DIGITAL - How to Promote Your Product on Facebook

Are you looking for new ways to promote your product that also helps build trust, grow your audience and increase brand engagement?

Social Media Examiner has come up with some fresh ideas in their Five Ways to Promote Your Products On Facebook.

Ask Fans to Show Their Love

Set up a user-generated content campaign where you ask customers to share photos and videos of them using, wearing or talking about your product.

This type of campaign shows your product in an authentic way and can help you reach a wider audience as the post will be seen by all your customers’ friends.

Demonstrate Creative Ways to Use Your Product

Customers want to know and it doesn’t need to be fancy. Simple video demonstrations that you create or customer video that you share work well.

Incentivize Word-of-Mouth Referrals

Create a loyalty program where you can reward customers for referring friends to your business by sharing your page with their Facebook friends.

Build Trust With Ratings and Reviews

Facebook has a ratings tab that you just need to activate.

Make sure when you ask your fans for ratings and reviews, don’t be intrusive or offer incentives and always follow Facebook’s Community Guidelines.

Target Prospects With Facebook Ads

You can use your own company data and Facebook Insights to target audiences similar to your current buyers.

Read the entire article for all the details.

The Premiumization Trend in Pet Products

In the pet market, “premium” products are becoming increasingly popular. This premiumization of products have been a trend for over 10 years according to a Packaged Facts’ report. While the pet market has not been experiencing large growth in terms of money spent the gains it has seen are primarily due to the availability of high priced, high quality products according to Packaged Facts Research Director, David Sprinkle.

Sprinkle said, “Absent any other galvanizing factors toward increased pet ownership, ongoing premiumization is crucial if pet market dollar sales are to continue to rise." So what makes a product “premium”? Premium products contain special nutraceutical ingredients, use “human-quality” ingredients, and follow human food trends such as the use of superfruits, ancestral grains, and exotic proteins.

Nutraceutical treats are becoming more popular and this trend has been linked to the “graying” of the pet population. Many treats contain supplements that claim to improve pet health and minimize discomfort.

Naturally, premium products cost more than standard brands. According to Packaged Facts, standard brands often have a 20% markup while premium brands average 30% markup, and super premium foods can reach 40% markup. Consumers are often willing to spend more money for premium products because they claim to offer multiple benefits (for example, treats that help health conditions).

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Overview of Petfood Forum China 2015

At the Petfood Forum China 2015 people had the opportunity to work on developments for the Chinese pet market. The main discussions included the pet food market, product development, supplier partnerships, and bringing products to retail.

According to Pushan Tagore, Director of Pet Care Global for GfK, China has the third largest pet dog population (behind the United States and Brazil) and the second largest pet cat population (behind the United States). The retail opportunities in China are continuing to grow.

Petfood Forum China will be held again in 2016.

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Avivagen Creating New Technology

Canadian life sciences company, Avivagen, claims to be developing two disruptive technologies. The first is a natural product designed to replace antibiotic use in livestock feeds and the second is a medication-based non-surgical sterilization process for female animals.

Avivagen is currently using its antibiotic replacement (OxC-beta) in two pet supplements (Vivamune and Oximunol) and is looking to expand its use in livestock destined for consumption.

About Avivagen Inc.

Avivagen Inc. is a publicly-listed life sciences company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol “VIV” and on OTC Pink as “CHEXF.” The Company’s goal is to develop and deliver scientifically-proven solutions that benefit companion and production animals by employing natural mechanisms for maintaining good health. Target markets include Livestock Productivity and Pet Wellness.

Avivagen is based in partnership facilities of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) – in Ottawa, Ontario and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

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What are the Results of the 2015-2016 Nation Pet Owners Survey?

Bob Vetere, President and CEO of the American Pet Products Association (APPA), has announced the results of their biennial 2015-2016 National Pet Owners Survey. The survey reached 79.7 million households with pets. One important survey discovery was that there are increased numbers of new and young pet owners. New pet owners populate approximately 10% of the total pet owner population. This represents an increase of almost eight million new pet owners. Vetere states, “These numbers demonstrate huge potential for the industry to grow with up-and-coming, new pet owners.”

The newest generation of pet owners purchase more expensive animals, seek veterinary care more often, and buy more items for their pets. “This generation also likes high-tech gadgets like pet cams and electronic health monitoring collars, and convenience products to take their pets with them or care for them while they’re gone,” said Vetere. “This opens the door for innovation in products and services as well.” Pets and pet products are increasingly being sourced online and by using social media networks.

In previous surveys, the largest population of pet owners was the Baby Boomers. However, Baby Boomers are reaching life stages where they are reducing pet ownership. Vetere is not worried, he states, “In fact, the growing incidence of pet owners among the younger generations is so encouraging, we are extremely optimistic about the future of pet ownership and the industry that stands to serve those pets and their owners.”

The Survey also found that more businesses are becoming pet-friendly. 

• 8% of pet owners are allowed to bring their dogs to work. 
• 28% of pet owners have taken their dog to a hotel. 
• 9% of pet owners have taken their pet to a restaurant.

More people also believe that pets are good for their health. In fact, for 64% of pet owners, owning a pet has positive health benefits that are important to the owner. Vetere states, “Studies now exist that show pets can help improve our cardiovascular health, improve immunity in young children and assist with therapy for autistic children and people suffering from PTSD. Our desire to take better care of our pets and the joys and benefits they provide are continuing to work together to grow pet ownership and keep this great industry strong.”

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