After three and a half years, I’ve made the decision to stop the Publicity for Pet Businesses podcast and give it a makeover.

I have loved every moment of chatting to over 100 guests and putting out nearly 200 episodes, through the pandemic and the cost of living crisis that followed.

The advice I’ve shared here, along with the brilliant insights from guests, has helped get pet businesses in the press, on the telly, and has led to huge boosts in sales and visibility.

I’ve moved away from focusing solely on press coverage, I’ve trained to be a coach, and I’ve swotted up on marketing and invested in tonnes of training.

And it’s time for the podcast to evolve.

In this short episode, I’m sharing the reasons why, and what’s next with this podcast and the exciting new ways we can work together.

Listen in on the player link below or you can read the key points as a blog.

Why I’m changing the Publicity for Pet Businesses Podcast

When I started the Publicity for Pet Businesses Podcast three and a half years ago, my primary focus was on press coverage.

With two decades of experience as a journalist and five years as an award-winning pet blogger, I was able to share what made a story.

As time went on, I realised there’s so much more to raising your profile and generating publicity than just traditional media attention. 

Building strong foundations for your pet business with your content marketing 

One of the crucial lessons I’ve learned along the way is the importance of working on your content marketing so you have the foundations in place before approaching the press. 

If you’re saying you’re an expert in working with reactive dogs, you need to have the social proof and authority to back it up.

Things like a bank of content on your website in the form of a blog, podcast, or videos, maybe you’ve written a book or spoken on stage?

The journalists will check you out and you need to convince them you are the real deal!

While securing press coverage is an incredible achievement, it’s equally vital to look at the publicity you can create on your own platforms. 

From optimising your website and utilising email marketing to harnessing the power of social media, forging partnerships, hosting events, and expanding your professional network, there are countless opportunities to elevate your business and build your brand.

These are the kind of things I can help you with, either one-to-one or if you’re on a budget, inside of my Pets Get Visible mini-membership.

Why building your confidence is key to grow your pet business 

Confidence is key when it comes to how you present yourself and your pet business to the world. 

I’ve personally experienced the impact that a lack of confidence has on my progress and growth. 

I hid away for the first 12 years of being a freelance journalist as I was worried about what other people might think if I ‘put myself out there.’ 

I’ve come to realise that it’s essential to be around people who support you and to learn ways to market yourself that feel good.

This is something that you need to work out for yourself. 

Finding your own marketing approach

Following someone else’s blueprint or pillars or pathway often doesn’t work because it’s theirs, not yours. 

One of the core principles I’ve championed is the idea of marketing your pet business in a way that feels authentic and aligned with your values. 

So empowering you to find your own path, using strategies that resonate with your business and your target audience. 

Stop doing things that aren’t working for you anymore

A few things have happened with my health recently that has meant I’ve needed to change the way I work.

I’ve also lost a very close family member, and when big events in your life happen, it can be a time to reflect.

Because I’ve had to stop the podcast I’ve been able to see that things needed to change.

It didn’t make sense for me to continue putting out a weekly podcast with a rigid schedule that I was struggling to keep up with.

By choosing to walk the walk myself, I’m practising what I preach and demonstrating the importance of finding your own way.

What’s next for the podcast?

While I may be bringing the Publicity for Pet Businesses Podcast to an end, I’m here to help if you’d like to work on raising the profile of your pet business.

There are 180 episodes you can go through covering how to get press coverage, improving your content marketing, building your confidence and much more.

Plus inspiring interviews from brilliant pet business owners and experts sharing what’s worked for them.

My new podcast will be focused on content marketing and doing things your way and will be kicking off in July.

How you can work with me

Choose from my quick ‘pick my brains’ one-hour one to ones, or if you have a larger project you’d like support with, my new Content Campaigns.

These are for awareness days, if you’ve a new product you want to get noticed, you’re a new business and want support or perhaps there’s an exciting thing coming like a book or your own podcast.

Then there’s my membership programme, Pets Get Visible, where we’re able to work more closely and you get personalised guidance for your pet business. 

Whether it’s through one-on-one sessions or within the supportive community of Pets Get Visible, I’m committed to helping you achieve your publicity goals.

Thank you for supporting the podcast

Finally, I want to give a big thank you to you for supporting the podcast, for listening, for reviewing, for being part of the community around the podcast.

Also a big thank you to all the guests, everyone who gave me ideas and suggestions, and who made this podcast happen.

I can’t wait to bring you the new podcast, and in the meantime, come and hang out in my free Facebook group, and you can follow me on social media.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about my Pets Get Visible membership: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/pets-get-visible-right-for-you/

Listen to the podcast with Aileen Stevenson: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/aileen-stevenson/

Learn why I decided to train to be a coach: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/why-i-trained-as-an-accredited-coach-and-what-it-means-for-your-pet-business/

Get my free downloadable resources to help you raise your pet business profile: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/freebies/

Let’s connect on social media:

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelspenceruk

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelspenceruk

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/rachelspenceruk

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelspenceruk/

My free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/publicitytipsforpetbusinesses