As a dog groomer and a full-time business owner, marketing is absolutely vital to maintaining the success of your business as well as your financial security.
Although customer retention is equally important, you must be constantly working on attracting new clients in the event that a current client should choose another grooming business or if they should lose or have to give away their pet. Here are some of the first steps you can begin taking to ensure that you keep bringing in a steady stream of customers to your dog grooming business.
1. Develop a Customer Referral Program
A customer referral program will help you to reach out to new customers directly through your existing ones. When you provide incentives such as lower prices or free merchandise, more of your customers will want to engage in your program, improving your outreach. Start a program with the proper incentives that reward your customers for their advertising efforts and you are sure to improve your client list.
2. Build a Website or Improve Upon Your Existing One
Being online is important for the survival of a small business in this day and age. Customers are bound to use the internet to search for dog grooming services in their area and if you aren’t available online, you are missing out on a lot of potential clients. These days, services like Squarespace or Wix.com allow you to easily launch a great-looking website at minimum costs so that you can start to advertise your services and make it easier for customers to find your business.
3. Make Use of a Customer Loyalty Program
Customer loyalty doesn’t just help you retain your current customers, it also helps attract new customers that know you offer this type of program. These types of programs are very simple to set up, with Loopy Loyalty being a great way to set up digital stamp cards for your customers. Once your customers have visited you a given number of times, you can reward them with discounted or free services. Here’s a step by step guide on how to create your own dog grooming loyalty program.
4. Create Several Social Media Profiles for Your Business
Being online doesn’t stop at creating a website. You will also need to have a presence on social media to help improve your online presence. When it comes to social media platforms, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram will be among some of the best as they will allow you to market your business and provide visual proof of your abilities.
5. Expand Upon the Services Already Offered By Your Business
A basic dog grooming business is going to provide the same services as the next, which is why it is important that you differentiate yourself from competitors in order to attract new customers. Whether it’s providing teeth cleaning services or treatments that affect canine skin conditions, these additional services will pique the interest of customers who are looking for a new grooming service.
6. Network With Similar Businesses in Your Area
If you have local pet shops, veterinarians or other such businesses near you, connect with them and ask them to advertise for you in return for the same favors. Building relationships with these businesses will give you easy access to customer bases that will most certainly require your services. You may also receive business from them as well.
7. Take Part in Community Events to Advertise Your Services
Whether it’s a marathon, a fair, or a local gathering, take part in local events to advertise your dog grooming business. Bring plenty of freebies and informational marketing materials to hand out to locals and pique their interest. You will also be able to build relationships with potential customers and answer any questions they may have using this method.
8. Produce Promotional Products for Your Customers
People love free products and businesses love the opportunity to advertise. Mix the two together by creating promotional products such as bags, t-shirts, and other objects that people will enjoy using. This will help to get your name and business information out to the public without having to spend too much time on outreach.
9. Plan Out Special Giveaways and Contests to Create Buzz
Much like promotional products, giveaways and contests will attract customers who are looking for free things. These giveaways will not only attract attention but will also give you the chance to collect information on individuals that you can market to after the giveaway has ended. Make sure to keep your giveaways focused on dog grooming products to attract the right individuals.
10. Make Offers Directed Towards First-Time Customers
You shouldn’t stop at consistently loyal customers, however. Targeting new customers is also a major priority if you plan on bringing in new clients. You can create special deals, discounts, and additional services for those who go to you for the first time. These discounts can be advertised in your store, on your website, on social media, and through other mediums to increase exposure.
Continuously bringing in new clients is an important part of running your dog grooming business. We hope the methods listed above will help you begin bringing in these customers and keeping them on as clients as you continue to bring in even more through your marketing efforts.
