News: Grab a Slice of the Stimulus Pie.

An interesting article from Pet Product News International discusses how pet retailers and other pet providers have an opportunity to 'grab a slice' of Economic Stimulus package:

Grab a Slice of the Stimulus Pie

Federal legislation could provide tax benefits and increased sales - By Deanna Glick

Thanks to the federal government, taxpayers will soon have more money to spend. And there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be doing that in pet stores.

With a little marketing savvy and simple promotions, retail experts say pet stores could easily grab a slice of the $152 billion Economic Stimulus package passed earlier this year in an effort to rev up the nation’s sputtering economy.

The measure will provide a total of about $106 billion in tax rebate checks, due in mailboxes beginning this month, including up to $600 per working individual and $1,200 per married couple plus $300 per child for families with children. The legislation also provides new tax incentives for job-creating business investments.

According to the National Retail Federation, most of the money will be used to pay down debt or bulk up savings accounts. But about 40 percent of it—nearly $43 billion—will find its way into the marketplace. Those in the pet industry say retailers should start working now to see that some of it spent in their stores.

Read more...

Photo courtesy of Dani Lurie.

Client Punk Rock Dogg featured in Pet Product News!

One of our clients, Punk Rock Dogg was recently featured in Pet Product News International's May 2008 issue. The article focused on announcing their new wholesale program. Congrats Colleen!

Tips: Are your marketing messages the most effective they can be?

The other day I had an interview with Pet Age Magazine. They are working on a marketing related article and asked for my opinion on a few concepts.

So, this got me thinking and making some notes that I wanted to share with you.

What are they key elements in creating a strong marketing message? How can you make your message stronger and impact your customers and potential customers more effectively?

• Know and understand your audience (customers and prospective customers); and know and understand your demographic.
• Know what they care about, what they need, what they want and address these points clearly, directly, succinctly and consistently in your marketing message.
• Put yourself in your customer's and prospective customer's shoes and look at life from their point of view - what do they like, dislike, what do they think about, what makes them happy, or sad, how do they feel in relation to what you are presenting to them.
• What are the solutions that you can provide? What can you do for them? How have you done it for others?
• What makes your product or service different than your competitors, what makes it stand out from the crowd?

Once you know these things, start making a really big list. Write down all the words that address your customers needs, wants, desires, and concerns; along with a list of what makes your product, company and service different, and how you can solve your customers and potential customers situations. Then add in a little fun stuff (we're in the pet business, remember?).

Now it's a matter of formulating your message, whether it be a short and sweet tagline, a press release, website copy, packaging copy or other marketing material. Take those words, rearrange them every which way, add in a little fun, until you come up with the perfect marketing message that:

• Communicates directly to your customer/potential customer (their wants, needs, cares, etc.) and solves their situation(s).
• Makes you, your product and your company stand out from the sea of competition.
• Is fun, entertaining, and educational.
• Gets to the point quickly, simply, is easy and clear, and is as short and sweet as possible.
• Addresses all the elemental needs - like the basics of who, what, when, where, why and how.

Remember, marketing is a process - a process of enticing, informing, educating and calling to act. And there are steps that you utilize to connect with your customer and prospective customer. You don't always have to say everything in your marketing messages right away, you only need to lead them to the next step in the sales process.

Use those messages accordingly with each and every marketing message you create - for the highest success rate possible.

Tips: Interested in starting a pet business?

Are you interested in starting a pet business? Check out Entrepreneur.com for some ideas:

10 Pet Businesses to Start Today

Got a love for pooches? A hankering for kitties? Then these pet businesses will be right up your alley.

The array of product and service businesses for pet owners is only limited by your imagination. Many people treat their pets like their children and, following that logic, most products that people want for themselves, they'll want for their pets. Just look at recent trends in the industry--organic foods, homeopathic products, luxury accessories--and you'll easily find they mirror counterparts for human folk.

Read more...

Meet a few of our clients and past clients!

Cactus Critter Sitters

PR: Pawsible Marketing listed as one of the Top 50 Blogs for Startups to Watch in 2008!

Pawsible Marketing was recently listed on Evan Carmichael's Top 50 Blogs For Startups to Watch in 2008, along with Donald Trump's The Trump Blog, Dosh Dosh, The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss, and many other remarkable blogs.

Evan is an entrepreneur and international speaker. At the age of 19, he became an owner and Chief Operating Officer in Redasoft, a biotechnology software company. The company quickly grew to over 300 organizations as clients, including NASA and Johnson & Johnson, in 30 countries.

He started Evan Carmichael Communications Group and created www.EvanCarmichael.com with the goal to give entrepreneurs the motivation to follow their passion and the strategies they need to succeed. Evan has also delivered over 100 keynote presentations to entrepreneurs in North America, Europe, and Asia; and has been quoted in the New York Times, The Dallas Morning News and other notable publications and television programs.

Tips: Keeping in touch with your customers and potential customers!

What is a great way to keep in touch with your customers, prospects and potential customers? Email newsletters. They can be informative, educational, fun, entertaining - and serve a great purpose - keep you top of mind with your customers/potential customers.

First you need emails, right? Hopefully you've done a great job of acquiring your customers email addresses. How do you get more? Ask if you can send your free email newsletter whenever you encounter a potential customer - at local and national events, through a link button on your website or other sites, when you talk with potential clients on the phone, at the dog park, at your local pet store - anywhere you meet potential customers throughout your day, just ask!

One of our favorite email newsletter services is Constant Contact. Not only is it customizable, easy to use, and flexible - they offer a 60 day free trial, and it costs very little per month after the free trial period ends. We've been using it for nearly three years and have always been extremely happy with the service and the results.

If you're not using an email newsletter, we strongly suggest you give it a try! With a 60 day free trial, you have nothing to lose, but a little time to put it together.