Like many other businesses, the horse industry has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Horse shows have been cancelled, horse businesses have had to rely on online ordering, equine nonprofits have seen a drop in donations and an increase in the need for their services and barns have struggled with allowing owners access to the barn while still complying with best practices, e.g. social distancing, to reduce the spread of this deadly virus. In addition, the distressing economic downturn and the increase in unemployment have caused many people to leave the horse industry altogether.
But there is always hope on the horizon and there will come a day when the horse world can get back to normal. But will your customers return to your barn, store, summer camp, show or organization? How do you communicate to your current clients and attract new customers to let them know it is safe and that you are open for business?
By developing a Horse Biz Marketing plan. Let’s face it – as barn managers or nonprofit staff, you don’t have time to read all the books and articles on how to be a marketing guru. One of the first things I noticed when I started to market my boarding stable for retired show horses is that there literally hundreds of ways to go about it. Print ads, sponsorships, flyers, giveaways, press releases and the whole gamut of digital marketing, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and so many others.
What you need is a simple, sane and savvy way to market your horse business or organization.
As you might have guessed, I’ve has been writing the blogs and enewsletters for Classic Equine Equipment for the past eight years. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it as a way to “give back” to the horse community – plus I think Classic Equine Equipment has some pretty awesome products! But now, I want to concentrate on how I can help the horse industry thrive through marketing.
After five years as a nonprofit marketing manager, four years as an equine membership communications coordinator, eight years as a social media content writer, three years as a horse show public relations writer, and over ten years as owner/manager of my own boarding stable, I want to share my experience to help you decipher marketing communication options, answer your marketing questions, and help you make the decision as to what the best marketing plan is for YOU!
Starting on June 15, 2020, I’ll be blogging at www.horsebizmarketing.com to help you develop your own simple, sane and savvy marketing plan. If you have any questions or have suggestions for topics you’d like to see covered, please email me at horsebizgirl@gmail.com.
It’s been a pleasure sharing my knowledge of stable management with you. I look forward helping you with your horse business marketing at www.horsebizmarketing.com.
Happy Trails to You,
Kelly O’Neilli
