Good afternoon felinity assembled! Daddy Kiril, here, to share more of my experiences at Blog Paws.
This series is going to be posted over several days and I invite you to follow along, comment, and let your own readers know of it.
The flight from Houston was uneventful and I checked into the hotel by 3am. On the flight I passed out my card to a few people who asked about the badge I was wearing that plugged this blog. Throughout Thursday morning the hotel lobby was full of people arriving, men and women of all races
and ages, many with dogs on leashes. I imagine the cats were in hotel rooms already as I didn’t see any carriers.
When I checked in I got a conference program and badge, as well as a huge swag bag that I was almost afraid to open, and actually didn’t until I returned home.
This series of posts will go into more detail about my experience of Blog Paws; the posts below cover photos, swag, glimpses into some of the people who did the presentations I attended, and the award event on the last night:
1. FNN SPECIAL REPURRT: Putting a Human Face on a Pet Blogger Conference
2. FNN SPECIAL REPURRT: The Great Blog Paws Swag Investigation of 2013
3. FNN SPECIAL REPURRT: Blog Paws Pictures 1 (A series of 4)
On Thursday afternoon I attended the Bloggers vs. Veterinarians presentation; the panel consisted of Kate Knutson, Pete Wedderburn, Patrick Mahaney, Lorie Huston, Steve May, and Robin Olson.
Is there value in interacting with social media for veterinarians? Well, it doesn’t cost and is a great way to connect. After all wanting people to read your material is an incentive to get involved with bloggers. It is also valuable for pet owners to interact with their vets who have an online presence.
What about legal issues of veterinarians using social media
A lot of vets have concerns about consequences of stating opinions and sharing aspects of cases online; the issue is apparently one of integrity in sharing issues and images, and using disclaimers making it clear “these are the thoughts of so and so”. Don’t use Facebook for answering health questions, but for sharing information, and writing about issues in general terms only.
An etiquette to citing vets as a source for something you write about on your blog was discussed, and the suggestion was made to treat it as a marketing issue; anyone can research issues then blog about them generally, but if specific questions are discussed be sure to cite sources.
The average vet needs education on the value of social media as many vets are too busy with their practice, many barely have email, or a detailed webpage or Facebook page. Many vets need convincing that a social media presence is valuable to them; showing them what’s online, on review sites, and elsewhere, about their practice, and what’s out there by and about their competition and what they are doing will help.
Questions of whether social media brings new business to a practice was brought up and the conclusion was yes and no; it varies by practice type.
Social media IS a great way for staff to connect with clients as long as it’s
done under the vets developed social media policy.
When it comes to what visitors to a vets’ sites are looking for it was suggested that stories and pictures, with the technical stuff weaved in works best as being too technical would chase people away.
I came away from all this thinking about the vast differences of approach I’ve seen to vet sites in southern California, where I used to live, and now in Houston, my new home.
The day ended with me attending the welcome reception pawty and remarks by the Blog Paws founders, and taking a first look around the exhibit hall.
Next = Daddy Kiril At Large: Blog Paws Presentations and More 2
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