Being a professional pet sitter requires a tremendous trust factor. So how does a pet sitter earn a client’s trust, especially that of a new client? Some clients will go directly from knowing nothing about you to booking an initial meeting. Some will find you online and peruse your reviews or testimonials and then book the initial meeting. Many more will take the recommendation of someone they trust. 

These personal recommendations are the best kind because they give you as a sitter instant credibility. We trust people by association. If my friend whom I trust recommends pet sitter X, I’m also going to trust pet sitter X, whether I’ve met them or not. 

So how do you get your current clients to refer you to their friends? You can do a great job sitting for your clients and hope that they tell their friends and family, or you can take a more proactive approach. 

This is where your client referral program comes in. Here are the five elements of a great program:

Allow the referrer to get something out of it

People like helping other people. They like feeling knowledgeable and able to provide a friend with a great option for pet sitting. They also like being recognized for doing a good deed (i.e., referring you). 

One of my personal favorites is a program where both the referrer and the referee get a discount. For example, “If you refer a friend, both you and your friend will get $20 off of your next service.” This has the added benefit of encouraging the referrer to book with you again in future and also allows them to “sweeten” their referral as they’ve now secured a $20 off deal for their friend as well. 

Make it easy for someone to refer you

I’m lazy, you’re lazy, everyone’s lazy. This is nothing against people, it’s just the way it is. Even the most helpful and kindhearted people will refer you more often if you make it easy for them. 

How often have you had exceptional service somewhere and thought to yourself, I really need to tell Nancy about this place. She would love it! And then life goes on and things get in the way and you never end up bringing it to Nancy’s attention. We all do it. 

You can leave pre-stamped referral postcards on the counter when you sit for a client. They can then write their friend’s address on it and pop it in the mail. You can provide referral cards that fit in their wallets that clients can easily hand to a friend in need. You can even ask clients for a couple of names of friends that they think might need your help and then you can call those friends yourself and tell them that so and so suggested you get in touch. 

Make sure your ROI (return on investment) is positive

Monetary or gift rewards for referrals are a nice way to encourage them but you need to be careful that you’re not giving away the bank. I know a new client on average for me is worth around $700 annually. If I spend $2000 per year on my referral program and I get three or more new clients out of it then my ROI is positive.

Make your program easy to manage

You will need to keep track of the referrers and referees. This can be simple if you’re a solopreneur with a few clients but can quickly become cumbersome as you grow. It can be as manual as asking a new client at the meet and greet "Did anyone refer you?” or you might want to take this a step further and automate the collection of this information in your pet -sitting or booking software. 

Promote your program

And finally, once you’ve put together an amazing referral program, shout it out! Let everyone know that you have it. Post it on your social media channels, tell your clients about it at meet and greets, advertise it just as you would any other amazing aspect of your business and services. 

Your business is great, your clients know your business is great, use that energy to spread the word and bring in new clients!

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.