As a dog daycare owner, one of your main goals is to find new clients. But how do you go about finding them? What’s the best way to market your business? In this article, we’ll discuss some valuable tips on how to find clients for dog daycare.
So, read on for helpful advice on how to grow your dog daycare business!
First thing’s first: before you can start marketing your dog daycare, you need to know who your target market is. Basically, who are the people most likely to be interested in your services?
Do some research on the local population in your area, and try to determine what types of people tend to own dogs. Age, gender, lifestyle choices, etc., are all factors you need to consider!
Once you have a better idea of who your customers are, you can then tailor your marketing strategy to target those individuals.
Creating the Marketing Plan for Your Dog Daycare
Next, you’ll need to create a marketing plan for your dog daycare. Why? Because a well-planned marketing strategy can make all the difference in attracting new customers! Not to mention, if you go in blind, you could end up wasting a lot of time and money on ineffective marketing efforts.
So, what should your marketing plan include?
You can start by determining the following:
- Who is your target market?
- What type of messaging will you use to appeal to potential customers?
- Which channels are best for reaching your target audience?
- What budget do you have for marketing?
Once you’ve determined the answers to these questions, you can then create a plan of action that outlines how you’ll go about reaching your target market. For example, if your target audience is pet owners in their late 20s and early 30s, then it would make sense to focus on digital channels like social media and email campaigns.
Executing Your Dog Daycare Marketing Plan
Once you have your marketing plan all set, it’s time to execute it! This part requires building relationships with potential customers, engaging them with valuable content, tracking your progress, and optimizing for better performance.
On that note, let’s now take a look at some of the best ways to market your dog daycare…
Pro Tip: Haven’t yet launched your very own dog daycare? This Ultimate Beginner’s Guide walks you through the entire process!
How to Market Your Dog Daycare
Marketing Your Dog Daycare Offline
One great way to reach potential customers is through offline marketing. This can include things like distributing flyers, hosting events, networking with other pet owners, and partnering with local businesses.
Marketing Your Dog Daycare Online
In addition to traditional offline marketing tactics, you can also use digital channels to reach new customers. This could include using social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to post about your business, as well as utilize influencer marketing. Furthermore, you can (and should) create a website for your dog daycare, optimize for local SEO, think about investing in PPC campaigns, and run email campaigns.
How to Find Clients for Dog Daycare: 20 Tried-and-True Strategies for Success
Okay, now we’ve discussed the basics of how to market your dog daycare. But what are some more specific tactics you can use to attract clients? Here are 20 tried-and-true strategies for success:
1. Create a website for your dog daycare with information about services, prices, and contact details.
In this day and age, NOT having a professional website is one of the biggest red flags a prospective client can see. So, make sure to create one before you move onto any other marketing methods!
In particular, your website should provide customers with the following things:
- Information about who you are, your credentials, etc.
- Your business hours of operation
- Photos of your dog daycare facility
- Photos of past furry clients
- A list of your services and prices
- Testimonials from past customers
- Links to your social media (which you can add to your website once you’ve created them)
- Your blog, if you choose to start one
- An FAQ section, where you can preemptively answer common questions you anticipate people will have
- The option for online booking
Furthermore, it’ll help if your website is both SEO and mobile-friendly. This means that it should load quickly, be easy to read and navigate on a mobile device, and include keywords in the content that make it easier for prospective customers to find you online.
2. Create social media accounts for your dog daycare business.
Social media is one of the most effective ways to reach potential customers! This is where you can post photos, videos, and updates about your business. Plus, it also allows you to engage directly with people in your target market!
Furthermore, social media allows you to run advertisements that target a specific demographic. For example, if you want to reach pet owners in their late 20s and early 30s, then you can create an advertisement that targets people in that specific age range.
How to Find Clients on Social Media
Start by creating accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube. These are the six most popular social media platforms when it comes to marketing a dog daycare business (or any small business, for that matter).
Once you have your accounts set up, start sharing valuable content that speaks to your target audience. This can include things like photos of happy clients, updates about services/specials, and even educational content.
