.png)
How to Advertise Your NZ Pet Sitting Business: A Guide for Kiwi Pet Sitters
Following up on our last feature about the 5 considerations for online advertising, we have a more in depth guide about how to best advertise your pet sitting business!
Advertising your services is necessary for both pet sitters starting out and well established business. One of the most important tasks is getting your name out there.
Advertising can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into manageable steps makes it easier. Whether you're focused on social media or more traditional methods like flyers and business cards, knowing how to reach your ideal customers is key to growing your business. Here's a guide to help you get started!
Step 1: Define Your Service and Business
Think about what your business stands for and how you want to be perceived. A strong identity helps set you apart from the competition and builds trust with potential customers. Here's what you need to consider:
- Business Name:
Have you chosen a business name yet? You could work under your own name or you could create a business name. It should be easy to remember, professional, and reflective of your services. Make sure it resonates with pet owners and speaks to your specific niche (e.g., "Sandra’s Pet Sitting," "Local Tails Pet Care"). Also, check that your chosen name isn’t already registered or in use by someone else to avoid any confusion or potential legal issues. You can use ONECheck to help verify if your business name is available or already taken.
- Logo and Character:
You might want to consider creating a logo or a character that becomes your stamp. A logo gives your business a visual identity, and a character (like a cute dog or cat mascot) can make your business more memorable and approachable. This will be useful for branding across all platforms, both online and offline. You could hire a professional, use a paid tool like Illustrator or try a free AI image generator.
- Colour Palette:
Colours play a huge role in brand identity. Choose a colour palette that reflects the personality of your pet sitting business. For example, you could choose calming blues and greens for a peaceful, trusted feel or energetic oranges and yellows if you want to convey excitement and fun. Consistency with colours across all your marketing materials, including your website, flyers, and social media, helps strengthen your brand recognition.
Step 2: Know Your Audience
Before you dive into advertising, the very first thing you need to do is understand your target audience. As a local pet sitter, your ideal customers are pet owners within your local community. Here’s how to think about it:
Who Are Your Customers?
Of course, you’re looking for pets to care for, and that means pet owners are your audience. But let’s break it down a little more so you can target the right people. Think about your neighbourhood and who lives there:
- Are you looking to help busy families who may need regular dog walking or ongoing pet care to fit their hectic schedules?
- Maybe you’re targeting professionals or families who travel often, leaving their pets behind while they go on trips and need reliable care.
- Or perhaps you’re hoping to support elderly pet owners who may have scheduled medical appointments and need assistance caring for their pets?
By understanding who the pet owners in your area are, you can better tailor your advertising to reach the right audience and offer the services they need.
Where Are Your Clients?
Once you’ve figured out who you’re targeting, think about where these pet owners are most likely to spend their time physically and online. Consider these spots for advertising: Neighbourhood Letterboxes ,Local Businesses, Community Noticeboards, NZ Pet Care Platforms and Social Media Platforms.
Once you’ve figured out who you’re targeting and where you’ll find them, you can confidently move on to the next step of your advertising journey.
Step 3: Types of Advertising
Now that you know your audience and have your brand identity in place, it’s time to choose how to advertise your services. There are two primary ways to promote your pet sitting business: Online Advertising and Physical Advertising (Flyers/Business Cards/Networking). Both methods have their pros and cons, and depending on your budget, audience, and expertise, you may want to combine the two.
Online Advertising (Including Social Media)
Online advertising is one of the most effective ways to reach kiwi pet owners. The internet is where NZ pet parents are searching for services like yours. Social media advertising is a major subset of online advertising, but it’s important to note that there are also other platforms and directories where you can list your services. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:
Option 1: Social Media Advertising (DIY)
Social media is where your potential clients spend their time, and platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are excellent for showcasing your pet sitting services. This is a great way to engage with your audience and showcase the personality behind your business. Although it can require a significant investment of your time, once you understand how to effectively use the platforms, social media can be a fantastic way to advertise without direct monetary costs.
Platform Selection:
Choose the social media platforms that best fit your target audience. For example:
- Facebook: Great for targeting older generations who are active on this platform. (I say "older," but I’m in my 30s and use Facebook predominantly!)
- Instagram and TikTok: These platforms are ideal for a younger, pet-loving crowd and are visual-heavy, perfect for showcasing adorable pets and behind-the-scenes content.
You will often find pet product and service businesses on these platforms as well, and engaging with their content can benefit your business, the algorithm, and potentially open up future opportunities.
