How to Boost Traffic to Your Dog-Friendly Bar Through Digital Marketing

Dog-friendly bars are becoming increasingly popular throughout the country. It’s no longer just “outside service only” for places that allow pets. That’s mostly because many bars and restaurants are starting to understand the benefits of making their establishment dog-friendly.

Some of those business benefits include an increased customer base, a more casual atmosphere, and a niche that tends to turn customers into loyal patrons.

The drawback?

Because dog-friendly bars are becoming so popular and trendy, it’s becoming harder to stand out. That’s especially true if you live in a bigger city where several dog-friendly drink locations have already popped up.

So, what can you do to boost traffic to your dog-friendly bar? Try some tried and true digital marketing techniques with a creative canine spin. Let’s cover a few ideas that can help you get started so you can bring in more traffic – with two legs and four!

Make Your Marketing Personal

Digital marketing is one of the best ways to engage with your target audience. When you’re trying to expand that audience to include pet owners, it’s okay to make things as personal as possible.

That starts by opening up with your story. Share how you got started, and why you decided to become a dog-friendly bar. Maybe you’ve got a story about a dog you loved and lost that will tug on people’s heartstrings. Or, maybe your best furry friend inspired you to pursue your dreams. Whatever tale you wag, making it personal will help pet owners feel a connection with your place before they even arrive.

If potential patrons are hesitant to bring their dogs, you can also discuss some of the benefits they’ll experience, like:

• Meeting other likeminded people
• Reduced stress
• Easy icebreakers for people to interact

You can even implement a policy that allows your employees to enjoy a cold one with their pup. It can increase overall workplace morale and improve communication between everyone to have dogs at work.

Team Up With Influencers

Influencers have taken the digital marketing world by storm. It’s expected to be a nearly $14 billion industry in 2021 and shows no signs of slowing down. For those who are marketing-savvy, the popularity of influencers shouldn’t really come as a surprise. Even though they can often feel like “celebrities”, they add a humanistic quality to brands and products. Because they have big followings and people who trust their opinions, teaming up with them is a great way to attract more people to your dog-friendly bar.

Search for local influencers in your area. Maybe you can host an event for them, or offer them something that their fans would love to see.

While working with an influencer can be great for business, make sure you go about it with caution. Because the industry is so saturated, there are multiple “fakes” out there who are happy to scam businesses and leave you high and dry. You can protect yourself from influencer fraud by:

• Using social media as a measurement tool
• Looking at data and statistics for specific influencers
• Working with micro-influencers
• Aligning your incentives so you work with someone who doesn’t just want your money

Even influencers with a small following can make a big impact on your business. If their followers see how great your bar is and know their favorite influencer loves it too, they’re more likely to show up with their four-legged friend in tow.

Offer Something Extra

With so many dog-friendly bars and restaurants opening across the country, it’s crucial to find ways to be different. That starts in-house with a bit of creativity. Consider implementing things like:

• Dog-friendly drinks
• “Happy hour” with pet-friendly snacks
• Special events designed for dogs
• Speed-dating for pet owners

The sky is truly the limit when it comes to what you can do to get people in the door. But, if no one knows about your extras, they’re not going to show up. That’s when technology comes into play.

Use social media to promote events and special offers, and answer questions whenever they’re asked. Send out periodic email blasts to keep your customers informed of whatever exciting new promotions you have coming up. Traditional marketing efforts aren’t going to help you beat out your competition. It’s all about digital engagement.

You can go one step further to entice customers to attend future events by filming or live-streaming when you’re doing something special at your bar. Video marketing has become one of the most important components of successful digital marketing strategies. It catches people’s attention quickly and is more likely to pique their interest longer than a photo.

If you have a dog-friendly bar, let’s be honest – you’re already cooler than most other bars in town. But, for people to know that, you have to use digital marketing to your advantage. Keep these ideas in mind as you advertise your establishment, and you’re bound to see a “paw”-some increase in foot traffic.

Special thanks to Jori Hamilton for this Great Beer Now guest post!