Friday Link Roundup, 11/6

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a Friday Link Roundup, but it’s not at all because I’ve had a lack of links to share. It’s quite the contrary, actually. There are plenty of interesting pest management related articles and blog posts on the web these days.

This has been a popular feature since I started it, so believe me when I say the Friday Link Roundup isn’t going away. In fact, if you notice, I’ve got a fancy new graphic to use and I’m including a date in the post header so it’s easier to sort.

Anyway, without further ado, here are some links I think are worth checking out this week. Enjoy!

What does the life of a fire ant look like? Why, head on over to the FireRANT — a blog about fire ants — and read this excellent post.

Did you know pest management professional ranks as the No. 2 most creepy-crawly job? I do, thanks to ProBest Pest’s blog, where you can read about it in this interesting post.

Where did all those bed bugs in your home come from? It could be from that used furniture you just acquired, says to Stern’s Chatter in this informative post.

What about rented furniture? Yep, that poses a bed bug thread too, according to BedBugger.com in this cautionary post.

What in the world is a wheel bug? You can find out all about it on Brasure’s Pest Control’s blog in this educational post.

Finally, what would you like to know about bees? Everything? Great, then head on over to Mike Merchant’s blog and read this enlightening post.

See, I told you there was a lot going on! This is only a small, small sampling. — you PMPs are quite active on the web. Keep it up, and I’ll keep posting links.

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NPMA’s PestWorld Wraps Up

It was another eventful day in Las Vegas at NPMA’s PestWorld 2009. There were many quality educational sessions and committee meetings this morning and this afternoon.

The exhibit hall opened for the final time this evening, giving PMPs and suppliers one more chance to connect. And, of course, I took the opportunity to visit a few more booths with my camera. Enjoy.

That’s wraps it up for NPMA’s PestWorld 2009 in Las Vegas. I can’t wait until next year’s show. Aloha!

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More from NPMA’s PestWorld

Another busy day in the exhibit hall at NPMA’s PestWorld 2009 in Las Vegas. It was just as crowded today as it was yesterday, a good sign for exhibitors and the industry.

I managed again to make my way around to many booths with my trusty video camera in tow. Here’s what you may have missed today.

Two days down, one to go. Tomorrow should be another eventful day, and I promise to make it to as many booths as I can. Until then, Ciao!

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Navigating NPMA’s PestWorld 09

What an amazing first day here in Las Vegas for NPMA’s PestWorld 2009. All morning long, as I walked the labyrinth of corridors in the Venetian and Palazzo Hotels and Casinos, I came across many pest management professionals. Some were PMPs I’ve met before, who stopped me to chat or say hello, some were PMPs I’d never met before, who stopped me to chat or say hello.

I’ve said this so many times, I’m starting to sound like a broken record (um … what’s a record?), but I’ll say it again: This is truly an industry filled with the friendliest of people.

As the exhibit hall opened following a rousing opening ceremonies, PMPs from all over the world flooded in to check out the latest and greatest products and services this industry’s great suppliers have to offer. I, and my trust video camera, were among those walking the show floor to see what each booth had to offer.

So, without further ado, I present my video tour of the exhibit hall at NPMA’s PestWorld 2009 in Las Vegas. Enjoy!

PHEW!!! Can you believe I’m still standing? My feet are aching, but there’s no rest for the wicked. There so much more to see and do here at NPMA’s PestWorld. I’ll post another update tomorrow, including another video tour of the show floor as I visit even more booths.

For immediate updates, be sure to follow PMP magazine on Twitter, where I’ll post updates and videos live from the show floor.

Ciao!

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Viva Las Vegas

Bright light city gonna set my soul,
Gonna set my soul on fire.
Got a whole lot of money that’s ready to burn,
So get those stakes up higher.
There’s a thousand pretty women waitin’ out there,
And they’re all livin’ devil may care,
And I’m just the devil with love to spare.
Viva Las Vegas, viva Las Vegas!

The largest gathering of pest management professionals (PMPs), suppliers, distributors and consultants in the pest management industry — a pantheon of Who’s Who in the pest management industry — will be on hand in Las Vegas next week for NPMA’s PestWorld 2009.

If you’re among those PMPs who are making this journey to the desert, I can promise you won’t be disappointed. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) always puts together a fantastic show, and this year’s show promises to be just as fabulous as Las Vegas itself.

