Tag Archives: pet business promotion

Do you know the difference between PR & Advertising?

by Nancy E. Hassel, American Pet Professionals Understanding the difference between public relations and advertising is important to know as a business owner.  Many confuse the two or just think they are the same, there are big differences to understand! In this video we talk about the difference between advertising and PR or public relations that all pet professionals should know. We give simple tips for pet pros to know what to ask when hiring a pr firm. We also discuss what an advertorial is.

Watch to the end for a special Pet Industry Guide you can download to learn about other magazines based on the area of the industry you are in!

You can view the video here –>> https://youtu.be/EnloTdaYupc or below!  If you like our video, please like it, comment with any questions, and we would love if you subscribe to our channel! 

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Pet Industry Magazines you should be reading!

by Nancy E. Hassel, American Pet Professionals

Figuring out which Pet Industry Magazine you should be reading, learning from and subscribing to for your specific niche of the pet industry, can be overwhelming. 

In this video we tell you about the TOP four pet industry trade magazines for pet retail and manufacturing businesses.  All pet professionals should be reading these trade magazines, Pet Age Magazine, Pet Business, Pet Product News International and the new one Pets Plus Magazine.  

Watch to the end for a special Pet Industry Guide you can download to learn about other magazines based on the area of the industry you are in!

You can view the video here –>> https://youtu.be/27tMM1D2hek or below!  If you like our video, please like it, comment with any questions, and we would love if you subscribe to our channel! 

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6 Tips to Stand Out from the Crowd

By Nancy E. Hassel, American Pet Professionals

Over a decade ago I worked full time at a PR firm, we had this enormous book, probably over 1,000 pages that had every odd holiday and regular holiday listed, by day, by week and by month. We would go through the book looking up odd and offbeat holidays to use for our client's promotions.  We had a lot of fun coming up with funny or different promotional ideas for our clients - which were hospitality clients - restaurants, resorts, luxury spas and retail stores.  

Why would we do this?  To make our clients stand out from the rest of what everyone else is doing.  For our members of American Pet Professionals they have been hearing this from me for years, aside from sounding like a broken record, this is something I think is very important for your pet business or animal rescue group.

Think about it - we are all posting about the latest pet holiday on our social platforms, very much in similar ways.  Now I know as a pet business you really should post about the top pet holidays  -- but it can be the sea of the same.    How could you have promoted the same holiday in a way that will have your business or rescue stand out? 

It's all in how you look at it, what can you bring to the table on a similar topic that is a different spin on what everyone else is doing?   You know you all have a unique perspective, different creative outlet that you can use to brand your business or rescue (if you are not already doing so).  You can use pet and human holidays to promote something fun at your store/grooming shop/veterinarian office/dog training facility or use it to promote a special offer as a pet photographer, pet sitter, pet product manufacturer or blogger.  The possibilities are endless, but you want to take some time preparing so you STAND out.   Coming up with your own ideas and concepts is not easy if you're just starting out and looking at what everyone else in the industry is doing.  It's not easy to come up with your own niche or voice, but it is super important for your business to do so.  (And really why would you want to just copy or be the same as every other pet business or rescue out there?) Here are some tips to get some ideas or perspectives. 
  • Look at your favorite NON pet brands or businesses - what are they doing with promos, social media, or landing themselves in the news that you are really impressed with? 
  • How are they getting their customer's attention that is different than their competition?
  • What makes you drawn to their store/website to buy items from them or hire them?
  • What is it about their brand that really inspires you or makes you wish you were doing something like that for your pet business/rescue, with your own spin of course? 
  • Take notes on what they do, write down key elements that draws you to them, and then brainstorm in ways you can create that draw to your own business/rescue.
  • Sometimes stepping away from and looking outside the pet industry, can re-inspire you/your business with new ideas and fresh content.

I would love to hear from you about what you're doing, what/who inspires you and your creativity and where you get stuck.  Or if you're having trouble be creative, let us know that as well. Contact us today: Info@AmericanPetProfessionals.com.

And if you're not a member yet of American Pet Professionals, sign up for our VIP Waitlist today to be the first to find out when membership enrollment opens again.  We'll even send you a free gift to get a leg up on your pet business!
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