How Changes To Facebook's Newsfeed Algorithm Can Impact Small Business Pages (And What You Can Do About It)

When Facebook hands you lemons, make lemonade!

When Facebook hands you lemons, make lemonade! On January 11, Mark Zuckerberg announced some pretty big changes to the Facebook news feed algorithm. The changes will prioritize content from FRIENDS, FAMILY, and GROUPS. According to Zuckerberg, “you’ll see LESS public content from BUSINESSES, BRANDS, and MEDIA.”

So what does this mean for us small businesses? Unfortunately organic reach is likely to decrease even more. Yikes! This is frightening considering how organic reach has plummeted over the past six years.

According to a study performed by Edgerank Checker, organic reach for the average Facebook Page dropped from 16% to 6.5% between February 2012 and March 2014. (Source: HubSpot Blog)

In real numbers, this means that if your business page has 1,000 fans, you can expect only 65 of them to see your posts. Double yikes!

So back to the 2018 updates to the news feed algorithm. What can a small business do to keep their Facebook Page alive?

In Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement, he warned that “Pages making posts that people generally don’t react to or comment on could see the biggest decreases in distribution.” On the flip-side, “Pages whose posts prompt conversations between friends will see less of an effect.”

Again, when Facebook hands you lemons, make lemonade!

Now’s the time to start squeezing those lemons and get creative. Here are a few tips for enhancing your 2018 Facebook strategy in order to stay in front of your fans and followers. 

1. Remain active and relevant.

Plan your Facebook posts in advance and be methodical. (Pro tip: putting together an actual social media calendar can be especially helpful in planning out your posts.) The content you post should be relevant to your business and engage your fans. Ask yourself this question each time before you hit Publish: “Will this post get my fans talking and/or reacting?” If the answer is no, then either toss it or tweak it to make it engaging.

Some additional food for thought … According to Buzzsumo, “Facebook posts with images see 2.3X more engagement than those without images.” (Source: HubSpot Marketing Statistics)

Videos are also a great way to boost engagement so put them to work for your business page! 

2. Encourage your customers to select the See First option.

The Following tab on a Facebook Business Page allows a user to manage their viewing preferences for posts made by that page. By selecting See First, a follower of your page can elect to have your posts appear first in their newsfeed. This setting will override the Facebook algorithm and prioritize your content. (Source: Katie Wagner Social Media)

If you’re constantly posting valuable content, your followers will most likely want to filter out the noise and get your posts to the top of their feed. So don’t be shy about encouraging them to do so.

3. Participate in the conversation.

After you post content that’s engaging and sparking conversation, be sure to follow along and comment on what your fans are saying. Mention them in replies and keep the dialogue flowing. This will show your fans you’re paying attention to them and can potentially ignite even more comments and reactions to the post. 

4. Use the Facebook Ad Manager to your advantage.

The truth is, organic reach just isn’t cutting it anymore. So if you want to add fuel to your Facebook marketing efforts, you will have to spend a little money.

Here at LMG, we advocate for the Inbound Marketing Methodology. That’s why we’re proponents of the Facebook Ad Manager. When you simply boost a Facebook post from your page, you have zero control over who it ends up in front of. However, by taking the time to prepare an ad using Facebook’s Ad Manager (and optionally boost that ad from the Ad Manager), you have much “more control over who sees your ad and the cost effectiveness of your spend.” (Source: HubSpot) 

With the Ad Manager, you can:

• Choose a specific goal of the ad such as clicks to your website, offer claims, website conversions, page likes, etc.
  

• Include a call-to-action button

• 
  Target a very specific audience using demographics like location, age, gender, interests, etc.
  

The list goes on. The infographic here was put together by Reload Media and does an awesome job of explaining the differences between boosting content directly from your page vs. using the Ad Manager. 

5. Stop being camera shy.

Does the thought of going Live on Facebook completely terrify you? Please … we beg you ... try to overcome this fear! According to Facebook data compiled by MediaKix, “Facebook Live Videos are watched 3x longer than videos that aren’t live anymore.” And going back to that whole importance of user engagement thing … “users comment on Facebook Live Videos at 10x the rate of regular videos.

Judging by what Mark Zuckerberg said in his recent announcement, it’s pretty safe to assume Live Videos will perform very well under the new algorithm. 

6. Start a Facebook Group. 

A recent blog post by Moz highlights the value of the Facebook Group:

“Facebook pages and personal posts rely completely on the newsfeed algorithm for organic exposure. Facebook Groups send users a notification whenever someone posts to the Group, thus driving traffic to each post. Facebook gives users the option to silence these notifications. However, if your Group consistently adds value, they won’t.” 

We recently started a Facebook Group called Little Marketing Ladies. It’s sole purpose is to connect fellow women in business. And from what we’ve seen so far, posts we make to the Group Page are seeing more activity than those same posts on our Business Page. We’re going to continue experimenting with our new Group and hopefully publish a blog post on our findings once we’ve collected enough data.

For some really good information on Facebook Groups and how to start one, check out Moz’s article: How [and Why] to Build a Booming Facebook Group.

Facebook will always be making changes to the way they operate. So it’s our job to stay informed and, if needed, make changes to the way we operate on social media. Don’t look at this algorithm change as a frustration but rather as a new opportunity for your business to shine on social! 

Thanks for reading! :)

-Jamie

5 Do’s And Don’ts Of Managing Business Social Media Platforms

Let’s face it, social media is almost instilled in us at birth. Ok, I am not that young, but I did grow up in the land of the Internet, Myspace, Instant Messenger, and … of course ... Facebook. Whether you are a social media professional or novice, you may think that running a business social media page is a piece of cake. Well, it can be … but I have a few key recommendations for you to keep in mind.

(Note: I tend to reference Facebook most often, as it tends to be an obvious go-to platform but these suggestions apply to the whole kit and caboodle of Social Wonderland.)

Managing a social media platform for a business or organization is a whole different ballgame compared to when you are just representing yourself as an individual. There are specific rules and strategies to follow. Remember, we are talking about the magical land of social media. Just like when trying on clothes ... just because it fits doesn’t necessarily mean you should wear it.

Well on social media, just because you can post it, doesn’t mean that you should post it. This especially applies when you are representing yourself on a professional level. That said, social media is a GREAT tool for marketing your business and keeping in touch with your audience. Are you using it to its full potential?

