The Apartment Guide to Pet-Friendly Outreach Marketing, Events & Renewals
There are few things that people love more than their pets, except maybe your own children. Sometimes if you ask parents on the right day, even that might not be true. When your prospects are looking for a new home, they aren’t just looking for themselves, they’re looking for their furry friend too.
Pet-Friendly Apartments Affect Buying Decisions
I can speak to this from experience. I said no to many apartments on my search, not because I didn’t love the units themselves, but because it wouldn’t have been the right fit for my dog who is a three and a half-year-old lab with SO. MUCH. ENERGY. What I loved about the apartments I did end up choosing was their big dog park, their many courtyards for me to walk my pup, and that in their lobby they had dog treats on the coffee table with signs saying things like “Home is where your dog runs to greet you”.
I knew immediately that they understood how much pets mean to their owners just by the detail they had added to their lobby, in their model unit, and around the property. After moving in, that was even more clear as they always have treats out for the pups, have toys in the dog park, and host pet-friendly events.
This connection that people have to their pets is the same connection that can help get you that new lease.
Why Offering a Pet-Friendly Lifestyle is An Essential Piece of the Apartment Marketing Puzzle
Here’s what taking an interest in someone’s pet tells a prospective renter:
1) You value what they value- making sure your community is a good place to live for them AND their pet.
2) You care enough to know what’s important to them.
Make a point to ask about your prospects’ pets. Ask what kind it is, what their name is, what they like to do for fun, maybe what their favorite game to play is. People love to talk about what they love, and pets are no exception. (Don’t believe me? Give me a ring and I’ll fill your entire day telling you how awesome my pup is. 😉)
When you take an interest, that shows them you care. When they know you care, they give their loyalty to you and your apartment community.
Now besides just taking interest through conversation, you might be wondering how to catch the attention of all the pet moms and dads, both as prospects and as current residents.
LUCKY YOU, WE HAVE ALL THE PET FRIENDLY MARKETING MATERIAL YOU NEED FOR YOUR APARTMENT COMMUNITY.
PET-FRIENDLY OUTREACH FOR YOUR APARTMENT COMMUNITY
You can’t expect people to know you’re pet-friendly unless you tell them that you’re pet-friendly!
This outreach idea isn’t one that’s earth-shattering, but it is one that gives you all the results you’ve been looking for! It’s as easy as saying “sit, stay, fetch”.
First, sit down and make a list of some pet-friendly businesses within a 5-10 mile radius of your apartment community. Places like vets, groomers, pet stores, outdoor stores, etc.
Then, fetch a mason jar or clear cellophane bag, fill them some pet treats and tie them up with a cute bow. (Maybe one with cute paw prints. 🐾)
If you’re a Sprout Member, you can log on and get some customizable flyers that you can add to the jar or goodie bag. If you aren’t a Sprout Member, just add your business card and then log onto the Sprout website and get signed up so you aren’t left out anymore!
Take the goodies you put together and ask prospects to stay at your community!
Sprout Members: Search ‘290’ to check out this Daily Dose and get all the Amazon links for the dog treats and mason jars, plus look at all your flyer options like the ones below!
PET-FRIENDLY WELCOME IDEAS FOR YOUR APARTMENT COMMUNITY
Click Here to Download
If your new residents are pet-lovers then this pet-friendly welcome is the quickest way to their hearts. Follow the steps below to make a big first impression.
Grab some doggy poo pickup bags, a cute pet toy, and if you’re a Sprout Member, a super cute flyer.
Leave the gift in your resident’s apartment as a sweet and thoughtful surprise for when they move in.
Post to social media to give a virtual shout out to your new residents as well! Sprout Members, we have lots of cute graphics for this so be sure to look around! If you aren’t a Sprout Member, you can download the graphic to the right to use on your social media!
Sprout Members: Log in and search ‘420’ to check out this Daily Dose and get all the resources you need to put together this super cute welcome home gift.
PET-FRIENDLY RENEWALS FOR YOUR APARTMENT COMMUNITY
Show your residents why they need to stay at your community and why their furry friends are want them to stay too.
You don’t have to spend a ton on a renewal gift, just something to say you appreciate them. Here’s how easy it is:
Purchase a few pet-friendly items to give out as renewal incentives like pet treats, cute dog tags, or a small pet toy.
Put whatever goodie you chose into a cellophane bag and attach a Sprout flyer to it to finish off the look. Don’t have a Sprout flyer? Let’s fix that here.
Give the goodie bag out when your residents decide to renew their lease!
You could ask the resident and their pet if they’re okay with you posting about them renewing and snag a pic with them, their furry friend, and their goodie bag to post on social media, along with a Sprout graphic.
Sprout Members: Log on and search ‘298’ to check out this whole Daily Dose and grab all the flyers and social media graphics you want. Below are some options that you have!
Pet-Friendly Resident Referrals for your apartment community
You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours!
Referrals are the best form of flattery, right? Then how come we forget to remind our residents about it?
Reminding residents to refer their friends and family just got SO EASY with our new DONE-FOR-YOU referral bundles in our Sprout Shop!
Click HERE to check them out!
PET FRIENDLY EVENTS TO HOST AT YOUR APARTMENT COMMUNITY
Get a bunch of pet owners together and you’re guaranteed to have a good time! Host a “Yappy Hour” at your community as a way for your residents to mix and mingle and sniff each other’s butts….the dogs that is.
You’ll want to hit up Amazon for all the treats, toys, pet related decorations, and anything else you can think of that will make your four-legged and two-legged residents happy!
Sprout Members: Log on and search ‘189’ to get all resources, links, and instructions on how to throw this tail-wag worthy event. Not to mention, download all the flyers, invitations, and social media graphics that you need to get the word out about the event.
Here’s some of the flyers and social media graphics that have gotten 4 paws up:
By taking the extra time here and there to show your residents and prospects that your apartment community cares about them and their pets, THey are able to create a connection with you in a way that they otherwise wouldn’t.
So take the time. Put together the welcome gift or renewal gift. Throw the event.
Once the renewals and new residents start rolling in, you’ll be glad you did!
