Pet sitting can bring in additional household income.
Starting a pet sitting service is a good way to earn additional income, especially if you love pets. But getting the business off the ground is challenging if you do not have disposable income to spend on advertising. There are various ways, however, to effectively spread the word about your business without spending a lot of money.
Instructions
1. Veterinarian offices have the target audience for advertising a pet sitting service
Ask your veterinarian (if you have pets) to refer your business to his customers. Give the vet your cards to pass out. Many people ask their vets for advice on where to take their animals for grooming, boarding and other pet-related services.
2. Contact other local veterinarians. Visit their offices in person, introduce yourself and hand out business cards. If you have fliers, ask the people at the front desk if they will place the fliers in a visible location.
3. Volunteer at pet adoption events and/or local shelters. Bring your business cards. Like veterinarian offices, pet adoption events are full of your target market. Many people at pet adoption events are getting a dog or cat for the first time and may not know what to do with their new pet when they go out of town.
4. Dog groomers can be a good source for business referrals.
Ask your dog groomer to refer business to you. Once again, leave your business cards and fliers.
5. Some pet stores have bulletin boards; ask if you can post a flier.
Visit local pet stores. Check to see if they have they a bulletin board. If they do, ask the employees if you can post a flier.
6. Deliver fliers or door hangers to neighborhoods with several homes per block.
Deliver fliers or door hangers to homes in local neighborhoods. If you have money to spend on printing several hundred fliers or door hangers, this can be a good way to advertise. Often times, the cost of printing fliers and door hangers is less than advertising in local newspapers. Many online companies offer economical design and printing services. One drawback to delivering fliers/door-hangers, however, is that it is time-consuming. The most efficient way to do this is by going to neighborhoods with several homes per block.
7. Give customers an incentive to spread the word about your service.
Offer your current customers a discount if they refer your business to a friend. Make special promotional coupons. Be sure to put an expiration date on the coupons -- once your business gets off the ground you may not need to offer a discount any longer.
8. Tell your friends, family and business associates about your new service.
Tell everyone you know that about your pet sitting service. Word of mouth and networking are excellent ways to spread the word without spending money. With patience and persistence, you can get your business off the ground with minimum advertising expense.
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