Here are my 5 Do’s And Don’ts Of Managing Business Social Media Platforms:

1. Keep it classy. 

I bring this up first because we’ve seen many local business get themselves in hot water here. Social media can breed drama, right? Everyone is entitled to an opinion. However, Facebook has provided a platform for people to voice their opinion to the masses all from the comfort and safety of their home or office. Needless to say, some folks get quite bold behind a keyboard and monitor. With a business page, this can lead to trouble. 

No matter what your business is, you are guaranteed to encounter a Debbie Downer or a complainer. While some of the negative feedback may be justified and accurate, some of it will not be. In these cases, DO NOT ENGAGE. I repeat: Do. Not. Engage. Your business is your child and I get it … the protective Mama or Papa Bear desperately wants to come to the rescue when someone is bashing you online. My best advice is to take a deep breath, maintain composure, and then politely ask the complainer to call or email you so the issue can be resolved offline.

Never, ever, ever get into a keyboard war with anyone. It simply adds fuel to the fire and makes you look unprofessional. To tie this advice into everyday reality, here’s a situation I once ran into on Facebook ...

I manage a municipal animal shelter’s Facebook page. The platform is utilized to announce adoption stories, post adoptable pets, and educate the public on an array of topics such as the health benefits of spaying and neutering, the dangers of declawing cats, tips to protect pets in dangerous weather. That sort of thing. Recently, I posted an educational piece on the never-ending struggle of the overpopulation of feral cats and discussed why “TNR” (Trap, Neuter, Return) is important. 

The post received a ton of attention. News stations even came down to do a story! The thread of glowing comments off the Facebook post was 100+ deep yet tucked in between them glared the two-cents of Donny Downer. He was completely against TNR, describing it as an inhumane practice and suggested that these cats be euthanized instead.

Ok, so think about this for a moment. This was a heated topic to begin with. You have 10,000+ animal lovers following this page. For someone to even suggest harming an animal, you know things are about to get ugly.

The response I wanted to give started with a big WTF. But that’s not professional! Instead, I took my own advice of taking a deep breath. I then kindly asked that we agree to disagree on the topic. The bottom line here … I did not engage. I took the high road.

Needless to say, always take the high road. It’s not easy. I know that. I know that your business is your whole heart and soul. You miss Happy Hour, softball games, bridal showers, or bed time with your babies to run it. You are emotionally attached and naturally defensive of your hard work. Maybe the complaints made are legitimate. Take those as constructive criticism and make positive changes to move forward. Do not stoop to the level of the keyboard warriors though. They will simply win every time.

Be sure to check out this related blog post: Staying Afloat In A Sea Full Of Critics: How To Respond To Negative Reviews

2. Don’t be late to the party. 

Respond to inquiries within 24-48 hours. Whether they’re private messages or public posts/comments, the speedier the response, the happier your followers will be. Now don’t stress about answering followers in the middle of the night. I’m just saying, be aware and do your best not to leave them hanging.

This especially applies when you are selling a product or service. If you have a wedding party looking to book a rehearsal dinner or a dog owner looking for a pet sitter, you need to respond very quickly. If you don’t, your competition will! The internet has taken things to a whole new level and customers expect instant gratification when it comes to inquiries or quote requests.

3. Post updates regularly. 

Don’t make your followers send out the search party. If you are a bar owner, feature a weekly special. If you own an art studio, share some of your recent work. Oh, and guess what? Customers and clients love to see their smiling faces on your social media! It makes them feel special so share some photos of them, too!

If you are a local lunch spot, snap some photos of your regulars. If you are an electrician or landscaper, post pictures of your projects … and sprinkle in some educational pieces here and there. For example, a landscaper might post an article about the right time of year to lay grass seed. Anything to keep your platforms fresh and lively. You don’t want to appear dormant. There is always an abundance of cool content you can be leveraging. Sometimes you just need to get a little creative!

4. Use gorgeous graphics. 

Ok, I am about to blow your mind. This is crazy complicated. I am just kidding, don’t panic ... but seriously ... your profile photo and cover photos need to be bold and clear. If at all possible, use professional photos.

Have a smartphone? Learn how to take incredible photos with it by reading this blog post: How To Take High Quality Photos On Your iPhone

If you have a logo, use it! Have your graphic designer create a smaller badge-like design for your profile photo and a larger design for a cover photo or Facebook graphic. It’s always good to have different variations of your logo for different purposes. There are tons of different social media platforms, so have a logo that will suit each one.

If you are going to use photos of products, menu items, projects, etc., just be sure they are high quality. Say it with me ... No Blurry Photos. People will click right by your Facebook page if it looks amateur. 

5. If needed, hire someone to help. 

If you just don’t have the time or aren’t comfortable managing social media accounts, hire someone to do it for you if your budget allows. I promise this will be money well spent if you find a true professional. Remember, you get what you pay for. Discount prices may very well equate to discount service. Do your research. Be sure your social media manager understands your mission, feels your vibe, and will deliver the level of service you deserve. Just because someone offers a service, doesn’t mean they are good at it or are right for you. 

Alright social media warriors, you got this! 

-Katie

Staying Afloat In A Sea Full Of Critics: How To Respond To Negative Yelp Reviews

Your business is like your baby, right? You’re protective of it. You work extremely hard to support it and make it better each and every day. You have literally poured your blood, sweat, and tears into it. Hence, you see red as perfect strangers publicly lambaste it on platforms like Yelp, Trip Advisor, and Facebook.

Over the past several weeks, I spoke to several small business owners who share an aversion for Yelp in particular. Some of the common feedback they divulged: 1.) Yelp frequently hounds them about advertising (which, btw, they find to be very pricey). 2.) They question Yelp’s integrity and business practices. 3.) 1-star reviews are oftentimes extremely harsh and lack actual constructive feedback for improvements.

The point of this blog post is not to give my personal opinions on Yelp. (If you wish to hear them, however, comment below and I’ll write a separate blog post.) The point is to give you sound advice for professionally handling negative customer reviews. Because let’s face it, guys. Customer reviews WILL impact your business.

Before getting started, I want to point out that I believe restaurants take the WORST beating from Yelpers. If you own a restaurant or are thinking about opening one, KNOW THIS: You will get 1-star reviews. You will be told your food and/or service sucks. You will instinctually want to beat the living s#!t out of the people who post said remarks.

The restaurant business, in general, is excruciating. Now top that with public platforms that encourage everyone to release their inner food critic. You don’t have to be Mario Batali to understand that equates to a recipe for disaster.

