How to Market Your Horse Business with Denise Alvarez

Have you ever wondered if your horse business should have a blog? The answer isn’t as cut and dry as you might like it to be. That’s why we’re talking all things blogging on this episode!

First, we’ll look at the purpose behind blogging as a marketing tool. Then we’ll dive into how you can approach it from a strategic point of view. Finally, I’ll share some questions you can ask yourself to determine if blogging is for you and your business.

Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/84

P.S. Since your blog will be hosted on your website, it’s probably a good time to see if your website is doing its job. Here’s how you can know →  The Ultimate Website Audit Training Kit 

Whether you’ve had a website refresh on your list for a while or you recently realized it needs some help, this encore episode is for you.

When you make these 6 changes to your website you’ll better connect with your website visitors so they can become your customers.

Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/83.

FREE! 4 Must-Haves to Make Your Equine Website Dreams A Reality → Stormlily.com/checklist

How do you go about building a horse business that is true to who you are while still trying to make a profit?

That’s one of the key questions Alexa Major Wilcox and I talked about in this episode.

Alexa manages marketing for Mike Major Horsemanship. Yes, her dad was on the previous episode (#81). As the person heading up his marketing, she’s taking you behind the scenes and sharing some of the key questions she asked her dad and the rest of their team as they were going through a rebuilding and rebranding process the past few years.

Alexa has seen firsthand what it’s like to build a business from the ground up. Plus, her husband is also a horse trainer so she’s also helping to build a business from the early stages, too!

In addition to that, Alexa serves as Executive Director of a nonprofit organization. That means she brings a wealth of expertise, experience and understanding for where you are in your business. You are going to love this insightful and practical conversation with Alexa!

Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/82

FREE Goal Setting Cheat Sheet → Stormlily.com/goals

As someone who has been in the horse business for more than 55 years, Mike Major, 2022 Road to the Horse World Champion, knows what it takes to build a business that’ll stand the test of time.

In this episode, Mike is sharing a behind-the-scenes look at
✅ how he makes decisions in his business
✅ what it looks like to pivot
✅ and his best advice for fellow horse business owners.

Learn from Mike’s experience so you can be intentional about how you’re building your own horse business.

Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/81

Marketing Basics for Horse Businesses [FREE]→ Stormlily.com/getstarted

Do you know how you’re getting people in the door of your business? Even if you don’t have a physical location, your business has an entry point—actually, you probably have multiple entry points. 

If you don’t know how people are getting to you, then how can you get more of the right people in the door? That’s where the customer journey comes in. 

When you map out your customer journey, you’ll figure out how people are getting to you. But, you’ll do even more than that. You’ll look at the entire customer experience so you can intentionally create one that’ll keep people coming back—and bringing their friends along, too! 

Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/80  

FREE Customer Journey Worksheet → Stormlily.com/journey 

What’s your take on failure? Does it scare you so much that it keeps you from taking action? Have you tried something that didn’t work out and that’s kept you from trying again?

Your view of failure impacts the way you run your horse business. If you have a team, it especially impacts the type of work they do and the amount of creativity or innovation they feel comfortable bringing to the table. 

That’s why this week on the podcast we’re diving into how you can be a professional failure—yes, there is such a thing. When you look at failure as an opportunity for learning, it will actually help you to build your dream horse business. 

My guest Justin Skinner may not be a familiar name in the horse world, but he knows a thing or two about failing forward, reframing failure, and even learning from other people’s so-called failures. You’re going to learn some major mindset shifts so that failure can be your greatest teacher rather than your enemy. 

Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/79  

With QR codes popping up everywhere from restaurants to Superbowl ads to everything in between, how can you as an everyday horse business owner use them in your marketing? 

In this episode, you’ll learn a simple way to create your own QR codes plus explore 10 creative ideas to use them to build connections and sales within your business.

Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/78 

Have you wanted to dip your toe into Facebook ads but have been unsure where to start? This episode is for you! Katie Cannon has an expert level of experience in Facebook ads (she managed ads for Lowe’s, for example!), yet she also has a gift for breaking it down into simple terms for the rest of us to understand. Plus, she’s a horse girl so she gets you! 

Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/77 

In order to be in business for the long-haul, you need to shift your thinking—and perhaps shift the way you run your horse business.

Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/76

How do you get people to pay you money for the things that you’re making?

That’s really what’s at the bottom of every question about selling products. You’ve made something you believe in—that you believe in your heart of hearts is going to make life better in some way for your audience. 

But, how do you get them to believe you? How do you get them to pay you for it what you believe it’s worth?

You’ll get the answers to these questions and more in the second part of my conversation with Chris Stein, National Sales Manager at Justin Boots.

Show Notes (also known as “Where to read a quick summary of what we talked about here and get links I mentioned.”) are over at Stormlily.com/75

Listen to Part 1 of My Conversation with Chris → Stormlily.com/74