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Building an email list for a pet sitting business?

by Ben_Doyle
11 replies
Hey Guy's,

OK, I'm trying to help my girlfriend with her pet sitting business.

One of the things I have suggested is to build an email list so she can share news, remind people to pre-book in busy periods etc.

But I can't for the life of me figure out how to get people to sign up or where on the site to put an opt in form.

This is the site as it is now Pet Sitting & Dog Walking in Lincoln - 10% Off Your First...Pet Sitting and Dog Walking in Lincoln | 10% Off Your First Booking

I thought about creating a 'Get Our Monthly Newsletter' page which would essentially be a squeeze page and putting a link to it in the menu, but that seems a bit weak no?

How would you do it?

Answers on a postcard....

Thanks

Ben
#building #business #email #list #pet #sitting
  • Profile picture of the author The Marketing Mom
    Yes, nobody is going to want yet another monthly newsletter.

    Better to offer them information they really want. A simple report, guide, or video that answers one question will do. But make sure that question is a pressing one that most of them have.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jeffery Moss
      Originally Posted by The Marketing Mom View Post

      Yes, nobody is going to want yet another monthly newsletter.

      Better to offer them information they really want. A simple report, guide, or video that answers one question will do. But make sure that question is a pressing one that most of them have.
      I like this idea about offering a simple report or guide, maybe something like, 'how to potty train your puppy in 24 hours' or 'how to calm your nervous dog'. Lots of great info online about pets that could be recylced/rewritten into a little report. I think this idea would work for any niche too.
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      • Profile picture of the author stevenjacobs
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Jeffery Moss View Post

        I like this idea about offering a simple report or guide, maybe something like, 'how to potty train your puppy in 24 hours' or 'how to calm your nervous dog'. Lots of great info online about pets that could be recylced/rewritten into a little report. I think this idea would work for any niche too.
        yes this is too true, but If am right they dont want to promote random products to there customers. They want to market there pet sitting business , if so this is not targetting the right market
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        • Profile picture of the author Ben_Doyle
          Originally Posted by Jeffery Moss View Post

          I like this idea about offering a simple report or guide, maybe something like, 'how to potty train your puppy in 24 hours' or 'how to calm your nervous dog'. Lots of great info online about pets that could be recylced/rewritten into a little report. I think this idea would work for any niche too.
          This isn't something we can do as we're not dog specific - and giving away a free report to someone that wants us to look after their pets just wouldn't work.

          Thanks anyway

          Originally Posted by stevenjacobs View Post

          yes this is too true, but If am right they dont want to promote random products to there customers. They want to market there pet sitting business , if so this is not targetting the right market
          That is correct!

          The issue is that we offer a 10% discount on a clients first order. That's how we hook them in because no one else in our area is doing it.

          So we need something else to make them WANT to sign up.

          I did think about just creating a one page sales letter that we can leave with our clients to get them to sign up but that we're missing out on potential future clients...
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          • Profile picture of the author stevenjacobs
            Banned
            Originally Posted by Ben_Doyle View Post

            This isn't something we can do as we're not dog specific - and giving away a free report to someone that wants us to look after their pets just wouldn't work.

            Thanks anyway



            That is correct!

            The issue is that we offer a 10% discount on a clients first order. That's how we hook them in because no one else in our area is doing it.

            So we need something else to make them WANT to sign up.

            I did think about just creating a one page sales letter that we can leave with our clients to get them to sign up but that we're missing out on potential future clients...

            Ok , for them to get the 10% off have them optin, to your newsletter, they get special price and you get to contact them more
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            • Profile picture of the author Ben_Doyle
              Originally Posted by stevenjacobs View Post

              Ok , for them to get the 10% off have them optin, to your newsletter, they get special price and you get to contact them more
              We tested that for around 4 months earlier this year and not one person opted in. I used pop up's, sidebar optin boxes etc and 3 different 'ads'. Nothing worked.

              It didn't really affect the amount of clients that we signed up either, people weren't too bothered about not having the 10% off.

              Even now we get some clients tell us it doesn't matter - so maybe its not valuable enough.

              Maybe it needs to be 30% - 50%....
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              • Profile picture of the author Kay King
                We tested that for around 4 months earlier this year and not one person opted in. I used pop up's, sidebar optin boxes etc and 3 different 'ads'. Nothing worked.
                That won't work - these aren't "followers" they are people who want a particular service when they need it. When they don't need it - they have no interest in it.

                I don't like the website because it's target toward humans - should be targeted to pets. For pet owners, their pets aren't a burden to deal with. The pet owner want assurance his pet will be well cared for, safe, happy...

                There are health and safety advantages in caring for pets in the home. The pet is not stressed by new surroundings, not exposed to parasites and diseases they might have in a kennel, not frightened by other pets or loud noises, not upset by unfamiliar food.

                The site need more detailed information on WHAT this pet sitter does. My son and his wife have a pet sitter they use frequently when they travel. This woman comes in twice a day - walks, play with, waters, feeds...and waters plants and brings in the mail. It's not cheap as there are two large dogs and 2 cats but the pets are safe and happy. The pet sitter leaves a form on the table each day that list times she visited and for how long....walks taken, play sessions, any health or behavior problems, and any special services provided.

                On the site there needs to be detailed list of WHAT is done when the home is visited. Benefits of caring for pets at home rather than a vet or kennel. Additional services like caring for plants or turning light on and off PM and PM and at least a range of prices provided.

                If there is a "report available" - make it a detailed list of services/pricing/etc with tips for leaving pets at home, etc. Create a report that highlights the benefits for both pet and owner of hiring a pet sitter rather than using a kennel. Include a 10% off coupon as part of the report if you want.

                If you build a list sending free reports use that list 2-3 times a year to remind people (just before holidays and vacation months) of the pet sitting service and offer a small discount.

                kay

                P.S. This is a good business to provide a business card (could have the 10% discount on it) or fridge magnet card, etc to keep the name/phone number in front of potential customers.
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  • Profile picture of the author stevenjacobs
    Banned
    give them a free coupon, for x off a pet sitting

    Also love the website . very nice looking speicaly the videos
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    • Profile picture of the author Ben_Doyle
      Originally Posted by stevenjacobs View Post

      give them a free coupon, for x off a pet sitting

      Also love the website . very nice looking speicaly the videos
      Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author Rbtmarshall
    write something for the pets. the goal is to have them recommend you when it comes time for their owners to find a sitter
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  • Profile picture of the author mkusua
    I would advice you really study your target market and find out exactly what they want .

    Find out...

    Who wants this type of service?

    What kind of job they do.

    Everything.

    Look for forums where the hang out and see the questions they are asking about pet sitting.

    Find Facebook groups that they hang out and see what they are saying.

    Just from my head ...I believe they would wonder what to look out for when looking for that kind of service.

    So if you have a banner advert on a dog /cat forum saying " 7 things you most Know before hiring a pet sitter".

    They would likely get it.

    you will likely get high target subscribers and likely clients.

    Head to blogs/forums discussing services like yours...

    I found this on google.

    https://www.petsit.com/

    National Association of Professional Pet Sitters


    But do your research to confirm if this is what they are scared most about pet sitting. then create something to help them as a gift.
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