Anyone Else Have Their own Business?

[leftyladyfrommo]

I am just starting my own business because I am just too old to work for corporations any more. I have absolutely no tolerance for the bullshit anymore. Can't lie, can't ignore, can't pretent anymore. I think that comes with age. And I just want to be free to say what I believe and be nice to people. Can't do that in the corporate world.

So I am starting a petsitting business and it is just starting to take off - and this is just so much fun.

But I could use input on advertising. Any words of advice? Just got signed up for Yellow pages and Yellow pages online so my company name will come up when people search under yellow pages.

I have also bought adv. in the weekly for the largest Catholic Church in my area.

But what about local advertising? Any word on how well advertising in small local papers works?

[xmas74]

1. Have you thought about passing out flyers at larger

area employers? Maybe advertise daycare for animals-especially if you can assist in housebreaking puppies. That right there will get you some business-assisting w/ housebreaking.

Also talk to area vets that do not operate a kennel and ask if you can advertise there, along w/ pet stores. Don't just drop off a flyer-actually sit down and talk to them. Wow 'em-make them remember you.

Also might be nice to find out if you can leave flyers w/ Wayside Waifs or a similar group. Let them talk to you and find out what you are about. If they like you maybe they can include one of your flyers in their adoption info for anyone getting a pet.

And get a list of area breeders. As always, sit down and talk to them. If they like you they can give a flyer out when they have an adoption.

For many, pets are family members. Owners want to take their pet to someone they either know or someone who has been recommended by others. Get to know the people in the business and your business will grow in leaps and bounds.

[leftyladyfrommo]

3. Thanks so much.

I do have flyers but I haven't had much luck - partly because I am North of the River and the shelters are all miles and miles away from us. But your idea was great. I appreciate all the ideas that I can latch on to - sometimes I can just modify them to fit my own needs.

I also need to find out about laws regarding going door to door with flyers. I need to get into places like Briarcliff where there would people interested in pet sitting rather than boarding. And they have money - or at least pretend to have.

Most of the vets up here have boarding. But I am researching the other pet service places. Petco doesn't even have a bullitin board up.

I tried advertising in PetPaws but got no where with that. It was a total waste of money and I had thought that would be a good place. But my target audience aren't people that pick up PetPaws.

But you are right - I definitely need to get out with my flyers. I am targeting the grooming places.

[xmas74]

6. I don't know about door to door

but KC seems to have no problem w/ flyers on cars. Every time I've made the drive to shop I've left w/ 10 flyers on my car.

Groomers are a good idea. Do find out about large offices also-some people really do not want their pets alone during the day while they work. Steady business for you. I know a couple of people here in Warrensburg who hire a pet sitter every day while they are at work. They drop the pet off at the sitter's house, just like a child at day care.

I figure that if there are people doing that in a smaller town there would be a much bigger market for you in KC.

[ps1074]

2. have you tried online ads?

I get some good results with google adwords. There is a regional targeting option that works very well.

And you don't have to spend much either. Say 5-10 cents per click... Just think of several phrases like "city name pet sitter" and make a simple web page with a couple of pics may be and some info about your business.

Anyway, good luck with your new business :)

[leftyladyfrommo]

4. No but I need to look into that. Maybe on Google?

Do I just contact them on line to see how that works?

I am am a complete luddite when it comes to computer stuff - but I need to find out more about it.

[ps1074]

7. No, you can read everything here

https://adwords.google.com

[leftyladyfrommo]

13. Thanks - I e-mailed them to see what I might be able to set up.

I really think I need to adv. on line. That is where everybody looks these days.

[radwriter0555]

5. Flyers at your local veterinarians and pet stores. Craigslist.org,

dog parks.

Use those flyers with the tear off phone numbers.

Use business cards you can make yourself on your computer.

Mutt mitts with your phone number on them.

Get an article written about yourself in a local paper... or do a press release for yourself. Learn how, or pay someone to write it.

Wear a tee shirt that says LeftyLady's Petting Sitting Business.

Get a BIG car door magnet made to stick on your car so that you are advertising yourself whenever you're out. Plus your car becomes a tax deduction.

Get yourself insured and bonded. Get signed waivers.

[leftyladyfrommo]

8. THANKS SO MUCH

I have been thinking about getting T-shirts to wear with my company and number on the back. I also would like to get workshirts with my name and number on the back. I wear those all the time because they work really well when dealing with animals a lot - they are tough and don't attract animal hair. I need to find out who would do that here in town.

And I thought about the thing for the car-doors too. Need to get pricing on that. Some of those things are more than I can afford right now.

I am finding that advertising is expensive - but you really need to do it.

