Have you thought of hiring a PR company to help raise the profile of your pet business? Maybe you've thought about how you'd like to get publicity, so for your product or service to be featured in newspapers, magazines, on the radio or TV but felt unsure of how to go about it. If that's the case, then you may have considered hiring a PR company or consultant to help you achieve this. But there are lots of things you can do as a small business owner to get publicity on your own. You don't need to...
Apr 01, 2021•42 min•Ep. 59
Is being an ‘Award Winning’ pet business a goal you’d like to achieve? Have you seen your colleagues celebrating after winning and wonder how they go about it? Or maybe you feel a bit weird nominating yourself for a gong? If the answer’s yes then then you will love this interview with the Queen of Awards, Kirsty Skeates from Fit4Dogs Hydrotherapy centre in Hull. I first met Kirsty two years ago when she was on a mission to win Theo Paphitis’ Small Business Sunday - which she achieved. Since then...
Mar 25, 2021•41 min•Ep. 58
Want to hear tips from pet business owners on how they put themselves in the spotlight? To celebrate the first year of the podcast, I've rounded up ten of my guests to share their publicity tips. Rather than me waffling on, they reveal what they did to get media coverage. The tips in this episode are gold and come straight from the petpreneur's mouth! So I hope you enjoy it and thank you to Becky, Claire, Dominic, Helen, Julie, Karen B, Karen M, Kerry, Kim and Suzanne. Key timings in this episod...
Mar 18, 2021•20 min•Ep. 57
Do you worry about how you sound when you write about your pet business? Maybe you feel too formal or are concerned you don't sound 'professional' enough? As a pet business owner you have to wear so many different hats and it can feel overwhelming having to create content and put yourself 'out there.' In this episode Rikki Sullivan - the Canine Copywriter - shares how to overcome any anxieties you might have around this. Key topics and timings in this episode: 0.18 - Intro to Rikki 1.40 - Rikki’...
Mar 11, 2021•42 min•Ep. 56
Have you thought about collaborating with other pet businesses? Working together with other pet professionals is a way to get the word out about what you do and attract more clients. Plus you get to reach a whole new audience and by bringing fresh faces, views and voices to your own marketing materials. In this episode I’m going to cover seven ways collaborating can help you promote your pet business. Plus there are lots of examples from clients in my membership community to show how it's done. ...
Mar 04, 2021•23 min•Ep. 55
Would you love to work with an influencer but feel unsure as to how to go about it? Well are you in for a treat because this week on the podcast Vicky Gunn from Millie's Beach Huts is talking about her visit from Mrs Hinch. In this episode Vicky shares her tips on content marketing, publicity and working with influencers and how it can help you as a pet business owner. As well as the visit from Charlotte Hinchcliffe, the UK's most famous cleanfluencer Vicky has been in newspapers and on websites...
Feb 25, 2021•45 min•Ep. 54
Are you thinking of approacing the media and want to make sure you get it right? I had the idea to create this episode after a huge furore over an article about puppies in the Sunday Times on February 14th 2021. It was written by sports commentator Andrew Cotter and he shared his advice on how best to treat a puppy in their first year as a seasoned dog owner. (You can read it on the links at the bottom of this episode) It prompted a lot of criticism from trainers and behaviourists who felt a pro...
Feb 18, 2021•32 min•Ep. 53
Have you ever taken a look at your Google Analytics? If you have, then chances are that you either dived in and lost a lot of time in a Google Analytics rabbit hole. Or you took one look and ran to the hills. Whatever your response, this podcast will demystify Google Analytics and help you use it to make more sales in your pet business. Key topics and timings in this episode: 2.25 - Vicki's background. 05:08 - How does Google analytics work? 05:52 - What can Google Analytics tell me? 06:43 - Whe...
Feb 11, 2021•46 min•Ep. 52
Have you thought about having a photoshoot for your pet business? Is the idea of posing uncomfortable, but you know you need nice images? I hear you, because I HATE having my photo taken too. However. if you’re planning on putting yourself forward to the media with a story, or as an expert, or for a case study, it’s important to have the right images. Often, people will be ‘dropped’ from articles if photographs aren’t available. And with us putting so much content out there on social media and o...
Feb 04, 2021•24 min•Ep. 51
What do you think publicity is in 2021? Is it mainstream media? Newspapers, magazine, websites, radio and TV stations? Or social media, so networks like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn or TikTok? Perhaps it’s about being featured on other websites owned by people who are an authority in your area or an influencer? Publicity has changed massively over the last 20 years since I started out as a journalist. It is such a grey area now, and with new platforms and outlets springing up all the t...
