Is getting more engagement on social media something you want to achieve in your pet business?

The more people we can reach online, the better, and standing out on social media can lead to publicity opportunities.

This week I’m speaking to Helen Motteram, a dog behaviourist from Social Paws, who regularly receives hundreds of shares on her social media posts.

I first discovered her on social media two years ago and her posts stood out because as the former owner of an anxious dog, they had so much warmth and empathy. 

I felt she understood what I’d been through.

Helen spoke to me about how to make your pet business stand out on social media, and how to build powerful connections with pet owners.

Here are the key timings and topics covered in this episode: 

1.46 - Helen’s background as dog behaviourist and business coach based in Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. She started her career as a pet professional working in rescues.

3.39 - How Helen started working with anxious dogs.

5.41 - Going against the grain on social media. How empathising with owners rather than making them feel guilty helped Helen stand out.

7.45 - Starting out ten years ago on Facebook and how Helen learned to create posts that built an emotional connection.

9.35 - Finding the right words and phrases that resonated with owners - like ‘my dog’s friendly’ and ‘your dog is not a monster.’

11.18 - Helen’s advice on making the owner the hero of the story rather than the villain and making posts that are relatable. 

12.42 - Helen’s advice to owners of anxious dogs on how they can support them, 

15.12 - Why it’s important to create a range of posts so your feed is a mix of education, inspiration, success stories and relatable content. 

16.02 - Why you should have you face on your Facebook profile photo.

18.50 - How Helen tries to walk in the shoes of her ideal client or dog owner.

19.05 - Why you should avoid jargon and keep it simple.

22.30 - Coming up with ideas for social media posts.

25.02 - Helen’s mentors. Helen works with business coach Robin Waite and recommends following Dan Meredith. She also does Jon Buchan’s Charm Offensive programme.

29.12 - How pet business owners can sell without feeling uncomfortable and her advice on creating social media posts to show how you help people can help overcome that awkward feeling.

31.20 - How standing out on social media has helped Helen. It’s led to media opportunities, speaking opportunities, and lots of word of mouth referrals for her dog training and walking business.

33.14 - Starting out again with her marketing after hiring husband Tristan to work alongside her at Social Paws.

35.24 - How Helen ended up on the This Morning sofa after sharing her story about Russell Crowe the Rook.

37.01 - How Helen is now on the books as an expert with radio and TV companies and what this has done for her profile.

38.07 - Advice on niching as a pet business owner.

41.28 - How we shouldn’t be scared to be ourselves online and that it can be easier to share our own stories than generic posts.

43.10 - About Pet Professional Network and how Helen’s business support community works.

45.44 - Details on Helen’s online event taking place in September.

46.12 - How to find out more about Helen and connect on social media - see links below. 

Links mentioned in this episode:

Follow Helen’s Social Paws page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socialpawscheltenham/

Pet Professional Network on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/petpronetwork/

Pet Professional Network free group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/592717694264410/

Pet Professional Network website: https://www.petpronetwork.com/

Robin Waite website: https://www.robinwaite.com/

Jon Buchan website: https://www.charm-offensive.co.uk/

Dan Meredith website: https://coffeewithdan.com/

Helen on my pet blog - our first interview: https://www.thepawpost.co.uk/health/expert-advice-helen-motteram-help-nervous-anxious-dogs/

Helen’s interview in the Sunday Mirror: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/dogs-heading-mental-health-crisis-13525296

Helen on anxious pets at Christmas in The Sun: https://www.thesun.co.uk/uncategorized/10408611/expert-tips-to-keep-your-pet-dog-or-cat-calm-and-stress-free-this-christmas-period/