Social networking for pet businesses - the latest trend!

In our previous post we talked about 'grass roots marketing' and how it can help your business during tough economic times.

A big part of 'grass roots marketing' is social networking. What is social networking?

Social networking is connecting with people within a network; a network of people with like interests. And this networking can be done in person, but is frequently referred to and done online through a growing number of online social networking sites - like Twitter, Dogster, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, blogs, forums, and more.

What can social networking do for your businesses?

I have a perfect example: My dog, Johann, is on Twitter. As a matter of fact he's one of the most followed dogs on Twitter. (Yes, I know, you may be surprised that there are dogs on Twitter). If you don't know about Twitter, we highly recommend it.

One of the very first dog treat recalls was announced because of the potential of salmonella in peanut butter last month. And Johann Twittered about it to get the word out to other dogs and dog lovers. Later that afternoon, he received a Tweet from an individual in California that the recalled dog treats were still on the shelves at a PetSmart store in California.

PetSmart is one of Johann's followers, so we sent them a private message that we heard the treats were still on the shelves in that particular store. Within 20 minutes, PetSmart had called the store and had the treats removed from the shelves to protect their dog customers. Good work PetSmart!

This type of communication would never have happened without online social networking, at least not that fast. Yes, the individual that sent Johann the message could have called the store and told them, but by sending a tweet to Johann, and Johann fowarding the info directly to PetSmart corporate office via Twitter, the treats were removed much more quickly, potentially saving a dog from getting sick, or even saving a pup's life.

Powerful stuff.

Another example: During the month of December, I held a photo contest giveaway - Johann's Howling Howliday Giveaway - as an experiment to increase traffic on JohannTheDog.com. I frequently experiment with marketing, advertising and social networking to learn and help my pet business clients.

I utilized Twitter and other online social networks to get the word out about the contest. During that month, traffic to JohannTheDog.com increased over 500% over the previous period in 2007 and over the previous month in November. An amazing increase. And yes, I also had an increase in sales, a very good increase.

And the best part is the increase in sales and awareness is now spilling over into January and February of this year, increasing my traffic and sales over the previous time in 2007.

Awww, the power of social networking.

It can help you increase awareness of your company, provide an amazing avenue for great customer service, help you increase and build your sales and revenue during tough times.

But there are specific and ethical rules to utilize social network to build (and not hamper) your pet business. We've been experimenting with social networking for several years now and know the ins and outs, the latest and greatest social networking sites to build your specific business, and the ways to social network to communicate effectively with your current and prospective customers.

If you are looking for an inexpensive way to grow, create awareness, enhance and build your business through social networking and social media, contact us today. We look forward to teaching you what we have successfully learned, and help you with your marketing during these tough times.

Pet business marketing in tough economic times

There is no doubt that times are tough. The economy is severely hampering many businesses. So, what's a business to do?

I was meeting with a new prospect yesterday and we talked a lot about their marketing - what they've done in the past and sharing ideas about what they need to do for the future. But most importantly, we talked about the tough economy and how it is effecting their business, their marketing plans, and how they can still market with the resources they have and meet the goals they need to survive, and even thrive, in this desperate business climate.

One important item I shared with my prospect may or may not surprise you; what I see regularly from businesses is that during tough times, marketing is frequently the first to go. Many businesses believe that marketing is expendable during tough times. But in reality getting the word out about your business has never more important than during downs in the economy. You are now fighting, and fighting hard, for prospective customers, customers and customer loyalty.

During tough times, connecting with your current and prospective customers has never been as important as it is now. Businesses must provide the highest levels of customer service, have the utmost respect of prospects and customers, stand out from the competition, and build awareness and connect with prospective and current customers; because if they don't, those prospective customers and current customers will go somewhere else to fulfill their needs.

But how do you market when you have less resources? I say, market smart.

During my meeting with my potential client yesterday, I talked a lot about 'grass roots marketing.' What is 'grass roots marketing?'

