Do you love dogs? Do you enjoy spending time outside and getting some exercise while doing so?
If so, becoming a dog walker is the perfect job for you!
This article will discuss how to get your dog walking services out there.
We will cover what type of equipment that you need, where to advertise your services and more!
What Equipment Do You Need To Start a Dog Walking Business?
Here are some items to consider before you start your business:
– Dog treats – Leashes, harnesses and collars
– Pooper scooper bags or a shovel for picking up waste
– Sturdy shoes with traction if necessary
– A cell phone in case of emergency or basic contact (you never know when one may arise)
– Insurance (many dog walkers do not have any insurance or are self insured)
– A schedule for pricing – this is important to make sure you know what the going rate is per hour, mile and minute. You don’t want to under charge your clients!
Attend local dog events in your community.
Attending local dog events can be one of the best ways to market your business.
Organize a booth at pet stores, vet clinics and more!
The dog event should have an area where you can meet potential clients that might be interested in your services. Work on building relationships with these individuals as they may refer other people who need your help too!
Be sure to keep your contact information handy so that you can hand it out to potential clients.
Create a Yelp Profile
One of the best ways to get new clients with your dog walking service is to create a yelp profile.
If you’re confident in your services, you can get new clients by having your existing clients to write a good review for you.
Flyers
The first step is to make some flyers. Flyers are a go-to when you want to advertise something for free, and they’re relatively easy to put together too! You can use Microsoft Word or Apple Pages on your computer (or any other program that allows you to design things) and follow these steps:
•First, create one large rectangle that will take up the front and back of your flyer.
•Next, add text boxes for all the things you want to say on your flyer – these might include your name, contact information and more.
•Then, add a picture in the background of your flyer – this is important because it’s what will make people familiar with you! If you don’t have any pictures on hand that would work well for this then try using Google Images or Creative Market to find some royalty-free images.
•Finally, add a slogan or call to action at the bottom of your flyer and you’re done!
Now that we’ve made some flyers, it’s time to get them out there. We have two options for doing this: distributing them around town ourselves or handing out flyers in exchange for donations by asking people if they want one and what their donation
Create a Website
The second step is to create a website where you can list all of your services, prices and more. If you don’t have any experience with coding or web design then I recommend using WordPress, since it’s easy to use.
Create Blog Posts on That Site
The third step is to create blog posts on your website, and this will be important for SEO purposes.
Make sure you use keywords that help with local seo so people in your area find you and not someone 1,000’s of miles away.
Business Cards
Business cards are a great way to advertise your services, and you can easily make them on Microsoft Word or Apple Pages.
Simply create a business card template in the program of your choice then add all of your contact information, prices, hours that you work and more – be sure to include links if possible!
Facebook – Market Place & Page
Listing your services on facebook marketplace is a great way to advertise your services.
Create your own facebook page to promote your business, get all your family and friends to share it with other people.
This is an effective way to get a new client off the bat.
Google Ads
What are Google Ads?
Google Ads are a way to tell people about your business.
You can pay for Google Ads to increase traffic to your website which offers your services.
Google ads come up on the top of google when people search the term you set your ads for.
Local Community Groups
Local Facebook groups are great to advertise your services on, just make sure you get the go ahead by the groups admin to post it.
This is a good way to start getting dog walking clients.
Craigslist
The website Craigslist is a place where people can buy and sell things.
People look for all types of things on craigslist.
Listing your dog walking services on craigslist is a great way to get your dog walking business out there.
Social Media
Social media is a way to connect with people.
Online, you can find out what other people are doing and share information about yourself.
You can try out all the different social media platforms and see which ones are the best to push your dog walking business.
News Paper Ads
One of the best ways to get your dog walking services out there is by using newspaper ads.
You can place an ad in the paper for a monthly fee and this will allow you to reach people that they might not have thought of before.
Tell Friends and Family
Word of mouth is one of the best marketing strategies ever.
Tell your friends and family about your dog walking business so they can help you with word of mouth marketing!
Dog Park Networking
If you have your own dog, going to the dog park will help you meet and network with other dog owners.
You can talk to them about your business while playing fetch or just saying hello!
Partner With a Veterinarian
If you’re looking for a way to make your dog walking business stand out, I recommend partnering with a veterinarian.
Once You Have Clients Ask For Referrals
Don’t forget to ask your clients for referrals and testimonials.
If your clients are satisfied with your services, encourage them to create testimonials. Also ask them if they can refer you to friends who may need you to walk their dog.
Add Pet Sitting To Your Services
Being a pet sitter can actually help you make more money.
You can charge more for a dog staying overnight at your house than you can for a single walk.
Use Apps Like Rover and WAG!
If you don’t want to handle all the advertising Rover and WAG! may be good options for you.
The downside of these apps is each app takes a portion of your earnings.
When dog walkers make their own business they make all the profit.
How Much Can A Dog Walking Business Make?
According to Zip recruiter the average salary for a dog walker is $29,921 and the average rate is $14 per hour.
Top earners could make up to $43,000 per year or even more.
What Are The Benefits Of Starting a Dog Walking Service?
Flexibility:
With a dog walking business you can work when it is convenient for you.
Passion:
If you are passionate about dogs, then this could be the perfect job to match your interests and lifestyle!
Exercise:
Dog walking is good exercise and a way to stay in shape!
Friendships:
Dog walking is a great way to make new friends!
What You Need To Do To Be Successful
Be Professional:
Being professional is a key to being successful. You want your clients and potential customers to know that you’re trustworthy so they can work with you over time.
Make sure when meeting new people, dress professionally!
Offer Affordable Prices:
A lot of dog walkers offer discounts for first-time visits because it’s important to get new clients.
You can also offer deals for recurring visits or buy one get one free!
A Good Business Name:
A catchy business name can be a great way to spread local awareness. Maybe make the name specific to your location.
Know All Kinds of Dogs:
Do your research! When your involved in pet care it is important to know as much as you can about each breed you’ll be walking so the pet owners are very comfortable with you.
Conclusion
This has been a roundup of some great ways to promote your dog walking services.
If you’re starting or just started your dog walking business, I hope this article helps you get your first dog walking client.
If you have any marketing ideas that aren’t on this list please write it in the comments below.
Can you make money full time on rover – check out this article now!
Is Wag! Worth it? – Check out this article now!
Also take a look at our other articles with more side hustle ideas:
- 9 Realistic Ways To Make Money Fast
- 9 Realistic Ways to Make Money Online
- How To Make Money Online By Sending Emails
- Can You Make a Living Off Of Amazon Flex?
- Should You Sell One Product Or Multiple While Drop Shipping?
