest interview, Sarah walks us through the step-by-step process of finding, interviewing and hiring the perfect IC for your team.

Listen in and discover:

The number one reason Sarah decided to hire her first IC
The best (and worst) place to post an ad
How to avoid getting overwhelmed with IC responses
What to include in your ads
What to look for during your first face-to-face interview
Why putting yourself in the clients’ shoes is so crucial
Whether it’s better to pay ICs a flat-rate or a percentage
Sarah’s biggest concern when it comes to hiring ICs

Listen to the interview here:

Is Your Pet Sitter IC Sharing Your Secrets With Competitors?

Joshua — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 02:27:28 +0000

There’s been a lot of talk lately of hiring pet sitters as independent contractors.

And it’s no secret that I’m a big fan of hiring pet sitters to help your business grow.

Bringing on the right person can make you more money by helping to expand your services and your service area.

I received this question through the Ask Joshua page:

Question:

Dear Joshua,

How can I make sure the information I share with my IC is not used against me or shared with anyone else? I don’t want my competition to know all my secrets, or the exact way I do things.

Help!

-Cindy Espers
Tampa, Florida.

Answer:

Hi Cindy,

As you know, the secret to a successful relationship with an IC is trust.

Without it, you won’t be able to bring out the best in your IC and she won’t bring out the best in you.

With a solid foundation of trust between you and your pet sitting IC, you’ll be certain the job is getting done up to your standards and that your IC is being open, honest and upfront with you at all times.

How Do You Build That Trust?

So, like you asked, how can you feel safe and secure disclosing all your business secrets and information to your IC while you strengthen the trust?

A non-disclosure agreement is a great way to start.

But, let’s back up for a moment…

When hiring and working with your IC, it’s only natural (and often quite necessary) to disclose a certain amount of information to the IC that will make her job go smoothly.

Certain information will be sensitive and must be kept confidential.

A few examples of things you may need to share with your IC include:

Client or potential client personal details
Payment fees and pay structure
Marketing strategies
Website statistics
Client forms, contracts or agreements
Company policies
Login details
Business practices

Clearly, in order to build a mutually beneficial and long lasting relationship with your IC, you will need to place a great deal of trust in each other from the get go.

You’ll want to make certain that every piece of information you share with your IC is held in confidence (and not shared with your closest competitor, for one thing).

Remember, by definition, your IC is legally entitled to provide the exact same pet sitting service for both you and your competition. By law, you cannot prevent your IC from doing so.

Therefore, make sure you have the proper agreements and contracts in place to assure both you and your independent contractor are always on the same page, so you can feel comfortable confiding in her.

An IC and Friend for Life

Properly done, your IC can be a trusted partner and friend that you feel comfortable sharing business details, thoughts, and ideas with.

This will not only help your business grow, but will also strengthen the relationship you have with your IC.

You want to find an independent contractor that you can trust and begin to build a personal and business relationship that will last a lifetime.

When you and your IC have respect and admiration for each other, you both will always be looking out for the good of the company.

And that is a win-win for both of you.

If you haven’t already done so, check out my Pet Sitter Independent Contractor Tool Box, and see if it’s right for you.

For starters, it does contain a legal 4-page non-disclosure agreement that you can use.

Hope this gets you on the path to a successful relationship with your pet sitting IC.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/katietegtmeyer/ / CC BY 2.0

How would you build your pet sitting business if you were given $1000 to spend?

Joshua — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:04:03 +0000

Here’s an interesting ‘What If…’ that should get you thinking in the right direction.

How would you grow your pet sitting business if you were given $1000 to spend?

Where would you invest the money?

Leave your comments/list below…

Here is a short list of possible choices to consider:

Website

Logo design
Web designer
Freelance writer for blog content

Online Advertising

Google Adsense (PPC – Pay Per Click)
Facebook Ads
Banner ads on strategic partner sites

Off line ads

Newspaper or magazine print ads
Classified ad listing
Sponsorships

Marketing

Business cards
Fliers
Magnets (car magnets, refrigerator…)
T-shirts
Pens
Letter-head
Designer
Printing
Publicist

Pet Business Coaching, Consulting

Business evaluation
Phone sessions
Forms, contracts, agreements

Join Organizations/Affiliations

PSI
NAPPS
Better Business Bureau
Chamber of Commerce
Attend Conferences

Certification

Pet sitter accreditation program
Pet CPR training programs

Virtual Assistant

Bookkeeper
Social networking help

$1000 Cash – Go!