I’m here to tell you that negative reviews can actually lead to positive outcomes. I’m sure you’ve heard this before but nobody is perfect. And yes, that includes you and your business. Mistakes will happen. People will call them out on social media. And it’s up to you to address them in the moment. 

The beauty of a review site like YeIp is that it can shine light on areas you may need to take a closer look at. For example, if you own a restaurant and 90% of your Yelp reviews suggest that your service is lacking, then guess what? Your service probably needs improvement. It’s the whole “outsider looking in” philosophy. When you’re in the thick of it, day in and day out, sometimes it’s not so easy to see the obvious.

Ok, so now let’s talk about addressing those 1-star ratings. 

1. Create a Yelp business account and claim your business. 

In order to respond to Yelp reviews, you’ll first need to open a Yelp account and claim your business. Note: This will be a different account than your personal Yelp account (if you have one). You can open an account and claim your business using the link below.

Yelp For Business: https://biz.yelp.com

Not only will your Yelp business account allow you to respond to reviews, but it also gives you the ability to update information about your business (location, hours, parking, etc.), direct message people who have reviewed you, and manage ads if you so desire.

A good rule of thumb is to monitor your Yelp reviews daily. I would highly recommend responding to negative reviews within 24 hours and posting your comments publicly. It will show that you are indeed listening to your customers. Posting public comments can also help enlighten fellow Yelp users on your side of a story.

(For positive reviews, Yelp encourages you to respond with a direct message to the customer rather than a public comment. A simple “thank you” is a nice touch!)

2. Take a breather.

Get your emotions in check before posting a response to a negative review. This is critical! You do NOT want to come off as defensive or as a hot head. Read the review, take a breath, and then revisit it after you’ve cooled down. 

Especially in circumstances where debasing remarks have been made, you’ll need to take the high road. Do NOT get into a pissing match with the customer. You will lose.

3. Assess the situation.

After you’ve performed yoga, squeezed your stress ball, or puffed into your paper bag a few times, read the review again … this time, from a more objective place. Was there any merit to what was said? Or was the review simply a rant? If the customer has legitimate points, make sure you address them and try to make the situation right.

For example, if someone complains their server was rude or not attentive, your response might be:

“I’m very sorry to hear you did not enjoy your recent experience. Customer service is a top priority for us and I would like to find out more about what happened during your visit. Please email me or direct message me if you wish to discuss this further.”

Now, if the customer is ranting or being just plain obnoxious, I think it’s ok to be a little more direct with them (without being unprofessional, of course). Below is a real-life example of a 1-star rating we recently responded to on behalf of a client:

“Small and tasteless portions. They try to act like a trendy west coast style place. But food and service is horrible. Not sure how they stay open between food and the prices. If they want to run a west coast style restaurant go to west coast. East coasters won't eat this trash.”
As you can probably tell, this would be classified as a rant. Vague comments. No substantive details.

Here was our response:

“[CUSTOMER NAME], you're clearly dissatisfied with your experience with us but your review lacks specific details on what needs to be addressed. You claim that our "food and service is horrible" ... what exactly did you try on the menu? Were you sitting at a table or at the bar? Your comment that "East Coasters won't eat this trash" is simply a rant; not constructive criticism that we could potentially utilize to make improvements. If you wish to provide actual substance to back your 1-star review, please reach out to me directly at [BUSINESS OWNER EMAIL].”

If you’re wondering, the angry patron has still yet to reply back.

The main takeaways here: 1.) Always come across as professional. 2.) Try to make right on legitimate wrongs. 3.) Keep your responses short and sweet and take the more in-depth discussions offline. 

Lastly, Yelp does let you report certain types of reviews. I’ve listed them out below. Unfortunately, if your 1- or 2-stars don’t fall into any of these categories, there’s really nothing you can do except politely comment on them publicly.

• It was posted by a competitor or ex-employee.

• It contains threats, lewdness, or hate speech.

• It doesn’t describe a personal consumer experience.

• It violates Yelp’s privacy standards.

• It contains promotional material.

• It’s for the wrong business.

4. Ease your suffering.

The occasional 1- or 2-star review is not going to take your business down. Trust me! In fact, your competitors are receiving them, too. Don’t believe me? Go scroll through their Yelp reviews and sort them by Lowest Rated to see for yourself. 

Think of Yelp as a tool that you can use to your advantage. Don’t focus so much on individual reviews … instead, assess what the community is saying as a whole. If you read all of your reviews taking a more objective approach, the common denominators (in both positive and negative comments) will be very obvious. 

Namaste.
 

What To Expect At A Middlesex Chamber Business After Work Event

Last night we attended our first Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Business After Work Event. When we launched LMG back in October, Katie and I both agreed that joining the Chamber would be a great way to grow our new business. Last night’s event hosted by Fire At The Ridge in Middlefield certainly affirmed our decision to do so.

In this blog post, we’ll recap our experience and share some details on what you can expect at a typical Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Business After Work Event. 

Registration

The Middlesex Chamber does a fantastic job of filling their Events Calendar with all sorts of beneficial seminars, training classes, and socials for local business people. The calendar can be accessed on their website, making it easy for busy entrepreneurs to plan ahead. They also send regular email reminders to members on upcoming news and events (again, something I find to be very helpful for scheduling purposes). 

When we joined the Chamber, we got set up with credentials so we could access their online Member Portal. The portal is intuitive, user-friendly, and allows you to view and register for upcoming events. I was able to quickly register both me and Katie for the Business After Work event in less than a minute.

Note: From what I gathered, pre-registration is recommended but not mandatory for the Business After Work events. 

Cost

Business After Work events are free for members and a nominal suggested (but optional) donation is taken at the door.

Arrival

The event was scheduled from 5-7pm. Upon arrival we were greeted by a table of friendly Chamber representatives at the main entrance. They gave us name badges that touted blue smiley face stickers as a way to differentiate us because we were new. The stickers definitely served as a conversation piece throughout the night. People kept asking us what the stickers were about. We told them it was because we were VIPs but then fessed up that it was because we were new. Hehe!

Smiley Face means you're VIP :)

Dress Attire

I would recommend business casual attire for the Business After Work event. You’ll be meeting people (or potential future customers) for the first time so I feel it’s best to be well put-together in a situation like this. You know, dress the part. Or as Ron Burgundy would put, “You stay classy San Diego.” 

Food & Drink

An assortment of hand passed hors d'oeuvres were prepared and served by the staff at Fire At The Ridge. I love to eat so I’m all about any event that provides delicious treats! Everything I sampled was delectable, too. Amongst several other things, I had a miniature French Onion Bowl that was quite memorable. Complimentary wine and beer were also served. 