Then, as you start to gain more followers, use targeted advertising campaigns to reach potential clients. This can be a great way to get the word out about your business and bring in new customers!
How to Find Clients on Facebook
Facebook is one of the best platforms for finding potential clients. Start by creating a Business Page and filling out all the relevant information. This includes uploading pictures, setting up an “about” section, writing posts about your business, and sharing relevant content to your target audience.
In addition, you can also use Facebook Ads Manager to create targeted ads that reach people in your target market. This can be a great way to get the word out about your business and generate leads!
How to Find Clients on Instagram
Start by creating an Instagram account for your business. From there, upload pictures of your dog daycare facility and furry friends! Make sure to write captions about your services, as well as use relevant hashtags to attract more people to your page.
Similar to Facebook, you can also use Instagram Ads Manager to create targeted ads that reach people in your target audience. Another important Instagram feature is their Instagram Stories, which can also be used to boost your reach.
How to Find Clients on Twitter
Twitter is a little bit different from other social medial platforms, in that your posts will be restricted to a 280 character limit. (Although it’s said to eventually be increased to 4,000 in the future.) As a result, your posts will need to be carefully thought-out – and send whatever message you’re trying to send as clearly and quickly as possible!
To create a business profile, start by creating an account. Then, fill out all the relevant information. Importantly, don’t forget to include your website link in your profile as well! From there, start posting content related to your services and industry-related topics.
Also, make sure to engage with other pet owners on Twitter. You can start conversations, retweet interesting posts, or even join in on relevant trending topics. This will help you build relationships and increase your reach!
How to Find Clients on TikTok
TikTok is the newest social media platform, but it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular ones! In terms of business marketing, there are SO many ways to launch yours into the spotlight on TikTok!
So, where should you get started?
Similar to other platforms, you’ll need to create a TikTok account and fill out all the relevant information. Next, start creating short videos that showcase your services. As with other platforms, make sure to include captions about your services as well! Additionally, use hashtags to target people in your target market and join in on popular trends – such as the “Trending” page.
How to Find Clients on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a awesome platform for B2B marketing, as people use it to look for professionals and services related to their businesses. Start by creating a company page and filling out all relevant information – such as your services, team members, contact info, etc.
Next, begin connecting with other professionals and business owners in your industry. You can even join relevant groups and share content related to your dog daycare facility! Additionally, use LinkedIn Ads Manager to create targeted ads that reach people in your target market.
How to Find Clients on YouTube
Lastly, don’t forget about YouTube! Start by creating an account and filling out all the relevant information. From there, start uploading videos related to your services and/or customer testimonials.
Also, make sure to optimize your videos for SEO purposes – such as using relevant titles and descriptions, tagging them with keywords, adding closed captions, etc. We also recommend using YouTube Ads Manager to create targeted ads and reach people in your target market!
Related: If your dog daycare is open throughout the winter season, you NEED to know these critical DOs and DON’Ts to running your business!
3. Optimize for local SEO to ensure your business comes up in relevant search results.
Your website, blog articles, social media posts, and online advertisements should all include relevant keywords that accurately describe your dog daycare business and its services. Furthermore, for things like webpages and blog articles, you should also consider:
- Including location-specific keywords;
- Adding an interactive map with your business address and contact info;
- Making sure your pages have the proper titles, meta descriptions, and URLs;
- Including customer reviews and ratings on your website, etc.
Additionally, creating a Google My Business account will also help ensure that your business comes up in local search results, as well as appear properly in Maps searches. If you want to go the extra mile, we also recommend listing your business in other local directories, such as Yelp, Yellow Pages, etc.
By optimizing for local SEO, you’ll ensure your dog daycare facility appears in search engine results when people look up “dog daycare near me”. And this will make it MUCH easier for potential customers to find your business!
