How to Use Direct Mail to Market Your Pet Sitting Business
photo credit: WorldIslandInfo.com
Using direct mail is a tried-and-true ways to generate leads for any business. For owners of pet sitting businesses, it can be one of the most effective ways to get new clients, because it can physically reach the homes in targeted services areas where their ideal pet sitting customers reside.
I. Flyers
When business owners think about direct mail, “flyers” is one of the first things to come to mind and the ease of making them is one of the reasons why.
Flyers can be made in a variety of ways. If you really wanted to, you could simply write one flyer in long hand and copy it off several times. But for those pet sitting business owners, a more professional look is a few clicks away. You can create a sleek-looking flyer accessing Microsoft Word or Publisher and using one of the many available templates in these programs.
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3 Great Ways to Market Your Pet Sitting Business Online
photo credit: Alan_DHow to Use Video
Today’s Internet environment is very different from the one that existed just a few years ago. Whereas, in the past, Internet users were comfortable with spending a little more time searching around the Internet for results, the efficiency of modern search engines has pushed allowed users to navigate the Internet faster. Internet users no longer want to waste minutes reading blocks of text if they can have a short video to view instead. You can use video to introduce potential customers to the benefits of your pet sitting business.
Make your video an introduction to your pet sitting business that’s less than two minutes in length. Don’t waste your time making a 10 minute video. The average attention span of an Internet user is only seconds long and lengthy videos can turn them off of learning about your business.
Include slogans, buzzwords or brands in your video. Set yourself apart from your competition.
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How to Market Your Pet Sitting Business Online
photo credit: foskarulla
Don’t underestimate the value of advertising your pet sitting business online. Advertising in directories, using pay-per-click and Squidoo and Hubpages can increase your website’s traffic and sales conversion rates.
Advertising in Directories
Look for directories that cater to your business’ location and your target demographic. For example, if your business is located in California and your target demographic is older women dog owners, consider submitting your business into directories that appeal to California residents, dog owners and women. It’s even better if you find a directory devoted to dog-owning women in California.
Some Tips:
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Grow Your Small Business Through Speaking
Speaking is powerful. There are countless opportunities for you as a small business leader to speak to grow your business. Imagine the marketing power of being able to address an audience of potential customers all in one place at one time. This is really extremely focused and targeted marketing. Small business owners need to speak to grow their business.
What does this mean? Well, imagine a local association meeting, mixer or major community service event. You could be a speaker at that event. You would provide a professional, and relevant message to the audience, give them some valuable information that they could use, and promote your business at the same time.
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Planning for Success in Your Home Business
Have you heard the expression “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”? A business plan is essential for your business as it ensures that you put the steps in place to make your business a success. A formal business plan will be a necessity if you are planning to borrow money to finance, or are selling your business, but whatever your situation you should still take the time to define your vision and goals as they will give you direction and focus.
1. Define your WHY?
Do you want to have a successful home based business so that you can enjoy more freedom or more money, or will it bring you more close friends and colleagues, or more time to work with your favorite charitable cause? These benefits of business success are often referred to as your Why. As in why are you starting this new business? Everyone’s Why is different as it is dependent on how each individual defines success in their life. Defining your Why is important as it will inspire your actions, and provide daily motivation to keep moving towards your vision. Make sure to write down your Why where you can see it every day.
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A Pet Business Sector That’s Growing by Leaps and Bounds - Cats
As I discuss in my article “Pets Are Big Business,” Americans are more eager than ever before to lavish their beloved “furry children” with products and services that were unavailable just a few years ago.
Here’s another trend that spells opportunity: a growing percentage of pets in America are cats. Yes, cats now outnumber dogs. This trend is driven by a number of factors:
–Americans have busier lifestyles, with fewer children in the family, and pets fill the void (with cats increasingly being the pet of choice).
–More homes are empty of people during the day (and cats are better than dogs at being left alone).
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Maturing Opportunity in the Pet Business - Aging Pets
In my article “Pets Are Big Business,” I discuss the trends that make pet products and services such a great opportunity for entrepreneurs: America is a nation of animal lovers, and pets are the new status symbols; a well cared-for pet is a sign of achievement.
Not only do we have more pets per household then ever before; additional trends in pet demographics create new niches for pet products and services. In particular, “senior pets” are carving out a niche of their own. Consider:
–Pets are living longer than ever before. This is a self-perpetuating cycle: pets receive better care; they live longer; older pets require specialized products and services.
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How to Start a Dog Walking Business - Make Great Money and Get Some Exercise
Dog walking is a serious business these days and can really rake in the moolah if you know exactly how to go about it. If you’re an animal lover and your stamina permits you to walk a few miles everyday with a few excited pets, you can make some decent money.
You will be amazed to know that dog walkers make between $15 to $35 per half hour for a single pet. Once you get established and have your regulars, the possibilities are limitless if you are enterprising and resourceful. But this is not as effortless as it seems. As with any other business, you need to get organized and have a proper plan in place.
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Profitable Strategy in the Pet Business - Treat Pets Like People
photo credit: jasonb42882
A businessperson with even a casual liking of pets is positioned to capitalize big-time on America’s pet craze. All you need to do is keep in mind that Americans increasingly treat their pets as children.
As the number of children per household declines, the number of pets is increasing. Baby boomers, a powerful segment of today’s market, are quickly becoming empty-nesters and replacing their grown two-legged children with four-legged ones. Indeed, many people now call themselves pet parents or guardians rather than “owners.”
“By buying pets human-type gifts, we are making ourselves feel good and making them happy,” says Bob Vetere, chief operating officer of the American Pet Products Manufactures Association (APPMA). This trend suggests a hugely profitable strategy for entrepreneurs in the pet business: position pets as members of the family. Here are three ways:
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Our World, As It Relates To Network Marketing Healthy Pet Food
Our world, as it relates to network marketers, are people who:
Love animals and want to help improve pet’s health by selling healthy products just for pets.
Are obsessed with helping pets stay healthy and want to market products proven to do this. They want to sell the product using their own style and authenticity not copying company marketing scripts. Want to be seen as a real person with real product results (no hype about what the product will do for everyone.)
They have been looking for a way to network effectively without using friends or family. They want to find the edge that will put them above the rest. They want a very consumable product that will bring repeat customers for many years.
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