Website Tips: Give Some Love to these Forgotten Pages

small business tips
No doubt, you and your team review certain pages on your website more than you do others. The home page, products and services pages, and FAQs immediately come to mind as pages that typically receive plenty of marketing love.

So now, it’s time to turn your attention to those “other” pages—ones that are easy to forget about, even though they are important.
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How to Engage Employees: 11 Tips for Making Your Office Fun Again

social committee for office fun
Let’s face it: it was a brutal winter just about everywhere in the US. Coming out of the winter doldrums, especially at the office, is not always easy. But with these 11 tips, you can turn things around and make your office fun again.
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Case Study: Why Business Owners are Ditching Laptops for Tablets

Laptop vs. Tablet Debate

Laptops vs. tablets. Tablets vs. laptops. Ever since Apple unveiled its iPad in 2010, it’s become a hotly contested debate. Way back in 2011, Mashable reported the Forrester prediction that tablet sales would eclipse PC sales by 2015. Today, some are even saying that tablets will outsell laptops this year. And advertising growth suggests that for many, tablets are the new PC.

Regardless of when it happens, the fact is that more and more people are turning to tablets, for pleasure and for business (or both).

We thought we’d ask some business owners why they made the switch, how they’re using the tablets to conduct business, and what advice they’d offer fellow business owners who are trying to decide between laptops and tablets. Continue reading “Case Study: Why Business Owners are Ditching Laptops for Tablets”

Real-Life Examples of Success with Repeat Business

Rocking Repeat Business

As the marketing adage goes, it’s always easier to sell to past/current customers than it is to brand new shiny ones. The question is, how can you encourage repeat business, especially for B2C companies that depend on getting people into their stores?

Here are some examples of different brands rocking repeat business…and how your company can implement the ideas.

1. Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Days. Ben & Jerry’s sets aside a day every year and gives away its frozen treats for free as a way to “thank our customers for their support and to celebrate over 3 decades of scooping.”

Why this idea works: Um, who doesn’t love FREE ice cream? And what a great way to get people into ice cream shops where they will get the full Ben & Jerry’s experience, see all the other flavors and treats available, and be reminded why they should visit again soon.

How you can implement this idea: What product or service can you give away for free? If you have a brick and mortar storefront, consider some sort of “free” day or free combo day (for example, if you own a salon, perhaps you offer a free pedicure with every haircut booked in June).
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Case Study: What Pizza Can Teach Us About Branding

How Domino’s Reinvented Itself Using a Underused Tactic

The history: According to the Domino’s website, the Monaghan brothers bought “DomiNick’s” in 1960 and renamed it Domino’s in 1965. The company opened its 200th store in 1978 and its 5000th store in 1989. Its website launched in 1996, and by 2000, it domino's logohad over 6500 outlets spread across the globe. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010. Today, Domino’s has over 9000 outlets across 60 countries.

The challenge: Domino’s faced a classic “perception vs. reality” issue. Domino’s was often the butt of jokes, eliciting “tastes like cardboard” punch lines. Even its convenient “delivered in 30 minutes or less” promise didn’t help much. A consumer taste survey in 2009 had Domino’s coming in dead last, tied with Chuck E. Cheese. As a result, Domino’s announced its plan to reinvent itself in late 2009, starting with its pizza.

The process: Domino’s used something that’s quite unusual in marketing and advertising: honesty. Domino’s highlighted its own weaknesses and failures, with its affable CEO Patrick Doyle leading the charge. In fact, real people from inside the company — from the head chef, to marketing folks, to delivery drivers — became actively involved in the messaging that people began seeing in 2010, starting with the “Pizza Turnaround” documentary that was posted on Domino’s new Pizza Turnaround microsite. We’ve embedded it below.

As Doyle says in the documentary, “You can either use negative comments to get you down, or you can use them to excite you and energize your process of making a better pizza. We did the latter.” Continue reading “Case Study: What Pizza Can Teach Us About Branding”

3 Creative Ideas for Promoting Pet-Related Businesses

Pet facts

People love their pets, and this unwavering affection presents a fantastic opportunity for pet businesses. However, a highly competitive market means standing out is crucial. Here are three creative ideas to help your pet business shine:

  1. Paw-sitive Partnerships: A Purrfect Match with Animal Shelters

Teaming up with local animal shelters is a win-win. Not only do you give back to the community, but you also gain valuable exposure. Whether you’re a pet store owner, dog walker, or groomer, participating in adoption events can:

  • Attract New Customers: Connect with potential clients who are passionate about animal welfare.
  • Build Brand Awareness: Promote your business through signage, flyers, and social media.
  • Foster Goodwill: Show your commitment to the community and its furry friends.

To maximize your impact, consider offering special discounts on your products or services to adopters. Give adopters personalized gifts like pet bowls or water bottles to keep your brand top-of-mind.

  1. Unleash the Power of Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool for pet businesses. By sharing adorable photos and videos, you can:

  • Engage Your Audience: Capture hearts and minds with heartwarming content.
  • Build a Community: Connect with fellow pet lovers and share valuable tips.
  • Drive Traffic to Your Business: Encourage followers to visit your website or physical location.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different platforms. While Facebook remains popular, Instagram and TikTok are excellent for visual content. Leverage user-generated content by reposting photos and videos of pets using your products or services. Run contests and giveaways with pet-themed prizes like custom apparel, pet-friendly accessories, or grooming packages.

Pet accessories

  1. Barking Up the Right Tree: Collaborate with Other Businesses

Teaming up with other pet-related businesses can amplify your reach and create unique experiences. By collaborating on events and promotions, you can:

  • Expand Your Reach: Tap into a wider audience and share marketing costs.
  • Create Unique Experiences: Organize joint events like pet fairs, grooming workshops, charity walks or meet-and-greets with pet experts to create a buzz around your business.
  • Strengthen Your Brand: Partner with complementary businesses to offer bundled services or discounts.

Consider cross-promotions with other businesses, such as offering discounts to each other’s customers. You can also collaborate on co-branded marketing materials like flyers, social media posts, or email newsletters.

By combining these strategies with a strong social media presence and exceptional customer service, you’ll be well on your way to building a thriving pet business!

Ready to take your business to the next level? Check out our pet promotional products today!

DID YOU KNOW?

May is National Pet Month! 🐾 Celebrate the joy that pets bring to our lives and promote responsible pet ownership with custom promotional products.

Pet Power: Quick Facts

Did you know?

  • 66% of U.S. households are home to furry, feathered, or scaly friends.
  • The global pet care industry is worth a whopping $260 billion.
  • The pet industry is projected to experience a significant growth spurt, reaching 7% annual growth by 2030.

Why Pet Owners Rule:

  • Pet parents are passionate about their pets’ well-being.
  • Pet influencers are taking over social media, creating a massive audience for pet-related products.
  • Millennials and Gen Z generations are driving the pet trend and are willing to spend on their furry companions.

Sources: American Pet Products Association; Veterinary Medical Association