Building, growing and maintaining a good client base on PetCloud will require ongoing attention. Check out these ideas for marketing your PetCloud Pet-sitting business to local pet owners that you may want to try.
We strongly recommend having professional photos taken of your listing as your first priority.
Doctors waiting room magazine tables & hospital bulletin boards – Chances are patients are unable to walk their dog or clean the litter box. Your services would be greatly appreciated by someone looking for help. So these are good spots to leave PetCloud flyers. If you would like personalised discount flyers, just email us, and we will design them for you for free and will email them to you.
Airport Hire Car Places – Speak to the staff and ask permission to leave PetCloud flyers
Luggage stores – Speak to the staff and ask permission to leave PetCloud flyers
Markets – There are always tons of dogs with their owners going through Saturday and Sunday markets so hand them out saying “Hi! Can I give you a coupon for pet sitting, in case you go on holidays?” Don’t forget to also greet and pat their dog.
Travel Agents – They have people always booking holidays. Hand out your personalised PetCloud flyers to travel agents.
Groomers – Networking with your local groomer/s can be beneficial as well. You can refer clients to one another, and if you offer a pet-taxi service you could consider working together to offer groomer trips.
Dog trainers – Local dog trainers can also be a great source for client referrals. Get to know a local dog trainer (that you feel offers quality service) to co-promote to each other’s clients.
Have breakfast at a dog friendly café – There are always tons of dogs with their owners out from 8am of a Saturday and Sunday morning.
Get social! Share your PetCloud listing on your facebook wall and let your friends and family know you do pet sitting.
Take your PetCloud business cards everywhere (including in the car) – Whether you are at a dog park, networking event, grocery store or simply strolling down the street with a dog, keep your business cards handy. Pets are great icebreakers and wonderful sources of conversation. And it may lead to future business!
Also, always give out PetCloud business cards to those you do business with – This includes the hair dresser, dry cleaner and bank. Also, when eating out locally, make sure you leave a business card with your tip.
Donate to a local charity auction – Consider making a donation (certificate for free pet-sitting services) to a local charity auction. It’s a great way to help out a local organization, garner free advertising for your business and spread the word about your services to a new client base.
Fridge Magnets – Order your PetCloud fridge Magnets and give to your past clients so they remember to book you.
Pet Shops – Don’t forget about your local feed store or retail pet food outlet. People who have pets always buy pet food and pet supplies. Check with the owner to see if you can leave your brochures on the counter or post fliers on a bulletin board inside the store.
Target new home owners – Distribute flyers to people living in new developments.
Animal shelter adoption packets – Partner with a local shelter and offer to put your information or a PetCloud personalised pet sitting coupon in their adoption packets. This is a great way to reach new pet owners.
Veterinarians – Talk to your local veterinarians to introduce your pet-sitting listing on PetCloud. Once you build a relationship with the veterinarians, they can be excellent referral sources and may also allow you to leave flyers or business cards at their front desks.
Cute photos – If you’ve taken cute pictures of your clients pets, ask the team at PetCloud to share them on Facebook, along your listing and tell your clients. Your clients likely love seeing cute photos of their pets. Consider posting these photos on the PetCloud Facebook page (with the clients’ permission). Your clients will share these photos and their online friends will learn about your business.
Be chatty – It may sound simple, but talk up pet sitting everywhere you go. Most people love talking about their pets, and you can find a way to work in that you own a professional pet-sitting service.
Volunteer with a local non-profit or animal shelter – As a business owner, your free time is likely limited. However, volunteering at a local pet-related non-profit or animal shelter is a wonderful opportunity to meet other pet owners, promote your pet-sitting services and give back to your local pet community.
Product promotion – If there are companies in your area that sell pet products, consider offering to share free samples with your clients in exchange for promotion of your flyers at their store/on their website.
Referral incentives – Your current clients are your best promoters. If they are happy you’re your service, ask them to refer you to their friends and colleague. Consider offering a free nights stay to your clients who bring in new clients to your business.
Blog – write up an article for PetCloud – If you write a free article for us, we are more than happy to have you refer to your Pet Sitting listing in the article. We will then publish and share it online. When visitors share your blog posts, you will expand your audience of potential clients.
Former clients – To generate additional business, consider sending a postcard, letter or e-mail to past clients with a special pet-sitting offer to remind and encourage them to book your services again.
Participate in a school career day – While school-aged children are not your target clientele, their parents are! Participating in a career day and providing the children with information to take home is a great way to become more involved in your local community and spread the word about your business.
Shift workers – Shift workers usually sleep during the day. Perhaps drop off flyers with nursing staff at Hospitals & Police Stations.
Pamphlets and brochures – While there’s now a huge focus on online promotions, don’t underestimate the value of printed materials. Brochures and pamphlets, especially those that offer helpful pet tips, are great to hand out to pet owners you meet and at local events.
T-shirts – PetCloud T-shirts are available to order and can be a great form of advertisement. Wear them when you are dog walking and share them with staff sitters and clients. Email us for details.
Pet Events – Find out what Pet Events are coming up in your area and ask the organisers if you can hand out flyers.
Chamber of Commerce and other local business-owner meetings – These local business meetings are often free or very low cost (or offer free introductory meetings before you are required to join). Pet sitters have shared that they’ve been asked to speak at local business meetings such as these and these local groups have helped grow their referrals and helped them meet other businesses in the area.
Online listings – Get listed in local Google search results by creating a Google+ Local business page for your PetCloud profile.
Gumtree – Post your PetCloud listing URL to Gumtree and upload some of your photos encouraging people to book through PetCloud.
Twitter – Tweet your custom discount code (from PetCloud), along with hashtags like #petsitter and #dogboarding #petcloud to reach the best audience.
Instagram – Post pictures of your clients pets you look after and what you get up to at the park or playing fetch or sleeping. Use your custom discount code (from PetCloud), along with hashtags like #petsitter and #dogboarding #petcloud to reach the best audience.
Network with other pet lovers: Jump on MeetUp.com and join a local Dog walking or Dog Lovers group in your local area. You’ll find lots of other Pet Owners in the group who need care.
Read more: What you can upsell and rough prices you can charge
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