How do I get more clientelle?

Wow Kat! You sound just like me! I pet sit in my home and I do the "exact" same things you do. I also believe that making the pet parent feel special and make their pet feel loved/lots of spoiling helps them all feel comfortable and develop trust in you. It is the little details that DO make the biggest and best impressions. I tell my customers to read my updates (with photos) with a sense of humor and it is sometimes in story form. Always makes the pet parents laugh!

I also have a facebook and do a lot of ads with that. I update it frequently. Connect with the rover facebook so you get their dog stories/info, click "like", add a comment: Your brief/short details and "share" to public. Use it to connect with friends, family, neighbors, etc. Other suggestions also include -when you get your business cards to check with and leave them- at gas stations/fast food/casual dining/apartments/pet friendly hotels and motels- Always Ask if you can leave them of the counter/table, etc. It does take time to get your name and reputation (word of mouth) but the holidays are coming! That should help also. Welcome to rover! Kathleen D..

Since your cards are currently being shipped, you could take that time to find pet friendly businesses in your area. Make friends with your local pet shops and vet offices. Ask if you can leave your cards there.

I also hand out cards to everyone I see with a dog! If you have your own pups, walk them around your neighborhood and hand cards out to everyone else who's out walking. You could even hand some out at your local dog park.

I be found that word of mouth has been my best tool! Most of my repeat clients are referrals from past clients.

I try to make each client feel special and unique by leaving thank you cards after each stay. I hand write the cards and be sure to talk about something specific each dog did while with me.

It might sound crazy, but it's the little details that have left the biggest impression for me.

Congrats on starting your own Rover business!

I've looked at your profile, and I have a few suggestions. Take out the paragraphs about your introductory price and relevant experience. They aren't really relevant and you don't want to advertise that you are new to this business. Check your punctuation and grammar, You say that you will take them out on potty breaks every 2 hours; this is not really realistic if you are just doing drop-in visits. You might want to clarify that - something like "if I stay at your home I will provide a potty break for your dog every 2 hours." Other than that, I like your profile.

It just takes time to build up a client base. The other commenters have provided excellent ways to market your business. Use the Rover tools shown on your dashboard as well. Good luck, and welcome to Rover!

When I started providing services, I tried to use as many ways as I could think of to get clients. None of my traveling sitting clients found me at rover.com. Most learned of me from word of mouth, such as neighbors that brag about me. Some simply picked up my card from a luxury pet boutique. I'd echo Kat's & Kathleen's suggestions where to leave card. You'll need to check back and refresh them too. Although I do not have a large number of clients that need traveling service, those who do - need it very frequently. And although these clients have family & friends, they still choose me over a free option in the interest/purpose of maintaining good relationships with their family & friends.

In my opinion, there are many pet-parents that would prefer individualized service where only their pet is cared for in their neighborhood, reducing or eliminating many concerns (inconvenience time/taking to sitter's home in unfamiliar neighborhood, or taking to doggie daycare kennel facility that may host unhealthy dogs with a high dog to human ratio. The key is finding these clients and making them feel their dog and home are safe and in good trustworthy hands. Until you build up a customer base, you may want to consider contacting & working with a pet walking company to supplement, and gain experience (often it's as an independent contractor).

I have been with Rover for over a year and I do both in my home and travel sitting. I have only had a handful of request for travel sits. I think people don't want strangers in their home and would rather board their pets in the sitters home. I am not saying that there is a need for travel sitters, just in my experience it seems people use family or friends to stay in their home. I hope business picks up for you during the holidays! Happy sitting, Amber G