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Marketing strategies for a Local Service
Liteheartedone
subscriber Posts: 1
Hi All!
I own a pet sitting service in North East Georgia. I`ve been reading, with great interest all of the helpful information on marketing.
I have a business background strong customer service experience, great with clients, awesome with their animals, can even keep track of the paper work/financial side of things....but am woefully out of my element with marketing. I told a friend recently when I can afford to farm something out marketing will be the first task to go to a pro!
I am however, limited in my marketing budget (temporarily!) so no consultants in my immediate future....... Which leads to my question:
My business is local (just a couple of counties at this time), and is limited to the distance I can reasonably drive in a given time to care for animals in their homes. I`ve noticed a lot of advertising tips are focused on businesses which can distribute or mail products far and wide.
Any tips, suggestions, venues for local marketing would be most appreciated. Also tips on establishing trust/comfort levels via advertising, as I do enter homes and care for precious pets.
Thanks in advance!
Linda
I own a pet sitting service in North East Georgia. I`ve been reading, with great interest all of the helpful information on marketing.
I have a business background strong customer service experience, great with clients, awesome with their animals, can even keep track of the paper work/financial side of things....but am woefully out of my element with marketing. I told a friend recently when I can afford to farm something out marketing will be the first task to go to a pro!
I am however, limited in my marketing budget (temporarily!) so no consultants in my immediate future....... Which leads to my question:
My business is local (just a couple of counties at this time), and is limited to the distance I can reasonably drive in a given time to care for animals in their homes. I`ve noticed a lot of advertising tips are focused on businesses which can distribute or mail products far and wide.
Any tips, suggestions, venues for local marketing would be most appreciated. Also tips on establishing trust/comfort levels via advertising, as I do enter homes and care for precious pets.
Thanks in advance!
Linda
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Comments
Erin
FOUR WAYS TO GAIN PUBLICITY
Write a column in your local newspaper educating consumers about your area of expertise.
Conduct a seminar on a topic related to your business.
Sponsor an industry or community event.
Create a community contest or industry awards program.
stonesledge11/10/2007 5:38 PM
I`ll be looking into some of these ideas ASAP.
I`ve already done some of them (member of two pet sitting associations) and have been advertising in a local mailer. That worked great for awhile but as time goes on less calls are being generated. Tweaked the ad....still no improvement.
I give out referral coupons to my customers, i.e. refer me to a new customer and earn free visits.
A problem, as I`ve have mentioned is earning trust. In conversations with my clients they have mentioned hesitation in calling a pet sitter due to concerns and trust issues. Being that I am mature, bonded and insured once I get them on the phone and visit with the client I usually win them over. It`s getting them to pick up the phone and call. Thoughts, ideas? (btw I do put my name and picture in my ads)
Again thank you for taking the time to post replies.....I really appreciate it.
Liteheartedone11/11/2007 8:16 AM
I disagree. Many ads do instill trust. That`s one of the reasons they`re successful to begin with. If an ad is targeted to the right audience, is credible, has a solid guarantee, real customer testimonials and the company`s contact information, chances are, it will instill trust.
Dale King
DKing11/11/2007 11:29 AM
I had considered joining the local chamber but thought it was more of a business to business connection.......but I will re-evaluate the idea!
I`m glad I found this site.....
(btw vets board dogs also....so they view me as competition, let`s just say I often get a `chilly` reception from them when trying to network)
If you have a website, I`ll go there first. I`d want to see recommendations too!
Hope that helps!