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6 Tips for Improving Online Communication in Pet Franchises

Social media has given the owners of pet franchises more chances to build and communicate with clients and customers than ever before. By utilizing it effectively, you can reach your current clientele, build on it, and maintain consumer loyalty. Here are a couple of tips on communicating with your social media audience:

 

1.      Post Regularly for Your Pet Franchises

For owners of pet franchises, maintaining an online presence is probably one of the hardest things to do. While it might seem like enough to simply build a webpage to allow responses, you should also be posting articles, status updates, and responses to your customers to show it is a well-maintained webpage and that you care about consumers. Make it a priority to post on the business Facebook page minimally once a day. You should post on all your social media pages regularly to help build your customer base. You may need to respond more often if customers are engaging with you more. It only takes a little effort to make someone feel more special and having a company that you like to respond to you is just enough for many consumers.

 

2.      Respond to All Consumers

Every comment for pet franchises is important regardless of whether the consumer is saying something positive or negative. Take the time out of your day to respond to each consumer who leaves you a message. This is your chance to turn around a bad experience or build solidarity and member loyalty.

 

3.      Link Multiple Accounts

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WordPress, Pinterest, and many other social media sites out there. If you have multiple social media webpages, link them. Not only does linking them give you the ability to update them all at once, but it helps you remember they exist.

 

4.      Post Positive Messages

Consumers love to know that the pet franchise they shop at is made up of real people who love what they do. When you post on social media, do not say anything rude, mean, or hurtful, but try to be peppy, upbeat, positive, or motivating. You will leave a longer-lasting impression that way. Finally, do not forget your holidays.

 

pet store franchises

5.      Use the #Hashtag

The hashtag has become so important in social media over the last few years that even Facebook has included it in its system. With pet franchises, the hashtag will not only make you easier to find regarding specific topics but will help others refer to what you’re doing. Use the hashtag where it is appropriate and your audience will build, even if the topic is not business-related. #HappyHolidays from #SplashandDashforDogs.

 

6.      Remember Social Media is Public Relations

It is easy to forget because the internet is part of our personal lives, but when you are on your business accounts talking to your clientele through social media, this is an act of public relations. Be professional and respectful. Remember: maintaining social media webpages is a form of customer service.

 

The Impact of Social Media on Employees of Pet Store Franchises

Your staff is one of the most important aspects of your business. They help you to keep operations running smoothly and ensure that tasks are completed. However, the age of social media has definitely changed the game. Not only has this changed the way pet store franchises hire, but also the way that they utilize their employees. Here are a few aspects that all business owners should be aware of with social media and their staff.

dog bathing groomingYour Employees are a Huge Asset

While having a unique product or service with excellent branding is essential for your business, your staff is just as important. Most owners of pet store franchises understand that employees are the backbone of their business, though they fail to see the way that social media plays into this. Your staff are your best brand ambassadors in the social media age. They are the ones who will tell the world how much they love working for your company and what you offer. This is an excellent form of word of mouth advertising. Even though word of mouth advertising will not replace the need for formal marketing campaigns, it is still important enough to consider.

Employees Will Dish on the Good and the Bad

Having brand ambassadors is excellent for your company, remember that employees do not hold back. If they love working for pet store franchises, then they will share with others the joy and experiences they have had. If they have a horrible experience with your company, then this will also be shared. This does not mean that you should tolerate slandering on the part of your employees, but this does not stop them from talking about interactions they have seen in pet store franchises on social media. Be mindful of the image you are portraying and whether it is something you want the world to see.

Employees Want High Tech

Many of the employees you will hire for pet store franchises will be younger people, those who have grown up with evolving technology. These people are always looking for the newest and coolest technology breakthrough. This is why they tend to look for companies that are innovative in their use of technology, or keep with the times at least. You will find that keeping up with technology not only helps you to retain the perfect staff, but it also helps pet store franchises to
run more efficiently.

Take These Tips to Heart With Interviews
Just as you want to be mindful of the image you are portraying to your employees, make sure that you also think about this when people interview. All it takes is one bad interview experience for a person to tweet about it and your company’s online reputation can be in shambles.