Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

TRUSTED DIRECTORIES ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP WITH FIX IT UP!


S & E TRUSTED ONLINE DIRECTORIES INC & FIX IT UP -JOINT  MEDIA RELEASE

For Release - January 26th, 2021 at 10 am SASKATOON, SK  

TRUSTED DIRECTORIES ANNOUNCE A PARTNERSHIP WITH FIX IT UP! 

S & E Trusted Online Directories is a multi-award-winning Saskatchewan marketing company headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Founded in 2011 by local award-winning entrepreneur Sara Wheelwright, it has a local online directory division, that includes Trustedsaskatoon.com and Trustedregina.com. In addition, there is a full-service marketing agency, Our company focus is supporting local businesses operated with integrity as a priority. 


FIX IT UP is owned by Brad Fekula and Dwayne Melcher. Brad has over a decade of marketing expertise at Cubbon Advertising, primarily dealing with Saskatchewan businesses. Dwayne is the owner of Melcher Media, a previously Trusted Regina website company and a highly respected Saskatchewan tech agency specializing in software and virtual reality (VR) development.  The Fix-It Up software allows consumers a convenient and reliable way to save time and money when looking for a local quote. The FIX IT UP quote software was created by the developers at Melcher Media to revolutionize the way quotes are provided. 

SASKATCHEWAN TECH COLLABORATING TO CREATE ADDITIONAL VALUE FOR SMALL SASK BUSINESSES
 

In 2020 Trusted and FIX IT Up entered into a mutually beneficial legal partnership agreement with the view to providing more support to local businesses in Saskatchewan.  On the surface the 2 companies may seem to be in competition as local web-based directories; but in fact, on closer inspection, it became obvious that they instead complement each other's activities. They share a common goal, to provide the best solutions and advertising value to their clients in the Saskatchewan services industry. 


The Trusted Directories partner with a select and restricted number of locally owned businesses. These businesses fall into 40 specific categories and most are based in and around  Saskatoon and Regina. These businesses are mostly service providers, and to become partners they must meet a unique set of standards, pass a Trusted qualification process, and sign a contract to commit to upholding specific standards of service ‘ The Trusted Guarantees’.  Trusted then promotes the partners individually and as part of the ‘Trusted Community’. Essentially, we sell the Trusted Partners as our only ‘product‘ to the local marketplace via a comprehensive marketing campaign - including, but not limited to,  billboards, radio, social media, CPC campaigns, event marketing, sponsorship, and more. This gives the partners significant exposure in their local marketplace, drives quality leads, and helps their SEO. Trusted also contributes time and money to help the partner's community support efforts, and the Trusted community holds each other accountable as a group of like-minded, quality-driven, locally owned businesses. 


FIX IT UP directories on the other hand, primarily provides a comprehensive quoting platform for local service providers in over 220+ categories. A detailed and industry-specific online quoting system saves service providers significant time. In addition, to build such a platform/feature on their own websites would be a significant cost that most service providers would not invest in. FIX IT UP businesses pay a very small lead fee, which they only pay if they are selected for a job they quote. The benefits for consumers and corporations is that they can provide all their information in one easy-to-use platform and await quotes from local service providers.  This is a managed process and also saves consumers time shopping around and the frustration of businesses not getting back to enquiries in a timely manner. 

The Trusted/FIX IT UP partnership involves the following elements:

1. Integration of the FIX IT UP quote software into the Trusted Directories clouded database platform. 

This means that Trusted Partners will be able to receive detailed quotes from local consumers who want a Trusted local service provider. This saves the consumer time and as the partners have to respond in a timely fashion customers are not left ‘ hanging ‘ waiting for a reply. In addition, they can request a quote at their convenience as our platform is open for business 24/ 7!


A bonus for the Trusted partners, is that the quote link and landing page is unique to each business. This means they will not be competing with other businesses in their category that are signed up as a FIX IT UP provider.

See a listing example here: https://www.trustedsaskatoon.com/listing.aspx?lid=334 



2. Trusted Saskatoon & Regina Partners who are listed on Fix It Up will be highlighted as Trusted on Fix It Up.


This differentiates Trusted Partners and recognizes the steps they have taken to invest in their integrity.
It also shines a spotlight on their consistently high standards of quality work and customer service and gives them an advantage in the selection process.



3. FIX IT UP operates on a ‘ typical online directory model’.
They aim to sign up as many businesses as possible and charge a very small fee per lead.  After staffing and development costs this does not allow for much capital to invest in local marketing to drive consumers to use the platform, especially when it comes to mass media like print, broadcast or billboard.  


