How to promote yourself as a pet professional

Learning how to market yourself as a pet professional can help boost your confidence and grow your business opportunities.

There are many different ways to market yourself. Discovering your options will assist you to select strategies that you feel confident putting into practice.

Furthermore, while some approaches will be easy to implement immediately, others may take more time and effort. However, having a few easy wins alongside some longer-term strategies is a great way to start.

6 effective ways to market yourself as a pet professional

Let’s assume you’ve found your niche. Whether you’re a pro dog walker, a super-duper dog trainer, or a professional groomer, you know your area of expertise.

However, sometimes it can be difficult to showcase your knowledge and skills. This is where it pays to have a few simple strategies up your sleeve to boost your profile as a genuine and trusted pet professional.

1. Start writing

Writing and sharing your thoughts and expertise can be an effective way to get your name out there. Start by looking at the different publications (online or print) in your industry.

You can either approach different media and submit the outline of a proposed article or create your own blog or website. Writing well about what you know best is a great way to associate your name with a particular topic. LinkedIn is also a useful tool for getting your voice heard and sharing your opinions.

Promoting informed opinions and sharing valuable information is a great way to build credibility as a thought leader and cement your status as a true pet professional.

2. Seek out speaking engagements

Not a great writer? That’s okay. Speaking publicly is an ideal opportunity to share your thoughts and showcase your know-how. Start by devising a list of the topics you are well informed on and feel comfortable talking about. Then, seek out opportunities where you can have a voice.

Building relationships with key people in your field of expertise is a useful way to help find the best public speaking opportunities. However, thanks to social media, it’s easier nowadays to have a voice than ever before. Platforms like Zoom and YouTube are awesome ways to create an expert webinar or online seminar.

3. Keep your finger on the pulse

If you want to market yourself as a bona fide pet professional, it’s important to keep on top of industry trends and events. Knowing what’s going on in your industry not only allows you to harness opportunities, but it cements your place as a pro.

Plus, being in the know gives you even more information and wisdom to share with your community. By giving valuable information people will learn to trust you and turn to your first for professional pet advice.

4. Don’t stop learning

Becoming an expert in any industry requires continuous learning and development. If it’s an industry you love, ongoing education shouldn’t be a problem; it should be something you desire.

Furthermore, staying abreast of new developments and honing your skills gives you even more information to share. Being able to constantly showcase new abilities or offer new facts or data will help keep your offering fresh.

5. Leverage social media

If you really want to market yourself as a pet professional, or any professional for that matter, it pays to get to grips with social media.

Make sure you’re up to date with the latest features and functions of the key platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and possibly YouTube.

These are all great tools for reaching a wider audience and finding your niche.

Indeed, while your number one aim is to promote yourself, it pays to help others. It’s important to be humble and to get to know your followers. As you gain more attention it’s likely you will grow a community around you.

This might consist of other experts, other professionals in your field, as well as pet lovers and other people that enjoy hearing what you say. Developing real relationships with these people is part and parcel of being a true professional.

6. Be in it for the long haul

Let’s face it; you’re not going to become a well-known pet professional overnight. It’s important to recognise that building your career and marketing yourself takes commitment and time.

However, start by putting a strategy in place and doing things little by little until you find what actions work best for you. Once you identify the key tools, you can ramp up your activity. Eventually, you will find success.

What strategies have you used to build your career and market yourself as a trusted pet professional?

Image source: Jodie Cook on Unsplash