Networking

I’ve been to enough networking events in my time so I feel like I can share some words of wisdom here. For starters, don’t make the rookie mistake of showing up without business cards. Bring a big fat stack because they’re your golden tickets to potential future opportunities! Also, make sure your cards are easily accessible (i.e. not buried somewhere in your purse or hidden behind credit cards in your wallet). I have a business card holder which I stored in my back pocket throughout the duration of this event. Easy access.

I believe the 'O' in OCD really stands for Organized. Just sayin.

Now if you’re an extrovert (such as Katie), you are inherently equipped and designed for a networking event. Shaking hands. Making friends. You’re a true professional. However, if you’re more of an introvert (such as myself), networking events can tend to feel awkward. And certainly put you way outside of your comfort zone. Here’s what you’ll need to get in your head. The SOLE purpose of these events is meeting people. If you go and hide in a corner somewhere, you WILL be the odd man out. So take a sip of the complimentary wine and get socializing!

I'm the Green. Katie is the Grey. This was simply too funny not to share with you all.

I can honestly say that I didn’t feel at all awkward during last night’s event. Everyone from the Middlesex Chamber was delightful and eager to meet us and make introductions. The attendees we spoke to were extremely friendly and made us feel welcome. We collected several business cards and left with viable new business leads. 

The only negative piece of the overall networking experience was the noise. There was live music (which I thought was awesome) but that, combined with 150+ people all talking in a confined space, made it very difficult to hear. (And if you’ve watched any of my videos, you know I have a child’s voice that does not project whatsoever. So people were clearly struggling to hear me as well.) That said, the venue had a few separate areas so we were able to relocate to a somewhat quieter space for a lengthier conversation.

Closing Thoughts

If you’re a business owner who does business in Middlesex County, I would absolutely recommend joining the Chamber of Commerce. It will open so many new doors for you by providing you with unique opportunities to meet local entrepreneurs like yourself. You can get a wealth of information on their website: www.middlesexchamber.com

Check it out and hopefully we’ll see you at an upcoming event! 

Organization = Success: How To Organize Your Closet In Under An Hour

I was born an organizer. I hate clutter. I love post-it notes and planners. I believe everything has a place. And I like my labels facing out. When I worked in Corporate America, my coworkers would constantly crack jokes about my office space. All of my file folders neatly arranged on my desktop. The stapler and jar of funky push-pins and paper clips positioned just so. A daily To-Do List always set beside my keyboard. 

To some, this may seem over the top but for me, being organized has helped me achieve greatness in my career. I’ve always been able to meet or exceed deadlines because I tackle projects with a plan. I’ve always been able to focus on the task at hand because I don’t become distracted by all the clutter.

Organization = Success.

According to the article 21 Success Habits of Highly Organized People, “The more your work and living space are decluttered, the clearer your mind is … A decluttered work/living space produces a decluttered mind.”

#TheTruth

It’s the New Year and we’ve been talking a lot about resolutions lately. If you’re looking to get more organized in 2018, I think it should start at home. Like many females, my day begins in my closet. So today, I’m going to share some tips for organizing your entire wardrobe in under an hour. I actually just did this myself a few days ago and it feels like I’ve removed a huge weight off my shoulders. I’m hoping you’ll feel that same way, too! 

Ok, before jumping right in, I want to warn you that having an emotional attachment to your clothing will make this process astronomically more difficult. This is something I struggle with so I really needed to get it through my head that, “they’re just clothes (most of which you don’t wear anymore.”

You’re going to experience an immense feeling of refreshment after this exercise so keep THAT at the forefront of your mind! That said, use the “rip it off like a bandaid” mentality. Work quickly and don’t overthink things. Complete the following steps like a multiple choice quiz … your first answer is typically right!

A close-up of the monstrosity I was working with.

Step 1: Remove all of the items that you LOVE (a.k.a. stuff you have worn more than once during the last month or two).

The jeans that make your butt look nice. The sleeveless blouse that accentuates those killer arms you’ve got. The soft fleece that keeps you warm and cozy on a frosty winter day. Anything that you feel fabulous in (and that you wear frequently) needs to be placed into the LOVE pile. 

Step 2: Remove all of the items that you HATE (a.k.a. stuff that you never wear).

If you haven’t worn it in over a year, it’s time to get rid of it. The jeans that don’t make your butt look nice. The itchy wool sweater that looked terrific on the rack but tormented your skin. The chartreuse sequined top you went clubbing in back in the early 2000’s. (Yes, I am sadly drawing from real life examples here.) Immediately place these items into the HATE pile.

Hey! What happened to my bed?

Step 3: Sort through the MAYBES. 

This might be the toughest part of the process. Dealing with the Maybes. After removing the items you love and the items you hate (or strongly dislike, because Hate is such a strong word) from your closet, you’ll most likely be left with a whole bunch of stuff you’re unsure about. Remember, I said to approach this process a.) quickly and b.) like a multiple choice quiz (no overthinking!). 

Let's pause for a quick game of "Where's the kitty?"

Go through the Maybes with this question in mind: If you saw this item on a rack today, would you buy it? You’re now at an advantage because you’ve had time to wear these clothes so you already know how they fit and feel. The only items you should keep are the ones you realistically see yourself wearing again in the very near future. Don’t hold onto something just because you think it might come in handy for a Business After Work event next spring. (That’s what last-minute shopping excursions are for … hehe.)

Step 4: Make your Goodwill pile and empty the trash.

After you’ve sorted through your Maybes, now it’s time to organize the items you’ll be getting rid of. Pieces that are in good condition can go toward a good cause and be donated to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. The pieces that have seen much better days can be discarded.

Four FULL bags were loaded up for donation!

Step 5: Organizing your wardrobe. 

You’ve reached the finish line, my friend! This is the fun part … filling your closet back up with the items you love! Since you’re working with a blank slate, this is a good time to organize the items by season/style/color (if you have the space). 

Now that's looking MUCH better.

Since I have a walk-in wardrobe room, I’m able to store all of my clothes in one place. However, if space is limited, start Step 5 by packing away items that aren’t currently in season. When you go to place the remaining items back into your closet, organize them in a way that’s neat and easy to navigate. I started by hanging my dresses, skirts, and tunics on a tall rack (organized by color). I then folded my bottoms and placed them in a drawer. One side for summer/spring pants and shorts; the other side for winter/fall pants. I completed the process by hanging my tops, organized by color, on the remaining clothing racks. All on white hangers. (Did I mention that I’m slightly OCD?).   

