Comments on: Cat Training & Other Marketing Irritants

By: Ark Lady

Ark Lady — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:36:40 +0000

@Rosana: I see you have Internet marketing savvy as I took the time to visit your site and Squidoo pages. I think the disservice is that most people do not know how to differentiate the information presented. Honestly, I don’t have a problem with people making a buck but when they seriously don’t know what they are talking about–and are just selling products they have compiled or made without professional background–then I do take issue with it.

@Andrew: Thanks for stopping by and including me in your blog roll. I took a look at a few of your sites. I think the difference is that when you are a pet store owner–you do educate yourself to educate you clients. I am dating someone who did not have any knowledge of the industry and who took over a pet store. Today, I’ll actually ask him for feedback or recommendations related to industry changes. He makes sure to educate his customers but is not claiming “expert” status–merely making sure he can direct clients to the best sources and products. I don’t have issues with people who actually are educated on an issue (including very savvy hobbyists) just those that are passing material along when it is not “expert” sourced, nor researched accurately, nor monitored for accuracy. There are enough problems out there already!

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:02:37 +0000

The definition of “expert” is a moving target - it all depends on the context, and sometimes even on opinions. I’ve been considered an expert in situations where I was less experienced than the majority of those present, and my knowledge has been dismissed when I clearly had the strongest background.

When you include business / marketing aspects of the “expert” label, you put some folks in a tough position. My wife and I started a small pet store and it’s important that our customers can trust our advice. We are not any certified accredation, but we are more knowledgeable and experienced than 99% of our customers. How do we convey that? I wouldn’t feel comfortable claiming to be an expert, but in the business world claiming anything less could be a marketing disaster.

I can understand why many folks trying to earn a living in the animal industry are are tempted to liberally apply the “expert” tag because to say “almost an expert” would drive customers away. I don’t condone the practice, but there are many non-experts out there who can provide valuble services nonetheless.

By: Rosana Hart

Rosana Hart — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 01:15:17 +0000

I came across your blog from a daily Google alert I get for the topic of dog training, then went and read the discussion you mention. I will just comment here on “someone who identifies a profitable niche and then proceeds to make a product to sell.”

Had I known how many of those people would turn up, from all over the world, I would probably not have started my own dog training site, since In internet marketing circles, dog training is a classic example of how to make a buck. The results at Google are full of these sites.

Now some of the marketers do create reasonably good products, but give me a shopping spree at Dogwise over them any time! (As a former librarian, my particular angle is evaluating information products.)