One of the first rules of job hunting is to make sure to follow up. While this might not seem to pertain to you as a pet sitter, here are three unique ways to follow up and make an impression on your clients that will help you make more money — and possibly even a better pet sitter — in the process.
Stellar (not stale!) references and reviews are the key to finding professional pet sitting work online, and fantastic follow-up skills will ensure you get those coveted stars — maybe even a few referrals.
Here's how:
1. Appreciative Emails
Never burn a bridge before you've crossed it. So, you've emailed with a potential client for a few days or weeks, but they didn't hire you for the job or you never heard back. Drop them an email through Care.com anyway and express your appreciation for their consideration of your services, and wish them the best with the sitter of their choosing. Be sure to remind them that you're available and interested in their business the next time around, and to keep you in mind if they are ever in need of pet sitting again. Staying "top of mind" will help you get pet sitting gigs in the future, and even if you're not the right fit for one family, they have friends! Courtesy and etiquette go a long way — especially these days!
2. Thank-You Notes
They may seem old-fashioned, but that's exactly why they work: Thank-you notes are an impressive way to leave your mark in the mind of a pet sitting client. After your interview or after your first gig with a prospective or new client, be sure to mail or leave them a thank-you card and let them know how much you appreciated their interest in your services. Order a set of blank thank-you cards with your name or with the logo for your business on the front, and feel free to enclose up to 5 calling or business cards so they can pass them on to friends and neighbors. If they're a first-time client, ask them politely to review your services on your Care.com profile or provide a reference.
3. Feedback Cards
Professionalism and politeness are of utmost importance to your pet sitting business, even if it's "just" a one-woman operation. Word of mouth marketing at the dog park can either make or break you, so offer your clients an anonymous way to give you constructive feedback. When you bill your clients or leave your invoice at the end of the week, month, or gig, enclose a postcard printed with fields for comments, ratings, or suggestions. These will help you collect and fine-tune your "bedside manner" so to speak, and will only strengthen your business in the future. Cards can be designed and ordered relatively inexpensively through services like VistaPrint -- or you can point clients to your Care.com profile -- but the improvements made to your services will be priceless.
Have a tip for following up with pet sitting clients that we missed? Share it with us by posting a comment below!
Have been a Certified Care Giver for 12 years and now want to do same for animals.
How do I start?
Joanne Higdon
Posted by: Joanne Higdon | 07/24/2009 at 12:45 AM
Ask me to care for your pet! (Dogs and cats only)
Posted by: Riley | 09/29/2009 at 01:52 AM
I love animals and i've been looking for a pet care job on different websites.I can take care of a wide assortment of pets including horses,dogs,cats,hamsters,gerbils,snakes,guinea pigs,birds,rats/mice,ferrets,chinchillas and baby animals/special needs pets.
Posted by: Elisa Nicolini | 10/05/2009 at 06:41 PM
I loooooveee animalss...and I will be glad to take care of them.
Posted by: esteban | 10/23/2009 at 02:45 PM
Very helpful information thanks!
Posted by: Brittany Covington | 10/27/2009 at 11:14 PM
I love animals . i can help take care of dogs, cats .exotic animals,reptiles, mammals. fish, just tell me what to do and i'll do it ,(like how to change it's cage and feed it ect;
Posted by: Jasmine Ojeda | 10/30/2009 at 06:03 PM
Hi I'm Chelsea. I've grown up around animals my entire life and I absolutely adore them. I've been looking for a good pet care job because i know it's my lifes calling to work with animals. Does any one have any suggestions on how to get started?
Posted by: Chelsea Campanello | 11/03/2009 at 02:52 PM
Hey potential pet sitters!
Your local chapter of the ASPCA is a great place to start if you're looking to get trained as a pet sitter (or just want to learn more). They run regular classes and you can volunteer there for hands-on experience.
Check them out! Find a local center at http://www.aspca.org
Posted by: The Scoop | 11/04/2009 at 03:19 PM