How To Promote Your Pet Business On Instagram

Owning a pet business can be a fun experience. Not only do you get to interact with the cutest animals every day, but you also get to have fun promoting your products and services on Instagram.

Whether you run a dog-walking service, a pet grooming business, or a doggy daycare, you can connect with potential customers on the two billion-strong platform.

If you are unsure how to get started, the following tips will have you Instagramming in no time.

Create a Fun Profile

Pet owners want to know that pet businesses will look after their fur babies.

Dog walking businesses must provide information on how walkers will keep pets safe while outside. Doggy daycare services must prove that dogs have a secure, peaceful environment to play and sleep in. Pet groomers must showcase products proven to be gentle on pets’ skin.

No matter which direction you choose for your pet business, you should include essential information like this in your Instagram profile. Make the content fun to engage potential customers.

No one will give your Instagram feed a second glance if you use dreary, dull colors and outdated photos.

Your profile picture should be a high-quality image that instantly tells the story of your pet business. You can use a funny picture of a cat or dog getting a bath. Or you could combine a photo with your logo. Whatever you choose to use, the result should be eye-catching.

When you add your bio, be sure to add all the information pet owners need to know. State what you do, the areas you serve, and the little things that make your business different.

Remember to add relevant keywords here and consider using a call to action. The CTA could direct visitors to your website or a landing page where they can schedule an appointment.

Decide on a Look and Feel

Choose an aesthetic for your Instagram feed and posts that speak to your audience and align with the identity you envision for your brand. If you like pastel colors, use them for all content to ensure brand recognition. If you prefer brighter colors, use those that create the most impact on Instagram.

Your Instagram profile, feed, website, and other platforms should be uniform. You can even unleash a ‘certain look’ with your Instagram captions. Add a couple of cute emojis and fun punctuation, and you’re good to go.

Get Familiar With Instagram Highlights

Since Instagram Highlights is the first thing users see when looking at an Instagram account, you should create Stories content that shines.

Highlights are saved Stories that continue to appear on your profile page. They work the same way as Stories but don’t disappear after 24 hours. You can customize Highlight covers so their design looks the same as the rest of your content.

You can use different pet pictures for different highlights or go with pet quotes to make your profile stand out. Other ways to create a memorable Highlights section are to use bold patterns, text, or gradient effects. Change the graphics now and then to fit in with different holidays and celebrations.

Focus on Captivating Content Creation

Once you’ve got your profile together with color palettes, Highlights, and information, it’s time to work on content. You must create content that your followers are interested in and want to see. Keep in mind that your target audience is pet owners, so ideally, your content should focus on pets and their well-being.

You can start your content campaign with cute animal pictures. You don’t have to stick to traditional pets like cats, dogs, and hamsters; more unusual pets like snakes and lizards should be featured, as well. Doing this will go a long way in demonstrating to your audience that you are a true pet lover.

If you only post promotional content, you may turn off your followers. You must find that elusive balance between promotion, education, and value.

Educational videos are great for pet businesses. They inform and educate pet owners about caring for their furry friends and giving them the best possible life. Create videos that offer pet care tips, training tutorials, or product demonstrations.

At this point, you could also share behind-the-scenes content. This type of content is valuable for pet owners who are hesitant to send their pets to a new doggy daycare or try out new products. Post videos of shy doggies having a ball at your daycare or film picky cats enjoying your particular product.

You can also take your content to another level by getting an influencer to collaborate with you or posting user-generated content on your feed.

Use Hashtags and Geotags

You want your audience to find your content, so make it easy for them by including hashtags and geotags in your posts. Use hashtags that are relevant and popular within your niche, and add a branded hashtag for increased brand awareness.

Also, tag your posts with geolocation tags to reach pet owners in your local area. This is particularly useful if you offer services such as pet sitting or dog walking.

Encourage Conversation

This part of the Instagram marketing process cannot be overstated. It is crucial to encourage conversation and questions about your business.

Respond to comments promptly, answer questions thoughtfully, and always show your appreciation for your followers’ interest in your business. Engaging with your audience is the only way to build genuine relationships with your followers.

When you get the relationship part right and you have an engaged audience that trusts your business, you can expand your content to include contests and giveaways. Pet-related prizes are a great way to promote your products and get people excited about your brand.

Adapt Your Strategy for Ongoing Success

Remember to evaluate the performance of your content by using Instagram’s analytics tools. Check whether your follower count is growing and your engagement rate is increasing. If it isn’t, it’s time to revise your strategy.

Keep in mind that building a sustainable Instagram presence for your pet business will take time and considerable effort. Don’t let slow growth demotivate you. Instead, follow these strategies and you will establish your brand as a trusted resource for pet owners on Instagram.