Go with exactly where you are at this moment in your pet sitting business. The deal is someone handed you a thousand dollars cash that you must spend on your pet sitting business.

Think about what’s worked for you in the past? What has proved to be a waste of money? And how would you spend it today?

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/axiepics/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

Are Pet Sitting Orgs Like PSI and NAPPS Worth The Money? [poll]

Joshua — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:24:16 +0000

Pet Sitters International (PSI) and National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) are the two big players in the professional pet sitter association circle.

PSI alone boasts more than 8000 members (that’s a lot of pet sitters) and the Internet is littered with articles claiming anyone can make money pet sitting.

But how much good are they really providing us with?

PSI and NAPPS both claim similar goals and benefits:

To educate the pet sitter
To promote pet sitting to pet owners
To give exposure to pet sitters across the country
To provide networking opportunities
Annual conferences
Quarterly magazines
Bonding and Insurance (through partners)
Searchable pet sitting directory
Pet sitting certification
Health care benefits

When my wife and I launched our pet sitting business, we chose to hop on the PSI bandwagon. The first thing we did was slap their logo on our website and submit ourselves to the pet sitter business locator so pet owners could potentially find us.

I’ve heard varying degrees of success from other pet sitters regarding the locator (directory). Some get a good portion of new clients that way, while others get zero.

I do flip through PSI’s quarterly mag when I have some free time and find it mildly educational.

For $140 per year (PSI) or $160 per year (NAPPS), you can join either of these organizations and call yourself a member.

So, Is It Worth The Money? Take Our Poll.

I’ve been reading a lot lately about pet sitters choosing not to join PSI or NAPPS because they don’t feel like it’s worth it. And that the only true benefit may be to post the organizations’ badge on their website.

But the bigger questions are:

Is membership worth it?
Do they succeed in their claims?
Do your potential clients care, or know the difference, whether you are a member or not?

What has your experience been? Take our poll, and leave your thoughts below with the answers to the Qs above…

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomsaint/ / CC BY 2.0

Day 17: Animal House Shelter

Joshua — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:02:35 +0000

Day 17

Animal House Shelter, Illinois

Animal House Shelter, Inc rescues abused and neglected dogs and cats and rehabilitates them mentally & physically in order to place them with the best new family. We rescue 98% of our dogs from high ‘kill’ shelters, pounds and various animal control facilities in which they are usually listed as strays, and almost always scheduled to be euthanized.

We have been open since June 2002 and have rescued, rehabilitated and placed over 10,000 dogs and cats, to date, into their loving forever homes!

Editor’s Note:

“We can’t see going out and purchasing a dog when so many dogs are being turned away by people who can’t take care of them,” says one man recently taking home a new best friend.

When thinking of a typical ’shelter dog,’ one might imagine an untamed mutt who needs plenty of rehabilitation before it can be adopted out.

While dogs of all breeds and backgrounds find their way into the shelter system, a majority of animals as recently as 2008 were forced to the streets when a flood took over parts of Chicago.

The animal shelter took in dozens of perfect pets left homeless from these floods. These animals are all otherwise ready to be given another roof they can relax and play under.

As noted in the video below, if you can’t make the commitment to adopt a dog, please consider fostering one.

For the biggest impact possible, adopt or donate to any of the pets in need on the Extra Special Pets page. You’ll quickly see how shelters across the land rescue, save and love the cats and dogs that need it most.

A local ABC affiliate shed some light on this wonderful shelter…

Click banner to view all 25 days or copy & paste this code to place banner on your website:

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Day 16: Sterling Animal Shelter

Joshua — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:34:16 +0000

Day 16

Sterling Animal Shelter, Massachusetts

There’s a place in your community where the hungry are fed, the homeless are sheltered, and the abandoned are given care. Its your local animal shelter, right here in Sterling, MA.

Where we provide comfort and care for our community’s unwanted animals. We offer many other services too, for pets and their people.

Editor’s Note:

From the moment you arrive on the Sterling Animal Shelter’s homepage, you know you’re in for a treat. And quite literally this holiday season!

They’ve taken the Sponsor A Pet concept one step further by creating a ‘Sponsor a holiday cookie for a homeless pet’ program.

You can donate anywhere from $10 to $500 (each with a different corresponding cookie) and your name will appear on the list. So you can follow along with others and see the good your money is making.

