World Pet Association Releases Study on Social Media Best Practices for Pet Retailers
MONROVIA, CA World Pet Association (WPA) founded in 1950 and well known for hosting industry-leading events including SuperZoo, Atlanta Pet Fair & Conference, Aquatic Experience and America¹s Family Pet Expo‹has released a comprehensive whitepaper titled: Social Media Best Practices for Pet Stores.
Compiled by renowned social media expert and owner of Crystal Media and popular SuperZoo guest speaker, Crystal Vilkaitis, the study provides easy-to-understand best practices and guidelines to help pet retailers evaluate and better use the social media tools at their disposal. ³Social media has become an indispensable tool for retailers and we recognize they¹re hungry for information to ensure they're optimizing their accounts,² says Doug Poindexter, president of WPA. "By providing a whitepaper focused on this hot topic, we¹re giving retailers access to actionable ways to improve their businesses."
In addition, the piece includes a case study following the social media emergence of The Pet Authority, Inc. in Albert Lea, MN. Over the space of several months, the store eliminated traditional radio advertising in favor of Facebook advertising, following guidance from Vilkaitis and her team.
As a result, the store generated 3,600 new fans and realized a 31 percent increase in sales and cost savings of $1,000. Key takeaways for pet retailers looking to maximize their social media ROI include:
• Focus on engaging on one or two social media platforms; trying to be an expert in everything will spread your resources thin
• Keep an updated and optimized profile on chosen platforms
• Don¹t only sell on social media; engage your followers with content that positions you as an expert
• Create contests and giveaways to boost engagement without directly selling
• Use video, photos and graphics consistently; the right mix of text and images can be a great sales tool
• Have a strategy for using ads (especially on Facebook) as a supplement to help your business stand out For more information, or to download the whitepaper: http://www.superzoo.org/free-white-paper/
About World Pet Association
Founded in 1950, World Pet Association (WPA) is the pet industry's oldest non-profit organization. Based in Southern California, WPA coordinates industry-defining trade shows SuperZoo and Atlanta Pet Fair & Conference‹to promote responsible growth and development of the pet industry.
Other popular annual events include America's Family Pet Expo, a consumer pet and pet product expo, and Aquatic Experience, which combines consumer events with a trade show.
Through WPA's Good Works program, proceeds from these events are funneled back into key industry organizations and non-profits supporting the pet community, making it easier for pet industry professionals to do business.
WPA provides thought leadership on consumer and legislative issues for the good of professionals, as well as the industry as a whole, and leads efforts in the public sector to inform consumers and ensure safe, healthy lifestyles for all animals.
For more information: www.worldpetassociation.org.
About SuperZoo
SuperZoo boasts the most buyer and exhibitor participation of any trade show for the pet retail industry in North America, providing pet retail and service professionals with the knowledge and resources they need to be successful. For the sixth consecutive year, SuperZoo has grown in exhibitor space and square footage and has been listed among Trade Show Executive's Gold 100 trade events since 2014.
Produced by World Pet Association (WPA), the show attracts around 18,000 retailers, product suppliers and service providers at each annual event. WPA is the oldest industry organization promoting the responsible growth and development of the companion pet and related products and services industry, and works to educate the general public in order to ensure safe and healthy lifestyles for all our animal friends.
In addition to producing SuperZoo, WPA is the host of America¹s Family Pet Expo, held annually in Costa Mesa, CA, Atlanta Pet Fair & Conference, held in Atlanta, and Aquatic Experience, held in Chicago. SuperZoo 2017 will be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, July 25-27, with conference sessions July 24-26.
For more information: www.superzoo.org.