Having and running a business these days takes a lot of technological savviness, and social media accounts are no exception. If you have a pet business, you know that having a strong social media presence can be extremely beneficial when it comes to finding and reaching out to new customers. I mean, who doesn’t love an account that shows pictures of adorable puppies and kittens?

Instagram is one of the most popular, and easiest to use, social accounts that can help you to show off your amazing products and services. This app offers a simple way to reach out and connect with potential customers and grow your business. But, starting an account is not enough. There are tons on Instagram accounts, and you don’t want to get lost in the sea of photos and hashtags. 

So, if you want to use social media to boost your veterinary clinic or pet business, there are a few things to know.  

Take Good Photos 

Apps like Instagram are built on photos, and you need to have good quality pictures that show off what you have to offer. If you sell custom collars, then snap a few shots of some cute pets wearing them, and post them with info for your business. And, you don’t have to be a professional photographer to do this, but you need to know some basics.

Have good lighting, for one, which can make or break a good photo. If you have what you think is a nice photo, then you take it and it comes out with lots of backlighting and glare, then no one will like your posts. So, make sure that your lighting is acceptable, and always take an honest look at the photos you take to decide if they are good enough for your business, and to be posted. 

Follow competitor’s followers 

What is a better way to reach out to customers than to find the ones that are looking for, or already buying, something similar to what you offer? If you sell gourmet dog treats, then you can follow accounts that follow your competitor’s Instagram. 

This way, you can find people who may already have an interest in the product, and you can show them what makes your business special. You never know, you may just be able to persuade them to switch brands. 

Link to your website 

If you are starting, or already have an Instagram account, then you probably already have a website for your business as well. If so, then you can write a little bit about it in the bio section of you Instagram account. There, you can put a short description about your business, and also provide a link to your website. 

This will give easy access to your followers, or those just browsing, that will allow them to go directly to your site if one of your posts interest them. This is a great way to drive traffic to your website, and get new customers. 

Promote your posts 

If you have a Facebook account for your business, which is another necessity in this day and age, then you can use promote your Instagram posts on that account as well. When you post something on your business Instagram, there will be a promote button on the lower right-hand side that you can click on. 

This will take you directly to your Facebook page and you can create a promotion for your post. This will send to all your followers on Facebook as well as on Instagram. This is a great way to reach people that may not be very active on the Instagram app, and you may even get them to take a look at your page, creating more potential customers. 

Promotions & Giveaways 

If you are confident in your business, and your products, then one way to get people interested in them is to have a giveaway. You can take a photo of the item you are gifting, and have people enter the contest by sharing your post to as many people as possible. 

This is effective because people who want to win will likely share the post with everyone they know, and that is amazing advertising that you don’t even have to do. Plus, you only need to gift one prize of your choice, so you may potentially gain a high number of followers for the small price of one item or service from your business. Low cost, but high reward. 

Promoting your pet business through Instagram can be a fantastic tool for your business. It can help you reach new customers that you may never have been able to before. That is, if you follow these tips, and you can help grow your business bigger than you expected. So, use these tips and make your pet business explode on Instagram. 

BONUS TIP: Strategy Matters

Social media is an excellent way to reach more of your potential clients and show your expertise however without a strategy, your results will vary. Posting one day and then not posting for 3 weeks isn’t going to work. In order for Instagram to be truly effective, pet business owners need to build a community. For that to happen, a strategy for consistent posting that’s on brand/message is key. See how Zoomies can help elevate your brand and message!

— Abi Pennavaria is a dog mom, avid veterinary volunteer, and co-author of Saved By The Bark blog. She enjoys sharing tips and tricks for dog owners of all breeds.

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