As we make last minute preparations at Pest Management Professional to attend the show, I thought it might be helpful to provide some tips on how to get the most out of NPMA’s PestWorld 2009.

A quick Google search on tips for trade show attendees yielded some pretty good advice, which I thought I’d include here with a few tips of my own:

• Have a goal of what you want to accomplish.
• Make a list of which exhibitors you’d like to visit, what seminars you want to attend and which new product lines you’d like to see (a list of exhibitors and seminars can be found on the NPMA Web site).
• Set appointments with any exhibitor you’d like to meet during the show.
• Pack comfortable shoes — you do a lot of walking at trade shows and in Las Vegas.
• When deciding what to wear, keep in mind you’re a representative for your company.
• Allow enough room in your suitcase(s) to bring back more than you take — this includes literature, freebies and product samples.
• Some exhibitors provide bags, but come prepared by bringing a comfortable carryall for all that literature and freebies.
• Make sure your badge is in plain sight while attending the seminars and exhibits.
• Have a pen and notebook ready for notes.
• Take a break after a few hours to refresh, have a snack and get some fresh air.
• Attend the educational sessions — this is why you came.
• Don’t linger too long at each booth because there’s plenty to see.
• Don’t stay in a conversation with a company in which you’re not interested in doing business. It wastes your time and the exhibitor’s time.

Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned tradeshow professional, I hope you found some of these tips useful.

Two more pieces of advice I must dispense: 1) Bring plenty of your own business cards and 2) Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to others.

After all, it’s all about the networking. Meet as many of your peers as you can and form solid business relationships with suppliers and distributors. NPMA’s PestWorld is your chance to get in touch with everyone all in one place. Take advantage of this tremendous opportunity.

Now, for those of you cannot attend this year’s show, stay tuned to my blog, Keeping it Simple, as well as the PMP magazine Twitter page. I’ll do my best to post daily recaps on my blog and live updates on Twitter.

See you in Las Vegas!

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post originally appears as my On the Record column on mypmp.net and in the Buzz eNewsletter.

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Fun with Spammers

How much spam do you get in your e-mail every day? A handful? Maybe. Dozens? Perhaps. Certainly, there’s a lot of it floating around out there. Companies make a lot of money off of spam — if they didn’t, we wouldn’t keep getting it.

Occasionally, I get a piece of spam that’s disguised as a legitimate e-mail. To a naïve reader, these appear to be real — that’s the intention of the spammer.

For example, last month I received this e-mail:

Mon, Sep 21, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Subject: Pest Control

Good Afternoon,

I have a number of potential customers looking for pest control services in your area. I thought you would make a good fit.

Please give me a call at your earliest convenience.

Michael Markman

I can be reached at 714-544-2607 ext 108

If you do not wish to receive any further messages simply click on the link below, enter your mail address and click the UNSUBSCRIBE button. You will be removed from all future mailings.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: Why not simply ignore his e-mail or click the UNSUBSCRIBE button? Most of the time, I would simply delete it and move on. That’s the best thing to do. When you get something like this, it’s best just to delete it and not give it a second thought.

But something was calling me to respond.

Never mind the fact that I don’t have a need for customers looking for pest control services (since, duh, I do not run or work for a pest management company).

After Googling his name and phone number, I simply had to respond.

Tue, Sep 22 at 10:35 AM
Subject: Re: Pest Control

Hello Mike,

Thank you so much for thinking of me. I’m curious, what is it about me that makes you think I’d be a good fit for your potential customers?

Thanks again.

-Pete

That’s true! I was curious as to what he knew about be and why he thought I would be a good fit for his potential customers. Of course, a co-worker informed me that, by responding, all I did was confirm that my e-mail address was valid. Nonetheless …

Thu, Sep 24 at 5:44 PM
Subject: Re: Pest Control

We would place your company on the first page of google.com in the cities you service. Is that something that you feel would benefit your business?

Wow! That’s a pretty good offer. Forget everything you think you know about SEO, this guy holds the key

Thu, Sep 24 at 6:29 PM
Subject: Re: Pest Control

Michael! OMG!!! That would be awesome! Are you kidding me? Of course that would be a benefit to my business!

Thanks.

-Pete

I thought the “OMG!!!” was a nice touch.

