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from the trenches--been there, done that in business.
Pets always generate interest. Pictures of cuddly kittens and playful puppies can promote your business. You don't have to own a pet shop. Any business can use pictures of pets.
Example: Ted is a chiropractor. His website and posts on Facebook include his dog. The dog is big, active, friendly and lovable. Ted is always taking pictures showing the dog running, jumping, chasing a ball, carrying a stick, or curled up by a fireplace. Ted is getting across the message of an active, pain-free life style. The message is not about bones and muscles--that discussion is on the website for viewers who want to read more. The dog is the message that is upfront, captures attention, and draws the viewer inside.
Example: Jan runs a consignment shop. Her big tabby cat really owns the place. He curls up in his basket on the counter, eyeing all comers as he catches cat naps. Jan snaps pictures of him--sleeping or playful, or just wandering around the place. He is in every picture she takes of new things arriving in the shop. She posts the pictures on her Facebook page, generating continuing interest and referrals. Customers develop an attachment to the cat. They look for more pictures on Facebook, and that keeps the consignment shop on their minds.
Example: Tom runs a bar. He wanted to punch up interest, so he installed two pool tables and a dart board. He brought in craft beers. But the thing that really got the place hopping was something else. Tom cleared off one full wall and hired a sign painter to emblazon the words "Man's Best Friend" across the top. He put up a reproduction of a famous painting showing dogs playing cards, and then he invited everyone to pin pictures of their dogs on the wall. The word spread quickly, and soon dozens of pictures of dogs and puppies appeared. Tom takes pictures of the wall pictures and posts them on Facebook. The bar is now affectionately referred to as Tom's Dog House.
Example: Gerta runs a quilting operation. That's the focus, but she is really a fabric artist. She designs and makes exquisite quilts herself--for all bed sizes, including infants. At her working studio, she sells everything needed to make a quilt. But that's only the beginning. She convenes weekly working sessions--people come for an evening with like-minded quilters, leaving their works-in-progress until the next session. Other times, Gerta sets sessions for beginners, instructing them on design and construction. She promotes with a website and on Facebook, and everywhere in all the pictures Gerta's toy poodle captures the camera's attention. Her poodle is a sort of trademark.
Pets can be used in many ways to promote your business. Put your creativity to work in your promotions. Today's social media can offer many opportunities not possible in bygone days.
For more on social media, see other write-ups in this series. Promotional ideas are scattered throughout. Don't have a pet? Not to worry. Take pictures of other things and post them.
