Being a new breeder, how to earn reputation?

Hi Everyone,

I have decided years ago to become a breeder. Finally the time has come to start breeding and expecting 3-4 clutches for the next year.
Can you please suggest, advise how to earn reputation and trust on the market? what are the main points to keep an eye on.

Very respectfully,
Cybred

Quality in quality out. Be attentive to people’s questions and honest.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would suggest putting your name out there. Stay active on the forums, attend shows and begin vending and meeting other breeders and vendors. It will take time to become established but persistence is key. You need to have and produce healthy animals with great customer service, fair pricing and good record keeping. Don't get discouraged and it will take time.

I say lots of honesty and respect for the customer.... Also, good customer relations are very important.

As a buyer I like LOADS of information. Lots of Photos, birth dates, parents genes, weight, feeding habits, health. If a new Breeder offers all this information and follows through with good service, I would buy and recommend them.

First of all, it takes time. Don't expect to get a well known reputation in one year.

Do everything 100% !! No exceptions. It goes without saying that the animals (breeders as well as hatchlings) should be cared for 100% . Healthy and kept in spot on husbandry conditions.

NEVER EVER EVER spend the money you received for a snake BEFORE the buyer is 100% satisfied and a few days have gone by after the sale. Be prepared that something may go wrong during a shipment once (if you ship) and that you will have to cover for the loss, and promptly.

It takes time to build up a good reputation, but it can be destroyed very quickly. People talk about bad experiences much more so, then the good ones. Have all your ducks in a row, if something goes bad, you want to be able to proof that you have done nothing wrong. Have a fair and clear cut contract, and make sure that the buyer is aware of it and accepts it.

Here are a few extras that are important to ME, and that I will provide if I sell animals.

Good communication. It can be time consuming to answer all questions, and there are a lot of tire kickers, but good communication is a "must" for me. Esp. if I were to buy from someone with a somewhat un-known reputation.

Good documentation. I am a stickler for keeping records. I appreciate records coming with that animal. At the very least I want the hatch date and "genes" of the parents. Nice extras would be feeding/shedding records (esp. for hatchlings). I provide such records with a picture of the hatchling on them.

Personally, I will not sell a hatchling until it has had a FEW good meals (eats readily), is past its second shed and weighs at least a 100 gr. I know not everyone is a stickler for this, but its important to me to place "well established" hatchlings. I feel it sets up the new owner up for success, and that benefits everyone incl. the snake.

There are quite a few reputable breeders that will sell under 100 gr and documentation/communication isn't the greatest. But with them, their reputation for quality and integrity has been proven for many years and that is first priority for most people.

However, starting out "new" it helps to do all you can to earn a good reputation. Always be professional and honest. 100%.

Quality - Marketing Skills - Knowledge - Customer service

Being involve in the community being knowledgeable and sharing your knowledge (and I don't mean sharing hatchling pictures and an advice or two during hatchling season and hatchling season only), I am talking about being invopved year round helping others with sound advice based on solid experience. This is often the first step to earn a good reputation, people will get to know you and trust you.

Good marketing skills know your market, know how to promote yourself, take pride in your animals, take great pictures (don't be one of those taking puctures of a snake in a dirty cage, or on a dirty towel)

Treat your customer the way you would want to be treated, be there before, during and after the sale.

Build strong bases when it comes to your collection, don't buy an animal just because it's cheap buy an animal because it is quality and fits your projects, don't be one of those building there collection on animals they scavenge from CL. Buy quality animals, care about lineage and quality.

If you want to be successful you have to treat this seriously like a business, putting 2 snakes together is the easy part and it just not enough, the majority of people failing do not know how to market themselves, make poor decisions, lack the commitment, patience and passion and just do not have a business mindset.

This is comming from someone that has been doing this for a decade ;)

Example of what NOT to do. I recently inquired in a python I saw on morph market from a relatively unknown breeder. There were no photos, I emailed for photos and also asked for the age and weight of the animal. I got back an email saying, “send me your phone number and I will text you pictures.” No response about age or weight. No other info, I emailed my phone number and haven’t heard back. You can bet I see red flags and won’t buy nor recommend this Breeder.
customer service is business principle #1.