Leftover hangers

The entire process took me about an hour, although results will vary depending on the quantity of clothing you have to work with. All you Carrie Bradshaw’s might be looking at a slightly larger time investment. ;)

I PROMISE you’re going to feel completely refreshed after organizing your closet. And I’ll even venture to guess you’ll be motivated to organize other areas, too. Your car. Your office. The files on your computer. Organization = Success. 

If I’ve managed to entice you to go through this process, please leave some comments below and let me know how it all worked out! 

Setting Unrealistic Resolutions as a Working Mom

Yesterday was a snow day here in New England. When I woke up to that white wonderland, I had three thoughts:

1. Oh good, I can write that New Year’s Resolution blog I’ve been dying to get done.
   

2. Oh God, I am stuck in a house with four dogs and a toddler who will undoubtedly be bored out of their mind by 10:00 a.m.

3. Thank God my husband is home to endure the torture with me. (I am an awful wife.)

As I sat there at 12:30 in the afternoon, I felt a tad accomplished. I was able to convince a wild 3-year-old to wash her hands after she attempted to use the potty but somehow peed on her stuffed bunny instead. (Mind you, not until after a battle that should be documented in history books.) I was able to trick my chihuahua into taking his medication. Yet another tribulation in my book of horrors. (I outsmarted the little monster with turkey sausage. Katie 1. Pepino 0.) I have watched Moana seven times consecutively without harming myself and I successfully made mac and cheese from a box. Look at me go!

Pepino the Chihuahua

2018, here you are. In all your glory. What will you have in store and what resolutions does one make? In this moment, I am thinking my resolution should be to learn the song that the giant crab sings in Moana as well as my daughter. It’s shocking, really, how that shiny crab can be so damn captivating. I know you are already singing the song in your head… resist the urge. Resist.

As a mother, wife, and wrangler of what seems like 65 dogs, I think my resolution in my personal life is to just keep my head above water. Maybe it should be laundry-related. Yes! My resolution is to not drown in laundry! Does that count? I can of course rely on the go-to resolutions that seem very popular. Lose 20 pounds. Exercise every day. Join a yoga class. Eat more kale. Hah! I am laughing too.

The movie Bad Moms has been playing on HBO lately. Although controversial to like it, I am not going to lie. I get some serious laugh-out-loud moments out of it. I’ve heard through the grapevine that I should be insulted by this movie as a working mom. Guess what? I am not. The only thing offensive about the movie is how the main character lives in this gorgeous four-bedroom craftsman in what I’m assuming is an upper-class California suburb, all while working a part-time gig at a coffee company. Kind of like these newly wed couples on House Hunters who have a 2.3-million-dollar budget and their occupations are butterfly catcher and paper snowflake maker.

"The only thing offensive about the movie is how the main character lives in this gorgeous four-bedroom craftsman in what I’m assuming is an upper-class California suburb, all while working a part-time gig at a coffee company." -Katie Ehlers on Bad Moms

Anyway, the basis of the Bad Moms movie is that moms aren’t perfect and that’s ok. The pressures that we as a society put on ourselves to be these Pinterest-perfect robots is insane. Listen, I am not saying it’s ok to just throw in the towel and actually be a bad mom. You have created these little lunatics and it’s your job to love them, care for them, and attempt to mold them into hopefully responsible, productive, and kind adults. I slid the “kind” in because there is just too much ugly in our world right now. So do me a favor and teach your kid to be nice. Polite would be awesome, too. But I’ll take what I can get.

My point is, you are not perfect. No one is. As a mom, whether it be stay-at-home or working-out-of-the-home, you have a lot on your plate. So set realistic resolutions for yourself. They can be selfish (in fact, I encourage at least one selfish resolution) and productive.

Here are my actual resolutions this year.

1. Be nicer to our dogs.

I love our dogs. We all do. They give us undying love and loyalty. Unfortunately, though, they sometimes take a seat on the back burner when our lives get crazy. They are, of course, loved and cared for. However, I want to devote more time to them. Each of them individually. I want to make a conscious effort to not get frustrated with them if they are looking for attention when I just want five seconds to myself. I will also make sure not to get angry with them if they have chewed something they shouldn’t have. As in all reality, if I had been paying more attention to them, they wouldn’t have went looking for something else to entertain them.

2. Write one or two blog posts every four weeks.

I enjoy writing so it’s not a chore to do so. It’s more of a challenge to just make myself dedicate 45 minutes to just sitting down and writing. It is my creative outlet and it really should be a personal and professional priority. (P.S. If you're a small business owner, you should consider making blogging your resolution, too! Read why in our 5 Small Business Marketing Resolutions For 2018.)

3. Drink more water.

I do believe that a healthier version of you will allow you to keep up with the craziness of what we call life. I completely understand that running five miles every day isn’t realistic for everyone. (Don’t listen to Jamie, she’s a freak of nature.) However, I DO believe that everyone can make healthier nutritional choices and add some sort of physical activity to their day. Baby steps work. I am not nearly as healthy, or active as my work-wife. However, I do have a relatively healthy diet, and workout pretty regularly. Water consumption is an issue for me, for whatever reason. So, that’s my baby step.

4. Do not overfill my plate!

I am notorious for trying to stuff 100 things into eight hours. It is stress-inducing and really not productive. I want to be more organized in my planning and have achievable to-do lists and itineraries.

5. Treat myself to one pedicure or massage at least once every 60 days (see … selfish!).

Listen, I am no professional resolution-setter or achiever. I am just someone who has learned from some mistakes and have taught myself to take care of me so that I can in turn take care of my family, too. If I burn myself out, I am not useful to anyone, personally or professionally.

It’s really very easy to let yourself be completely consumed and overwhelmed by a full workload, and then a toddler asking me why her purple Lego is in fact purple one hundred times over. I totally get it. Set achievable resolutions, so you don’t set yourself up to fail. At the end of the day, there is a real possibility that you just might not successfully end this year by sticking to your resolution(s) 100%. The world will not end. Your life will not shatter. But give it your best shot. You got this.

Ok working warriors, set those resolutions. Be realistic. Treat yo’self. In the words of the great Maui the demigod, “You’re Welcome” (in song form).