'Grass roots marketing' is building awareness of your company from the ground up, connecting with customers the way they communicate, it's creative, it's personal - and the biggest benefit is you will learn much more about their wants and needs, you will be exchanging ideas, you will learn about your products and services and how they may or may not fulfill your customers needs.

By analyzing your business, your competition, your resources, your marketing options, and then taking that information to formulate a good 'grass roots marketing' plan that not only meets your goals, but meets your budget, really is possible. You just need good, experienced advice to help you. Contact Pawsible Marketing today to find out more.

We will be posting more about 'grass roots marketing' in upcoming posts so stay tuned, and subscribe to our blog vis RSS Feed or email to keep up to date on great ideas to help you market your business in tough times.

News: According to APPA, pet spending topped $43B in 2008

Looks like if you're in the pet business, you're in the right business!

According to an article just released yesterday by the American Pet Products Association:

Pet ownership and pet quality of life continues to rise. Despite the recession and cuts in discretionary spending, the pet industry is robust and resilient, according to the American Pet Products Association.

APPA’s latest pet industry spending figures show that total pet spending reached $43.2 billion in 2008, with no declines in any category from 2007. APPA forecasts that it won’t stop there either, estimating that total pet spending for 2009 will reach $45.4 billion.

APPA released the data Feb. 13 at Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Fla.

Leading the way in the health care-related pet spending categories is veterinary care. Total spending in this segment in 2008 was $11.1 billion.

Medical advances have made for a much broader and more elaborate menu of services, such as cat scans, root canals, cancer surgery, antibiotics and grief counseling. This leads to an anticipated 9.9 percent growth in this category to $12.2 billion in 2009.

With the added costs of pet health care comes an increase in pet insurance, currently estimated at $271 million and projected to grow to $500 million by 2012.

Pet services is the next fastest growing category. This includes grooming, boarding, training and pet sitting, among others. In 2008, total spending reached $3.2 billion. This category is expected to grow 5.9 percent to reach $3.4 billion in 2009.

Other reported categories include pet food, which reached $16.8 billion in 2008 and is expected to grow 3.6 percent to $17.4 billion in 2009, supplies and over the counter medication, which reached $10 billion in 2008 and is expected to grow 2.1 percent to $10.2 billion in 2009, and live animal purchases, which reached $2.1 billion in 2008 and is expected to grow 4.7 percent to $2.2 billion in 2009.

“These numbers further demonstrate that people are more willing to sacrifice on themselves before trimming back on their four-legged friends,” said Bob Vetere, APPA president. “People want to reward their pets in human terms and even in this economy are still demanding the highest quality products and services.

“The pet industry continues to grow at a record pace and has proven to remain strong during times of change, stress and setbacks. As pet ownership and pet quality of life continues to rise, so will the pet industry.”

APPA is a nonprofit trade association serving the interests of the pet products industry.

News: Spending is strong on premium pet products

According to a recent article in the Detroit Free Press, spending is strong on premium pet food, toys and other products and services. The article states:

"Susie Atherton, founder of Pet Industry Retailers, an online networking group, said pet shop owners are cautiously optimistic, despite a gloomy economy.

"Since Americans consider their pets part of the family, they will continue to spend money on them," she said in an e-mail.

Atherton said that while some consumers are cutting back on nonessentials and trading down to cheaper brands, many shops are seeing steady or increased sales in "super premium pet food," treats and toys.

Joe Fucini, spokesman for Pet Supplies Plus, a Farmington Hills-based chain of 250 independently owned stores in 22 states, said he believes customers are spending more carefully but will buy high-quality products that last, even if they cost more.

"The upside of the current economic turmoil is that suppliers are more eager to sell and more eager to give you good deals," he said.

The store chain recently surveyed 328 pet owners on its Web site; 93% said it's more fun to shop for pets than family."

To read more, visit the Detroit Free Press website.