How can I inexpensively advertise my pet sitting/grooming/cleaning business?

Answer 1

websites are a good idea but with a local business you *probably* will not find your clientele there. It can help once they find you but as evidenced here - many are clear across the country and those won't be clients. Ditto with most lists.
Get some business cards - nice ones with information needed - contact info, name, maybe a motto to stick in people's minds. Put these on reader boards everywhere you can find - pet stores, feed stores, grocery stores, vet clinics, restaurants etc The cards are inexpensive - you can do them on your computer with card stock paper (cut edges straight!) and get about 10 cards to a page. 250 sheets is $10-12 and you can get different colors - most times white or ivory or tan is best though. http://www.officemax.com/max/solutions/main/search/search.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&searchType=product&searchString=card+stock - plus your ink...you do the math. ;-) Advised: spend the money at an office store and get one of those sheet sized cutters - ones you can evenly and straight cut a sheet or paper. Example: http://www.officemax.com/max/solutions/product/prodBlock.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&prodBlockOID=57958&expansionOID=-536892107 $42 but a crooked edge to a business card stands out like a sore thumb...it says you might be apt to let the little things slide and what you're doing that is not an option. There's other places too that have office supplies - shop around. For special thank yous get sheets of magnetic paper (about $10-12 - single sheet feeds through like paper) and cut them for magnetic business cards - if there's a vet clinic that might refer you people it's worth a little extra to have some of those on hand. You get 10 per sheet just like business cards - but they're handy to give out to customers as a thank you (your info is on their metal surface and handy!).

You could also have them commercially done if you are willing to plug in information and willing to choose from artwork they have (least expensive). There's a lot of competition for this - MAKE SURE you have a written GUARANTEE of accuracy...I once got 1,000 cards with a major misspelling on them...the company apologized profusely and redid the order correctly. Without a guarantee you could be left with cards you can't use.

Business cards are versatile but small fliers work too. Word of mouth is your best advertisement. Depending on your area (this doesn't work in large urban areas) - look into the Welcome Wagon - if you have a small item to give out with a certificate (printed on your computer!) this is a fairly inexpensive way to get introduced to new people moving in to the area. Sometimes people won't call from it but when they do they're ready to use your service as they're already aware of what you do and are calling for details. ;-) It might be worth giving them 15 or 20% off the first call - and *make it count*. If they're happy with it they'll call back and tell their friends (some may be residents who haven't heard of you!) about you.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

You can advertise it on www.pawradise.net
We want to start VERY inexpensive offers for pet-related businesses' ads.
Contact me at [e-mail]
Good luck!

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Go see if you can work out a deal with a popular local veteranarian. He/She will refer people to you when their pets need your services, and you'll refer pets to them when their owners tell you they are sick.

Answer 6

Make up some flyers using your pc and printer. Post them around the town where you live.

Answer 7

There are lots of free Business directory, you start submitting about your business in these directory, you will defenately get the response.

Answer 8

Make flyers on your computer, and post them on community bulletin boards in the public library, grocery stores, etc.

Answer 9

craigslist. You can put it under Services or Pets so people can search.

Answer 10

website