Looking for ideas...

yknotu23 · 09-27-2009, 07:16 PM

Hi I am new to the forum and I am a dog groomer in NY. We are a very small business and looking for ways to pick up more business. Im hoping you guys might want to share some creative ways you might have used to get more clients into your business!! Thanks!

MoosMom · 09-27-2009, 07:38 PM

I use a referral program with no limits. I have business cards on the desk with referral info on the back. So if a client has someone, they put their name on it and when their friend brings their dog I know who to thank with a discount. I have a lady with a poodle that gets a discount almost every time she comes in because of the amount of friends she has sent me!!!

winniec777 · 09-27-2009, 11:32 PM

Welcome! I'm not a groomer but have a suggestion - could you specialize in handling fearful dogs? I would love to take my dog to the groomer again and am working on getting her over her fears with a new groomer. If you get a reputation for dealing with difficult dogs (assuming that's something you'd want to tackle), you could probably get lots of referrals from local vet offices and happy customers. That's how I found the groomer we'll be using.

Binkalette · 09-28-2009, 12:23 AM

You might already offer this, I know some places do (just none around here), but I would LOVE to find a place that would let me bring my girls in and let me clip their nails and do their ear hair there myself. Those are the two things they don't tolerate so well at home, but if I take them somewhere un-familiar they will let me do it all just fine.

Graco22 · 09-28-2009, 04:52 PM

Reminder cards, reminder cards, reminder cards. There are SO many very cute, inexpensive ones out there. Cheap to mail. My clients LOVE them. I have so many clients that won't make the call for an appt until they get a card..could be month, could be 6 months...but when they get the card, they call. I fill out the cards when the dog is in, and file them in a card file according to the date they need to come back in. Then every Monday, I pull those weeks' cards, stamp em and mail.

For new clients: if you don't already do pro bono work for your local rescues and shelters, contact them. Talk to and build relationships with local vets and trainers as well. Word of mouth was what built my business, by FAR. Advertising wasn't worth the money. If you are a good groomer, who does a good job and takes good care of the pets, you will get busy from the word of mouth.

If you don't attend trade shows/seminars, etc. then start. There are plenty on the East coast. When you come back from them, send a press release into the newspaper. Its free for you, and people want to see that the person taking care of and clipping their pet is keeping their education up to date, and using the best tools and products.

yknotu23 · 09-28-2009, 07:06 PM

Thanks for all the ideas....

Graco22...how do I find more information on trade shows that might be somewhat near me. I just googled it but all kinds of strange stuff came up...any suggestions?

Graco22 · 09-28-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yknotu23

Thanks for all the ideas....

Graco22...how do I find more information on trade shows that might be somewhat near me. I just googled it but all kinds of strange stuff came up...any suggestions?

You can go to Groomteamusa.com for a listing of all Groom Team sponsored events/trade shows/seminars, etc. You can then go to those sites for each show, and get on their mailing lists for the info when it is mailed out. If you don't already subscribe to Groomer to Groomer magazine, get it. Its free, and has all trade shows listed in each months issue as well. Go to groomertogroomer.com for that info. You just missed the Groom Expo in Hershey, PA..thats a HUGE show for seminars and trade show, but small competition. There is one in Rhode Island in November, Chicago this weekend, etc. The season is winding down here, and will start up again heavy with Atlanta Pet Fair in March..THAT show rocks! Biggest competition in the world, TONS of great seminars, huge trade show, and SO reasonably priced. If you can make it to that one, I highly recommend it. I have gone and competed there for the last 3 or 4 years now. Great show.

Oh, and WAY TO GO Groom Team USA- Taking the GOLD in Germany last week, beating out 13 other countries!!!