Whether we are new to the industry or have been in it for years, the pet industry is growing rapidly and if we don’t learn to use social media in the right ways, we will fall behind the times. A website alone just doesn’t cut it anymore, you need to know how to create content that your audience will love and share so you can use it effectively to grow your business. Knowing what content to post is only part of the equation. I asked five experts about their thoughts on how social media content can be used to improve marketing efforts in the pet services industry, and here’s what they had to say.
“Everyone knows that the funniest videos on the internet involve cats. Why? Because pets are internationally loved. That’s why so many groups on Facebook are dedicated to discussing animals. Do a quick Facebook Group search and you’ll find dozens of affinity groups for dog care, cat care, rodent care, even snake care. People are obsessed with their pets. Some of the top Instagram creators are pet accounts. So, with that in mind, it makes sense for a pet services company to expand into social media. The fan base is already there and easy to find. They’re international and local, they’re professional pet owners and they’re new pet parents. Utilizing social media to market a pet services industry isn’t just smart, it’s necessary. Hundreds of thousands of pet owners are going to social media already to get tips about their animals and share their love for them. Creating content geared toward them can create a huge boom in any pet service, especially when social media specific discounts are utilized.”
– Chelsea Fleeman, MS, Marketing Specialist
“Utilize visually appealing posts to showcase your products, share customer success stories, and run promotions to entice potential customers. Additionally, focus on raising awareness through educational content that provides valuable tips on pet health and well-being. This dual approach attracts new clients with enticing promotions and establishes your brand as a reliable source for pet care knowledge, fostering a community that values their pets’ health.”
– Diana Luft, Social Media Specialist
“Social media platforms offer a dynamic and interactive way for pet service businesses to connect with pet owners. Through visually engaging content, businesses can showcase their services, share client testimonials, and provide valuable pet care tips. Ultimately, leveraging social media can significantly amplify a pet service company’s reach and reputation, driving both customer engagement and business growth. It’s important to reach your customers on the platform they preference so prior to launching your campaigns on various platforms it would be great to see which channel gives you the best engagement ROI to ensure you prioritize this in your – planning.”
– Yanyn San Luis, Chief Executive Officer – The Win Woman
“There was a time in the pet industry when social media wasn’t a thing… hard to believe now though! Pet businesses simply used to set up, used traditional advertising methods like flyers, business cards and listings on local directories – and they were away! But now, it’s practically essential to have a social media presence for almost all businesses. It’s where we can showcase what we do, it’s where we can attract new potential customers, and it’s where we engage with existing customers. Of course, it’s not all we have to do. Marketing a business has evolved into a flurry of activities, from email marketing to websites, SEO, social media and advertising. For those who entered the pet industry simply wanting to work with pets, this can feel overwhelming. I hear it from clients all the time – “It wasn’t like this ten years ago; I just want to work with dogs. I don’t want to do all the marketing stuff.” My take is always that you don’t have to do it all. As a one person or small business, you can cherry pick which bits you do to market your business. But social media? For me, that one’s always on the list. Because without it, it’s very hard to build, know like and trust with anyone – let alone build an audience of potential customers.”
– Rikki Sullivan, Pet Industry Copywriter | Digital Marketing Specialist
“Social media can be a powerful way for pet industry service providers to connect with their target clients. Geotags make it easier to show up in the feed for their local service area. Additionally, social media enables businesses and service providers to showcase social proof and boost your content’s reach at the same time. Featuring your furry clientele in your social content incentivizes their owners to share the content, exposing it to a new set of eyes! At the same time, prospective clients can see how you and your employees interact with real pets, giving them confidence in your services!”
– Janine DeVault, Content Writer and Copywriter for the Pet Industry
It was amazing to hear all the great content ideas and strategies from these experts about how we can use social media to grow our businesses in the pet industry. As someone who has been in the industry for almost a decade now, I have done my share of content creation and used several of these myself. One of my clients’ favorite types of content has been when we share videos of what it looks like behind the scenes as we provide our services. I share these videos on my social platforms because my clients love to see what it is that I do since they are generally not home when I provide the services. Having an idea of what it is that my clients prefer to see on my channels allows me to create more of that content in the future, that they can then share with other pet owners.
In summary, things like sharing what your services look like, or pet care tips from industry professionals, or even the occasional birthday post for pets you care for, will help clients to eagerly view and share your content. This will not only create an interactive relationship with clients and potential clients, but it also allows you to create a reputation of being an expert in the industry. Using social media content helps you to grow your brand while simultaneously growing your audience. In our industry views turn to clicks, then into phone calls for more information from potential clients very quickly. Don’t forget to share those client testimonials when they fall in love with your brand as well!
The more content we share, the more clients we will get, and the more pets we will be able to care for.
Create content with a purpose and you will successfully build and grow your brand in today’s digital world.
~Ashley Lee
“Pet Pro gone Marketing Pro”
