Hi,Pet Sitting

[catpet]

Im a dog walker and pet sitter. I have been doing it more than 15 years and have a few clients already but would like to know how I can get
more. I advertise on free directories and have a website. But no idea how else I can advertise has anyone got any advice?

I have had 5,000 A6 flyers printed which i will post myself in my local area. Does anyone have any ideas on how i can make myself well known
in my area, also any other good ideas for my business.

 

[StaceyPreedy]

Have you got yourself on google maps? I found the minute I added myself it put me on page 1 of google. Also, I've used all sorts of free to expensive advertising and I found the best is actually Yell (or HIBU as they are called now) which for two listings costs £30 a month, just let them know your budget and I'm sure you can get a page out of them for a good price. Have you got yourself a website? If you use 123-reg to register a domain which is not a lot at all, £50 for hosting for a whole year and then £14.99 a month for the website builder. Its easy to use (when it does as its told) and I would completely recommend it to anyone.

 

[Spock]

There are quite a few threads on this forum asking the same thing, do a search and you will pick up lots of useful info

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Im a dog walker and pet sitter. I have been doing it more than 15 years and have a few clients already but would like to know how I can get
more. I advertise on free directories and have a website. But no idea how else I can advertise has anyone got any advice?

I have had 5,000 A6 flyers printed which i will post myself in my local area. Does anyone have any ideas on how i can make myself well known
in my area, also any other good ideas for my business.

What area do you cover?

 

[DPearce]

Some ideas:

- Flyers (Stand outside somewhere like Pets at home)
- Shop window ads
- Posters
- Website + SEO
- Online Local ads (Gumtree, Craiglist, FridayAds, FreeAds)
- Local paper lisings
- Give your current customers some business cards, ask nicely for them to equip them during dog walks and they may come across dog owners in need
- Go to a local pet shop/vets, ask to leave some of your flyers on the desk

This nature of business requires you to be friendly and respectful, be both and ANY pet owner will be happy to take a business card and call you when you're needed. I personally am more likely to keep a business card (in my wallet for example) than I am to keep a flyer.

Just some things to think about.

 

[cclovely]

Im a dog walker and pet sitter. I have been doing it more than 15 years and have a few clients already but would like to know how I can get
more. I advertise on free directories and have a website. But no idea how else I can advertise has anyone got any advice?

I have had 5,000 A6 flyers printed which i will post myself in my local area. Does anyone have any ideas on how i can make myself well known
in my area, also any other good ideas for my business.

Hi,

Im in an Animal related sector and I would strongly recomend building a relationship with the local Vets if you have not already. It better to place A3 posters in their rather then leaflets as the vets are normally littered with them.

Do you have a good website and on Google maps/ business listings as mentioned? Make sure your website is clean and professional. Display your insurance info, get as many testimonials as possible and get a CRB if you can?

Speak to your local animal welfare/ Dog wardens and offer your services to them for free from time to time. Get involved with local Dog show events, maybe you can volunteer to provide Dogs with water, hand out flyers etc.

I once attended a Dog show and dressed as a giant Dog. I was swamped with kids wanting to shake my hand, which gave me a chance to tell people what I did and give leaflets, I had some treats for the children too. We got a lot of clients from this.

Dog walking is hard, there's lots of them and everyone seems to want lunch time walks! Have you thought about offering another service? If you drive you could charge to take Dogs to vet visits/ grooming appointments while they are at home, the amount of people I know that rely on these services is unreal but it will depend on what kind of area you are working in. Your insurance for this is not expensive and there's not a lot involved.

I run a Dog Day Care and rehabilitation centre, soon opening my Hydrotherapy pool for Dogs too and I work with Dog walkers, that bring Dogs to me for an hour here or there while they go to walk other Dogs. You could offer owners a service, where the Dog gets a shorter walk but gets to attend a local Day Care (if you have one) meaning that get a walk AND socialisation, plus they are out for longer. It gives you the freedom to go off and walk other Dogs before you come back to collect.

Good luck

 

[catpet]

USA in all the stats...

 

[catpet]

What area do you cover?

usa in all the stats ..

 

[catpet]

Some ideas:

- Flyers (Stand outside somewhere like Pets at home)
- Shop window ads
- Posters
- Website + SEO
- Online Local ads (Gumtree, Craiglist, FridayAds, FreeAds)
- Local paper lisings
- Give your current customers some business cards, ask nicely for them to equip them during dog walks and they may come across dog owners in need
- Go to a local pet shop/vets, ask to leave some of your flyers on the desk

This nature of business requires you to be friendly and respectful, be both and ANY pet owner will be happy to take a business card and call you when you're needed. I personally am more likely to keep a business card (in my wallet for example) than I am to keep a flyer.

Just some things to think about.

Hi DPearce thanks for your information sharing with me ...

 

[jercyjohn]

Im a dog walker and pet sitter. I have been doing it more than 15 years and have a few clients already but would like to know how I can get
more. I advertise on free directories and have a website. But no idea how else I can advertise has anyone got any advice?

I have had 5,000 A6 flyers printed which i will post myself in my local area. Does anyone have any ideas on how i can make myself well known
in my area, also any other good ideas for my business.

yes u can go with Website + SEO + Online Local ads its better to increase business sales and ideas:redface: