Date: Today, May 14, 2012 Time: 6:00 pm Pacific – 8:00 Central – 9:00 Eastern Place: Simulcast – attend via your phone or computer Speakers: Elisabeth McMillan and Chad Mendell
May 14, 2012 - More than 55% of horse professionals said in a recent EquestrianProfessional.com survey that they gained new customers through social media during the past year. Social media has also helped spawn several new online equestrian business models, improved communication channels for associations and horse councils and created more opportunities for horse professionals to expand their offerings and develop additional income streams.
However, as social media has evolved it has become abundantly clear that certain marketing strategies are far more effective than others. This is especially true for horse business owners.
To be successful with social media marketing, horse professionals must utilize strategies that complement their specific business model. For example, a riding school will need a completely different social media marketing plan than a professional rider or trainer. Breeders and sales barns need to apply different marketing strategies than boarding stables.
“Without the correct plans and strategies in place, it is like a basketball team using the playbook of a football team,” said Elisabeth McMillan, EquestrianProfessional.com editor. “Some of the principles of success may be the same, but the actual “moves” will be as different as night and day.” Equestrian Professional’s next free webinar will help horse business owners develop their own winning playbook.
“Relationships and reputation can determine the success of any business, and this is especially true for horse businesses,” said Chad Mendell, founder of CowDog Media. “Social media allows you to tap into a network of people whom you might never have met. It’s like word-of-mouth marketing on steroids.”
Smart Social Media for Horse Professionals 2012 will be packed with examples to help equestrian business owners identify their current business model and the most important social media marketing practices to implement in order for you to receive the highest return on their investment of time, money and effort.
You will learn:
1. Which social media strategies and platforms work best for each specific horse business model and why. You’ll get loads of examples and ideas that you can apply right away to improve your results.
2. The five critical audiences you must reach in order to consistently deliver the best customers to your door and how to effectively connect with them.
3. Essential systems, tools and apps for getting more done in less time. Social Media can be overwhelming and totally ineffective without the right tools and systems in place. You’ll learn how to create a plan that works for your schedule.
4. How to use social media to increase your current profitability and/or create new additional income streams.
Plus, Equestrian Professional team members will share a few insider secrets from their own private social media marketing playbook and give listeners a quick rundown on the latest social media platform updates and social media newcomers that equestrians should be aware of.
About the Speakers
Elisabeth McMillan is the editor and founder of Equestrian Professional.com. She is a horse business and marketing consultant and an industry expert on Social Media. She has addressed the topic of social media marketing at equestrian association conventions such as UPHA, USEA, CHA, The Kentucky Horse Council, and is scheduled to speak at the AHP (American Horse Publications) convention this June. EquestrianProfessional.com was also a top 10 finalist in the 2011 ESMAs in the categories of "Best Use of Facebook" and "Most Informative." This year she was selected as one of the 2012 ESMA judges
Chad Mendell is the former executive editor of The Horse: Your Guide To Equine Health Care and TheHorse.com where he developed an array of online educational products from videos, newsletters, and webinars. In 2010, he founded CowDog Media, an inbound marketing and web development company focused on helping businesses be more than just a point of purchase for their customers by helping them become an invaluable resource. He was selected to judge the 2012 ESMA (Equestrian Social Media Awards). Additionally, Chad is the vice president of the Kentucky Horse Council, and is scheduled to speak at the AHP (American Horse Publications) convention this June. He also actively trains and shows reining horses.
About Equestrian Professional.com
Equestrian Professional.com is a membership site that provides horse business education, resources and support to horse professionals around the globe. The site offers a wide array of programs, tools and information to help horse trainers, riding instructors, breeders, stable operators and professional riders run profitable businesses and build successful equestrian careers
