If you run a pet-care business, November and December tend to be your busiest time of the year. The holidays are always a bit frantic, but it can also be satisfying to try to push your business to its limits. Speaking of which, it’s not too early to begin your pre-holiday marketing!

Not everyone is comfortable going full-bore marketing maniac and that is perfectly okay. There is no wrong amount of marketing. What works for you is the right amount so, with that said, let’s talk about some ideas for how to enhance your business this holiday season. 

It feels like they’re everywhere during the holidays: “Buy one get one free,” “20% off,” “Sale, Sale, Sale!” Retail is king during the holidays, but service businesses get in the game too. If you run a pet-related service business, you may scramble to accommodate everyone, and last-minute bookings can wreak havoc with scheduling. 

Do yourself a favor. Use your marketing messages to incentivize your clients to book early.     For example, “Get ten percent off services if you book before December 1” or “Guarantee your service date by booking by November 1.” 

You don’t have to be actively selling to people to get noticed. So, what are you doing if you’re not directly pushing your service? Now is a good time to focus on building the “know, like and trust factor.” There are always a lot of great pet-related charitable organizations looking for donations or volunteers around the holidays. Donate or volunteer your time. Better yet, make it a team activity and have your employees get into the giving spirit. 

Then post and blog actively about what you’re doing! Post on your social media channels that you and your team spent the afternoon packing pet gift boxes for a local shelter. Take lots of pictures and post them both during and after the event. Have some fun with it!

The idea is to get your name out there so that when people do need your services, you are first in their minds. Furthermore, they’ll appreciate that you didn’t immediately try to sell them something. What they’ll remember is you and your company’s generosity and giving spirit!

Send a Gift

Many businesses send small thank-you gifts to their clients at the end of the year. This is a great practice but make sure you’re being strategic about it. Funds are often limited but that doesn’t mean you can’t do something memorable and meaningful.

Make a list of high-value, mid-value and new clients. High-value clients can be those that     have generated the most revenue that year, or they may be clients who have connections    that are valuable to your business. Then pick a gift that is appropriate for each of these levels. That way you can plan your spending to effectively recognize clients based on their value to your company.  

Perhaps you offer services 365 days per year, or you don’t charge a fee for holiday bookings, or you offer guaranteed bookings. Now is the time to brag about it! Don’t assume that people know this or that they’ve read about all the wonderful things you offer on your website. 

Conclusion

You are one service sending a message in a sea of related messages bombarding people during the holidays. Anything you can do to differentiate yourself during this time will help you get noticed!

Remember, marketing is a marathon, but a little burst of speed before your busiest season    will help you win the race. Don’t be afraid to try some new things and think outside the kitty litter box!

Eliza, The Pet Business Coach eliza@thepetbusinesscoach.dog is a writer, teacher, entrepreneur, international coach, podcast host, speaker and recovering corporate junkie. She lives deep in the Appalachian Mountains with her husband and a gaggle of animals who bring her joy every day.