Thu, Sep 24 at 6:32 PM
Subject: Re: Pest Control

Is there a number I can call you on Pete?

Michael

Of course I have a telephone number, but I’m not giving it to him. That would ruin the fun. Besides, I have a few more questions.

Fri, Sep 25 at 5:45 AM
Subject: Re: Pest Control

Hi Mike,

Forgive me if I sound a bit confused. The prospect of being No. 1 on Google has me so excited, I’m not sure I’m thinking straight.

It occurred to me last night that your original e-mail implied that you had potential customers you thought would be a good fit for me. I guess I assumed these “potential customers” were already your clients and that you were planning on referring them to me. Am I mistaken?

Are you simply referring to anyone who uses Google as a potential customer?

Thanks in advance for clearing this up for me. I’m looking forward to working with you.

-Pete

Am I wrong here? While it may technically be true, it just seems a bit bold to assume anyone who uses Google is a potential customer.

Fri, Sep 25 at 1:12 PM
Subject: Re: Pest Control

I am reffering to anyone who uses google as a potential customer to look for you in the cities you service. Is there a number I can reach you on?

Michael

There he goes, asking for my phone number again. At this point, I was starting to lose interest and was too busy to keep “playing” him. But, I was urged by coworkers to keep it going and turn it into a blog post.

Thu, Oct 15 at 6:33 AM
Subject: Re: Pest Control

Hola Mikey!

Sorry I haven’t gotten back to you in a while. Quick question: In order to consider anyone who uses Google as a potential customer, would I first have to have a company Web site?

Thanks.

-Pete

Nearly three weeks had passed and I certainly didn’t expect to hear back from him. So, I had a little fun with the “Hola Mikey!” greeting and the dumb question about the company Web site. He didn’t disappoint.

Thu, Oct 15 at 6:51 PM
Subject: Re: Pest Control

No. Even if you dont have a company website, we would build you a custom web page which comes with the google package for no extra cost.

This guy does it all. He’s going to build a website for my pest control company, and make me No. 1 on Google. Still, I couldn’t help but go back to what he originally lured me with in his original e-mail.

Fri, Oct 16 at 5:29 AM
Subject: Re: Pest Control

Yo, Mike-a-rino!

Forgive me for sounding hesitant, but I’m a bit confused. Your original e-mail made it seem like you had referrals you were ready to hand over to me, but now it seems you’re trying to sell me on some kind of Internet advertising package.

I hope you can clear this up. Thanks.

-Pete

Perhaps calling him “Mike-a-rino” was a tad over the top.

Fri, Oct 16 at 12:29 PM
Subject: Re: Pest Control

Pete. Im getting a vibe like you like wasting my time. Take Care.

Uh-oh … I think he’s on to me. Abort? Nah …

Fri, Oct 16 at 3:37 PM
Subject: Re: Pest Control

Mike,

Who’s wasting who’s time? You’re the one who’s trying to pull the old bait and switch on me.

How much time have I devoted to trying to figure out this puzzle of yours? You tell me you have leads — good leads, the Glengarry leads — then when I tell you I’m interested, you try to instead sell me a bill of goods on a custom-built Web site and a search engine optimization on Google.

Do you even know what my business is? I’ve invested just as much time into this as you have, and now you want to pull out simply because I have a few questions?

I’m beginning to think you never had any leads for me to begin with.

-Pete

The end? Maybe. I highly doubt I’ll hear back from Michael Markman, but I’m holding out hope. I really would like to get those Glengarry leads and be No. 1 on all of Google!

This was, of course, all in good fun. If he’s going to spam me, you can’t fault me for wasting his time a little. If anything, it made for (I hope) a good blog post and a good warning to others who might receive similar e-mails.

If you enjoyed this, then you simply must read about the time I tried to buy Bulldog Puppies from Cameroon. Enjoy!

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You’re Online, But is Your Business?

If you’re reading this, it’s quite obvious you’re online (unless someone printed it out and passed it along to you, but let’s be honest here, no one is printing out my blog and passing it around).

So, you’re online and you’re most likely aware of how useful the Internet can be — everyone has some sort of web presence. Is your company included in that everyone? It should be.

The article, Online Presence Imperative to Small Business Success, states that “what used to be a luxury is now a necessity for anyone starting up their own venture.”

Think about it: establishing your business on the Internet is not only easier than ever, it’s important. Read the full article here.

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