Jan 28, 2021•39 min•Ep. 50
Being featured on a podcast is a way to reach hundreds or even thousands of potential clients in an intimate way. Because they’re listening to you, it helps you build a connection far quicker than they might experience from a social media post. You also have the benefit of being seen as a trusted source of information from the person who hosts the podcast. You’re able to reach their audience, which could potentially mean connecting with tens of thousands of people who had never heard of you befo...
Jan 21, 2021•27 min•Ep. 49
I'm so excited to share this episode with dog trainer Karen Boyce from Beastly Thoughts who has done incredible things when it comes to raisnig her profile. In the past 18 months alone, Karen, Wales, has been featured more than 30 times in the press, including many times through lockdown. This has meant she’s become the go-to person for new dog owners and has even been called the ‘Puppy Queen’ of Wales. It’s been amazing for her business and in the episode she shares how petpreneurs can follow i...
Jan 14, 2021•44 min•Ep. 48
You might know Sarah Baxter from her awesome pet blog Twilight Bark where she showcased pet brands, shared stories and documented the adventures of her Dachshunds Ted and Millie. Two years ago, after Millie needed surgery, Sarah began training as a business and personal coach with leading experts in the coaching industry; Barefoot Coaching. With her experience in the pet industry and her expertise as a coach, I thought Sarah would be perfect to chat to for a special episode on mindset to start t...
Jan 07, 2021•47 min•Ep. 47
Would you love to put your pet business in the media spotlight for 2021? If you’re here, I think the answer might be yes. And it is completely achievable for you to win fantastic media coverage as long as you have a plan. In this podcast, I’m going to share how to put one together to increase your chance of featuring in the media in 2021. And if you need more support I have a free challenge taking place on January 11-15th where you can get personalised advice on how to get more eyes on your pet ...
Dec 31, 2020•26 min•Ep. 46
Fancy tuning in to some tips for your pet business over the holidays? There are pet business podcasts popping up all over the world where you can learn ways to boost your brand. I've rounded up a selection of shows that you can tune in to to improve your skills as a petpreneur. Here are the key timings in this episode: 0.20 - Intro and why I'm doing an episode on podcasts. 1.54 - Dominic Hodgson - The Poodle to Pitbull Pet Business Podcast 4.19 - Anna Webb - A Dog’s Life 6.26 - Beverley Cuddy - ...
Dec 24, 2020•23 min•Ep. 45
Would you like to help dogs live healthy, happy, pain free lives? I know the answer is going to be a firm 'yes' if you're tuning into this podcast. It's a special episode with Hannah Capon, founder of Canine Arthritis Management, and she is appealing to YOU to help. As a pet professional, YOU have influence over owners, and often might be the first person to see the signs something isn't right. Hannah is calling for pet pros to support her in harnessing this, educating owners about arthritis and...
Dec 22, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 3
How do you feel about pricing? Do you feel comfortable and confident when it comes to what you charge or is it something that causes you stress and worry? I’m in the latter group and as I was planning this podcast I spoke to a lot of people who felt the same. In this episode Sally Farrant - aka The Pricing Queen - talks about what gets in the way of us putting up our prices. She explains what the biggest pricing challenges are for business owners and how to overcome them. And she shares how to p...
Dec 17, 2020•42 min•Ep. 44
Are you looking for ways to keep in touch with your pet business clients over the holidays? But you want to inject a bit of fun rather than talk work! Well help is at hand with the 12 Days of Pet Business Content ideas. This podcast has 12 different topics you can talk about on social media, on your blog, in your e mails or even as pitches to the media if you get a wriggle on in time. Do let me know if you use them, you can tag me on social media @rachelspenceruk on all platforms. Here are the k...
Dec 10, 2020•20 min•Ep. 43
When Becky Baker welcomed Cockerpoo Buddy into her home five years ago she admits she didn’t quite know what had hit her. Sleepless nights, toilet training and constantly worrying whether she was doing things right led her to having the ‘puppy blues.’ But she also had a lightbulb moment - if she was feeling like this then surely others were too - and she created a solution - the K9Nation app. It started in 2017 as a rough and ready website and app that she bootstrapped bit by bit while working f...
Dec 03, 2020•43 min•Ep. 42
Thanks to the Coronavirus health crisis there are more new pet owners in every town, city and village across the UK. Everywhere you go, you can’t move for pandemic puppies. Animal charities now have huge waiting lists for adoptions. And if you’re a pet business owner this is good news - because the new pet parents will need to use your services. Whether that’s dog walks in the day when they return to work, or even while working from home when owners need to concentrate on Zoom, or cat visits, th...
