Business Starting Grants

Any tips on getting customers for a new pet sitting business?

I'm 12 years old and have started a new pet sitting business. I have done everything so far, fliers, business cards, what else will attract customers?

Public Comments

1. try fliers at vets and animal shelters. adds in local "free" papers. going to pet stores and handing out cards. going to "animal parks" and handing out fliers. Maybe even get a few local vets to recommend your services (as a trade off for recommending theirs)
2. Put up signs everywhere and also stacks of free papers with a description of your services and your phone number. People will be much for keen on letting you watch thier pets if you are very reachable.
3. With a business like that, I think you need to be really proactive. From what you mentiuoned above -- the things you have done are all reactive. By proactive, I mean you need to establish personal relationships with veterinarians and pet store owners. You need to get to know the key people at these places -- and they need to know you, your compentcies and how much you care about doing a good job. You might want to offer a luncheon for them that you host to talk about how you are better or uniquely different. What are the things that result in you being the place a pet owner would choose when in need of your services? What do you do to bring value? That all needs to be communicated and demonstrated to them. Ask them to attend this luncheon and ask them to bring at least one of their clients who would benefit by knowing about your services. You'll need to spend some money on them and show them what you do. Establish a testimonial book with letters of recommendation from other satisfied users of your service. You'll need to solicit these from people and maybe even help them write the letter -- but this will really help you out when talking to others. Another thing is to be a real visible presence at dog shows. This is going to take more time to develop -- but these would be people who will use your services if you can show them how good of a job you will do for them when they need some time away. Does your flier really stand out? It needs to be similar to what a top tier hotel would put out. Do you have a web site? You need one so they can see what you do that is better or different. You can send out newsletters and establish a drip marketing program through the email addresses. Shoot a video -- of the things you do when pet sitting. It is relatively inexpensive to do and run copies, but that is better than a flier. One thing I didn't see in the things you have tried is any kind of media advertising. Are you listed in the phone book's yellow pages in an attractive ad? Do you advertise in the newspaper in an ongoing way? Do you advertise in dog publications like the fliers that pet shows put out? You can try any or all of these things -- the key is to differentiate yourself through a personal relationship.