How To Optimize Your vKind Listing and Make it a Lead Generation Tool

Congratulations on claiming your page on vKind!

Thank you for supporting the VegEconomy™. Being a part of this movement is good for our planet and also good for business. That is because the number of vegans across the US is growing, today this group makes up around 6% of the total US population, that’s 19.4 MM strong.

This segment is mindfully wielding its spending power. According to a recent report, vegan food sales are projected to reach $300 billion by 2025. That’s great news for vegan businesses who are looking to grow their operations or entrepreneurs seeking to follow their passion and create a values-based company.

Yes, the forecast is optimistic and during these times, we’ll take all the good news we can. But before we dive into making your business page optimal, it helps to understand the amazing humans that use vKind.

Who are vKind users? 44% of users are between 25 and 34 and consist of a mix of vegan, vegetarian and veg curious. Out of the people who are vegan health, animal protection and the environment are the top three reasons for choosing this lifestyle.

What are vKind users looking for? While they may be at different stages of their vegan journey, they all have one thing in common: They are looking for products and services that meet their value-based criteria, cruelty-free, plant-based, good for the body and the planet.

So whether you’re serving up delicious plant-based fare, helping potential buyers find their dream home or creating amazing tattoos, having your business listed on vKind significantly increases your chances of being found and supported by the very segment you are trying to reach.

Now it’s all about making your business page pop by hitting the passion points of vKind users.

Your business page is the first and, in some instances, the only interaction your customers will have with you. Think of it as your storefront. What would make you walk into a store? Is it the display? The name of the business? Maybe a cool sidewalk prop that makes you stop in your tracks? All these elements come together virtually through your business listing page content.

They are visual and messaging stimulants that make you irresistible to the point where we all say “OMG, I’ve GOT to check this place out!”.

We identified 4 areas of focus as you build your business page:

1. Visuals:
   The extra time spent on creating quality shots of your products is priceless. Some users will make snap decisions based on what they see, make it work in your favor.

• Quality photographs/video: Your visuals should show your hero products, these can be either your best sellers or items that show well. Remember, this is the hook to bring users into your page to learn more about you.
  
  
• What to avoid: Cluttered backgrounds, elements that do not add to the visual story, bad photo cropping, make sure you see the in-context image to make sure it’s sized correctly. For video, make sure the sound is clear and static free. Keep your videos short, usually under 2 mins.
  
  Note: video is one of the most effective content marketing tools.
  Check out vKind’s Evolutionary package which allows you to upload video.

• What to include: Backgrounds that offer good contrast, a setting that frames the product favorably (this can be a textured background, solid color table or backdrop), a good mix of product and people. Users like to see the humans behind the product, never underestimate the power of your personal story and your personality in connecting with prospects.

2. Messaging: This should be broken down into three areas:

• Your brand story/background:
  We love hearing how a business got started, this is your chance to say something memorable. A good example of this is Kelly’s Croutons.
  
  
• The credibility builder:
  Help educate users on how your product or service adds value to their lives. You can lead with an interesting factoid or talk about your credentials and years in this specific area. This is especially important for service providers. Here are a few examples of two business profiles that got us wanting to know more: The Phoenix Vegan Dietitian and Pink Print Design.
  
  
• Relevant description of the product.
  If it’s related to food use tantalizing words or phrases that evoke certain mental images, here’s a good example by The Southern V.
  
  For service providers, use active words to convey excitement and uniqueness of your service, here is a good example by Orchid Wealth Management.

3. How Prospects Reach You:
   While we may sound like Captain Obvious on this one, a surprising number of businesses leave out the most important part. In fact, many small businesses don’t have a basic website to drive users. Data shows that 35% of small business owners feel that their business is too small for a website. At a time when most transactions are taking place virtually, looking into free or low-cost website providers may be worth the investment. Other information to include for users to reach you can be: email, phone (professional business greeting should be set up for voicemail), and social media pages. Remember, make it easy to be found time and time again.

4. Get Those User Reviews: In today’s virtual world product reviews are our eyes, ears, hands, taste buds, etc. which help take us from considering a product to purchasing that product and ultimately being a return customer. Sixty-eight percent of women say they consult product reviews before making a purchase, while 56% will look at social media pages or ask contacts on social networks for advice.
   
   Reviews are important for men as well, they tend to spend more per transaction than women, spending an average of $220 versus $151 for women.

So, given the impact of your business listing, it makes perfect sense to make it as “sticky” and effective as possible. Every business has its own unique fingerprint. What makes a listing successful is the ability to convey this uniqueness to your users.

As Dr. Seuss would say in Oh The Places You’ll Go, “Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places!” and vKind users are your engine to get you there. Welcome them into your business page with open arms.