Smart Advertising
Co-op dollars — Spend 'em if you got 'em!

If you offer national brands, often those companies offer co-op dollars to help pay for any ads that feature their products. This can work to your advantage in several ways.

1. It lets people know that you offer popular brands or lines.

2. It gets your store affiliated with these national names in the minds of the shopper.

3. It curbs your advertising costs. You wouldn't throw cash away if somebody handed it to you.

Other great ways to advertise are through press releases, invite-a-friend and word of mouth incentives, and mailing lists. Your mailing list is your never-ending connection to the outside shopping world. Keep those relationships up by communicating regularly (but not overwhelmingly) through emails.

Also, make your storefront inviting. Prop your door open on nice days and put creative signs out front announcing specials. Dog dishes with water and a jar with doggie treats next to a leash hook out front will go a long way with animal lovers everywhere.