I have signed up for adv. for the next 12 months - and have kind of given myself that time frame to get going. I should be able to do that.

All great ideas - thanks.

[radwriter0555]

60. Well you must sit down and create a budget and allocate MOST of your

expenses to your marketing. Look around and see what has worked for others in your area...

Flyers and word of mouth is your best bet. Promotional, buy one, get one free, all that stuff.

Make a PLAN and stick to it. Create GOALS, financial ones especially, and stay organized.

Offer refer a friend bonuses and perks. Later on, towards end of the year, calendars.

Most importantly, make sure your area has a NEED for such a business. If no, be willing to go somewhere that does.

MAKE A PLAN...

[leftyladyfrommo]

64. I am finally getting myself going in an organized manner

and that has been fun.

I have to make this work. I have to have a way to support myself until I can get SS - which isn't until I'm 67.

All of us my age are going to be working until we are 90.

[Crazy Dave]

9. I just started mine a few weeks ago

My first week looked discouraging but now my phone is ringing off the hook. I've got work scheduled two weeks in advance, for now.

Good luck for whatever you choose to do :hi:

[leftyladyfrommo]

10. I am in such a good mood. I wish I had started my own

business years and years ago. I spent all of those years making thousands and thousand for someone else - and had to put up with such crap.

[Crazy Dave]

21. My blood pressure has gone down a lot too

I finally got the push I needed. Everybody used to think my work day started five minutes before it was supposed to end. At 3:55 pm boss comes into office, "I promised "client X" he could have his map (a six - seven hour job if everything goes right) by 10:00am tomorrow, you didn't have plans this evening did you?"
I said, "No I don't but that doesn't matter as my working day does not begin at the end of the day.", "If you want it to be that way I'll come in at 4:00pm tomorrow." They acted like I was being unreasonable, that I was being the bad guy, etc. But it doesn't matter anymore because I work the hours I choose now ;)

[leftyladyfrommo]

23. My phone is always one now - and I have to go out late

sometimes. But I don't care. It is just so much better than what i was dealing with before.

[xmas74]

11. What do you do?

[Crazy Dave]

14. Computer drafting a.k.a. AutoCAD

I work primarily out of my house for now. Occasionally I have to go by someone's office to pick up prints but most of my data goes back and forth through emails.

[xmas74]

17. Sounds like good work.

[leftyladyfrommo]

15. I'm a petsitter and proud of it.

I just go and do whatever people need me to do. In-house pet and housesitting. Water the plants, turn on lights, get the mail. Let the dog's out three times a day, feed the cat and clean the kittybox. Just whatever.

Working late - don't worry. I'll go take care of the dog.

It is just totally a service thing.

[xmas74]

18. I knew you did.

Sounds like a fun job.

I've been trying to get a housekeeping business up and going but there isn't much call around here. The only ones people want to hire are from the megacompanies right now.

I have good references, I'm looking into bonding and I am cheaper but most seem to want the companies,not the individual.

If it were me, I'd want the individual. More personal service that way and you can work w/ someone easier if you know the same person will be there week after week. But that's just me.

[leftyladyfrommo]

22. That bonding stuff is just a huge racket.

I looked into that - insured and bonded - you know. But that bond is meaningless. You pay for it just to say you are bonded. It only pays off if you are actually tried and convicted of a crime - and it has nothing to do with background checks or anything like that. My insurance guy said he has been in business 20 years and has never seen a bond pay a claim. Just doesn't happen.

I don't know about the insurance. Its just so expensive but I will get it if I have to - just a cost of business.

[xmas74]

26. The only reason I've looked into the bonding

is because a number of people who have been interested have asked if I have been bonded. They seem to think it's quite important. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it.

[leftyladyfrommo]

31. i KNOW - I'VE RUN INTO THAT, TOO

It may just be a cost of doing business - you have to have it to do business. But I am still holding out on that one.

[xmas74]

37. That's what I suspect it is.

It's something I really don't want to spend the money on but if it helps expansion...

[huskerlaw]

36. Can you come to California?

;)

I'm kidding, of course, but I need to find a petsetter here and I'm dreading it.

[leftyladyfrommo]

41. Can you move here?

I could use the business.

I imagine petsetters in Ca are pretty expensive.

[huskerlaw]

43. Missouri??

No, sorry, not moving there! I just moved to CA from Nebraska, and um...no, not moving to Missouri. ;)

I haven't even begun the petsitter investigation. I'm scared to know what it costs though. I had to board one cat overnight at the vet and it was something like $25. For 8 hours. Uuugh.

[leftyladyfrommo]

45. Wow - that is expensive.

Well, I don't like Ca - too many people for me. Los Angeles was my idea of hell. And so expensive - whoa.

