Insights and Inspiration for Pet Brands
Why Your Pet Brand Isn’t Gaining Followers (And Why That’s Not the Real Problem)
Before you blame the algorithm, read this.
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The Invisible Brand: Why Great Products Need Loud Marketing
You’ve nailed your product. The branding? Your website? You’ve sunk time, money, and energy into every pixel and paw print… but sales? Nothing. This is the silent trap so many pet brands fall into and it’s not because your business isn’t brilliant. It’s because brilliance without visibility is invisible. In today’s market, you’re not just building a brand you’re building a buzz. If you’re not spending on marketing (and we mean more than the odd boosted post), you’re whispering in a very loud room. What we see far too often: A five figure Shopify site with zero traffic. Beautiful packaging that never makes it past the stockroom. A “launch” that no one saw coming because no one saw it, full stop. And the reason? All the budget went on being ready… and none went on being seen. Think of it this way: Would you open a boutique in the middle of a field, hang a glittering sign, and hope someone strolls past? No you’d tell people where to find you. You’d invite them in. You’d run a launch event, get it on local radar, and maybe even call in a few four legged influencers. So what’s the takeaway? If you’re starting a pet brand or launching something new, your marketing budget shouldn’t be an afterthought. It should sit alongside your packaging, your design, and your manufacturing as part of your core business plan. Because great products don’t sell themselves they get sold because someone heard about them. hello@socialpack.co.uk
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The One Thing Missing From Your Pet Marketing Strategy (That Google Actually Cares About)
It’s not your keywords. It’s your consistency.
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Why Pet Brands Struggle to Get Noticed (And How to Fix It Without a Big Budget)
Because the problem isn’t your product, it’s how you’re showing up. We speak to pet business owners every day who tell us the same thing: “We’ve got an amazing product... but no one’s seeing it.”“We’re posting all the time… but it’s just crickets.”“We thought once we launched, things would take off.” Sound familiar? If you're putting time, energy (and often money) into your business and it's still not gaining traction, here’s the honest truth: it's probably not about how much you're doing but what you're focusing on. Let’s break it down. Your Messaging Isn’t Clear Enough Most small brands try to be too many things to too many people. But clear beats clever every time. If people can’t understand who it’s for, what it does, or why it’s different in under 10 seconds you’ll lose them. Ask yourself: Does your Instagram bio say what you actually sell? Is your website homepage clear and inviting? Could a stranger explain what makes your brand special? Tip: Try the “shop shelf test.” If someone saw your product in a store next to a similar one, what would make them choose yours? You’re Not Tapping Into Emotion The best pet brands don’t just sell treats, leads, or services they sell joy, relief, connection, excitement. They speak to what pet parents care about most. So instead of “100% natural ingredients,” try:“Peace of mind in every bite.”Instead of “luxury dog boarding,” try:“Your dog’s home from home, while you’re away.” Words matter. Make them feel something. You’re Not Reaching the Right People You might be pouring time into social media but showing up in front of the wrong audience. That’s why your posts aren’t converting and your reach is stalling. It’s not always about boosting or ads. Sometimes it’s a shift in where you show up or how you speak that gets you in front of the right people. Ask yourself: Are you using hashtags your dream customers would actually follow? Are you writing captions in their language or yours? Are you showing up where they hang out? (Instagram vs. Facebook vs. real life events) You’re Doing It All Yourself Running a pet brand is exhausting. And it’s easy to lose your way when you’re juggling fulfilment, customer service, accounts, and content on your own. Marketing gets rushed, last minute, or just skipped. That’s where structure comes in. Even a light touch content plan (like our PACK method) or a few reusable templates can take the stress out of “What should I post today?” Quick Fixes That Don’t Break the Bank Use our Seeing Social mindset: Start spotting everyday moments that are actually content worthy.Review your Instagram bio and make it clear, not cute.Pick one message to repeat again and again. Repetition builds trust.Use one morning a week to plan ahead even if it’s just a week at a time. Bottom Line Most pet brands don’t fail because the product’s bad. They fail because no one knows how good it is. Marketing isn’t about shouting louder. It’s about showing up with clarity, consistency, and the kind of content that makes pet lovers stop scrolling. If you’re not sure where to start, we can help with that. But if you are ready to start showing up properly? This might be your reminder to make a change. hello@socialpack.co.uk
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Are Your Pet Brand’s Emails Getting Ignored? Here’s What Might Be Going Wrong
If you’ve ever sent a lovingly crafted email to your pet brand’s subscribers and heard nothing back, you’re not alone. The truth? Most pet businesses make the same three mistakes with email marketing and they’re all fixable. Mistake 1: Talking at your audience, not to them.No one wants another generic “Here’s our latest offer” email. Write like you’re talking to one person. Use their pet’s name if you can. Tell a story. Make it feel like a conversation, not a sales pitch. Mistake 2: Sending without a strategy.Email marketing shouldn’t just be a box ticking exercise. Are you trying to build loyalty? Announce something? Recover abandoned carts? Start with the goal, then plan the email. Mistake 3: Looking like everyone else.Cute pets will only get you so far. If your emails all have the same tone, layout, and structure as your competitors, why should someone care? Inject your brand personality be cheeky, warm, educational, whatever fits. And if all else fails? Go back and read your last three emails out loud. If they sound like a robot wrote them, it’s time for a refresh.
