Pure Gold (Silver and Bronze)

"Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all?life." - James Cromwell

People LOVE their pets! For most, they aren’t an under-class in the household. They are a member of the family.

And, increasing numbers of U.S. households own pets.

According to a 2021-22 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association, 70% of households own at least one pet. That is up from 56% in 1988; the first year of the survey.

That means that 90,500,000 households care for an animal friend!

Considering that total pet industry expenditures in the U.S. totaled $123.6 billion in 2021, opportunity abounds for businesses who serve those pets - and their owners.

This week’s idea is one in which those in pet serving industries can collaborate to make the world more entertaining and fun while increasing awareness for their business.

The Pet Trick Olympics

To qualify for either a Winter or Summer Olympic team, one must train for years to hone their skills in their chosen sport. Then, most must go through a rigorous qualifying process in regional and national events before being chosen as one of those Elite enough to represent their country at the Olympic games.

The Pet Trick Olympics has a similar pathway with two exceptions:

• First, one must be an animal to compete
• Second, any animal that can perform a trick can enter. ??

The way The Pet Trick Olympics works is pet owners shoot video of their pets performing their particular special talent.

** Are you old enough to recall a periodic segment on the Late Night with David Letterman show called Stupid Pet Tricks? If you aren’t, search it on YouTube. That will give you an idea of what sort of tricks might qualify. **

These submissions would be evaluated for merit by a panel of judges to decide which have the opportunity to be shared publicly.

Then, every month the videos of the pet tricks deemed the best by the judges are shared on social channels where the public has the opportunity to vote on which are their favorites.

Once per quarter, the top ten with the most up votes get to move on to the quarter finals.

Semi-finalists are chosen from that lot. ?Ultimately, the competitors are whittled down to a Final Four and, as with the N.C.A.A. Basketball Tournament, a Final Four weekend concluding with a Championship match-up will decide The Pet Trick Olympics champion.

The possibilities for sponsorship of The Pet Trick Olympics are immense!

What I envision is having a major pet food manufacturer be the title or presenting sponsor while pet medication, toy and ancillary products makers could be co-sponsors.

As those who have a direct relationship with pets and their owners, local veterinary clinics would be a source of soliciting the initial video submissions. Doing this would provide those clinics who participate a fun way to increase awareness of their practice.

Are you one of the over ninety million families who own a pet? We are! That little fuzz ball pictured above is our dog, Butler.

Please share a picture of your animal friend(s) in the comments. I would love seeing them!?

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Expert Tip

Video is an increasingly important part of personal branding on social media. I am honored to have my connection Rob Deptford share his expertise on creating great video content.

Video Success

You’ve probably figured out by now that video is a tool you’re going to need in your toolbox in any business.

If you haven’t, you’re late to the party, but the good news is there’s still some punch left in the bowl.

But make sure you get started the right because not everyone is getting the most out of their video creation.

There’s a difference between just talking to the camera and delivering a message that generates impact and influence.

I remember a day back in journalism school where we were learning how to do what the media calls a stand-up.

That’s when a television reporter appears briefly on camera to say a few words, either in the middle or at the end of their report. The rest of the report is usually comprised of images, and the reporter reads a voice over from a script.

The stand-up may be scripted, but the reporter is supposed to look at the camera, so that part needs to be memorized.

One by one, students lined up in front of a television camera operated by one of our instructors, took a microphone in hand, and made their stand-up attempts.

Some did it in relatively few takes. Others had to try many times before they delivered a good, clean message. And once in a while someone would nail it the first time.

I asked the instructor what the secret was to getting it right in one take.

He told me that even some of the students who completed their stand-up in one take didn’t necessarily get it right because the message wasn’t delivered in a way that the audience could easily receive it.

He said, “Rob, keep in mind you’re not delivering a report. You’re communicating a story. It’s not supposed to sound like you’re spitting out a script.”

That stuck with me.

And although we all need to “just get started,” we have to grow our skills to a point where there’s a return on our investment, especially if we’re creating video as part of a marketing strategy.

So, in a nutshell, here’s what you need to do:

1.?????Talk through the camera, not at it. The lens is a window to your audience.

2.?????Tell a good story that draws people in and demonstrates your value.

3.?????Avoid big words.

4.?????Speak in short sentences, and use timing and inflection.

5.?????Avoid pitching. Make connections, not commercials.

P.S. I did my stand-up in one take. On topic and unscripted.

About Rob Deptford

He is the founder of Robert Deptford Communications (https://robertdeptford.com). He teaches experts, executives, sales teams and entrepreneurs how to unlock their star power and attract more business through stellar media and presentation skills. His company also provides small business web design, hosting and maintenance to help his clients shine online.

Connect with Rob here:

https://robertdeptford.com

https://linkedin/in/robdeptford

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Puzzle and Trivia

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About Bob Sager

The Founder of?SpearPoint Solutions, Bob’s professional background includes over three decades of experience in sales, leadership and training. Combined with creative thinking, he uses that experience to develop business strategies that help organizations increase sales and margins. Additionally, Bob facilitates training on methods of thinking more creatively that organizations can practically apply to all aspects of their business so they can thrive in the modern?economy.?