Creating Content:
To stand out, you’ll need to create eye-catching, engaging content that highlights your services. This could include:
- Pet sitting highlights
- Cute photos of pets you’ve cared for
- Client testimonials
- Special offers and promotions
- Design Tools:
If you want your content to look professional, using design tools like Canva or Adobe Illustrator is key. Canva, in particular, is beginner-friendly, offering a free version with some limitations. For more advanced features, such as premium templates and the ability to upload your brand colours and logos, you can upgrade to Canva Pro.
- Paid Ads:
If you want to expand your reach, paid ads on social media platforms are an option. With paid ads, you can set a budget and target pet owners in your local area, ensuring your ads reach the right people. However, be mindful that these ads can become costly, so it’s essential to track your return on investment (ROI).
- Legal and Compliance:
When advertising online, make sure to follow platform advertising rules and consumer protection laws. Ensure that you also respect data privacy laws (such as the Privacy Act in New Zealand) and avoid using copyrighted images or content without permission.
Other Online Advertising Options
In addition to social media advertising, there are other valuable online advertising options for kiwi pet sitters. One option to consider is joining NZ's professional association, Pet Sitting NZ or Pet Sitters International (PSI), which not only provide credibility but also offer advertising opportunities and industry resources. These associations help connect you with a broader audience and elevate your reputation as a professional in the pet care industry.
Option 2: Pet Care Platforms and Directories
Another route is listing your services on pet sitting platforms like Pet Sitting NZ, Pawshake, Kiwi House Sitters, or Trusted House Sitters. Each of these platforms has different offerings, with some providing free listings (but taking a commission on bookings) and others requiring a paid membership.
NZ Pet Care Platforms
Free
-Join NZ’s #1 pet care community
-Acknowledged for signing the Pet Care Commitment Code
-Access to Industry resources
$29.99/month
-Promote your business to 20,000+ pet owners & sitters
-Acknowledged for signing the Pet Care Commitment Code
-Access to Industry resources
-Pet sitter profile on the PSNZ website
-Vetted with Verified Badge
-Advertising via social media & mailers
-Personalised QR code lanyard
-1:1 support
-Training opportunities
-Discounts on pet products and services
Free to list with 19% Booking fee
-Pet sitter profile on the Pawshake website/app
-Free veterinary coverage
NZ$7/month
*You don’t get paid for your services
-House-sitting listings with accommodation exchange option
NZ$11.60/month (Basic) NZ$14.95/month (Standard) NZ$22.45/month (Premium)
*You don’t get paid for your services
-Unlimited house sits
-Video calls with vets
-Member support
-Accident & liability plan
-Premium Badge on Profile (Premium tier)
-Global airport lounge passes (Premium tier)
Option 3: Physical Flyers & Business Cards
Traditional methods like flyers and business cards still work wonders for local pet sitters as pet parents are often looking for local animal lovers who are handy to them. Physical advertising is a direct way to reach pet owners who may not be as active online or prefer face-to-face interactions. Here's how to get started:
Creating Flyers and Business Cards:
You can use design software like Canva or Adobe Illustrator to create professional-looking materials. If you're unsure about design, you might want to hire a designer, but doing it yourself can be cost-effective and fun.
- Flyers: Flyers are great for advertising at local spots like cafes, pet stores, or veterinary clinics. Include your services, prices, and contact information, along with a photo of yourself or a pet you’ve cared for. Make sure your flyers stand out with bright, appealing colours and clear messaging.
- Business Cards: These are perfect for handing out when you meet potential clients in person. Your business card should include your name, services, contact details, and your logo (if you have one).
Distribution: Once you have your flyers and business cards printed, you’ll need to distribute them effectively:
- Local Letterboxes: Drop them off around your neighbourhood to directly target pet owners in your area.
- Local Businesses: Partner with pet stores, cafes, and vets to display your materials.
- Community Noticeboards: Post them on noticeboards at supermarkets, libraries, and other community hubs.
Costs: Printing flyers and business cards can range anywhere from $50 upwards, depending on the quantity and quality and features of the print. While not as costly as paid social media ads, it still requires time and effort to distribute them effectively.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re using social media or traditional flyers, the more often you show up in front of your target audience, the more trust you'll build, and the more likely pet owners will choose you for their pet care needs. Start by understanding your target market, creating a brand identity that stands out, and choosing the right advertising channels that align with your business goals.
Maximise your reach by blending social media and local advertising to strengthen your presence and connect with your community. But, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the time, skills, or effort it takes to manage advertising on your own, there’s a simpler solution. You can either hire a professional or tap into a membership like Pet Sitting NZ, where advertising is handled for you—along with all the professional pet sitter benefits that come with it.
Take the leap to grow your pet sitting business with ease.
Join Pet Sitting NZ today and start reaching more clients with less effort.
%20copy.png)
%20copy%203.png)
%20copy%202.png)
