Step 7: Finding an Accountant: It is advisable to find an accountant to assist you in doing your payroll and record keeping and setting up your books. Choose one who specializes in small business accounting. You can ask other business owners for recommendations. Talk with a few accountants and go with the one you're comfortable with.
Step 8: Office Supplies: You won't need a lot of office supplies at the start-up; just some basic stuff such as a table or desk, chair(s), filing cabinet or a shelf for supplies, telephone, telephone answering machine, maybe later a cell phone if you don't have one. You will also need a city and county map; one for your office and one for your car. A basic calculator, name and address rubber stamp (handy for endorsing checks and envelopes). Other office supplies you will need are, pens and pencils, postage stamps, tape, stapler, file folders, paper clips,etc. of course if you have a computer a lot of paper work and filing can be eliminated and stored on it.
Step 9: Office Procedures: In order to organize your office efficiently you will need to have an organized system. If you don't have a computer you can get index cards and make a customer card with all the pertinent information such as names, addresses, phone numbers on clients who call in and use your pet sitting service. The telephone plays an essential role in your business. To make a first impression on a potential customer telephone etiquette is very important. Identify your company name and who's speaking. Speak in a pleasant and courteous tone. Return customer calls promptly.
Step 10: Determining area size: Starting out with you working alone a 5 to 10 mile radius would be about the right size area to cover. If you decided on more staff later you could expand out more.Keep in mind the travel involved; the larger the territory the more profit will be eaten up in gas costs now that gas is so high. With a city and county map you can figure out some short-cuts and save on gas.
Step 11: Setting Prices: There is no set price rule for pet sitting services. There are some guidelines you can follow to determine a fair price. Call a few local kennels and pet sitting businesses and see what they charge for their services. You can compare the rates and this will help in what the going rates are. You will need to determine what your overhead costs are going to be. This includes gas, wear and tear on your vehicle, rent utilities, telephone, insurance and bonding, printed supplies, advertising, etc. To pay these costs alone you will need to figure out what you need to make on a monthly basis plus a salary to yourself. Note: Don't under sell yourself or the useful service you'll provide for your client. On the other hand don't over price the jobs. At first it will probably be by trial and error.
Step 12: Advertising: Now that you have your office set up with the supplies you need and you've gotten all the paperwork (insurance, licenses, etc) it's now time to start advertising. Starting out you want to keep the cost as minimal as you can and there are many ways you can.1: Have printed up some nice designed flyers or brochures describing your pet sitting service. If you have a computer you can save money by doing it yourself.
2: Get business cards printed with your name, business name, telephone number, cell phone, e-mail address.
3: Word of mouth: Tell everyone you come in contact with about your pet sitting business and give them your business card.
4: Travel Agencies: For people traveling this is an excellent place to leave your business card or brochure.
5: Humane and Kennel ClubsMail them your business card or brochure explaining your service.
6: Bulletin Boards: You can find them in most businesses such as Grocery Stores, Restaurants, Laundromats, etc. Take advantage of these for free advertising.
7: Local Shopping Centers: Keep an eye out for pets in vehicles with their owners. Always keep your business cards and brochures with you. You can place a brochure under the windshield wiper if the owner is not there.
8: Local Park or Neighborhood: You see people all the time walking their dog in parks and around neighborhoods. Stop and ask them if they are aware of your pet sitting service.
9: Lapel Badges: This is another inexpensive way to advertise your pet sitting business. You can wear these on your lapel or shirt where people will notice them. You can have your business name and logo printed on them.
10: Magnetic Car Signs: These are more expensive but well worth the cost in the advertising they bring to your business.
11: High School Sports Programs: Local high schools usually have printed sports programs with advertising space. Not only will you be helping your local school but getting good advertising.
Pet Sitting | Sitemap