[huskerlaw]

48. Yeah, LA is expensive

and crowded. It's certainly not for everyone. I grew up in Nebraska, and graduated from the University of Missouri even (um...go Tigers! ;) ), but I just got sick of the midwest. I suppose I may end up back there at some point, but for now I'm loving the warm sunny beach and city life.

You're certainly not the first one to think I'm a tad insane though! ;)

[leftyladyfrommo]

52. I don't think you are insane at all.

I'm just not a people person so I really hate crowds.

And I don't make a lot so I can't afford someplace that expensive.

Great museums, tho. And the Farmer's market was incredible.

I spent a whole summer there - right off Wilshire Blvd.

[SteppingRazor]

12. Being as I work for a newspaper, I probably shouldn't say this, but...

The best advertising you'll ever get is word of mouth. People trust people they know. So if you can get all of your clients to tell a friend, you're much better off that way -- and besides, it's free!

[leftyladyfrommo]

16. You are absolutely correct - but I need to let people know I

am here and then I think word of mouth will be enough to keep me plenty busy.

But most petsitters adv. in the yellowpages so I wanted to be there. That way people can feel you are at least a legitimate business.

Boy, our newspaper ads have dropped off to nothing. Even the work ads are almost non-existent. What has happened? That used to be the place to go to advertise and it sure isn't now.

[SteppingRazor]

20. Classified ads in newspapers have been all but destroyed...

by Craigslist and eBay

[leftyladyfrommo]

24. I will have to look into those things - I have heard of ebay but

not Craigslist.

[SteppingRazor]

25. Craigslist is an online classified ad site...

It's broken down by state and then by area. I just checked it out and there are four craigslist areas in Missouri -- K.C., St. L., Springfield and Columbia. If you happen to live near one of those places, posting your service at that site is probably a great idea! :thumbsup:

[leftyladyfrommo]

32. Will definitely look into that.

I just went over and ordered T-shirts with my adv. on the back. Not expensive at all. No set-up fee and the t-shirts are 7.50 a shirt. I pay that much at Walmart. Figured I might as well advertise for myself while I am out running around.

I'm still intersted in the magnetic sign for my car - but I think I may have to wait a little while for that one.

[xmas74]

27. Here ya go

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/

KC Craigslist

[leftyladyfrommo]

33. Thanks so much.

[xmas74]

38. You're welcome.

[leftyladyfrommo]

34. I can't figure it out. Said to look under "services offered" but

I can't find anything with that title.

I am so dumb when it comes to stuff like this.

[xmas74]

39. They might not have that as a section right now.

There is a pets section, though. Check there too.

[huskerlaw]

40. You might want to put it

here:
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/pet/

or here:
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/hss/

:hi:

[leftyladyfrommo]

42. Doesn't work.

Maybe it just isn't working right now. I can't believe they wouldn't have something under "pet services"

[huskerlaw]

46. oh shoot

sorry...I don't know why those links didn't work.

you go here: http://kansascity.craigslist.org/

Then under "community" (top row, left side), there's a link for "pets". Most of the ads under there are people selling animals, but I know in the LA Craigslist they also have ads for petsitters. It's not an exact science, unfortunately, but people with pets are likely to look there.

Also, if you scroll down to "services" (bottom, middle column), then underneath that section, there's a link for "household" ...most of the ads there are for cleaning people/handymen, but that's another place someone might look for a petsitter.

[leftyladyfrommo]

47. Thanks - will try again.

[leftyladyfrommo]

50. ok - POSTED AN ADD OUT THERE

Let's see what happens.

I hope I don't get a lot of obscene phone calls.

Do I have to repost this every couple of days so that it stays current?

[huskerlaw]

62. Congrats!

and yes, I think you do have to repost.

[leftyladyfrommo]

63. No problem - I will just put it out there again every few days.

Thanks so much for that info - I would never have known.

[tjwmason]

19. Sundog does...

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[xmas74]

28. where the heck is he?

I miss him.

[tjwmason]

29. I wish I knew.

I miss him too - hence the :cry:

[xmas74]

30. Maybe posting pics of yourself in his inbox

will bring our Sundoggy back!

[Ravenseye]

35. Yes I do

Started my own business over 4 years ago with one partner. Web Design and Development.

I hear you about no tolerance for the bullshit in the corporate world. One of the reasons I'll never go back and one reason I'll never let my company, even if we grow alot, become like that. If I can help it.

Petsitting. Sounds cool. Are you going to be a kennel, or just going to people's houses? How much do you charge? Why should poeple pay you instead of getting Jimmy come over from next door for the two weeks they'll be in Hawaii?

