Advertise your pet care business to people with pets.
You've got the nitty-gritty of your pet care business started, but if you want to succeed, you need to get customers. Advertising a business can be a large expense. Target your advertising as much as possible to get the greatest return on your investment. Identify your target customer and advertise through the mediums that they are most likely to encounter.
Instructions
1. Place fliers in local hot spots. Many stores and parks offer bulletin boards where people can advertise their service businesses. Look first for bulletin boards where pet owners are most likely to go--pet stores, dog parks and vet offices, for example. However, you may also find success by posting at the laundromat or the grocery store. Include basic information about your business, with tear-offs listing your business name, phone number and website.
2. Advertise in pet-related publications. Purchasing an ad in a citywide newspaper will be expensive and may not reach your target market. However, a local publication for pet owners will reach the exact people that you need.
3. Encourage word-of-mouth advertising. After you've gotten a few customers, ask them to tell their friends about your services. Offer a special discount to those customers that refer you new customers.
4. Network with other local pet business owners. For example, if you offer pet sitting services, you could connect with the local pet groomer--you offer to refer your customers to her and she places your business card near her register.
5. Optimize your website for the search engines. If potential customers in your area use the Internet to find their services, you need your site to come up in the listings. Submit your site to the search engines, use words that relate to your business and town--such as "dog sitter in San Francisco"--and if necessary, purchase advertisements in the search results.
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