And like any responsible shelter knows, the biggest cause of a failed human-pet relationship is simply a bad match. With this knowledge, the shelter provides a ‘new pet quiz‘ to help make the most informed decision on which animal to adopt.

Here’s a slideshow of animals previously adopted from the shelter…

Click banner to view all 25 days or copy & paste this code to place banner on your website:

<a href="http://petsittingology.com/blog/animal-shelter/">
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Day 15: Little Shelter Animal Adoption Center

Joshua — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:04:09 +0000

Day 15

Little Shelter Animal Adoption Center, Long Island, NY

Little Shelter Animal Adoption Center, one of Long Island’s oldest no-kill shelters, is dedicated to saving all companion animals whose lives are in jeopardy. Through rescue from kill facilities, rehabilitation of sick and un-socialized pets, and a 100% spay/neuter program, Little Shelter hopes to end pet overpopulation and place all dogs and cats in loving homes. Located in Huntington, Little Shelter is the only animal organization outside New York City that is a member of the Mayor’s Alliance.

Editor’s Note:

When you’ve been saving lives since 1927, you can be sure there’s a lot to see, read and absorb on the Little Shelter Animal Rescue website. And be forewarned: with pages such as ‘Overlooked Dogs for Adoption,’ ‘Animal Sanctuary‘, and ‘Moving Pictures of Cats,’ your heart strings will be tugged at.

The Sponsorship program is for those who desperately want to help out, but do not have the means to adopt an animal in need.

A quick read through of several dogs and cats who need your financial support should have you reaching for your wallet in no time.

I wish I could snap my fingers and make all of the sweet lil guys and gals better. Unfortunately, all the money in the world will not make up for the patience, love, care and dedication that the heroes working at the shelter put in day in and day out.

Consider sponsoring a pet in need today.

Click banner to view all 25 days or copy & paste this code to place banner on your website:

<a href="http://petsittingology.com/blog/animal-shelter/">
<img src="http://petsittingology.com/fx/25-animal-shleters.jpg" alt="25 Animal Shelter Spotlight on PetSittingOlogy" />
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Day 14: A Place To Bark

Joshua — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:46:36 +0000

Day 14

A Place To Bark, Tennessee

A PLACE TO BARK is a no kill foster and adoption rescue dedicated to the welfare of animals and was founded by Bernie Berlin. Established in 2001, we mainly work with Animal Control Agencies, rescuing animals from high kill shelters and fostering them until they are healthy.

I run a full-time dog rescue, taking in the dogs that have been abandoned, abused or police confiscated. I foster, retrain, transport & adopt. Cats are also welcome at my rescue. I am drawn to the unwanted, unloved and misunderstood. Hoping to educate and effect change for the animals that do not have a voice of their own.

Editor’s Note:

If you’ve ever had a preconceived idea of what a ’shelter dog’ looks and acts like, may I suggest you visit A Place To Bark?!

Founder Bernie Berlin looks to have made this her life’s mission and with the smiles on every dog’s face, she seems to be doing a fantastic job.

Amazingly, Bernie makes the 9-hour trek every few weeks from Tennessee to Chicago with about 50 dogs who have been rehabed at her shelter. These dogs will be placed with the Anti Cruelty Society and be up for adoption.

Just watch the YouTube video below and notice how every dog is caught with a big ol’ grin on its face.

If I ever was going to open an animal shelter, this is who I would be learning the ropes from!

Click banner to view all 25 days or copy & paste this code to place banner on your website:

<a href="http://petsittingology.com/blog/animal-shelter/">
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Day 13: Fayetteville/Lincoln County Animal Shelter

Joshua — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:20:10 +0000

Day 13

Fayetteville/Lincoln County Animal Shelter, Tennessee

We are the only Animal Shelter around in a 4 county area in a small rural town. Our Shelter is operated by the Humane Society of Lincoln County. We are dedicated to providing proper and humane treatment of all animals that come thru our doors. The Society was formed in 1985 by people distressed over the conditions at the local animal pound and concerned about the needs of orphaned, neglected and abused animals in the city and county.

Editor’s Note:

Wanna smile for 56-seconds straight?

Then watch the video below! The Fayetteville/Lincoln County Animal Shelter in Tennessee has plenty of adoptable cuddly and adorable dogs to take home.

And if it’s a cat or kitten you’re looking to rescue, you’ll find no shortage there either.