-Katie

5 Small Business Marketing Resolutions For 2018

Happy New Year! Katie and I have big plans for The Little Marketing Genius this year. In the midst of our own organizing and planning, I thought that now would be a great time to share some tips for getting your marketing kick-started in 2018. The recipe mixes business with fun so it’s sure to be a success. Let’s do this!

1. Commit to getting really good at one social media platform.

If you currently use social media, you most likely have felt overwhelmed at one point or another … especially if you’re trying to manage multiple different channels. My advice: pick ONE platform and become an expert at it. If you’ve been half-assing Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and SnapChat, now’s the time to try this new approach. 

If you’re currently managing multiple channels, narrow down which one is getting the most traction. If you’re not currently using social media, you’ll want to do a little research to gain insights on which platform might work best for your particular type of business. For example, if you’re a local fashion boutique, Instagram would be a prime choice for showcasing amazing photos of your latest trends. 

Once you have your platform picked out, dedicate at least 15-20 minutes a day to it. Learn more about it. Scope out how small businesses similar to yours are using it. And, most importantly, post to it! Consistency and compelling content are the keys to being successful on social media.

2. Start a blog and strive to publish at least two posts a month.

Katie and I are huge advocates of blogging. Why? Because it abso-freaking-lutely works to drive web traffic!  

“Every time you write a blog post, it's one more indexed page on your website, which means it's one more opportunity for you to show up in search engines and drive traffic to your website in organic search.” [HubSpot: Why Blog? The Benefits of Blogging for Business and Marketing.]

Now you might be saying to yourself, “But I’m not a writer!” My rebuttal to that: if you can verbally explain your product/service to customers each day, then you can write about it, too! Blogging is easy and you DO NOT have to be an English major in order to launch great content. 

Now, if you’re not used to writing, getting started might feel a tad awkward (and perhaps frustrating). However, the more you do it, the more comfortable it will become. All it takes is commitment and patience.

Get Our Guide To Blogging

My biggest piece of advice concerning your blog is having CONFIDENCE. You are the expert on your small business. And you spend countless hours each week answering questions and explaining your products or services to people. Do you know what that means? You have a wealth of information to share in a blog format!  

And bonus … when you develop interesting and informative content based on your own experiences it not only positions you as a thought leader, but also creates a fantastic opportunity for you to share something on social media! 

3. Do something that you love (not work-related) once per month. 

I don’t know about you guys but when I’m engaging in a hobby or activity that I love, it always helps re-energize my creativity and passion. I added this item to the list of resolutions because I truly believe that marketing success starts and ends with those very two things: creativity and passion. If you’re like most small business owners, your brain is probably always on overdrive. Make 2018 the year that you dedicate a few hours a month to letting loose! 

My go-to activity: painting. Yup, those watercolor popsicles you see here were done by yours truly during a fit of some much-needed art therapy right before Christmas. I’m also a HUGE fan of Paint Your Pet Nights at Splat Art Studio in Wallingford. Sipping wine and creating Bama, Mickey, and Vi Vi masterpieces with my friends … can it get any better than that?

Participating in a hobby you love will enrich many areas of your life … including your business. So whatever it is, be sure to dedicate time to it at least once a month in 2018! 

4. Make To-Do lists.

I’m Little Miss OCD (just ask Katie). While I may be the person who admittedly takes organization to a whole new level, I think that making To-Do Lists are extremely important to staying focused and getting shit DONE!

I’m going to interject with a funny story here. This past holiday season was incredibly stressful. With a business trip to Montreal planned the week before Christmas, I had way too much to do in very short order. Buying/wrapping gifts. Shopping for groceries. Prepping food. Etc. Etc. Etc. I was going a mile a minute right up until Christmas Day. 

Anyways, there was one afternoon in the middle of all this chaos that I wanted to go to the gym. I went upstairs on a mission to get my gym bag but, when I reached the wardrobe room where my bag was, I noticed a small mountain of laundry that needed to be addressed (#OCD). I immediately forgot my bag and started separating clothes. I walked back down the stairs (Laundry basket: check. Gym bag: uncheck), put the clothes in the wash, and then realized I had forgotten my bag upstairs. Ok, let’s try this again.  

I marched back upstairs, frustrated that I forgot my bag the first time. However, I was next greeted by a fresh pile of cat puke on the carpet. Off to the closet of cleaning supplies I went! As the cats were high-fiving each other on another victory over the Human, I made my way downstairs once again. Yup. Without the gym bag. 

On my third trip up the stairs, I was laughing (yet mildly concerned) over my memory loss issues. I had also decided I had enough of a workout climbing up and down the stairs so the gym was probably not needed at this point. The moral of the story: I am basically lost without my good old-fashioned paper To-Do List.   

I know you small business owners can totally relate to the whole “too much to do but too little time” thing. It’s the story of our lives. However, creating a daily To-Do List will help keep you focused throughout each day and allow you to achieve micro goals.

As Carrie Barron M.D. puts it, “In a culture with a surfeit of choices, lists can be a way to coalesce and conquer.” If you want a fun and quick read, check out her article: How Making Lists Can Quell Anxiety and Breed Creativity.

5. Exercise.

If you’re like many people, this resolution might have already made your list. According to data from Google, the term “Get Healthy” was searched 62,776,640 last year! Ok, so why did I put Exercise on my list of small business marketing resolutions? Honestly, it’s because I believe living a healthy and active lifestyle (like participating in those hobbies I mentioned in #3) will lead to major positivity gains in all aspects of your life. According to HelpGuide.org, exercise “relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts overall mood.” 

Now you tell me these aren’t all things that every small business owner can benefit from!

2018 is going to be a magnificent year. God Bless!

-J
 

Lemmy's Christmas Story

Twas the night before Christmas and we had a story to share. A story of before and afters but, most importantly, of a special dog being shown love and care.

It was a chilly fall morning when a sad bulldog was found. He was left on a back road with nothing around.

This is a tale that we hear all too often. Of dogs that have grown old and grey that are discarded without any sense of caution.

He had given up hope. He was so sick and in pain. His skinny body showed many years of neglect. This must be it ... his last day he met.

Someone must have been watching out for this sad bully boy. An Animal Control Officer appeared and the big oaf showed such joy.

He thought his Mom had sent them. He thought he was going home.

They jumped in the van and off they went. They arrived but home is not where they were. Looks to be he found himself at a shelter on a road called Pent.

This couldn't be right. How did this happen? He told himself he was such a good boy. This must be a mistake.

A cage was set up with soft blankets and food. It would do for now but it didn't seem good.

