#PetBrandChat Debuts April 10

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

I hope you all have enjoyed the Rallyin review and giveaway. I certainly did have a great time using their unique site to create a product review that was quick and easy. And I've enjoyed seeing a number of my readers join in to use the site. You don't have to be a blogger to review a product. Anyone can use it to share their thoughts, photos and experiences. Now let's get to the news of today....

Today I'm here to tell you about Event Barker's newest event: #PetBrandChat. Don't let the name fool you. This event is for YOU--all of you! The goal of #PetBrandChat is to help pet brands connect one-on-one, with their customers and potential customers, having real time conversations, building lifelong relationships and learning more about each other.

Are you like me? I abhor lunch at restaurants and will gladly eat at my desk, working with a furball at my feet. This is glorious to me. If you enjoy a quiet lunch break away from the phones and chatter of your office, join Event Barkers for our new chat event. Our #PetBlogChat will be featured on select Wednesdays at 1 PM ET, specifically to offer 2 things, in no particular order:

• Twitter users can join in a conversation that has a preset theme, always pet related. The theme will be announced one week before in a post on Wednesday, so you'll have a week to plan a brown bag lunch, ask Siri to remind you, and mark your calendar as a backup. West coasters can grab a Starbucks for their coffee break to join in the conversation. Further, on the day of the chat, another blog post will hail that day's themed event, reminding you of the time and hashtag.
• Brands may choose to attend and discuss the theme as well, or may sponsor the event in order to take the chat to a more specific, brand-focused level. Jump into the conversation and meet some potential new customers or clients. Want to sponsor your own #PetBrandChat? It's affordable and simple to set this up. Email me at EventBarkers@gmail.com for details.

Unlike Event Barkers Twitter Parties, our #PetBrandChat is a tamer, discussion-driven and relationship-focused event. While there are no prizes or hoopla, there will be a brand representative available on sponsored chats, specifically to answer your questions and help you find the details you seek. This is a unique opportunity for Tweeps and brands alike to learn, in a one-on-one conversation, more about one another's needs, interests, priorities and more. Where else can you find this opportunity to chat directly--customer to brand?

Your questions will be directed to and answered by the company rep who joins us to man the official brand Twitter account. This handle will be introduced at the opening of the 30-minute event so that you'll know exactly who to ask your important questions.

Some #PetBrandChat events will be wholly sponsored and hosted by @EventBarkers, with our staff answering your questions and helping with your pet-related problems. Watch for these topics that will cover a wide variety of DIY pet subjects, sure to be helpful in your life with pets.

Watch for more this week to help you understand #PetBrandChat and the benefits to you and your pets. I'll be back soon with additional answers to the questions you may be asking yourself.

A word about etiquette for brands: Non-sponsoring brands will be held to a professional code of ethics, much like that which they will want for themselves when they sponsor a #PetBrandChat. The etiquette of a brand who joins as a guest will include a simple guideline to remember their place--no brand promo if you're not the sponsoring brand. No urls, just generic conversation with willing guests. Thank you!

Pet Lifestyle on Twitter

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Since Event Barkers debuted with #SafeHowlOween in October of 2011, I've continued to be amazed by the activity and engagement of Twitter users and brands. Producing social media events such as Twitter Parties has been very rewarding. Now we'd like to move to a new and different area of the Twitterverse.

Did you see the amazing questions asked of @LifeandDog at our #SuperDogPics Twitter Party? It was nothing short of amazing how an expert can attract a crowd and have thought-provoking, compelling questions asked of them. We'd like to recreate this experience each week for our followers, allowing them to get the information they seek for their pets and their lives with them.

That said, I have a new trick up my sleeve that will be starting up this Spring. Brands who wish to connect with Twitter users to answer questions, jump into meaningful conversation regarding their products and pets, and build lifelong relationships with loyal customers, need only jump on board.

Twitter users should watch for more announcements regarding dates, times and topics. We'll be bringing you the opportunity to chat about specific pet topics that interest YOU. Care to spill now? The comment link is open. We'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas.

Event Barkers is interested in brand feedback as well as participation and sponsorship for these customer and potential-customer chats. Want to learn more about this new concept? Please get in touch with Event Barkers at EventBarkers@gmail.com. We'd love to help you bark out your message.