It's not easy to get and keep fantastic clients; it takes hard work, dedication, and planning. But you don't have to spend a lot of money to get and keep a good number of clients for pet sitting.
There are, in fact, a lot of ways to get the word out about your pet-sitting business, but some will cost a lot of money. Whether you're just starting out or have been in business for a while but are trying to save money, here are some ways to get new clients without spending a lot of money.
A common mistake that new pet sitting businesses make is not thinking about how they will get clients until the end. This can be very hard on the soul. Imagine putting all your time and energy into starting a new business and figuring out what services to offer, only to find that you don't have any clients or even possible clients.
So, don't wait until the last minute to start looking for clients; start early. So, when you're ready to start, both your furry and human clients will be ready.
Here are some low-cost strategies for how to get your first pet-sitting clients or bring in new ones later on.
Shout it out!
Word of mouth has to be one of the most inexpensive methods to get new clients and promoting your business. So, whether you're getting your hair cut, going to the bank, or getting a cup of coffee, start telling people about your business.
Talk to everyone, tell them how much you love animals, and show how kind and loving you are. Surely, the next time someone comes to your local café and says they need a pet sitter, you'll be the first person they think of.
Be extremely sociable
Before social media, what did we do? Facebook and Instagram are great ways to get your name out there.
Be artistic and try out a few different approaches until you discover the types of posts that work well for you. If you don't know what kind of information to post, look at what other businesses do. Some really simple ideas are to give tips about pets, answer common questions about pet sitting, or talk about local places and spaces that are good for pets.
You might decide to spend a little on ads, but no matter what, you should be busy, interesting, and consistent.
Blogging
There are two things you can do when it comes to writing. You can make your own blog and put it on your business website, or you can blog for other individuals or businesses. Both are great ways to get the word out about your business in the area.
Having your own professional blog can help your website rank higher in Google search results, as long as you choose your keywords carefully.
By starting a blog, area pet owners can get to know you better. You can share what you know and show how much you care about pets. Also, if people read your blog and get to know you, they'll know exactly who to call if they ever need a pet sitter.
Go outside and explore
Go to events in your area, with or without your pet. Get out there and talk to possible clients, whether it's at a school fair, a pet talent show, or the community market. If your local market has a pet stand, why not ask if you can leave a stack of your business cards there?
After all, giving your pet sitting business a face and a personality can be a great way to get people to remember you.
Make connections with neighborhood pet shops
Networking is a great way to get ahead in business and in life. But if you picture people in suits having awkward talks over expensive dinners when you think of networking, you're wrong. Networking can be as easy as talking to people you know often and suggesting them to other people.
DIY flyers
There are many inexpensive online tools that can help you make your own business flyers and style them as well. You can drop these off at a nearby mailbox or pin them to the bulletin board at your local grocery store or community center. Getting seen is the only way to find new clients for your pet sitting business.