Advertising. Well as a web guy I think you have to have a website. You can put it on any flyers or advertisements and in the Yellow Pages so that people can go find more information about you and your services than you can normally provide in an ad. If you'd like any advice on this matter feel free to PM me and I can give you some pointers.

Advertising in small local papers can be iffy in my experience and it's something you have to place and keep running for a long time before you see results. Depending on the cost I'd say try it out, and when people call you ask how they heard about you, so you know whether or not the ad is working.

I think some door to door leafleting might be a bit more successfull. Make up a bunch of door leaflets and then just go put em on every door in every neighborhood you can. If it's too much for you, hire a couple of young kids to go out and do it for you.

Craigs List also online would be a good place to post stuff, if they have an active one in KC. Church's are good as you mention if they have something they pass out every week. Hit up each and every church you can.

[leftyladyfrommo]

44. Thanks for the info.

I'm trying to figure out Craigs List - no luck so far.

I have to see what the law in KC is on leaflets. I would like to put some out in the affluent housing areas but I'm not sure we are allowed to do that. I might get the cops called on me - really.

KC rate for petsitting is 15.00 for a half an hour. That is what I charge except I have a maximum of $30 a day and that is 3 visits for dogs. Cats are 15 a day.

If you can find a kid you can trust I think that is great. Problem here is that there are lots of people who do not want to board their animals and need a good alternative. Boarding is expensive, stressful and can be dangerous. Lots of boarded animals get sick. They are just a lot better off in their own homes.

[mongo]

49. Word of mouth

is the best advertising there is.

Any festivals, fairs, etc. -- especially if you can bring your friendly, well mannered dogs where people can meet you and you can pass out flyers.

I'd also pass out flyers at local parks, etc. -- where ever people go with their dogs.

As far as print advertising goes. We seem to have more response from the free weekly advertising paper, than the daily newspaper. People read the advertiser for the ads.

Radio is great too -- but expensive and you have to really saturate to make an effect. 8-12 ads/day for a few days. Most likely this is out of your price range.

Good luck!

[leftyladyfrommo]

53. Thanks.

I've gotten great ideas from everyone.

I really, really want this to work.

[Xithras]

51. BUS STOP AD'S!!

I actually do own a company, but this isn't from my own experience...it's from a friends (my company direct pitches itself to customers, no real advertising).

A very good friend of mine owns a dog grooming business, and was having serious problems getting customers shortly after she opened. She did the typical "Yellow Pages + Newspaper" thing for a while, but those only helped a little. Then one day she was driving home and saw one of those "Advertise Here" banners on one of our local bus benches. She called them up, had an ad design together the following week, and advertised on the benches for about a year. There was an IMMEDIATE uptick in sales. The benches are reasonably priced (in her city anyway), and yet they are very high visibility and often sit on high traffic intersections. She literally started receiving calls the day her first billboard went up.

If you're really serious about wanting to grow the business, you may also want to consider finding a marketing agent that knows your local area and works with small businesses. They can cost a little bit of money, but they usually have all of the demographic information ahead of time and can offer you valuable insights about what kind of advertising will be effective for your business, and where it will be the most effective.

[medeak]

54. dog sitters I know

are extremely active with animal rescue groups...get their name out by participating in fundraisers, radio interviews, ect.

Good luck good lady!

[leftyladyfrommo]

57. Good idea!

I will have to look into that. We have tons of rescue groups here.

I do know one woman who is in small dog rescue and she has my stuff. But I need to get more coverage.

[LaraMN]

55. My husband is part owner of a custom home theater business.

The first year, they did EVERYTHING. Radio, tv, newspaper, bathroom stall ads, movie theater ads, etc. Word-of-mouth and pounding the pavement ended up being the most effective "medium" for them, but that takes time and alot of networking. Good luck to you. It's alot of work, but well worth it, if you love it.

[Road Scholar]

56. Don't forget to leave leaflets at the pet shop/supply and the

vets. Damn, I'm really getting into this.Wishing success for you.:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[leftyladyfrommo]

58. Petco doesn't allow that here.

I wish they did.

Yea - this is really fun. It's fun to get into. I have to be careful and not spend too much on adv. It can really add up.

[Road Scholar]

59. If I think of anything else, I'll send it along. I'd be willing to

bet that everyone here would love to see you suceed, including me. Keep us posted.:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:

[leftyladyfrommo]

61. There are other pet stores but they are all losing ground to

Petco. Sad but true.

[coffeenap]

65. Since you are looking at a wealthy area, see if they have a "women's

club". Often they have well-read newsletters that accept inexpensive advertising and it is a source they will trust. Also, see if you can join, or go to a meeting (I know, it'll be painful,:) but you can start a network in the very market you are targeting. Good luck!