Thank you for stopping by.  Since the horse and pet industry are so related, I thought it would be fun to see who is here.

What is your name?
What is your business? 
Where are you?

My name is Randi and I am in the horse world.  I live on a mountain top in SW North Carolina

@randithompson, @kc_creative I amTreasurer for Basset Hound Rescue of Alabama and have been a volunteer since 2000.  Have been a foster (still am), Intake Coordinator, and now Medical  Coord and Treasurer.  You can see our website that is being updated at http://www.bhra.org

@randithompson Weather fascination probably started when I saw a waterspout at Kitty Hawk NC when I was around 5-6. Then tornados (2) hit behind our Maryland house when I was in grade school. Now I watch Storm Chasers, read the Capital Weather Gang blog and track storms online

Looking forward to meeting the other horse and pet business owners.

@kc_kreative  How interesting.  I have never known a storm chaser before. LOL.  Somehow I get the feeling that this must also be a benefit for your business.  I bet you can handle just about any situation.

There are lots of horse and pet business owners here already.  They are in the 80%  ”lurkers” area right now.  What can we do to get them more comfortable about joining with us so we can learn from each other?

@kc_kreative  Event planning is a specialty in itself.  Lucky people to have you.

As to our fellow “animal friends”  I am thinking we will need to resort to bringing out the “treats” to get them to come out and play.  I have met a few of them through the messages, but so far, have seen only a few active.  This is such a perfect time for us all to connect.

Maybe we need to create a special event for them? 

Hi,

My name is Eric Goebelbecker. I’m a dog trainer in Maywood NJ, with classes in Maywood, Jersey City and New York City.

@egoebelbecker  Nice meeting you Eric.   What type of dog training do you specialize in?  Do you have a Facebook page or other URL that shows us what you are doing? 

How long have you been using social media for your dog training business?

@trudy  and  @kc_kreative  Would you like to share your Facebook pages with us?

@egoebelbecker  I had not heard of nose work before, but sounds like you are working with dogs that are sniffing out things.  Very interesting.  I trained dogs for awhile.  Nothing like you are doing. I am also not so crazy about Twitter.  I know it is supposed to be good for our business, but I just do not like those short messages.  Now they have ways around that, but I am enjoying Facebook and Google + much more.  What is your favorite social media network?

@randithompson Alas, I do not have a FB page at this time, at least business-wise. It is a first half 2012 project.

I was involved with the House Rabbit Society for awhile. They rescue rabbits and educate on how to keep rabbits indoors (did you know that they use litter boxes like cats?). I hope to adopt two in the next year or so.

@egoebelbecker What a great service. The Fairfax County rescue dogs are world-famous for finding people after disasters. What breeds to you work with?

@randithompson  Here it is.  http://www.facebook.com/#!/BassetHoundRescueOfAlabama

@randithompson I have seen the Danish rabbit competitions. They were even features on the last season of The Amazing Race. I prefer the mid-sized breeds, though Netherland Dwarfs are cute. I’ve had a mini and Holland lop before.

Hi, Kristy @kc_kreative   Yes, that is what they are!  The Danish rabbit competitions.  I was amazed at what they are doing with their rabbits.  You have had a lot of rabbits.

As to the tagging for a search.  It does work!  Especially if we choose the keywords that other people use for that topic.

Congratulations on your Innovator badge!  

Good day Kristy, @kc_kreative  I do like how we can hyperlink here.  It makes it so much easier to get people to where we want them to go. 

I agree! There are so many great topics here. I can hardly keep up with them!  I feel like a sponge absorbing as much as I can from the amazing pool of talent and knowledge that is here.  It is so nice to be in a place where I can find support.

Rabbits on social media.  I am sure they are there!  If not, maybe you will show them the way. 

As to Stable Management.  Yes, I do know of it. In fact, have been featured in several articles.  They have been around a long time now.

I do not use text.  I am slow to the party and in fact, am not smart enough for a smart phone.  Many horse people are still not there so I am not alone.  A phone call is more personal and works the same way for emergencys and so  on.  I can see in the future that I will need to go more mobile (just one more thing to do…)  I have been surprised to see that at least 400 people are week are checking into my Facebook page through their mobile phones!!

So you have now gone mobile? 

Hi, Kristy @kc_kreative  Someday I will move up into a smart phone.  So far, have had no need for one.  Maybe because I do not know what they can do for me?  If I want to go online, I much prefer a bigger screen.  LOL  I can see how valuable a smart phone is for people who like to chase storms.  I also see how many people are going into mobile marketing.  I know I will be going deeper into that market>

As to Stable Management, you did not know me then. This year has been filled with changes for me.  For health reason (horses are a high rish sport at the level I have been at)  I came to a “crossroads” in my career.  I had to find another way to do what I love doing around the horse world.  That was when I tapped into my years of marketing and started focusing on how I could share that experience with other people.  Before, I was being featured in publications for Horse and Rider Awareness training techniques.  Now, I am being recognized for my work in social media for small business owners.  Here is a recent article from Omega Fields. “Marketing Your Horse Business Through Social Media“

Thank you Kristy.  @kc_kreative  There are so many Pet and Animal related businesses who need our help with social media.  

I see more people are being added to the SME Networking Club every week.  I am going to bump this up and see if any pet or animal people are ready to start connecting yet. 

(Bringing out the treat bag.  Slowly opening it with sound effects.  Shaking the bag gently so they can hear….   )