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By Rachel Doran, Tell Your Tails | August 2022

As a business owner, I’m sure you’ve heard the term ‘networking’ used here and there. So what is networking? Is it really important? And how can you, as a pet sitter, use networking to benefit your business?

We’ll dive into what networking is, why it’s important, and give you some ideas so that you can start networking with veterinarians and other pet professionals in your area!

What is Networking?

Networking is really just about getting to know other people! As you get to know others, you’ll likely exchange information and build your contact list. Not all contacts are created equal, but the general goal is to find people who can benefit your business in some way. And in turn, you might be able to benefit their business in some way.

It’s important to note that networking isn’t always an official thing. You may not sit down with another business and specifically plan to always recommend one another. That’s okay! With just getting to know members of your community and being authentic and kind, chances are, you will naturally build up some fans who are happy to recommend your business.

Why is Networking So Important?

Networking is a marketing buzzword, but it’s really as simple as starting conversations and getting to know other people. Networking can be done in a variety of ways. You can network with people in person. Maybe you meet someone at the local grocery store and get to talking about your businesses (yes, that’s networking!). Or maybe you start to follow another pet business on Instagram and start to chat.

Networking is really a simple concept, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important. Getting to know people and building relationships is important for any business but especially local businesses! As a local business, your pool of potential customers is inherently small. You’re limited to working with people within a certain area, after all. So connecting with others in your community is a great way to build a name for yourself.

Ways to Network with Other Pet Professionals in your Community

Now that you know that networking is so important, where do you start? There’s a lot of opportunity to build a mutually beneficial relationship between you and another pet business in your area. We’re providing suggestions, but don’t be afraid to get creative! Sit down and think about what would benefit you, what would benefit them, and where that might overlap.

Word of Mouth Recommendations

Oftentimes, people join your network and become someone who simply recommends you. This is great! Word of mouth is a powerful tool, so if you have the opportunity to build a relationship with another pet business in your area, jump on it!

For example, say you connect with a local dog groomer. Chances are, their client base overlaps with yours in some way. Your goal? Next time someone comes in for a groom and asks for pet-sitter recommendations, you want to be the business the groomer recommends! So the question is… how can you make that happen?

Events

Events are a wonderful way to collaborate with others in your community. There are a variety of events you can get involved with or even host!

Maybe another pet business is hosting something, and you’re invited to set up a booth at their event. Or maybe you and another pet business have decided to collaborate and host a fun community event or fundraiser.

Whatever the case, events are such a great way to get your name out there and reach potential customers in your community.

But, of course, don’t just focus on customers. Keep an eye out for other pet professionals or even those outside of the pet industry who you can collaborate with in some way in the future. It’s kind of like a vicious cycle. You network with someone, get involved with an event, and then, at the event, you meet even more people to network and collaborate with!

If that feels overwhelming, don’t worry. Just take baby steps. Your safest bet? Get to know people on a personal level before feeling like you have to dive right into some big business venture. If you keep that relationship up, the networking opportunities will certainly flow naturally.

Blogging

Blogging is a great way to reach new potential customers and showcase your expertise in your field. It’s truly a kill-two-birds marketing tool! There are so many fun and interesting topics that pet sitters can write about on their blog.

Want to publish a blog post on a topic you’re not quite an expert in? Look to the experts in your community!

You can interview a local veterinarian and have them share things like educational content or tips and tricks. Some topics might include flea and tick prevention, treating hot spots at home, what to do if your pet ingests something they shouldn’t, etc. The list goes on! 

Social Media

Social media is a great place to form a community and build buzz around your business. We highly suggest following and connecting with other pet businesses within your community. If you both have a good social-media presence, consider putting together a collaborative post. You promote them, and they promote you! It’s a win-win for everyone!

Behind-the-Scenes

Networking doesn’t have to even be something your customers see. For example, you could partner up with a local dog trainer and have them work with your team to solidify their dog handling skills. Of course, you’ll want to find something you can do for them in return.

Who Can You Network With?

You can network with a variety of businesses within your community. First, look to the pet community. Is there a local veterinarian you admire? What about a groomer? Pet photographer? Doggy bakery?

But don’t feel limited to the pet world! There are other businesses that can also make great contacts. For example, real estate agents love to provide new homeowners with local resources. Wouldn’t it be great to be the pet sitter they feature on their local resources handout!?

Truthfully, no business is off limits. But if you’re posting on social media or putting together a blog post, you do want to make sure the collaboration makes sense. For example, you could partner with a local personal trainer. Their clients certainly value health and wellness. Well, the two businesses could put together a dog hike event in your local community!

As a small business owner, it can be really tempting to just ‘do your own thing,’ but we’ve seen firsthand just how valuable making real connections with the community can be! You don’t have to be a networking pro, but we do urge you to set some time aside to get to know other pet businesses within your community. Who knows…you may even make a friend!