Nov 26, 2020•33 min•Ep. 41
Jade from StreetVet is the first guest in my new Change Maker series, set up to shine a light on people doing extraordinary things to help animals. Jade co-founded StreetVet along with another vet, Sam Joseph in 2016. StreetVet is a charity delivering free care for the homeless and their pets on the streets of London and cities across the UK. It started with two vets and a backpack back in 2016, and is now run by an army of over 650 vets and nurses in 16 locations. In this podcast, I talk to Jad...
Nov 20, 2020•58 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Carla Finzel is a district vet nurse who is pioneering a revolutionary service allowing pets to receive the medical care they need in their own homes. It's no longer just humans who can benefit from expert medical care at home when it's needed. Carla is my second guest in my new Change Maker series, which I've created to shine a light on people doing extraordinary things to help animals. In this podcast, I talk to Carla about how it all started and the future of this innovative lifeline for pets...
Nov 20, 2020•49 min•Season 1Ep. 2
If you’re looking to raise the profile of your pet business one really easy way is to put yourself forward as a case study. Case studies share their real life experiences of all kinds of things, from setting up a business in lockdown to having a pet that weighs more than you! My membership clients and people in my free Facebook group have had huge PR wins from being case studies in national newspapers and magazines and pet publications. And you can use case studies in your own pet business marke...
Nov 19, 2020•29 min•Ep. 40
How do you feel when it comes to writing about your pet business? Do you worry that you sound bossy, or that you’re boasting, or bigging yourself up too much? When you start a business of your own, writing about what it is that you do or the product you create can be overwhelming. Lots of us may not have written regularly since school, never mind put stuff out in the public domain. But when we start as business owners, we have to consistently create content for the many different communication c...
Nov 12, 2020•27 min•Ep. 39
This is a bonus episode of the podcast for anyone who is considering taking part in the Get Your Pet Business found on Google course taking place from 10th November 2020. If you’re in the UK, you’ll know we’ve just gone back into lockdown for four weeks until December 2nd. And while many pet business owners can still work thank goodness, we can’t do much else. The Get Your Pet Business Found on Google course is taking place now as many people will be using the time at home to work on their websi...
Nov 08, 2020•23 min
When you Google your business name, what do you see? Do you show up in lots of places and do you think you’re ranking for the search terms your ideal customers are putting into a search engine? If working on your business is something you’re planning on doing for the next four weeks as we go back into lockdown, then here’s how you can give your website a refresh. Rosie Robinson has worked as a dog walker and boarder and now makes websites for pet business owners. She’s created hundreds of sites ...
Nov 02, 2020•35 min•Ep. 37
Have you ever seen posts on social media about Awareness Days and National Days and thought you might like to create the same? There are days to mark all kinds of different things from fun days such as Dress Up Your Pet Day to more serious ones such as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They’re used by PRs and social media managers to come up with campaigns and story ideas and you can use them in your content too. In this episode you will learn how Awareness and National Days work and how you can us...
Oct 29, 2020•26 min•Ep. 36
Have you found your way into the pet industry as a second, third or fourth career? Did you once dream of escaping your old job to follow your passion? Karen Maher, a dog trainer and behaviourist and founder of Maher and Hound, felt the same. After 20 years working in London in fashion PR, Karen ditched the City for country life and now works as a successful dog trainer, specialising in rescue dogs. She featured in the Telegraph earlier this year sharing the story behind her career change. In thi...
Oct 22, 2020•50 min•Ep. 35
If you’re thinking of raising awareness of your pet business in the media then the first thing you need is a story. Remember journalists aren't sitting waiting to write about people's businesses. They're looking for stories, for news. They need to keep their readers, listeners, viewers or followers informed, educated and entertained. If your story idea doesn’t do any of those things, then it’s likely to end up in the trash folder. This weekend I did a talk at Virtual Pet Index, a trade show set ...
Oct 15, 2020•27 min•Ep. 34
How do you feel about content planning? Do you love it? Or find it overwhelming, like feeding a beast that is permanently hungry? If you’re in the latter group then you will love this episode with Janet Murray, a content marketing expert. Janet - aka the Content Queen - has spoken all over the world about content creation AND is a former Guardian journalist and editor. Her social media posts, blogs and podcasts have reached millions of people and she knows what content will engage people - and w...
Oct 08, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 33
