Episode 224 – 4 Massive Secrets To Attracting Dog Walking Clients in 2021

Bella discusses 4 Massive Secrets to Attracting Dog Walking Clients in 2021 and moving forward after a pandemic influenced 2020. Pet business owners can maximize this time in their businesses by leaping into the unique business opportunities Covid-19 restrictions have placed upon all of us. Bella cautions us to push back on feelings of self doubt, skepticism or excuses why our businesses can’t flourish during this time. The reality is, there are businesses doing well in spite of the pandemic and Bella speaks about the strategies these businesses have in common. The strategies talked about in today’s episode not only work, but they work very well. Each strategy has already been tried, tested and proven by pet businesses and other forms of businesses. Don’t wait! You’ll want to start implementing these today. “How Do I Get More Clients?” When asked what is your biggest challenge right now….business owners say “How Do I Get More Clients?”  People are certainly hurting financially during this time. But remember: There are plenty of people who are still spending money. They are just not using it on vacation or luxury type items. But, they are definitely spending. A ridiculous amount of spending is happening online. In fact, one statistic showed people spent more money online in the first quarter of 2020 than they did in the previous 10 years. Generate more revenue with online and virtual business. There is a BIG opportunity for you to grow your client base and it’s happening right now. YES, pet based business owners and dog walking services have a virtual or online component!Contactless is an option for pet sitting businesses! Don’t overlook this. The online space is your chance to show your clients how much you care and earn their trust. Bella shares more about this in the four secrets she shares with us. You Have to TELL Your Clients About Your Covid Protocol. Yes. We know there are banners at the top of everyone’s websites. We’ve all gotten the generic boring emails from companies explaining their Covid safety precautions. They have become white noise. We don’t “see” these things anymore, much less actually read them! Your clients and prospective clients often assume that certain businesses aren’t available to them because of Covid. Bella gives some excellent tips and ideas for incorporating your care for your clients into your marketing which increases your arsenal of client attracting tools. Dealing with Feelings of Anxiety, Overwhelm, Depression During this Pandemic. Worry, stress, anxiety, feeling stuck in a rut and just being sick and tired of being sick and tired are 100% normal. Isolation can cause business owners to spiral downward if they feel out of options. Bella reminds us of some ways we can reach out, get connected and take advantage of a large variety of resources, many of them free. There are some AMAZING opportunities for your business right now and all you have to do is implement them. It’s your chance to SHINE. Show them you care! SHOW HIGHLIGHTS How can you show you care and still continue to prosper during this time? [3:50] Some ideas to show your clients you care and stand out above the Covid-19 white noise disclaimers [5:35] Contactless dog walking, Why you should offer it. [7:08] Virtual Meet & Greets. [9:00] The benefits of Virtual Meet & Greets [10:25] Financial benefits of going exclusively virtual [12:00] Handbook & Manual updates - why they are important to your business growth right now [13:24] Ideas you can implement in your marketing using your handbook and manual [15:00] How can PPE help you get clients? [14:35] Importance of changing your marketing and sales to adapt to this time [18:35] What to do when you are sick and tired of being sick and tired [18:45] Tweetables [Tweet "‘People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care’ - Theodore Roosevelt"] [Tweet "If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, this is your time to move forward."] [Tweet "The worst thing you can for your business is to isolate yourself during this time."] Links /group - Free to join Facebook group where Bella shares an enormous amount of free resources, expert training and materials. [email protected] - Connect with Bella to talk about getting access to exclusive sales training, step by step on how to conduct an Virtual Meet & Greet. What to say, how to run the event. Share The Show: Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link –Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Transcript: This is episode 224 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome back! It is January 2021, and I am so happy that you are here. My name is Bella Vasta, your host. Today is going to be a solo episode. I am going to talk to you all about four massive secrets that I have definitely uncovered in the past year going through this pandemic to really attract dog walking clients for 2021. These tactics are tried, tested, and proven. These are the tactics that those businesses that are actually doing well right now have done. There are lots of trainings that go on behind the scenes with all of this, but it is a way of thinking that you might have heard me talk about if you're in any of my free Facebook groups. If you're not, go to jumpconsulting.net/group and you'll get right into my group. It's a great resource and community with about 2,000 pet business owners in there just trying to make it all happen. It’s free, and if you tag me, I usually pop in within a day or two to respond to whatever you need. One of the biggest things we ask people when they join that group is: “What is the biggest challenge that you are facing right now?” Undoubtedly, the biggest question they’re all asking is: “How do I actually get clients?” because their clients or revenue are down and they don’t know what to do. Before I get into this, I’m either going to piss you off or excite you—and that’s okay because it means you’re either my people or you’re not. But I’m pretty sure you are, because a lot of you tell me you listen to episode after episode after episode, which is the biggest blessing I could ever have. So thank you. Anyway, here’s the line in the sand, guys. The unemployment rate, while high, is not drastically high. People are not not spending; they’re spending differently. They’re putting money into their homes and backyards, doing improvement projects, and spending a ridiculous amount online. Did you know that in the first quarter of 2020, people spent more online than they had in the previous 10 years? Isn’t that nuts? Doesn’t that make you excited that you have a pet company where people literally pay you online? So how can you tap into that? How can you excite those people? There are businesses going out of business, not answering phones, or blaming COVID for bad service. Those consumers are looking for someone new—and I want you to be the company that scoops them up and helps them in a way they didn’t even realize they needed. Before, people wanted to know what you do—what services you offer. But now, everyone has a fear. You are now a threat, whether you realize it or not. Clients—young, old, single, or families—are afraid of exposure. They may choose to walk their own dogs to limit contact. Their lives are already isolated, and they don’t want to risk passing anything to loved ones. These are real fears. As a pet sitter coming into their home, you need to address those fears before someone else does. At the end of the day, we need to make people feel safe with us. They won’t ask, so you have to tell them. I’m not talking about a boring banner that says, “Click here for our COVID precautions.” That’s white noise now. The first time my eyes were opened to this was when I scheduled new windows for my house. They immediately told me what precautions they were taking and sent a video showing their process. I was impressed—they cared about their employees, about me, and about doing things safely. My trust increased instantly because they addressed concerns I didn’t even know I had. So, they won’t ask—you have to tell. That’s the first thing I want you to take away. But I’m going to go through four things you can do right now in your business. The first example is Charleston Dog Walkers, owned by Mallory Cooper. Early on, she got out a camera and showed what contactless dog walking looks like. It was visual, clear, and reassuring. Imagine this: before arriving, the client secures the dog outside on a leash. The walker arrives, switches leashes, takes the walk, and returns the dog, all without entering the home or touching doorknobs. Whether or not your clients care about this, showing it proves you’re a thoughtful business leader who anticipates safety. That builds trust across your brand. The second is virtual meet and greets. Yes, virtual. I know the objections—you want to meet the dog, see the house, make sure it’s safe. But this can work beautifully. We trained dozens of business owners in my Mastermind with a top sales expert who taught exactly how to conduct a virtual meet and greet, what to say, and how to answer every concern. Virtual meet and greets make scheduling easier—you don’t need to wait for clients to get off work. Both partners can join from separate locations. You can even showcase your professionalism and warmth on camera, often with your own pets nearby.