Are you leaving money on the table by not answering your phone fast enough?

Wondering what’s the most cost-effective way to generate new leads quickly?

And how can you stand out in an increasingly crowded pet care market?

In this episode, host Dominic Hodgson is joined by Duane Carey, founder of Impact Marketing, a specialist digital agency working with over 70 pet care businesses across the U.S.

Duane explains how his team uses real-time data to improve lead generation, ad performance, and client conversion rates. He shares why Google Ads is still the most effective tool for pet businesses looking for quick wins, and how even a high-ranking SEO strategy can’t save you if you’re not answering the phone or following up with leads properly.

Duane also reveals a range of practical tools and strategies for pet business owners, from using citation scans to fix local listing issues, to creating location-based landing pages that boost search visibility. He explains why some agencies underperform, what red flags to look out for, and why tracking performance data is key to sustainable growth. 

In this episode you’ll discover:

• Google Ads = Fast Wins: Google Ads delivers better ROI than social or SEO when properly managed.
• Need for Speed: How businesses are missing leads due to slow responses or no follow-up.
• Use Data to Fix Gaps: Call tracking and form submissions show where your system is leaking leads.
• Beware of Bundled Fees: Agencies that hide ad spend inside monthly fees often underperform.
• Gamify Your Offers: Creative partnerships like the “Pooch Passport” can boost engagement and retention.

Huge thanks to our incredible show sponsor PackPro! PackPro provide comprehensive, affordable, and efficient daycare staff training for your pet boarding and daycare facility, to find out more about how they can help you empower and support your team by creating playgroups that are safe, productive and fun to manage, go to PackPro

Thanks to Duane for sharing his marketing knowledge. You can find out more about Duane and Impact Marketing by going to ImpactMarketing

Everyone in the Barkleigh family and the wider pet industry are sending our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Phillip Paris, who sadly passed away this week. If you would like to donate to a GoFundMe page set up to supports Phil’s family at this difficult time, go to GoFundMe

Remember, you can meet me, Duane and find out more about enrichment, marketing secrets, staffing solutions, and a ton of other topics by attending the next Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo which is happening in Las Vegas from 5^th-8^th May, 2025, and registration is open NOW, click here to grab your ticket.

Want to work with Dom’s inside of his exclusive coaching programs? Go to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/audition

Episode Highlights:

[00:51] – Dom introduces the episode with how he met this week’s guest, marketing expert Duane Carey.
[03:30] – Dog News: National Trust launches pooch passports for visiting dogs! What can this can teach us about client engagement?
[07:20] – Duane introduces himself and his agency, sharing how he went from geology to dog daycare marketing.
[11:58] – Duane lays out his mathematical approach to marketing and how he helps business survive in a hostile industry.
[16:34] – The process that a new prospect can expect to go through when getting into contact with Duane.
[21:00] – Duane shares some little-known marketing secrets that only the top pet business know…
[26:34] – How keeping a close eye on your google ad data can reveal hidden profit you’re letting leak out of your business.
[30:28] – Why SEO is still important even in the ever-changing world of artificial intelligence tools.
[33:54] – Duane and Dom reflect on the tragic passing of industry expert and friend of the podcast, Phillip Paris.