4. Attend pet-related events in your area.
Attending local pet-related events is a great way to get the word out about your dog daycare business! Trade shows, expos, and social events are all great opportunities to network with potential clients and let them know what you can offer them. Moreover, you can even hand out promotional materials like flyers and business cards, as well as offer special discounts to attendees.
When attending these kinds of events, always be sure to dress professionally and make a great first impression. Having an eye-catching booth with visuals related to your services is also a great way to stand out from the crowd – so don’t forget to bring those along!
5. Utilize influencer marketing.
Influencers (micro and macro) are people who have a significant following in their niche. Engaging with influencers and having them promote your dog daycare business is a great way to reach potential customers who may not have heard of you yet.
Look for individuals in the pet industry (dog trainers, vets, groomers, etc.) and contact them to see if they’re interested in collaborating – either in exchange for payment or some other form of compensation. Keep in mind that the goal is to establish a mutually beneficial relationship, so make sure both parties are getting something out of it!
6. Send out print mailers or email campaigns to potential customers.
Direct mail is still an effective way of marketing – especially when you know who your target audience is! You can either send out printed mailers or emails, depending on what kind of budget you have and the resources you have at your disposal.
Print Mailers
When creating print mailers, be sure to include visuals of furry friends, as well as all the necessary information about your dog daycare services. Additionally, it’s also a good idea to include a special offer or discount code in order to encourage people to take action.
Email Campaigns
With email campaigns, you should also include visuals and text that’s informative yet engaging – as well as a way for customers to get in touch with you directly. Also, make sure to pay attention to your subject line and email design so it stands out from the rest of people’s inboxes.
By utilizing print mailers and email campaigns, you’ll be able to reach potential customers who may not have otherwise heard of your business. This can help you get the word out about your services – and ultimately, attract more customers!
7. Always encourage customers to leave reviews.
Encouraging customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business page, Yelp, website, social media, and other online directories is a great way to show potential customers that you’re trustworthy and reliable. Furthermore, asking for customer feedback also helps build relationships with current clients and establish credibility in the eyes of new ones.
Not only will this help bring more visibility to your dog daycare business, but it will also help new customers make an informed decision when selecting a provider. Plus, you can use past client testimonials in your marketing materials, social media posts, and blog articles!
Pro Tip: Did someone leave you a BAD review? Here’s how to handle the situation professionally!
8. Connect with other pet owners in your area and network, building relationships that can lead to referrals and more customers.
Networking is KEY when it comes to growing your dog daycare business – and one of the best ways to do this is by connecting with other pet owners in your area. As we mentioned before, you should definitely try attending pet-related events. However, beyond that, you can also join local Facebook groups, set up a booth at a nearby pet expo, lend your services to local shelters/rescues, etc.
You can also reach out to people you know who own pet businesses and see if they’d be interested in collaborating or referring customers to you. Showing that you’re a part of the community will help establish your reputation and potentially lead to more referrals.
By connecting with other pet owners and business owners, you’ll be able to build relationships that can help strengthen your network – and ultimately, bring more customers your way.
9. Offer tantalizing incentives for first-time clients.
Offering first-time customers special discounts or incentives is a great way to encourage them to choose your dog daycare business. This could be anything from discounted rates and free add-ons to loyalty points that can be exchanged for freebies.
These incentives can help entice customers who may otherwise have been on the fence about trying out your services. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure that first-time clients have a positive experience and will be more likely to return in the future.
10. Don’t forget to focus on client retention, too, though.
Once you’ve got customers in the door, it’s important to focus on client retention as well. After all, they’re the ones that will be coming back time and again, so it pays off to make sure they’re taken care of.
One way to do this is by offering loyalty programs or ‘frequent visitor’ discounts. This allows customers to get rewarded for their loyalty and encourages them to come back again and again. You can also keep in touch with your clientele through newsletters, social media posts, email campaigns, or even regular check-ins.
By focusing on customer retention as well as acquisition, you’ll be able to maintain a steady stream of clients – which means more profits for your business!
11. Utilize digital tools that can make running your business easier and help you focus on providing the best service possible.
