Can you get new pet-sitting clients by talking to children?

If you are like most of PSI’s professional pet-sitter members, your typical pet-sitting client is likely a married couple between the ages of 36-50. So, the idea of including children—who won’t be part of this demographic for another few decades—may not be the first thing that pops into your mind when you are looking to expand your marketing mix.

But, consider this: Studies and surveys have shown that families with children are more likely to have pets, so their parents are potential clients for your pet-sitting business.

By introducing your business and providing information to children, you can also reach their parents, as most kids will take the materials home with them.

So, how can you effectively put this into practice? (Hint: We don’t advise trolling the local playground, passing out your business cards.)

As a business owner, you probably look for ways to give back to your community, as well as ways to raise awareness about your pet-sitting business. PSI created its Early Education Program to allow members to do just that, while promoting responsible pet ownership (and the idea of professional pet sitting as a career) to local children through school programs and other outreach efforts.

The PSI Early Education Program offers PSI members a unique opportunity to do good while also getting the word out about their businesses.

As a PSI member, you have access to free, customizable educational materials through the Early Education Program. You can share those materials with local schools and children in your community throughout the year.

Here are a few ideas for how you could take part in the PSI Early Education Program:

1. Volunteer to be a guest reader at a school. While at the school, you can share the program materials with students. Don’t forget to add your information (your business name and website address) on the indicated lines on the customizable materials. When the kids take the sheets home with them, their parents may see your business information and decide to visit your website to learn more about your services. Think of how you can brighten the children's day by reading to them and teaching them about animals!

2. Take part in a school career day. That would give you an opportunity to share the program materials, as well as educate kids about your job and how pet sitters help pets. When kids learn something interesting, they share it with their parents or ask them questions about it. That means you or your pet-sitting business could be a topic of discussion at the dinner table, and pet-owning parents may be inspired to look into hiring a professional pet sitter. (Many professional pet sitters report that teachers make ideal summer staff sitters, so you never know what other “connections” you can make at school events!)

3. Set up a booth at a fair, festival or community event. Participating in a community event is a great way to promote your pet-sitting services, but you want your booth to attract as many people as possible. Offer coloring sheets and other early education materials to the kids who stop by with their parents. You will find that you are more likely to draw families to your table, and parents will be grateful that you thought to offer an activity for their kids.

Bonus Tip: Another idea is to set up a “photo booth” using a simple backdrop and a few pet-related photo props. Take pictures of the children (or their parents) that stop by and then encourage families to visit your company’s Facebook page, where you’ll upload the photos.

4. Make the coloring sheets and other resources available to local businesses. Consider reaching out to restaurants, doctor’s offices and veterinary clinics. Those businesses may agree to share the materials with children who come into their businesses. They will likely be glad to have materials on hand to offer their youngest patrons!

Make it as easy as possible for these businesses to use the resources you provide. Be sure to leave plenty of copies of the coloring and activity sheets (and providing crayons is a plus as well!) and check back regularly to see if new sheets or crayons are needed.

5. Donate pet-related books to your local school or library. Donating books is a great way to promote literacy and responsible pet ownership. Consider putting a sticker with your business name, logo, and website or contact information inside each book. Donating books may open the door for you to read to classes in the future or speak at summer library programs.

Those are just a few ideas for how you can promote early childhood education while also raising awareness for your business. PSI members who have volunteered to read to students and taught them about professional pet sitting note how fulfilling it was to give back to children.

Have you participated in the PSI Early Education Program? If so, in the comments section below, please share how you used the program materials.