This blog is provided by Salomi Odendaal who writes copy and content for pet sitters and pet businesses. We value her contribution and excited to share her perspective with you on the “ways and whys” of communicating with pet owners. Salomi’s newsletter “All About Dogs” is available on Linkedin.
All About Dogs is all about newsworthy issues that matter to dog owners. So, owners can spend time with their dogs instead of searching the Internet for information.
Communication is the key to a successful and growing business – particularly in the changing Pet Industry. It is a cornerstone of any relationship – marriage, family, friends, colleagues, and business. It’s crucial for businesses in the Pet Industry to communicate with their prospects and customers – so that they can adapt to the changing needs of pet owners
How do pet businesses communicate with today’s customers?
Communicating with pet owning customers
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Who is the customer?
Businesses know they need to communicate with prospects and customers – but they first need to know who the customer is. How will you know what to say, write, or offer if you don’t know who the customer is? With other words – get to know your target audience – your ideal customer.
What do pet owners want? They have specific expectations and needs. The health and wellness of their pet are very important – thus the move to healthy food and non-toxic products. Convenience and the use of technology are non-negotiable – resulting in the increased use of high-tech products and pet technology.
To know what owners want, it’s necessary to do research. This can be done by using surveys or direct communication. The age, gender, location, lifestyle, and needs of the pet owner will determine how you communicate and improve service quality that leads to client satisfaction. Understanding the preferences and needs of pet owners will help the business to be competitive and create customer loyalty, satisfied owners, and happy pets!
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Why communicate?
Honest and open two-way communication helps to build trust and establish the business as the expert in their field. Pet owners like to feel connected to other owners (their community) and to people who understand the issues a pet owner face. They want to engage on social media and forums to comment and get feedback.
Communicating with customers helps the business to know and understand pet owners’ needs. It enables the business to deliver value and convenience. Today’s pet owners have access to a wide range of information – this means a business will struggle to get customers if information about its services or products isn’t easily available.
Pet owners want personalization, convenience, and quality. And know that they spend their money on quality services and products. Communication with customers helps to educate and inform – a necessary part of building trust and loyalty. The business must tell the customer about new products or services and how they can help the well-being of their pet – and improve their own peace of mind.
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How to communicate.
Communication with customers is constantly changing. Pet owners research products and services on the Internet and social media and are often well-informed. This means today’s pet business needs to be active on social media, have an informative website, and use emails and newsletters to reach prospects and clients.
A regular newsletter is one of the best ways to consistently communicate with customers. It provides up to date information about the pet business, builds loyalty, and provides an ideal way for two-way communication with clients. However, the newsletter needs to be open and truthful.
Feedback from customers is a valuable way to ensure that what the business offers is what the customer wants. Feedback is a valuable way of gathering information and adjusting to the customers’ needs – otherwise customers will look elsewhere. The personalization of interaction with pets and their owners (like building a pet profile) is another way to form a close connection between business and customer.
The Pet Industry is growing, innovative, and competitive. A pet business, whether small or large, that isn’t innovative and adjusts to the changing environment will be left behind.
Salomi Odendaal has been a dog lover her whole life. She writes copy and content for pet and dog websites and does pet sitting for people when they must leave their pets alone at home. You can visit her profile on LinkedIn – Salomi Odendaal, Your Pet Copywriter Salomi4ab@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/dog-and-pet-copywriterl/
Photo credits: Guy on the phone with his dog: Zen Chung on pexels & Girl at the computer: Yaroslav Shuraev on pexels