In order to keep up with changing consumer demands and growing competition, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest technology. There are a number of digital tools available to help make running your business easier and more efficient.
For instance, scheduling software can help you automate bookings, manage client information, send out appointment reminders, and even track attendance records. You could also use an e-commerce platform to sell products or services online and accept payments.
These digital tools can save you time, help streamline your processes, and give clients more convenient ways to access your services – which is sure to increase customer satisfaction!
Pro Tip: Make sure to check out these 30 tools that are sure to help you grow your dog daycare business!
12. Know who your competition is, what they’re charging, and what they’re offering their customers.
It’s always important to know who you’re competing against in the market. After all, how can you ever hope to stand out from them if you don’t first understand them?
Therefore, research other daycare businesses in your area and see what services they offer, how much they charge, etc. In turn, this will give you an idea of what your competition is doing – and help YOU make adjustments for your own business, if needed.
For example, if their prices are much lower than yours, then you may need to lower your rates. Or if they’re offering more services than you are, consider adding a few of your own to stay competitive.
In any case, it pays off to know who your competition is – so make sure to do your research!
13. Invest in some good marketing materials.
Another great way to promote and grow your dog daycare business is to invest in some good, quality marketing materials. This could be anything from flyers, business cards, postcards, brochures, or even banners that you can use to advertise your services.
You can distribute these around the neighborhood or at local pet stores and vet clinics – or even post them online. Having these materials will help spread the word about your business and get more people in the door.
And don’t forget to include your contact information and social media handle on all materials so potential customers have a way to reach you!
14. Get customer feedback after services have concluded.
It’s important to get customer feedback after your dog daycare services have been provided. Not only does it help you improve and make changes where necessary; it also shows clients that you care about their experience. And, of course, this can go a long way in terms of fostering loyalty!
You could send out customer surveys via email or social media, or even just ask for feedback when clients come to pick up their fur-babies. To make it more enticing, you could even offer discounts or free services in exchange for their feedback.
Either way, getting customer feedback is a great way to ensure that your dog daycare business is providing the best service possible – and staying one step ahead of the competition!
15. Add complementary services to your pet business.
Another great idea is to think about adding complementary services to your dog daycare business. After all, the more of a “one-stop-shop” your business is for dog owners, the likelier you’ll be to establish a roster of repeat clients – and get more new ones in the process!
Additional services could include anything from pet-sitting, overnight boarding, grooming, dog training, or even providing nutrition and health advice for owners. By doing this, you’ll be able to diversify your revenue streams and offer clients more options when it comes to taking care of their fur-babies!
Pro Tip: Did you know that in addition to dog daycare training, QC Pet Studies ALSO offers certification courses for dog grooming and dog training, too? It’s true! Learn more about our self-paced, online courses and start your training today!
16. Put some effort in storytelling.
Since everyone lives online nowadays, people want to feel like they know the fact behind the business they’re investing in. Therefore, it pays off to put some effort into telling your story and giving potential customers a glimpse of who is behind the dog daycare service – which will help them feel more invested and connected with you, too!
Whether it’s through blog posts, social media, or even just personal introductions, incorporate stories into your website to give customers an inside look at who you are and why you do what you do.
17. Get creative with promotions and discounts.
Another great way to promote your dog daycare business is to get creative with promotions and discounts. This could be anything from offering a discount for referring friends, running monthly specials, or even offering packages that combine multiple services at a discounted rate.
The key here is to be creative and think outside the box – because if you do it right, these discounts will help draw in more customers and create loyalty!
18. Make sure your website is always up-to-date.
Earlier, we discussed the important of your business website being SEO and user-friendly. However, there’s another aspect that’s just as important – and that’s making sure your website is up-to-date. This means having the correct contact information, accurate descriptions of services, and (most importantly) updated images and videos showing off your dog daycare business in action.
So, how regularly should you be updating your website – and what should you be looking for in order to know what’s outdated?
It’s important to check your website every month or two and make sure all of the information is accurate, that any images are current, and that videos show off your latest services. By keeping an eye on it regularly, you can make sure potential customers (and Google!) always have access to the most up-to-date information about your business.