Have you considered doing small videos on YouTube? That help too maybe a little? Best wishes on your new venture :P

For me, everything can be summed up in one thought:

1. Do the Right Thing

No exceptions. Ever.

Not trying to threadjack, but how do you keep records? Spreadsheets? Do you keep them through physical means?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MD_Pythons

Not trying to threadjack, but how do you keep records? Spreadsheets? Do you keep them through physical means?

---

Reptile Scan. And index cards for available hatchlings.

Lots of good advice so I'll just add a pet peeve of mine. Foul language has no place when dealing with inquiries. When I respond to potential customers, I don't know if they're a 20 year old sailor or a 12 year old kid. Cut out profanity, at least until the other person breaks the ice with a swear or two themselves. Even when they do though, it's not very professional to respond in kind. It's kind of funny when I get a swear laden inquiry. I'll respond with a couple "gosh darns" and watch their next message be devoid of curses. Respect breeds respect.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Deborah

Quality - Marketing Skills - Knowledge - Customer service

Being involve in the community being knowledgeable and sharing your knowledge (and I don't mean sharing hatchling pictures and an advice or two during hatchling season and hatchling season only), I am talking about being invopved year round helping others with sound advice based on solid experience. This is often the first step to earn a good reputation, people will get to know you and trust you.

Good marketing skills know your market, know how to promote yourself, take pride in your animals, take great pictures (don't be one of those taking puctures of a snake in a dirty cage, or on a dirty towel)

Treat your customer the way you would want to be treated, be there before, during and after the sale.

Build strong bases when it comes to your collection, don't buy an animal just because it's cheap buy an animal because it is quality and fits your projects, don't be one of those building there collection on animals they scavenge from CL. Buy quality animals, care about lineage and quality.

If you want to be successful you have to treat this seriously like a business, putting 2 snakes together is the easy part and it just not enough, the majority of people failing do not know how to market themselves, make poor decisions, lack the commitment, patience and passion and just do not have a business mindset.

This is comming from someone that has been doing this for a decade ;)

---

Deb knows a couple things... 🤷:cens0r:♂️


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

To add to what the reputable and smart breeders above have posted...

Get out in the community. Go to shows and meet people. Meet reptile people via rescues or interest groups. Be active on forums. Talk and be around as many folks as you can.

BUT... when you're doing that, don't badmouth people. Period. Don't badmouth another breeder, or their snakes, or their dealings. Don't badmouth potential customers or people that might contact you to buy but backed out. Don't badmouth people or animals. Period. Nothing at all will turn a buyer off faster than you trashing another breeder EVEN if you are saying stuff you feel is true.

Of course, warning people of scammers or bad practices does still need to happen, but you have to learn how to do that without sounding like you're just gossiping or trashing someone.

Sound professional, but humble. Be outgoing, but not pushy. Document ALL your pythons stuff. Take pictures. Post on Instagram, FB, Twitter, wherever, in positive ways with your animals or direct people to people and animals that you like or admire.

TL;DR Be a Good Guy. Be respectful and respectable.

Thank You all for the advice. It became more clear how to move forward. :)

1.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BMorrison

Quality in quality out

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Deborah

Quality - Marketing Skills - Knowledge - Customer service

---

I absolutely agree with the slogan of Mr. Gavin "Quality in, quality out" regarding the feeders for the snake. I already made my own setup of DIY rack for rats, giving them food high of protein, low on fat.
Quality of the snake... now how to measure that?... cause one could be for myself a beautiful hatchling, but in others eyes just a garbage.

2.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by C.Marie

Have you considered doing small videos on YouTube? That help too maybe a little? Best wishes on your new venture

---

Youtube videos - Yes, I thought about it, as no one is up there from my country yet, but first I will start with a facebook group. My logo is already under construction :P

3.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MD_Pythons

Not trying to threadjack, but how do you keep records? Spreadsheets? Do you keep them through physical means?

