According to Sprout Social, 92% of business leaders agree that social media has a positive impact on competitive positioning. With millions of users actively engaging on social platforms daily, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with your audience, build brand loyalty, and drive growth. Here are four major tips to help you get started!

1. SHARE ENGAGING, INFORMATIVE, AND TRENDING CONTENT

• Create Relevant Content: Posting relevant content allows your brand to connect with the appropriate pet-owning audience on a more personal level and creates authentic and lasting relationships with current and potential customers. The content could include user generated pet videos, testimonials and tips on how to use your products, infographics about pet health, or behind-the-scenes clips about your brand. On Instagram, lo-fi, short-form video content still rules the algorithm, while TikTok prefers pushing 1-2 minute videos.
• Implement a Hashtag Strategy: Using hashtags like #DogMom on Instagram, #CatDad on Tiktok, or your own branded hashtag related to your products can help your content be discovered by potential new customers. One example of a branded hashtag we use for our client, Charlee Bear, is #BearyTastyTreats. Not only does it incorporate Charlee Bear’s slogan, but thousands of Charlee Bear and pet influencer posts are also housed under the hashtag, allowing the brand to stand out from the crowd!
• Engage With Trends: Engaging with trends on social media increases the discoverability of your brand. Trends that are directly relevant to your business are the best to jump in on. For example, the viral “Paws In” trend was perfect for pet brands and influencers. It’s important not to fully rely on trendy content when building your social media, but sprinkling it in between the educational posts provides more opportunities for your audience to be engaged, entertained, and connect with your brand! 

2. RUN CONTESTS

• Post Interactive Giveaways: Whether your brand is just starting out or you’ve been in the social media game for several years, hosting contests and giveaways is a great way to boost your following and spread the word about your products! Including a fun twist in your giveaways and contests will help your page gain more exposure too. Remember, the more engaging you are, the more memorable your content and brand will be, which will result in more sales and more returning customers.
• Partner With Brands & Influencers: Contests don’t have to be a solo effort. In fact, partnering with fellow pet brands or pet influencers is an amazing way to reach an even larger audience. Bigger is better, and working with other brands or creators on a group giveaway allows for more prizes to award winners, additional eyes on your giveaway post, and enhanced brand credibility.

3. CONNECT WITH PET INFLUENCERS

• Incorporate Influencers Into Your Strategy: By now, it’s clear that influencer marketing must be part of a brand’s marketing strategy in order to remain relevant and successful. 69% of consumers trust and depend on influencer recommendations for their buying decisions and 76% have purchased a product after seeing it on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. Luckily, in the pet industry, there’s no shortage of influencers – both micro and macro – who are eager to work with you! Think of these brand ambassadors as an extra stream of publicity and advertising for your brand. They can showcase your products on their social media, increasing credibility and driving new customers to your website and social channels.
• Keep a Good Relationship With Your Influencers: Maintaining a strong relationship with your influencers is just as important as finding the right ones for your brand. If you’ve started your venture into influencer marketing but are unsure of how to make the most out of your growing crew of creators, check out our three foolproof ways to take your influencer relationships to the next level!

4. UTILIZE PAID SOCIAL MEDIA ADVERTISING

• Targeted Ads: If you have the budget to do so, heightening your social media presence and reach by adding ad spend can be a game changer. Targeted ads are especially effective as they will reach your ideal audience of pet owners based on their interests, demographics, location, and behaviors. Within these ads you can promote special offers or new product launches, and then track the performance in real time. Videos have also been proven to receive 1200% more shares than images and text combined, making a strong case to use short-form video content when creating social media ads for your brand.
• Boost High-Performing Posts: If there’s a post of yours that’s performing well organically, boost the post by adding ad spend. This extends the post’s reach to more followers and drives engagement. Facebook in particular has the highest ROA of all social media platforms, making it the perfect place to utilize paid advertising strategies like this. Facebook also has the highest average conversion rate as compared to Instagram and TikTok, at a whopping 9.21% across all industries!

Although it can seem overwhelming at first, growing your pet brand on social media is more achievable than ever with the right strategies. By creating engaging content, hosting contests, leveraging influencer and ambassador partnerships, and targeting your audience effectively with paid advertising, you can build a loyal following and boost your brand’s visibility more than ever. As you implement these tips, stay adaptable and attentive to your audience’s needs and watch your pet brand flourish!

Still unsure of how to get started with social media marketing? Let us do the heavy lifting for you with our full-service social media services! Email 💌 us at hello@matrix1.com to learn more.

XOXO,
Katrina