Click banner to view all 25 days or copy & paste this code to place banner on your website:

<a href="http://petsittingology.com/blog/animal-shelter/">
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Stop Checking Your Email The Old Fashioned Way

Joshua — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:33:05 +0000

Are you still logging into your webhost control panel to check email?

Find yourself spending half the day sorting through Spam?

Do you have multiple accounts you have to check with multiple logins?

Well, save time and energy by taking advantage of Google.

I have been a long time fan of all things Google and rely on a few of its free products to keep my pet sitting business running smoothly.

If you do not yet have a Gmail account you are missing out on a whole host of benefits. Things that make your life easier. In my opinion, all other email providers are inferior.

Here are 8 reasons you should only be using Google’s Gmail for sending and receiving personal and business email. [Video at End of Post]

1: Infinity+1 storage space

Google coined the phrase Infinity+1 as a charming way to suggest unlimited email space. It may not quite be unlimited, but the odds that you’ll ever have to delete another email message are slim to none.

Your Gmail account is constantly increasing in storage space, as noted and updated within your account. You are awarded with over 7 gigabytes (or 7000 megabytes) of storage, which is more than you’ll ever need.

2: Find mail instantly

Love using Google to search the web? Now you’ll love using Google to search your email. Utilize Google’s search technology and find exactly what you want when you want it.

Never delete another email again. Simply file it away (Archive) and retrieve it with a search when needed. Type a word, phrase or sentence into the search box and your results appear within seconds.

3: Labels are the new folders

With folders, you are limited to choose just one folder to file an email into. With Gmail, you can create unlimited labels and attach as many as necessary to each email.

For example, let’s say you have a folder for new clients and a folder to keep track of outstanding payments due. Since you are limited to file each email in one folder, what happens if you have an email from a new client who also has a payment due?

You can also create labels to keep track of marketing campaigns. 3 labels marked website, flier, and word-of-mouth could prove valuable.

4: Keep spam in its place

Google never ceases to amaze me. I don’t know how they do it, but I rarely get spam messages sent to my inbox. Instead, Gmail automatically recognizes and captures all my spam email and places it in a spam folder.

If a spam email ever makes it to your inbox, simply report it to Google by clicking the ‘report spam’ button found at the top of each message. No more time wasted sorting and deleting spam email. Pretty cool.

5: Use up to 5 other email accounts

“But I don’t want to have to tell all my contacts about a new email address I have.” I wouldn’t either, and with Gmail you don’t have to!

Aside from your Gmail email account, you can use the Gmail features and interface to send and receive up to 5 other email accounts that you own. For example, I send and receive all @petsittingology.com email through Gmail (much like someone may use Outlook or Thunderbird).

Plus, it’s not even limited to business mail. You can use Gmail to send and receive email from your Internet service provider, like your Earthlink, Time Warner or Comcast account, for example.

So now you can literally use the Gmail interface while continuing to use your current personal and business accounts.

6: Chat with clients. Chat with friends.

We all love to chat online. Keep a Gmail window open on your screen and you’ll always see which of your contacts are online. Simply double-click on their name and a chat session is launched.

This also works great for Gmail-connected clients. I’ve initiated a chat with a client when I have a quick question or want to verify something. It also works great from the client’s end. As long as I’m at the computer, I can be reached quickly and easily. Plus, Gmail recognizes if you are idle long enough and will automatically mark your status as away, even if your Gmail window is open.

7: Filters.

Sick and tired of receiving email from a certain someone? Create a filter to automatically send email from a specified address directly to the trash and you’ll never see it again. Want to make sure that any email with the words ‘pet sitting’ in the subject gets your attention fast? Create a filter that automatically attaches your ‘Important’ label to those email.

You can create an unlimited number of rules and filters to make your time sorting through email efficient.

8: One conversation becomes one group of email

Perhaps most clever about the Gmail system is the ability to group email replies into one conversational thread. I remember while using other email systems, replying back and forth with someone produced several different emails that I would have to go looking through my inbox for.

Gmail automatically takes your replies back and forth with someone and groups them together in a convenient conversation mode. All your emails with the person are together at your disposal. Perfect for keeping tabs on what’s been discussed in the past.

What’s Your Take?

Show me you’re alive and let me know how you currently send and receive email. Maybe I’m missing something.

Have you found something as good as, or better than Gmail? Leave your comment below…

Enjoy a video from Google Engineer Matt Cutts showing some of his favorite Gmail features.

Photo Credit http://www.flickr.com/photos/somegeekintn/ / CC BY 2.0