---

Currently I'm keeping records on papers. Feeding, shedding, weight, breeding, any suspicious behaviour. In next months I'd like to move to electronic format.
What Software do you recommend? I've heard about ReptileScan, HerperPro.... anything else?

4. Taking Pictures - What are You using for taking pictures? Like a mini photo studio box and additional lights etc... I'm thinking about Nikon Coolpix B500.

5. About the bad part... If your snake dies... what You do? You keep another pet you feed it with, You take it out to the woods and dig it etc.

When sourcing for Carpet Pythons (yes I know you're talking about BP's but this is relevant) I found myself dealing with an "interesting" breeder to say the least and I'll share part of the conversation with you: (Don't be this guy)

Him: Hatch date is 6/15/15

Me: 2015 or 2016?

Him: 2015

Me: Was that a typo on Kingsnake then? Just curious because the ad said 2016.

Him: Well when you have 50 something babies you're trying to sell, things get messed up. Why, does it say 16?

Me: Yes

Him: Oops, well whatever, KS doesn't let me fix anything until the ad expires

Him: If a typo is a deal breaker for people I"m not going to lose sleep over it.



YES, a year difference in age is definitely a deal breaker for me actually. In reality, I thought it was a good thing that the animal was one year older and more established, but it was the IDEA that this person would openly try to play the whole thing off as a typo. If they were careless enough to mess up the hatch date by a year and then say they can't change the ad (when in reality they could just post a new one in a few seconds and remove the faulty one) then I can't trust them enough to give them my money.

Keep GOOD documentation, and be thorough in your information is my advice.

Honest and upfront PERIOD.
Many people don't like the truth all the time, doesn't bother me.
I have declined several potential buyers just because my gut tells me to.
Its all a balancing act.
I personally know there are many people that call me the south facing end of a north bound horse BUT I have never lied to anyone or screwed anyone over EVER. My word is all I have in the life and it means everything to me.

I don't coddle potential customers either. I will work with them when they are willing to be understanding.
I have had people text me for information on animals. Its usually no big deal if I only have a couple left but when I have 20+ I cannot remember everything about them all. If I am at home I respond to their question instantly but during the week most of us have real jobs too. I always respond back and will let them know that I can check when I get home from work. The ones that continue to text asking more questions and don't get the hint that I am usually elbow deep in an engine and covered in grease will get a response that I will not sell an animal to them anymore.

Getting your name out there can be done many ways. I have found that most of my sales come from FaceBook and some from Craigslist. Enough that I just let my website die last night. Cant see spending money for something that isn't generating clients and easily as the other ones are.

Find out what works in your area and for you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

I have had people text me for information on animals. Its usually no big deal if I only have a couple left but when I have 20+ I cannot remember everything about them all. If I am at home I respond to their question instantly but during the week most of us have real jobs too. I always respond back and will let them know that I can check when I get home from work. The ones that continue to text asking more questions and don't get the hint that I am usually elbow deep in an engine and covered in grease will get a response that I will not sell an animal to them anymore.

---

Well, at least you actually let them know that you will verify information when you get home from work rather than inputting false information in the first place, intentional or not. The notion of a typo doesn't upset as much as the nonchalant attitude about him making one in my case. "Woops, well whatever" broke the deal on my transaction personally.

No, not, "whatever" when I'm sending someone I don't know a $300 check....that doesn't quite make me feel comfortable about any transaction.

There are a few things that most serious buyers take into consideration and if you mess them up from the start it can be a bad situation. Age. Genes. M/F. Health.

It's four things to remember , it's not like you're creating an ad for a 1970 Superbird....not to say at all that remembering that much information for that many animals is easy by any stretch however. Mistakes happen, but if you're doing business as someone not as well known it can certainly hurt you down the line. Like you said, your word as a breeder is absolutely critical.