Hey there, fellow pet-loving entrepreneurs! 🐾 Are you ready to take your pet sitting business to the next level but not sure where to start? In today’s blog post, we’re diving into the exciting world of marketing tailored specifically for pet sitters and focus on how to get eyes on your business in a very busy market. Let’s get started!

What’s most important is finding a series of consistent things to do that forge your connection with your community. Pet sitters are tied to geographical locations, and with that… the communities they’re based in. Being able to network and advertise in specific areas allows us to meet new possible clients at a more likely rate.

Marketing for pet owners may seem easy when it comes to material, but spreading your efforts between in-person connections and digital options is crucial.

We’ve gone ahead and outlined 6 ways to promote your pet sitting business:

Love your local print

Don’t sleep on the power of local print advertising! Whether it’s in newspapers, magazines, or community newsletters, getting your name out there is crucial. Understanding your audience helps here! Do you wish to acquire clients in a certain gated community? Ask about advertising options in their monthly newsletter, for example. 

Curious about pet sitting opportunities for busy workaholics and travelers? Try finding publications that are geared towards workers and small business owners. Of course, we also suggest networking with graphic designers that can make you the BEST ads possible. Visual appeal is key, so make sure your ads pop with all the essential info. 

Hint, hint – we do that too. 😉

Community Events & Connections

Get out there and mingle! Attend local events, whether they’re pet-related or not, armed with your business cards and a smile. Bonus points if you’ve got a furry friend by your side! Connecting with folks at farmers’ markets, First Friday events, and Chamber of Commerce events not only shows your community spirit but also builds trust and familiarity.

Remember that posting your appearance at said community events makes for easy and VERY successful social media content as well. These are great for building engagement, and if you have an opportunity to throw a few @s to other businesses, even better. This works in reverse, too! Be sure to reply to anyone who was considerate enough to give you a shoutout on their social media as well.

Get your website up to snuff

Don’t underestimate the power of a good website. A user-friendly, SEO-optimized site is your digital footprint and presence, so invest the time and effort to make it shine. And don’t forget about Google Ads and local SEO — these tools can put you at the top of the search results. Your website should not be written like a robot; it should reflect your values and services while encouraging your potential clients down your sales funnel. 

One thing to always be careful about is showing your pricing as well. Clear, easy-to-understand breakdowns of your pricing helps people who may never have had pet sitters understand total cost easier. Some businesses opt to hide their pricing until a prospective customer shows interest. We recommend avoiding this to avoid grabbing an audience that may not have the budget to reasonably afford your services.

Stop being afraid of social media

When you signed up to run a business, you might not have thought you signed up to run social media pages as well. Well, we have news for you: it’s time to make a few commitments! 

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok offer targeted advertising options that can reach your ideal audience. Share engaging content, from cute pet pics to valuable pet care tips. You have a lot of flexibility in content and to genuinely connect and not just sell to people. Create a calendar ahead of time to maximize your efforts – think of a day where you can bulk create content! 

Remember, consistency and variety are the two keys to ensuring your pages and its content remains relevant to your followers’ feeds.

Vet & Groomer Friendships

Make friends with the local pet pros! Drop by with some treats, introduce yourself, and leave your business cards. Their recommendations carry serious weight with pet owners, so it’s a win-win for everyone. Bonus points if you ask if they have rack card shelves to place your marketing material in – pet owners can see it during check out!

Referral Rewards that Make Tails Wag

Happy customers are your best advocates! Implement a referral program to incentivize your clients to spread the word. A free session or a discount for each new referral can work wonders in growing your clientele. Friends talk… so partner this with having print pieces that can hang on a fridge can be a good conversation starter when the girlies are sharing a glass of wine together in the kitchen!

So, whether you’re dabbling in social media or spreading the word through print, the key is to be bold and try new things consistently. With the right marketing mojo, you’ll be giving your furry clients the VIP treatment they deserve while growing your business like never before!

If you need help or further consultation on marketing efforts, our Petfluence team is here to help you be your best pet professional. We can’t wait to meet you!