6. Market your dog daycare services to pet owners.
Once you’ve secured your facility, equipment, and staff, there’s one more piece of the puzzle to complete your dog daycare business: finding new customers! A comprehensive marketing strategy is key to connecting with prospective customers and earning their trust.
Take a multichannel approach to your marketing to ensure your target audience becomes aware of your business offerings without overwhelming on any one platform. Spread the word through:
- Social media: Create a business page for your doggy daycare on Facebook and Instagram and connect with other dog daycare businesses as well as dog owners in your area to start growing your following. Consider purchasing social media ads to promote your business directly to your target audience.
- Email: Start developing your email list by promoting your newsletter sign-up on your social media pages. Email is an effective way to reach customers directly and provide them an opportunity to respond and ask questions.
- Direct mail/flyers: Similarly, direct mailers or flyers reach your target audience directly because you can send materials right to certain addresses. Be sure to include your location, hours of operation, phone number, website, and social media handles on your mailers and flyers so people know how to reach you.
- Local radio/TV ads: If there’s room in your budget, you could consider taking out an ad spot on a local radio or TV station. Use the opportunity to introduce yourself and your staff to give your business a friendly face.
Ensure all your marketing materials are branded with your business’s logo and colors to leave your audience with a professional impression of your business. Also, lean into the playful aspect of your business. Just about everyone loves dogs and puppies, so show images or videos of puppy pals playing and having the time of their lives at your daycare to entice potential customers.
7. Provide a great experience and watch your business grow.
By taking the necessary steps to create a plan for your business strategy and emphasizing safety at every step, your business will flourish. Remember that when times get tough, you can rely on your business plan to guide you through any rough patches.
Also, be sure to prioritize proper management practices and treat your staff with respect to create a positive, supportive culture within your business. Customers will note your upbeat attitude and be drawn toward the cheerful, fun environment you’ve created, and you’ll retain the support of your staff during times of change or challenges.
Wrapping Up
With these tips and strategies in your toolbox, your dog daycare business will be ready to invite in a pack of hounds in no time. If you’re looking for additional information as you plan for your doggy daycare, check out these resources:
- Dog Daycare Business Plan. Your dog daycare business plan will take time and effort, but will ultimately be one of your greatest assets as you move forward. Use this guide to help you make your plan.
- 10 Pet Industry Trends to Know. As a new pet-care business owner, you need to stay in the know of the latest trends in the industry. Check out this article to discover what’s in vogue.
- COVID-19 and Pet-Care Businesses: The Essential Guide. The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the way pet-care businesses operate. Reference this guide for everything you need to know about how your business will be affected.