how can I make my pet sitting service known?

[chubbyanswer828]

OK so I'm 13 and since I stay home all day to do online school my mom and I have agreed I should have a way to make money to support my 2 rabbits. (We have an agreement about my rabbits and I have to pay every expense we come across for them, in order to keep them.) But I'm running short on money and need to get my girls to the vet, so I want to become a small pet &reptile sitter in my home. And an in the customers home (if they live in my neighborhood for dogs, cats, & others. I put an add on craigslist for small pets and reptiles but I doubt I'll get much business there. I have reasonable pricings (cheaper than boarding the pet and cheaper than having a sitter that charges by the hour). How can I get my service known and gain some business?

[Joe]

Google Adsense might help you out, though it can be difficult to use if you aren't computer minded. It's a paid service that allows your advert to come up on google's first page. because the searches people make for your services are so localized it shouldn't cost too much. If you can't afford these services, then look into setting up a free blog. Look into SEO techniques on google. This might take a while to set up, so if you need money sooner rather than later, it might be better to post leaflets locally, or put an ad in the shop window.

[sophieb]

I have three good reasons for you why you should not put an ad on craigslist: scams, people get injured or death, and it's not in your area (and you should never give your address on craigs list, so putting an ad there defeats your business's purpose).

If you are putting yourself out thre as a service then you need to have a state business license and because you are too young for that your parent will have to get that license for you, otherwise you will get fined.

Next is that if your'e doing petsitting it's usually in the other person's home and not in yours. Plus if you've planned on reptiles being in your home they may get lose and hurt your rabbits.

Again, if you are charging (like you said reasonable pricings) you need a license.
How do you get your service known? Well first you have to be of age to go to peoples homes, and it would be a good idea to only sit for pets for your relatives now so that they can gift or donate to you and you can bypass the license. Just call them and ask (the best marketing tool for a pet sitting business is word of mouth, but don't ask for money, don't set prices, they'll give you what they think your service is worth).

[Holly]

You could create posters, hang them on a lightpole. Post something on your community board or search up on the internet how to create an ad
Or you could put it in the newspaper

[Rogy]

advertise

[Mackenzie]

Craigslist would be a start. I also recommend creating a free site (checkout weebly.com). Try telling friends and relatives to spread the news to anyone in need of a pet sitter... There are so many ways, you just have to be creative.

Also, make sure you are able to care for the animals you watch. I know I am most comfortable with a sitter if they list specific types of reptiles, rodents, and exotic pets they are able watch and don't just say "I will watch any animal you want me to" as some do. Make people feel comfortable about you watching their pet. Show you are responsible, and will not take the task lightly.


I didn't really have many ideas, but I thought I would comment one or two. Hope you do well!