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Start Up Stumbles: Mistakes Pet Businesses Make in Year One
Let’s be honest year one of any pet business is a bit of a whirlwind. You’re full of ideas, brimming with energy, and juggling about seventeen different things before breakfast. And while that’s all part of the ride, there are a few common slip ups that can slow you down (or worse, set you back). Let’s talk about them so you can skip the stress and move faster towards success. 1. Building the brand after launchingIf you think branding is just a logo, think again. Too many pet businesses go live with no clear voice, no visual identity, and no real plan for standing out. Take time to define your tone, your story, and the feeling you want people to associate with your brand before you go all in on socials or sales. 2. Focusing on products, not peopleIt’s easy to obsess over labels, packaging and product details (especially if you’ve created it yourself). But your customers don’t just buy what you sell they buy why it matters. Talk more about your customers’ pets and their needs than you do about your ingredients list. 3. Underestimating marketingA gorgeous product won’t sell itself especially in the noisy pet sector. Marketing isn’t optional; it’s the lifeline of your business. Yet we see so many new brands blow the budget on packaging and leave £0 for visibility. Marketing should be baked in from day one. 4. Doing everything aloneYes, you wear all the hats right now. But that doesn’t mean you have to know everything. Whether it’s joining a course, hiring support, or using AI tools to speed things up leaning on help doesn’t make you less of a founder, it makes you a smarter one. 5. Not tracking what worksYou don’t need to be a data geek but if you’re never checking what posts land or what sales come from where, you’re marketing in the dark. Look at engagement, track what converts, and double down on what’s actually driving results. There’s no perfect first year. But with a bit of foresight (and a lot of dog hair on your jumper), you’ll get through it stronger, savvier, and ready to grow.
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Pet Business Marketing: What It Really Costs (and Why You Can’t Afford to Skip It)
The real cost of not marketing your pet business and how to save money, time and stress by getting the right support. So you’ve poured your heart and probably a chunk of your savings into building a brilliant pet brand. Your products are ready, your website’s live, and maybe you’ve even dabbled in social media. But the customers? They’re not quite pouring in. It’s a common scenario in the pet industry: A great product, a beautiful website, and no marketing strategy. And if that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Why Pet Businesses Struggle Without Marketing It’s easy to think that if your product is good enough, it’ll sell. Or that posting now and then on Instagram will keep things ticking over. But the truth is: Marketing isn’t optional. It’s essential. Without a clear, consistent plan to raise awareness and drive traffic, your brand stays invisible no matter how brilliant your product is. We see this all the time with new pet brands: They invest heavily in stock, packaging and design… then freeze at the marketing stage. They under price marketing or assume it's just social media posts. They try to DIY everything and burn out before their brand gains traction. What Happens When You Don’t Budget for Marketing? The cost of not marketing is real. It looks like: Website traffic staying flat (no matter how sleek it looks) New products launching to silence Discounting just to make a sale Watching other, less polished brands gain traction because they’re showing up, and you're not Is Marketing Expensive? It Doesn’t Have to Be. It’s not about having a massive budget it’s about being smart with the one you’ve got. Whether you’re a dog treat brand, a grooming business, or a boutique pet store, you need to know where to invest your time and money for real returns. That might look like a mix of: Email marketing – Still one of the best performing tools for repeat sales Social media content – Done right, it’s more than just likes; it’s visibility and trust Ads – Strategic, well targeted ads can drive real traffic with small spends Influencer or UGC partnerships – Especially powerful in the pet world where authenticity matters SEO and blog content – So you show up when pet owners are searching for what you offer But here’s where it gets easier... Save Time, Cut Costs, and Scale Smarter with the Right Support If marketing is draining your time or eating into your budget without delivering results, it might be time to get help. Working with a pet-focused marketing agency (like ours) means: Preferential rates from trusted service providers (photographers, influencers, email platforms, ad spend, etc.) Access to proven tools and systems no more trial and error Ready made content strategies built for the pet industry Support that’s tailored to your niche and your goals More time for you to actually run your business, not just promote it Let’s be honest: running a pet business is demanding enough. Marketing shouldn’t be a guessing game or a full time job on top. Final Thoughts: You Can’t Afford Not to Market So yes, marketing costs money. But the real cost? That comes from sitting still. Every week without strategy is a week your competitors are showing up, building trust, and getting in front of your customers. If you’re serious about growing your pet brand, start treating your marketing like the investment it is not an afterthought. And if you want help cutting the guesswork and fast tracking your results, we’re here. hello@socialpack.co.uk