By doing this, potential customers will be able to get an accurate view of what your business offers and will be more likely to choose you over the competition.
19. Take advantage of free advertising.
Finally, one of the best ways to promote and grow your dog daycare business is through free advertising platforms, such as social media, blogs, local newspapers or magazines, and word-of-mouth referrals. All of these avenues are great for getting the word out about what you do – and best of all, they’re free!
By taking advantage of these free advertising platforms and getting creative with how you market your business, you can quickly and easily reach potential customers who may not have known about you before.
20. Track your progress and make improvements where needed.
Finally, the last step is to track your progress and make improvements where needed. This means reviewing all the strategies you’ve used to promote your dog daycare business and determining which ones are working – and which ones need some tweaking.
Typically, we recommend reviewing your stats and analytics every 2-3 months to see what’s working and what’s not. This will help you better understand your customers and determine what changes need to be made in order to create a successful marketing strategy that gets the results you’re after!
Frequently Asked Questions
Now let’s wrap things up with a few frequently asked questions about promoting your dog daycare business and finding clients…
Q: Should you offer clients a dog daycare welcome packet?
A: Absolutely! A dog daycare welcome packet is a great way to show potential customers that you’re organized, professional, and invested in their pet’s wellbeing. It should include information like policies, pricing details, required forms, vaccination records, and more.
Q: How do beginners find clients for their business?
A: If you’ve not yet had any dog daycare clients, you might be wondering how to get started. The first step is to create a website and promote your business on social media platforms, as well as local directories and classifieds. You should also consider offering discounts or referral programs, as this is an effective way to draw in more customers.
And don’t forget the power of your inner circle! To help you find your first client, why not turn to your friends and family? Ask them to spread the word about your business, and you might be surprised to find that it’s easier than you originally thought.
Q: Any tips on how to get clients fast?
A: To get clients fast, you need to create a sense of urgency and tap into your customer’s emotions. You can do this by offering discounts or special offers for a limited time, or creating an irresistible package that’s hard to pass up. Additionally, you should use eye-catching visuals and engaging content on social media and your website to draw attention and encourage customers to take action right away.
Q: How do you find your FIRST client?
A: As we discussed, the best place to start is by turning to your friends and family. Let them know what you are doing and ask them if they need any pet care services or if they know someone who might be interested.
Additionally, reach out to local businesses in your area, such as vets, groomers, and pet shops. You can also join local pet groups and dog-walking platforms to get your name out there.
Ultimately, the key is to be persistent and never give up! With a little bit of hard work and creativity, you can easily find clients for your dog daycare business.
Q: Can you offer any advice on how to get clients as a freelancer?
A: If you’re a dog daycare professional on a freelance basis, it’s important to take the time to build a strong online presence. This means creating an eye-catching website, optimizing it for search engines (SEO), and posting regularly on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Additionally, be sure to network with other local professionals in the pet care industry – they can be great sources of referrals! Finally, don’t forget to join online platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork where you can easily find clients.
Q: What’s the best way to keep clients coming back?
A: The key to keeping clients coming back is to provide exceptional service and create a positive experience for both your clients and their pets. Make sure you’re always on time and that your facility is clean and safe. Not to mention, you should have the necessary supplies for each daycare session.
Also, make sure to keep detailed records of each client’s visits so that you can monitor their progress and offer personalized services. Offering rewards or discounts for loyal clients is also a great way to show them how much you appreciate their business.
Conclusion
Finding and keeping clients for a dog daycare business can be challenging, but with the right strategies, it is absolutely possible! From your online efforts to networking with other pet professionals, there are plenty of ways to get your business out there.
And remember: offering discounts, rewards programs, and personalized services can help make your customers feel appreciated. As a result, they’ll keep coming back for more. With a little bit of hard work and dedication, you can be well on your way to success in this rewarding field!
We hope this helps! Thanks for reading – and good luck!
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