We’re featuring P4P (see Members Only) at our March 1-3, 2024 “Bloom & Grow Your Business” conference in Savannah, Georgia! If you’re attending, please come by our table and learn how this annual event can boost your business. Watch for Arden Moore’s (Professional Pet Sitter magazine Editor) article on one member’s highly successful P4P campaigns in a future magazine article. Back in 2006 NAPPS started this member-and-client participation campaign to help members grow their businesses and offer clients an easy way to help homeless animals. NAPPS members ask clients and local businesses to provide monetary donations or needed supplies for pets living in local shelters and rescue organizations. Members solicit businesses to offer drop-off boxes and signage for NAPPS’ campaign, encouraging the public to give. 
How do you run a successful P4P campaign? Review the provided campaign materials at petsitters.org Members Only section. At least 1-2 months ahead of your start date: - Clients and local businesses: ask them to help animals in need; give details on the number of homeless pets in your area, and what supplies are most needed at local shelters/rescues
- Social media: make sure to let your email list and other social media outlets know you’re offering this opportunity and ask for donations
- Your website: place persuasive copy with graphics/photos/links on your page – be sure the info includes dates, any sponsors’ info and links, participating businesses and shelters/rescues with links (add highlighted positive comments from shelters/rescues, businesses and clients if you have offered this opportunity before)
- Public media outlets: for local radio, tv, print media, put together a presentation packet (see Members Only section) and get a meeting with a Features Editor to solicit their help in publicizing P4P
- Don’t forget the vet! You and your clients should ask vet offices to display campaign info and materials telling their clients how they can help; your vet may also be willing to place a donation box and sign in their waiting room – they may also be willing to supply needed medical supplies requested by shelters/rescues
- Sponsors: ask local vets and businesses to sponsor your campaign; you can offer to place “sponsored by” with their logos on drop-off boxes and signs, on social media, your website, local media outlets – they get good publicity and help encourage people to give. You can set up a sponsorship fee schedule, that is, how much a business should pay to get their image and info displayed and where - or, you can decide not to ask for a fee, and use their support just to solicit more donations. This option may be best for first-time campaigns or sponsors, but – it never hurts to ask!
You can run a P4P campaign even if you are a new NAPPS member! Our website provides solicitation, donation-tracking, and thank you materials already proved successful by other sitters. Check us out online or at NAPPS’ “Bloom & Grow” conference!  Holly Holmes – Pets at Home
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