| et breeding industry is thriving today and it’s | | | | their experiences with businesses and individuals and |
| one of the fastest growing domestic markets. Each | | | | yes, with cat breeders, too! If you already have |
| year, for the past five years, the number of pet | | | | many satisfied clients, request them to place a good |
| breeders has increased by at least 20 percent. This | | | | word or review about you and your services in |
| may seem like a positive development; however, this | | | | review communities. |
| market growth also means a rapid increase in | | | | Profiles |
| competition. Breeders now need to further | | | | Building various online profiles on social networking |
| strengthen their sales, marketing and advertising | | | | sites can also help you network with other breeders |
| efforts in order to maintain or better yet, beef up | | | | or buyers. If you have licenses or other facilities, (i.e. |
| their customer rosters. They also need to become | | | | you’re a duly registered veterinarian who also |
| more competitive in terms of services and | | | | owns a breeding clinic) make sure that you indicate |
| promotional efforts. Now, more than ever, cat | | | | the same in your profile. This can help build your |
| breeders must find more ways on how they can use | | | | reputation. |
| the power of media, including the Internet, in order | | | | Genealogy Sites |
| to grow their business. Here are a few ways on how | | | | There are websites online which you can use to build |
| cat breeders like you can make your available pets | | | | your very own genealogy website, including pictures |
| and pet-related services known online and use the | | | | of your cats, blue ribbons and breed certifications. |
| Internet to reach target markets: | | | | These sites are typically designed for human families, |
| The Power of a Website | | | | but that doesn’t mean they can’t be |
| As a cat breeder, you should never underestimate | | | | easily adapted for pedigree tracing. Having one can |
| the power of online presence. A simple, professional | | | | reassure your prospective buyers that you are |
| looking website can help introduce your business and | | | | passionate about what you do and that you only |
| services virtually to the whole world. The website | | | | produce kittens from a good gene pool. Remember |
| needn’t be expensive, graphics-heavy or | | | | that as a cat breeder, you must avoid presenting |
| fancy – a simple one can do as long as it can | | | | yourself as if the pets you sell come from so-called |
| easily be maintained and can encourage interaction | | | | “kitten mills.” |
| between the cat breeder and the prospective pet | | | | Message Boards |
| buyer. | | | | Register with various online forums and engage in |
| Online Classifieds | | | | discussions. Don’t hesitate to help people who |
| You can also make use of ad websites such as Find | | | | are in need of pets or those who need help on how |
| a Pet Online. You can announce that you’re | | | | to take care of their new feline companions. Who |
| expecting kittens on a certain week and for how | | | | knows – this may even lead to deals in the |
| much you may sell them. Online advertising and online | | | | future! |
| classifieds are the first place many prospective | | | | Given all these reasons and resources, cat breeders |
| buyers now look, so you should be there too. | | | | need to maximize the use of the Internet and other |
| Review Communities | | | | media. This, in order to not only increase business |
| Check out online city guides as well and get your | | | | presence and name recall but also to guarantee pet |
| business listed! A good example of this is Yelp, an | | | | lovers everywhere that you’re ready to do |
| online guide where opinionated reviewers can chip in | | | | business. |