Website design By BotEap.comPet owners are a huge audience. According to Grandview Research, the global pet supplement market was estimated at USD 637.6 million in 2019 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% between 2020 and 2027.

Website design By BotEap.comI’ll explain what this strategy is in a moment. Before I do that, let me tell you how it worked for one pet owner in particular: me.

Website design By BotEap.comHOW TO GET THE ATTENTION

Website design By BotEap.comOne day not too long ago, my little terrier mix, Dixie, wasn’t looking forward to welcoming the new morning with her usual enthusiasm.

Website design By BotEap.comWithout wagging the tail.

Website design By BotEap.comWithout smiling (yes, dogs smile!).

Website design By BotEap.comNone of his usual zest for life.

Website design By BotEap.comNone of the “I love you” yawns I was expecting right after I woke up.

Website design By BotEap.comAnd she wouldn’t look me right in the face, none of the “hugging eyes” that dog lovers know so well.

Website design By BotEap.comOur vet, bless her heart, immediately diagnosed Dixie’s lethargy as a symptom of pancreatitis.

Website design By BotEap.comAstute investigation by the vet identified the cause as a nutritional deficiency. Dixie just wasn’t getting enough food.

Website design By BotEap.comThat’s when I went into overdrive looking for solutions. Google search results led me to forums and blogs where other dog owners shared similar experiences.

Website design By BotEap.comThe love and care these people showed for their furry friends really stood out to me. He made his stories come alive in my mind.

Website design By BotEap.comIt’s like you’re having one-on-one conversations with them.

Website design By BotEap.comI felt like I was included in a special inner circle with other like-minded ‘favorite people’.

Website design By BotEap.comThe bonus was a health tip for Dixie that worked. She now gets a multivitamin mix in her breakfast plate every day. She also receives a special anti-nausea supplement whenever symptoms return.

Website design By BotEap.comAnd their food and treats have been upgraded to ‘premium’ status.

Website design By BotEap.comDixie’s poor nutrition had been a real threat to her well-being. The education I received from other caring dog owners probably saved her despite my ignorance.

Website design By BotEap.comDixie is happy and healthy once again. Months later, she shows no signs of the approaching tragedy that nearly derailed her life.

Website design By BotEap.comBecause of this experience, I made it a point to spread the word about what I learned and what I did to make sure it never happens again, to Dixie or any other dog.

Website design By BotEap.comAT TEACHING TIME

Website design By BotEap.comThis happy outcome came about thanks to the input of people I came to trust.

Website design By BotEap.comWhat I experienced is what educators call a teachable moment.

Website design By BotEap.comIt turned out to be a double whammy for me.

Website design By BotEap.comFirst, I learned how to help Dixie.

Website design By BotEap.comPlus, I also learned how powerful that marketing principle I mentioned at the beginning of this article is.

Website design By BotEap.comThe term for this principle, as cited in the Grandview Research survey mentioned above, is “humanization.”

Website design By BotEap.comPeople humanize their pets. I know what I do.

Website design By BotEap.comIn fact, the term appears multiple times in the Grandview Research survey.

Website design By BotEap.comIt was also cited in a recent article in Nutraceuticals World as a driving force behind pet supplement sales during the pandemic.

Website design By BotEap.comMARKETING FOR PETS IN FAMILY

Website design By BotEap.comUsing emotions to guide sales is as old as marketing itself. However, this can be taken to the next level when it comes to pets.

Website design By BotEap.comImplementing the following three strategies will do exactly that when done correctly. Each step involves acknowledging pets as family.

Website design By BotEap.com1) Use the added advantage of social media.

Website design By BotEap.comPeople love to see pet-related posts and images on social media. Nothing humanizes pets better than poignant or humorous photos and videos.

Website design By BotEap.com2) Partner with a pet charity.

Website design By BotEap.comAccording to digital marketing company Optimum 7, 63% of shoppers are more likely to buy from companies that support social causes.

Website design By BotEap.comPet adoption and welfare agencies are at the top of the list.

Website design By BotEap.com3) Implement consumer-based marketing.

Website design By BotEap.comMy Dixie story is just one example of how other pet lovers have talked about specific brands of pet supplements.

Website design By BotEap.comIncorporating this strategy is a matter of providing the opportunity for consumers to talk about and show off their beloved pets.

Website design By BotEap.comComments on blog posts, social media articles, and forums offer many opportunities for consumers to add “favorite power” to their marketing plan.

Website design By BotEap.comFinally, keep in mind that the marketing of pet products should not be the same as for any other type of product. A standard marketing plan will not do the job.

Website design By BotEap.comTruly standing out from the crowd means incorporating the humanization of pets into your marketing plan.

Website design By BotEap.comThat is the common thread of these three strategies.

Website design By BotEap.comA FINAL SUGGESTION

Website design By BotEap.comThis is where I would normally sing my own praises as a writer in the alternative health niche. It is a way to attract new customers.

Website design By BotEap.comInstead of doing that now, I’ll qualify myself for ‘pet marketing duty’ based on my lifelong love of dogs and cats.

Website design By BotEap.comIn fact, I humanize my pets.

Website design By BotEap.comAnd like other pet owners, I am subject to persuasive marketing that explains that.

Website design By BotEap.comIt is the icing on the cake of my professional experience and qualifications.

Website design By BotEap.comInstead of overwhelming you with my huzzahs, I’ll just suggest we have a conversation about…well, our pets.

Website design By BotEap.comOne of the advantages of having pets in the family is being able to show them off to others. So I encourage you to brag about yours to me. (You might even do the same! ALERT: You might also want to talk about another terrier mix, Ellie, and an orange tabby, Dilly. They’re all so adorable!)

Website design By BotEap.comIf during our conversation we find out how I can help you with pet supplement marketing, then all the better.

Website design By BotEap.comI am a game if you are a game. Just call me or send me an email.

Website design By BotEap.comLet’s get the (pet) ball rolling today!