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Are Giveaways Dead? Why Pet Brands Should Rethink Their Prize Strategy
Giveaways have been a go to tactic for pet brands for years. They’re fun, fast, and at least on paper effective. But in 2025, the rules of engagement have shifted. We’re seeing fewer results from traditional prize draws and more fatigue from audiences who have grown wise to the 'like, tag, share' formula. So, are giveaways dead? Not quite. But it might be time for pet brands to rethink how they’re using them. The Problem With the Traditional Giveaway Model Let’s be honest: the old school giveaway format doesn’t cut through anymore. Pet owners have seen it all before and when your post looks like every other “win this bundle” post, it’s hard to stand out. Add to that the fact that many giveaways attract people who are just in it for the free stuff, not your brand or product. You might get a spike in followers, but they often disappear once the winner’s announced. Worse still, it can hurt your engagement rate as unengaged entrants dilute your real audience. The Shift: From Freebies to Value What today’s pet audience wants isn’t just free, it’s useful, relevant, and meaningful. We’re seeing brands have far more success when their giveaway is part of a larger campaign or tied to storytelling. Instead of giving away a generic bundle, try offering something that: Aligns with your values and product purpose Helps your audience in a genuine way (e.g. “win a year of joint support for your senior dog”) Feels exclusive or experience-based (e.g. a 1-on-1 session with your head trainer) It’s not about getting more entries. It’s about attracting the right entries. 3 Smart Giveaway Strategies for 2025 1. The Purpose-Driven GiveawayTie your giveaway to a message. Launching a new dental chew? Make the giveaway part of an educational campaign around pet dental health. That way, the prize reinforces your product’s purpose. 2. The Loyalty LoopOnly allow entry through your email list or via a recent purchase. This rewards existing customers and makes your giveaway feel more valuable to loyal followers. 3. The Collaborative ApproachPartner with another pet brand, rescue, or influencer to co-host a giveaway that brings new eyes to your brand and adds social credibility. So... Are Giveaways Dead? Not at all. But the lazy giveaway? That’s on its last legs. As pet marketing experts, we always come back to this: does your campaign provide value? Does it reflect your brand's purpose? Does it attract the right people? If the answer’s no, it’s time to rethink. And if you’re not sure where to start, that’s where we come in. At Social Pack, we build campaigns that connect, not just convert. Ready to run a smarter giveaway? Let’s talk: hello@socialpack.co.uk
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Functional vs. Lifestyle Pet Products: What Pet Owners Really Want 🛍️🐾
Pet owners today are more discerning than ever, and they’re looking for products that offer both functionality and style. Some prioritise practical benefits, while others focus on aesthetics and lifestyle appeal. Successful pet brands find ways to blend both, ensuring their products meet real needs while also fitting seamlessly into their customers’ lifestyles. What Defines a Functional Pet Product? Functional pet products solve a specific problem or make daily pet care easier. These include: Orthopaedic dog beds for older dogs with joint issues. Hands free leashes for active pet owners. Slow feeder bowls to prevent fast eating and bloating. These products appeal to owners who prioritise practicality and long term health benefits over aesthetics. The Rise of Lifestyle Driven Pet Products While function is essential, lifestyle pet products are on the rise. Owners want their pets to look stylish while still being comfortable. These include: Designer collars and accessories that reflect personal style. Matching pet and owner outfits for social media appeal. Luxury pet furniture that blends with modern home décor. Many pet owners want the best of both worlds, making it crucial for brands to balance practicality with lifestyle appeal in their product offerings. Finding the Sweet Spot Between Function and Fashion Brands that merge function and aesthetics win big. A well designed pet harness that’s both ergonomic and stylish attracts both practical buyers and trend focused pet parents. The key is positioning your product as both useful and aspirational. Want to create pet products that blend function and style seamlessly? Social Pack helps pet brands craft winning marketing strategies that attract both practical and lifestyle focused pet owners. Let’s make your brand stand out get in touch today! hello@socialpack.co.uk
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