The Trusted Directories model is different, they charge more for an annual fee and severely restrict the number of businesses in each category to offer much more individual promotion, marketing value, and personalized service for their partners. They appreciate the quality of the FIX IT UP quoting software and in return for integration they are committed to promoting the feature and their FIX IT UP Partnership as part of their ongoing marketing strategy in the cities they serve. 


The owners of Trusted and FIX IT UP believe that local businesses like themselves should actively seek out collaboration opportunities in order to become more successful. We appreciate each other’s strengths, and we are proud to enter into a partnership as two established and recognized leaders in the Saskatchewan marketing industry. A community whose tech sector collaborates is a valuable asset to the province and we believe is crucial for the success of Sask tech as a whole. 


Support local and we all win!


Invisible Fence Brand of Saskatchewn Shares a Cat Person's Guide to Managing Hydration!

Invisible Fence® Brand systems Saskatchewan are invisible boundary systems for your yard and home! It keeps your pet out of harm's way and prevents unwanted behaviors throughout your home and yard. The systems are safe, humane, and highly recommended by Veterinarians, Behaviorists, and pet experts.

Over the last 40 years, they have helped more than two million pets and their owners lead safe and harmonious lives together, and their exclusive training program allows dogs and cats to learn their boundaries without fear, distress, or behavioral harm. Their proven P.E.T. Approach™ training method ensures the success of their products every time, with any pet, and in every household. The result? An unparalleled success rating (over 99%) and the most effective solutions in the industry! Freedom and convenience for you & your pet...and the system has a lifetime warranty. That’s an OWNERS lifetime warranty!

Invisible Fence Saskatchewan are Trusted Saskatoon Pet fencing solution experts! 

 

No lapping matter: A cat person’s guide to managing dehydration

By: Invisible Fence Brand on 08-02-2016

The drooping tongue and heavy breathing are not really signs of dehydration, but a panting dog is certainly a picture of thirst. At any rate, we tend to feel pretty confident our dogs will figure out a way to let us know when they’re ready for a drink. But cats are more of a mystery. How can you tell when they’re thirsty? 

This is the simple question we brought to the Seattle-based veterinarian and cat medicine expert, Christine Wilford, DVM--hoping she could help us solve the riddle of the cotton-mouthed cat. 

The first thing we learned is that it’s possible to be too concerned about your cat’s drinking habits. According to Dr. Wilford, a typical ten pound cat needs only about a cup of fluid per day, and your cat may already be getting most of that from his wet food: “Keep in mind that cats on dry food require more water than cats eating canned food. In fact, if canned food is wet enough, your cat may not drink at all. Having evolved from the desert, their kidneys are better at conserving hydration than ours or your dog’s.” 

Add to this camel-like retention of water the fact that cats don’t drink until they’re mildly dehydrated anyway, and you’ve got a classic picture of feline self-sufficiency: “Your cat drinks when he’s thirsty, unlike you--who may drink for flavor or to stave off dehydration. And if your cat is drinking, he's already dehydrated. But that’s normal. He drinks a little, restores body hydration, and gets on with his day of sleeping.” 

The picture we’re getting is that cats by instinct don’t avoid dehydration, they manage it. And this is precisely where you, the caregiver, can help them on a hot summer day. Not by switching to a super-sized water bowl, but by implementing a few “environmental” tweaks that will avoid dehydration creep from a combination of dry food, extended heat, and over-hot napping spots. 

A couple ideas
Switching to wet food or adding water to dry food are good ideas on a hot week. Also, cats favor cool, shaded spots in the house like tile floors or under beds. Dr. Wilford recommends that you find your cat’s favorite spots and make sure to close the shades. And if you know it’s going to be a scorcher and the AC’s out, why not invite your cat to take a load off by setting out a low-speed fan in front of a pan of ice? 

Except in cases of diabetes or kidney dysfunction--where the need for high volume replenishment can create some unique challenges--your cat’s replenishment is a passive affair.  As Dr. Wilford reminds us, cats basically shut down when it’s time to cool off:  “Unlike dogs who cool off by panting--and thus lowering their body’s temperature through the heat lost in breath moisture--cats do not pant as their primary cooling method. Nor do they typically pant after exertion. They cool by finding a cool place and stopping body activity.”  

By nature your cat is less alarmed about dehydration than you are. And the half-dozen water bowls you set up around the house is probably more for you than her. This summer, focus on creating an environment conducive to a cool and lazy afternoon, and, who knows, you might even find yourself on the receiving end of a purring nudge of thanks. 

Special thanks to Dr. Wilford.

At Invisible Fence Brand of Saskatchewan we’re passionate about protecting pets — so you can focus on fun! So, let’s talk. And we’ll find the gentle, effective, affordable solution that’s right for you and your pet. Guaranteed.


Invisible Fence Brand of Saskatchewan Shares 8 Myths About Shock Collars