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Original poster

To be concerned I can't even get one customer?

137 replies

corgiology · 17/11/2015 23:07

I have been advertising through various channels for my new dog walking and dog training business for several weeks now. Yet I haven't had a single enquiry.

I have tried:
Car Magnets
Facebook advertising
Blogging
Social Media (posting in groups in my hometown, updating my pages regularly, trying to increase SEO)
Streetlife.

Next thing I will try is wearing a uniform but it's really disheartening that I am getting nowhere. I don't want to harass people in the park or on walks where possible but that might be my next plan.

I really thought facebook advertising would work.

OP posts:
JohnCusacksWife · 17/11/2015 23:44

Speaking as someone who has just been looking for a trainer I can say that I'd probably have passed you by as I'm not looking for a dog walker who trains....I'm looking for a dog trainer. I think your product is confused and will put off people who simply want a dog walker and who don't want to pay a premium for someone who also trains; and will also fail to attract people who are looking for a trainer who will train them and their dog together.

RaisingSteam · 17/11/2015 23:49

RB68 is this company any good for you in North Warwickshire. (And OP, good example of similar business)

Floralnomad · 17/11/2015 23:49

It would put me off instantly that you don't quote your hourly rate / walk price as most do , niot that I'm in the market for a dog walker - I walk my own and from seeing the dog walkers who operate in my area it would be my dogs idea of hell .

runawaysimba · 17/11/2015 23:50

OP not posting your rates anywhere might be what is putting people off. I hate having to contact people to find out how much their product/service is - much better to have it all upfront.

ElsaAintAsColdAsMe · 17/11/2015 23:50

I think you are blending 2 services that shouldn't be blended.

Could you do two seperate strands of your business. Dog training classes, then when you start getting business from that use the network you built there to get the dog walking side of it, or the other way around.

I used a dog walker in the past and I just went for someone who was insured and cheap because I needed it daily.

I would google Dog walker - whatever area, click on the first few and would probably go for one who had prices up, if they don't I assume they are really expensive. If the person had all the stuff about training etc on their site as part of the service offered I would think it was a different service to what I need if that makes sense, more for dogs with behavioural problems.

I would also be more inclined to use someone who stuck a leaflet through my door too, I have done this with various services in the past.

runawaysimba · 17/11/2015 23:51

X-post Floral!

ElderlyKoreanLady · 17/11/2015 23:51

I think your product is confused too. I also think that even without your rates posted, it'd be pretty obvious to a dog owner that if you're tailoring the walk/session specifically for their dog, you're working with one dog at a time and will therefore be far more expensive than a typical dog walker who walks several at once. Most would see this as unnecessary as a good run with other dogs is good mental stimulation and exercise anyway. The USP therefore doesn't seem worth the extra expense.

RachelZoe · 17/11/2015 23:52

Please post your rates. I find it really off-putting when people don't do this.

I target pet owners on facebook. - what do you mean by that?

Original poster
corgiology · 17/11/2015 23:52

Forgot to say I will sort insurance out as soon as I get interest. I have spent a decent amount of money already which hasn't worked clearly so don't want to start buying insurance etc when I have no clients!

OP posts:
TheWitTank · 17/11/2015 23:53

Yes to JohnCusacksWife. That's exactly what I meant by over complicating your advertising. I think you might be confusing your potential clients. Are you a dog walker? Are you a trainer? How does it work? It sounds expensive (more than a 'normal' dog walker) -I found customers like upfront and clear prices. The person who just wants a straightforward lunchtime dog walk/wee stop round the park isn't going to be tempted by training offers. Those looking for a trainer are not necessarily going to think a dog walker is going to be the best option -presuming they will want to work with the trainer and their dog. I think you need to simplify (but without seeing your website and advertising it's difficult to say).

ElderlyKoreanLady · 17/11/2015 23:54

I'd say it's worth getting at least some basic insurance so that you can advertise that you're insured.

BackforGood · 17/11/2015 23:55

What both Worra and Elsa have said.

If you are advertising as a dog walker, then people want you to - well, walk their dog. They aren't going to pay a fortune for that, as it's a service they'll want every day.

