What lessons have I learned?

There are a few things I’ve learned since starting Vetanswers.

I really do love researching, reading and sharing great information.  I love writing and never find writing a blog post a chore.  I could probably write them all day!

I’m now even more firmly convinced that Vetanswers has an important role to play in helping those that work in veterinary practices to manage their businesses more successfully and continue to work in the industry they love.  

I was always determined that Vetanswers would be a free community and resource for those that work in the veterinary industry – and I don’t intend  to change that no matter how many people tell me I’m slightly mad.

From the beginning I intended that this free community would be funded by veterinary suppliers paying for their company to be part of the Vetanswers Business Directory.

Now this is my really big lesson – I just wish I loved selling as much as I loved writing and research!

I’ve learned it can be a bit tricky to determine a pricing strategy for something that doesn’t have a model or something similar elsewhere to compare and contrast to.

I’ve learned it can be tricky to sell a product or service that exists completely online and really depends on my ability to build, innovate and grow.

A competitor has popped up in the market place during the year – well sort of. And I’ve learned that I’m not terribly concerned about it – in fact having some competition is a good thing!  It gives me something to compare Vetanswers against and it gives a certain solidity to what Vetanswers is trying to achieve.

So for the last few months I’ve been trying to get my head around a pricing strategy for the Business Directory that offers value for money and that I’m comfortable with.  And that’s one of the things I’ve been focusing on during the week – and I’m pretty happy with what I’ve come up with (with some help I might add!).

 I also needed to get the pricing strategy finalised by this week.  I figured that if I was going to the AVA Conference to present at one session, I may as well attend the whole conference.  Then I could listen and learn from some great practice management speakers and also do my best networking in support of Vetanswers.  There’s nothing more I would love than to have a Trade Stand at the Conference but as I wouldn’t receive much change out of $10,000.00 it’s a little pricey for me, and many, many other businesses unfortunately (but that’s a whole other blog post!)

The fact of the matter is – building a successful (profitable!) Business Directory is what will fund the future fabulousness of Vetanswers.  It’s what will fund the future freeness (not a word I know) of Vetanswers that I’m so determined to maintain.  And it’s what will fund the future resources, benefits and whatever else I can deliver to members to help make your life a little easier and your job more enjoyable.

So if you’ve enjoyed being a Vetanswers member and you’d like to help there are a few things you could do (thank you for asking!) ....

You could tell all your friends in the veterinary industry about Vetanswers and ask them to join up as a member.....

You could talk to all the reps that visit your practice about Vetanswers and suggest that they join as well.....

You could even tell them that they should talk to their boss about adding the business to the Vetanswers Business Directory because then they’d be directly funding even more resources and benefits that benefit you...and the more successful your business is the more it will grow...and the more your business grows, the more of their product you’ll buy....and the more of their product you’ll buy...the more successful they’ll be!

Simple!

Over the next few days I’ll be adding my new pricing packages for the Business Directory on to the Vetanswers website and on Monday I’m off to Cairns.  Wish me luck and if you’re at the conference track me down & say hi!  I’ll be lurking around the practice management sessions although I’m also partial to sessions on behaviour and anything to do with senior dogs. 

Now it’s your turn – tell me what you’ve liked about Vetanswers, what you think I can improve or what you’d like to see more of.  You could also tell me if you’re going to be in Cairns.

See you there!