Pet Sitters | APSE Association of Pet Sitting Excellence

Inspiration From A Kid’s Carwash
Posted August 23, 2011 By in Pet Sitters, SEO and Marketing With | No Comments

We live in a relatively middle-class younger neighborhood. Everyone has kids under 13 and the houses are all quiet by 9pm because there is school, sport practice, and

Can you help the kids expand their business?

work early the next morning. In the blistering heat of summer, the neighborhood kids decided they wanted to start a lemonade stand to make some money and quench some thirst. (GREAT IDEA!) They attracted by my attention because when I walked outside, I could hear them screaming ‘LEMONADE! COLD LEMONADE!’ I recognized the voices, so I happily found $0.50 and bought for a cup. In 4 hours, they sold $1.50 of (now warm) lemonade.

A week later, when all the kids were Read More …
Who Wants a Six Figure Income? I Prefer Seven. Here’s How.
Posted August 16, 2011 By in Pet Sitters With | 2 Comments

By teaching and consulting with service businesses (and pet companies) throughout the US, there is a clear distinction between business levels. In the pet industry, I have roughly observed that start-ups (0 – 2 years; or $0 – $59,000) have different mindsets than teenage companies ( 2 – 5 years or $60,000 – $150,000); and more mature businesses (5/6 – 10 years or $150k – $400k) have their own paths; and senior businesses tend to have a MUCH different angle than any of their younger counterparts (11 years + or $401k.)

Do what others do not. And do well at it.

As a company masters different skills Read More …
A Test In Expanding Your Pet Business
Posted August 9, 2011 By in Pet Sitters With | No Comments
Testing Your Vision

You want to do something new in your business, but you’re lacking confidence in your vision. Perhaps you are debating adding poop scoop services or you are thinking of hiring contractors instead of employees. Whatever the case may be, there are a few questions to ask yourself that will help validate your new vision.
1. Would this new step motivate you to join your company and continue to motivate you once you are there?
  If we never did anything we never did before, then...
2. Does it provide a beacon for guiding the kinds of adaptation and change required for continual growth?
3. Will it challenge you?
4. Can it serve as the basis to formulate a strategy that can be acted on?
5. Will it serve as a framework to keep strategic decision making in context?
6. How will it improve your business? Read More …
How Pet Sitters Must Now Focus On Their Google Places Listing [video]
Posted July 28, 2011 By Joshua in Pet Sitters, SEO and Marketing With | No Comments
» Resources Mentioned In This Video
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Legal Ins and Outs of Pet Sitting
Posted July 27, 2011 By Joshua in Pet Sitters With | 4 Comments

This is a guest post by Ashley Spade.

As soon as law school started, I knew right away that I had to find a way to pick up some extra cash.

Law school is far from cheap, so I decided to make use of my dog sitting experience to set up my own little pet sitting service.

I took advantage of email marketing software to help get the word out, and before too long I was getting customers left and right.

Maybe it’s just the law student in me, but as I started this little service of mine these worst case scenarios started popping into my head. What if one of the dogs runs away? What will happen if one of them gets sick and dies? Will I be liable?

But I told myself not to worry because I knew that if I took the right legal measures then I would be protected. For those of you who are thinking about starting your own pet sitting service…
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How To See Where You Currently Rank In Google For Each Keyword [video]
Posted July 26, 2011 By Joshua in Pet Sitters, SEO and Marketing With | 1 Comment

What is one big goal you always look to achieve with regard to your pet sitting website?

I bet it’s to rank high in Google for a specific keyword or phrase, right?

The game begins when you decide on what term your most ideal client would type into the search engines to find the service you provide.

Most typically this will be a variation on pet sitting, dog walking, or pet sitter, along with your town, city or area served.

But Without Guessing How Can You Tell Exactly Where You Currently Rank in Google?

Sure, you can spend all day thinking up various search terms, plugging them into Google one by one and see if your website is there.

Or you can use a free tool like the one highlighted in my video below.
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Member Spotlight: 5 Questions with Sandra Lindstedt
Posted July 25, 2011 By Joshua in Pet Sitters With | 2 Comments

According to APSE member Sandra Lindstedt of The Pet Nanny of Trinity and Piper’s Pet Sitting Service, Panache Vue magazine is delivered to homes within her service area valued at $400,000+ and is geared towards professional women. (Talk about knowing your target market!)

This is especially exciting since after having advertised in the upscale publication twice before, Sandra was recently given the opportunity to write an article for Panache Vue to further her pet sitting business publicity campaign.

While placing ads in a magazine could have its own set of positive returns, you can’t argue the fact that a 350-word article written by you (and one that did not cost you a penny to have published) would have an even greater return.

The reason a printed article will have significantly more impact than a display ad is because of ‘borrowed credibility.’

It’s known that practically anyone can pay to have their ad printed in a magazine or newspaper, but when you are given the chance to write an article, the implication is that the magazine or newspaper itself is saying, ‘We think this person is an expert on this topic!’

That’s borrowed credibility. Without explicitly saying so, the assumption is that the publication is vouching for you and giving you credit for your expertise.
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17 Pet Sitter Safety Tips – for New and Experienced Pet Sitters
Posted July 22, 2011 By in Pet Sitters, SEO and Marketing With | 6 Comments

Recently, I had a new sitter of mine comment that she was visiting a client’s home and she noticed a guy parked in an unmarked car on the street outside the house who lingered and made her uncomfortable.

She said I should tell all my new pet sitters to lock the doors after they arrive for the visit.

Makes complete sense.

I guess locking the doors behind me is so automatic that I don’t think to tell my new sitters.

So I started thinking… How many other safety tips do we ourselves do that other pet sitters need to know.

Some pet sitter safety tips that you routinely do yourself may not be so obvious to others.
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This Is How Your Potential Clients See Your Pet Sitting Website [video]
Posted July 1, 2011 By Joshua in Pet Sitters, SEO and Marketing With | 4 Comments

This video is all about making sure your pet sitting website appears as you intend it to appear across a variety of browsers.

After all, your website visitors (potential clients) may not be using the same browser, operating system or display settings as you use.

In the video, you’ll learn how to use a free online tool to make sure your site is looking its best.

Oh, one last thing… Every Friday, we send out a free pet sitter tips newsletter, and this video was made as a special part of the most recent tip.

If you enjoy this and want more of this delivered to your inbox every single Friday, just tell us were to send it by using the sign up box over to the right!

Now on with the show!
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10 Ways To Increase Sales Without Selling
Posted June 30, 2011 By in Pet Sitters, SEO and Marketing With | 3 Comments

or… 10 Ways To Up-sell Clients

When you use a business you are more apt to buy again from the business.

Your client’s buy walking or sitting services from you routinely and they trust your opinion when it comes to their pets.

Instead of spending more money to advertise to new people, don’t forget about offering more to your current clients.

It’ll be easier than you thought and you don’t have to even consider putting distracting Google ads all over your site. (You know who you are.)

Here are some tips to earn more income while working smarter, not harder.
Read More …
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