He became quite depressed as the days went by. He knew no one was coming. His Mom never even said goodbye.

The people at the shelter tried to be his friend but he just didn't understand. He was so scared and defensive in his pen.

It took several days and just as many treats and cookies alike. But this gentle giant found friendship in sight.

He saw that these people were not mean. One in particular showed him we were on his team.

He took time and patience, of course, all the time. He gave him a title, one that was quite fine.

This dog would be called Lemmy. A good name is quite vital!

He made quick friends with all of the staff. He certainly made all of them laugh.

He was quite silly and as sweet as they come. This boy was a star and most definitely raised the bar.

The story of shelter dogs though, especially ones like Lemmy, is that the shelter is not home. It is just a stop on their journey.

As great as he was, he was a very big boy. Families are often looking for much younger dogs, and ones that resemble a fluffy toy.

A plea was sent out to a rescue who just happened to be quite familiar with this big goofy breed.

In an instant they fell in love with the comical boy, with lots of love to give and lots of farts, too [p-u].

They weren't phased by his stink. They just fell in love. It was their new mission to bring this boy home, especially before Christmas.

They checked to see if they had the money to spare but sadly the cupboards were bare.

They had helped so many dogs this year past. Ones who had been so sick and wouldn't last.

They couldn't take Lemmy, not just yet. Only once they knew they could afford his vet.

It just so happened they crossed paths with some ladies who wanted to help ... and who knew how to raise money.

They had a thought, a dream if you may, that they wanted to share ... of helping some dogs find a home for the holiday.

They set up a raffle with tickets to buy. So many nice people shared their dream too. Money was raised and quite quickly there, too.

With this new money raised for this group, a miracle could happen. It took a whole troop! 

So with this great news, a ride was arranged to spring Lemmy from the shelter just in time for Christmas day.

No more hard floor to lay his head on at night. No more lonely time in his cage. His days were about to be much more bright.

He will spend this fine Christmas under a tree by the fire, and in a home full of glee.

Of course, this family is just for now, as they are angels called fosters. Soon down the road a forever family will show up. They are always on the rosters.

Until then he will be shown love and care. One thing is for certain, that we cannot forget ... to say thank you to you all. Lemmy and we are forever in your debt!

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

By Katie Ehlers

How Social Media Helped Save Domino + 6 Tips To Perfect Your Next Facebook Campaign

Shortly after being hired as an Animal Control Officer in 2013, a young, spunky Pitbull mix came in as a roamer. I remember it being a little before Christmas. He was sent to doggie jail for roaming the local schoolyard and reportedly trying to attend social studies with the kids after recess. (You can’t blame a dog for trying to get an education.)

You see, when you work in this industry for long enough, you pick up on certain things that help you determine if a dog was just out for a stroll and his parents are coming to look for him when they discover he’s missing. On the other side, you can tell right away if no one is ever coming for that dog.

This dog came in neutered with a brand new collar on. He was well groomed with nails so well-manicured, he put me to shame. I still to this day remember saying to him out loud, “Don’t worry buddy, I’m sure your Mom will come get you by the end of the day.” Unfortunately, days passed, then weeks … and we finally came to the realization that I was wrong. His Mom was not coming.

This dog was a bit of a handful. Super cute but boy, was he energetic. He would jump so high when you walked by his kennel you’d swear he had springs attached to his paw pads. He was white with black spots, very similar to the famous Target pup. We settled on a name of Domino. As time passed, he was my “Dommy Doodle.” He couldn’t have been more than 10 months old when he came to us. I thought for sure he would get adopted pretty quickly. I knew his energy level was going to require a special adopter but he was so darn cute! He’d get scooped up pretty quickly.

Well, those weeks turned into months and those months turned into years. We were approaching Domino’s third Christmas with us. Three years of sitting in the same concrete cell. Day in and day out. Of course we loved him and spoiled him as much we could but every dog deserves a family to spend their holiday, well every single day, with. What could I do? How could I find this dog a home before Christmas?  I needed a plan and time was ticking.

It’s no surprise that animals pull at people’s heartstrings. Especially around the holidays. (If those awful Sarah McLaughlin commercials don’t make you at least get a little misty-eyed then I fear for your soul.) Anyways, I knew that if I was going to reach Domino’s target audience, this was the time to do it. I, of course, shared his picture on social media countless times. Using social media to re-home the shelter dogs had worked for so many before him. I pleaded for someone to save him from the misery that must exist in looking at the same four walls every single day. So what could I do different? What would drive the right people in? What was going to reach that one person that had the patience for a dog that had essentially been institutionalized, living in a kennel for so long?

Then it hit me. We needed a campaign. We needed a “Get Dom a home for Christmas” campaign. It’s like a magical light bulb went off. The concept really wasn’t a complicated one but I certainly wish I had thought of it three years prior!

I immediately went to work. I contacted local newspapers and flooded Facebook with pictures of Dom. I sent a plea out that no one could ignore and would feel compelled to share. NBC and Channel 3 News eventually caught wind of the campaign and came down to take footage of Dom and spread the word even further. Domino was famous! All of a sudden we were getting inundated with calls from all over the country for him. Indiana, California, Pennsylvania. It was absolutely crazy!

One of Domino's glamor shots posted on social media in 2016.

Even with all of the calls, inquiries, and visits, there was only a very tiny percentage of those people who would have been an appropriate fit for him ... and even less who were committed to giving him everything he needed and so truly deserved. As much as people liked the idea of saving that desperate dog from the shelter, I didn’t think they always really understood the work involved. Of course, we were so grateful for any and all of the attention we were getting. And several other dogs ended up getting adopted because of the traffic that was driven in from Dom’s campaign. While we were thrilled for his kennel mates, things weren’t looking that good for Dom.

A Christmas Miracle

Call it a Christmas miracle if you’d like … a nice cocktail of miracles and marketing. It happened. We were approached by a young woman who lived in our very same town. She was under our noses the entire time! As a school teacher, she came equipped with the level of patience that Dom needed. She had just purchased a beautiful new home and it happened to be that “every house needs a dog, so why not Mr. Domino?” It was a flawless adoption. Perfect references and her home visit made us all want to live with her. Could it be true? Was this actually happening? Well, I probably pinched myself a thousand times that week. It was finally Domino’s moment.