The whole training thing is something completely different, and, as others have said, I'd have thought you'd need the owner there to do training anyhow Confused

HarrietSchulenberg · 17/11/2015 23:55

When I was looking for a dog walker I collected numbers from the vet's and the local pet shops, and Yell.com. I live in a small town so they were mostly the same numbers :-). . I didn't need to use them in the end, but that was where I actively looked.
I have seen some ads on social media but they were advertising more or less what you describe and I didn't want a trainer, I just wanted someone to take hound out and give him a run while I was at work.
Maybe you could advertise the fun side of what you do, or change your business to evenings and weekends to work witb the owners rather than for them.
£10 for an hour's walk (with no guarantee that dog would actually get a full hour) seemed like money for old rope to me, even though I appreciate walkers have to pay for transport, insurance etc.

RedSoloCup · 17/11/2015 23:56

I disagree and think leaflet dropping is more powerful than social media, get some nice postcards made and drop them in 'nice' houses.

We did this a few years ago now and haven't looked back.

MummySparkle · 17/11/2015 23:58

We offer training, but don't advertise it on our website. That is something that we mention at our new client meeting to get to know the owner and dog, and generally pick up a key / work out access arrangements.

Have you have any business cards printed? I think it would be worth going into vets and chatting to them about your business / qualifications and seeing if they can recommend you to their clients whose dogs need more walks than they can offer.

MrsMargoLeadbetter · 18/11/2015 00:07

Try Google ads to help get you on the front page of a Google search. Ensure key words reflect what ppl will search eg "affordable dog walker, town X".

I do think you have two different sorts of customers.

Are you in competiton with borrowmydoggy.com etc in yr area?

corgiology · 18/11/2015 00:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WhimsicalWinnifred · 18/11/2015 00:12

There's a website called holidog that is pet sitting/walking but more importantly, training! Have a gander and register. Could be good...

MidniteScribbler · 18/11/2015 00:13

It all sounds pretty pretentious to me, and that's to someone who is also a dog trainer and breeder. Most people just want their dog to go for a walk and won't understand the concept of 'targeted stimulation'. Generally people just want the dog out of the house for a while so it doesn't destroy the place while they are at work.

As a breeder, I also tell people not to use a dog trainer that works with the dog while they aren't there. The key to dog training is to train the owner how to train their dog, and it's not productive. Waste of money.

MuttonWasAGoose · 18/11/2015 00:13

Leafletting is not a waste of time. But you do have to put a fair amount of time into it. I leafletted for housecleaning and got a client or two from every 1000 leaflets. You can get A5 leaflets done relatively cheaply if you look on Ebay for printers - you'll need to order a LOT of leaflets and then go out and drop them. Drop them yourself - if you pay someone to do it it will get crammed through in a wad with other leaflets. I would use a wooden paddle thing to shove them through the letterbox unfolded. You have to walk fast and just do it. I'm not sure what sort of houses you should target. For cleaning business I did well in tidy little new-build bungalos lived in by retired people, and those were easy to drop to. But you may need to look for larger homes or something - I have no idea what your clients will be like.

Not everyone calls right away. Some people hold on to the leaflet for a few weeks before calling. When you do get a few you will start to get referrals.

peggyundercrackers · 18/11/2015 00:13

I wouldn't contact someone if I didn't know what their rates were before hand, I would assume if I had to ask what your rates were then I couldn't afford it.

ElsaAintAsColdAsMe · 18/11/2015 00:15

I just had a quick look at your facebook page, I would never get that you were a dog walker from that.

To be honest it isn't very clear at all what you do.

(sorry)

Ouch44 · 18/11/2015 00:16

We had a dog walker when DS was newborn. They put a leaflet through the door. Think they had price in website but not flyer. Big draw was that they took dog away for a few hours when she went for a walk. still only £10 though.
Maybe you could post on FB local NCT groups. Doctors surgery. Where they have antenatal clinics. Actually doctors surgery might attract people who are too poorly to walk their dog.

DawnOfTheDoggers · 18/11/2015 00:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheWitTank · 18/11/2015 00:27

Also had a look at your FB page and agree that I would never get that you were offering a dog walking service. I read your 'about' and it read to me as you offering a training service at the customers house -which I would imagine would be expensive (especially as you have to ring for rates -usually means £££!).
I think you need to clarify your services and include your rates. Think simple and straightforward. Lovely corgi though Smile.