The news stations returned to the shelter to share in the celebration. They taped footage of him walking out those shelter doors for the last time. The marketing of him finding his new home was just as important as the search. It was a journey that we invited the world to join us on. So it was only appropriate to continue to keep “Team Domino” posted. We had set out to complete a mission within a specific timeframe. We met our goal and it was time to share this victory with everyone who helped close the deal.
 

We later arrived at Domino’s pristine new home. His Mom went on to show us the baby gates she put up and where he would sleep. No sooner did we talk about the height of the gates, Dom cleared the one into the living room and made a beeline for the shiny balls hanging from the Christmas tree. We all gasped as we envisioned this perfect tree, with ornaments placed ever so carefully, crashing down. We were pleasantly surprised though … crisis averted! He was remarkably much better behaved than anticipated!

They always say that shelter dogs always seem to be a little more appreciative. As if to say that they recognize they’ve been saved. Well, I don’t know how well dogs process information like that but I will tell you that this dog ended up exactly where he was supposed to. Campaign “Find Domino A Home For Christmas” was a success! This year will be his second Christmas AT HOME.

Domino and his mom practicing good behavior in front of the Christmas tree!

6 Tips To Perfect Your Next Social Media Campaign

So what makes a social campaign like this one truly work? To break it down, it involves six key factors, which I believe are of equal importance.

1. Create a Facebook Event.

In addition to your regular feed, creating an event will build excitement. It’s like joining a party and everyone is invited. In fact, the more, the merrier! Who doesn’t want a piece of the action?

2. Promote sponsored Facebook ads.

In the animal industry, we have the cuteness factor working in our favor. You will undoubtedly reach a larger audience on a faster scale if you’re talking about puppies versus planting grass seed or making deviled eggs. However, regardless of how fluffy the subjects are, it is indeed a fact that sponsored ads are seen more than free posts.

“A study from Edgerank Checker found that between February 2012 and March 2014, organic reach for the average Facebook Page dropped from 16% to 6.5%. Research from Social@Ogilvy, meanwhile, suggests that for Pages with more than 500,000 Likes, organic reach could be as low as 2%.” [Bernazzani, C. (2017, April 12). The Decline of Organic Facebook Reach & How to Outsmart the Algorithm]

Long story short: boost or promote your Facebook ads for better reach!

3. Tell a story.

Craft a compelling narrative and plea that will engage your audience … and encourage them to share it. Put yourself in the shoes of your audience. Do you find the topic interesting? Does it appeal to you on some level? If it’s boring and doesn’t catch their attention instantly, you’ll lose them. Make sure your photos are clear, compelling, and add value to your story. You do not need to be a professional photographer to take decent photos. Just steady your smart phone and snap away. Post blurry or unattractive photos will make you look like an amateur which could lead to the loss of audience members if they view you as unprofessional.

For more tips and tricks on taking amazing photos, read our blog post “How To Take High Quality Photos Using Your iPhone.”

4. Continuously post updates.

You do not want to lose your audience. Keep them engaged by continually posting updates. With Domino’s campaign, the high frequency of published content generated an increase in traffic … which ultimately resulted in adoptions of several other animals at the shelter. Although these adoptions were not the ultimate goal, they were still happy endings and residual successes.

5. Set a goal and have a deadline.

Having a defined plan is a key to success with any marketing campaign. What is the primary goal and what’s the timeframe to achieve it? We created Domino’s campaign in early December. The deadline was less than a month away. It’s easier to captivate people in the moment. Promoting a campaign too far in advance can lead to people forgetting about it or losing interest and ultimately a lackluster finish.

6. Share your success.

When the campaign is over, be sure to share the results with your audience. Domino’s campaign grew the shelter’s Facebook Page by thousands of likes. Sharing campaign news along with other content your audience will find interesting will help sustain your number of followers. Your audience is an asset for future campaigns … be sure to keep them in the loop and constantly nurture them with more great content. This also reminds me to mention that it’s ok to post an update or something relevant about your campaign even if it has been months since it ended. It can serve as a happy reminder to some followers as to why they fell in love with your story to begin with.

And with that, you are bound to have a successful campaign.

YOU CAN HELP PUPS LIKE DOMINO FIND THEIR FOREVER HOMES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT ONE MORE DOG RESCUE! 

Home For The Holidays

Courtesy of Lost Highway Imaging

UPDATE!

We raised a total of $965 for our Home For The Holidays Fundraiser (and Little Marketing Genius will kick in a little extra to hit a whopping $1,000)! The winners of our raffle were:

• $50 Amazon Gift Card: Amanda Collin of Newington, CT

• $30 Petco Gift Card: Ashley Hebert of Yalesville, CT

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It’s no secret that we here at LMG are dog lovers. (Actually, we are lovers of all creatures but dogs really are a girl’s best friend.) Jamie rescued her big boy, Bama, from Wallingford Animal Control and I adopted my two pups, Maverick and Hank, from One More Dog Rescue (OMD). 

We recently learned that OMD has been facing financial hardships due to several of their dogs requiring some pretty pricey veterinary care. When funds are low, it means the rescue has to slow down on saving other dogs in need! 

We can’t imagine our lives without our dogs. I wouldn’t have found and fell in love with Mav and Hank if it wasn’t for OMD. Not only do they focus their efforts on pulling dogs from municipal shelters right here in Connecticut but they also rescue dogs from the Chicago Area Animal Care & Control.

My one wish:

To find a forever home this Christmas!

As I mentioned, Bama came from Wallingford Animal Control, which is just one of the Connecticut shelters that OMD frequently rescues dogs from. (Hank and Maverick just so happen to be Chicago boys!) As the holidays approach, we want to help OMD help as many dogs as possible. By helping, we mean we want them to have the ability to spring more dogs from shelters and find their way to foster or forever homes before Christmas! 

No dog should be alone in a cage on any holiday, but especially not on Christmas. So we are going to play Santa and raise money to help pay for some of OMD’s veterinary bills! Wondering just how we plan on doing this? Well, being the little geniuses that we are, we have come up with a spectacular idea that we know you’ll be excited to help with! Not to mention, you are going to get the chance to score some goodies! 

Home For The Holidays 
Fundraiser To Benefit One More Dog Rescue

From now until 12/21, we’ll be selling online raffle tickets ($5 each) for these two prizes:

• (1) $50 Amazon Gift Card

• (1) $30 Petco Gift Card

You can buy as many tickets as you want. (You know the drill … more tickets = better odds of winning.) 100% of the proceeds raised will go straight to One More Dog Rescue. On December 22, we’ll draw our two winners and make the big announcement on social media! 

-Katie