Pro Tips for Dog Walking Flyer Marketing – Get Noticed & Grow

Issue #12

November 5, 2023

Hi Pawpreneurs!

The challenge of promoting your new or growing dog walking service through traditional methods shouldn't be underestimated. The most daunting and frankly ineffective tactic for garnering interest in your dog-walking endeavor is the classic door-to-door flyer distribution. Despite what many resources might claim, it's not the golden strategy for attracting clientele.

It might seem counterintuitive, given the prevalence of advice touting flyer distribution as a great marketing move for your pet business. However, the truth is less optimistic. Let's dive into a method that can actually turn flyers into a successful client acquisition tool.

Embarking on Your Dog Walking Venture

The act of distributing dog walking flyers from one doorstep to another is often glorified as a sterling promotional strategy. The harsh reality is that it could be the most ineffective use of your time and resources in the pet care industry.

Consider the likely returns on your effort: might you expect 50, 75, or maybe 100 clients after personally handing out 2,000 to 3,000 flyers? Unfortunately, the average outcome is disheartening—often just one or two new clients, if any, from such a massive distribution.

This assertion comes from experience—mine and that of many others in the professional dog walking and pet care sphere. Door-to-door flyer distribution is a practice I can firmly advise against.

Having dispensed with that myth, let's move on to a strategy that can employ your dog-walking flyers more effectively and economically, ensuring that your offline marketing efforts are not in vain.

Profitable Flyer Advertising in Three Steps

Turning flyers into a successful marketing tool for your dog walking services involves a trifecta of steps:

1. Design

2. Create

3. Distribute

This might sound basic, but it's common to see dog walkers and pet carers overlook or hastily execute the first step.

While having flyers is a smart move for your dog-walking and pet-sitting business, a poorly designed flyer equates to squandered funds; a flyer that lacks aesthetic appeal will be promptly disregarded by pet owners who are on the lookout for services like yours. The key is to create a visually appealing design that captures attention and conveys professionalism.

Step 1: Crafting Your Dog Walking Flyer

For your dog walking business to appear credible and professional, your flyer design must reflect that, even if the design isn't your strong suit.

Free dog walking flyer templates are accessible on websites like inkd.com, but they tend to be quite basic. We aim for distinctive and captivating, not mundane and typical. These templates will still require customization to align with your business's brand identity.

Steer clear of producing uninspired, bland flyers!

Suppose designing isn’t in your wheelhouse; fear not. There are excellent services that can craft your dog walking flyers at a reasonable price. If you are on a tight budget, opt for Canva and use one of the templates that you can use and even use Canva to print them out. All you have to do is select your template design, add in your info, review, print at home, or print on demand from Canva.

A skilled graphic designer can make all the difference for your flyers, with rates ranging from $5 to over $500, depending on their skill level and where you are sourcing from. Nonetheless, you can obtain fantastic designs for your dog walking service for around $20 to $30 on places like Fiverr.

My decade of experience collaborating with graphic designers on web design projects has taught me that while I can manage websites, graphic design is a different arena. Investing in a professionally designed flyer can offer great returns since these materials embody your business.

Discovering Graphic Designers:

Platforms like Fiverr, Behance, PeoplePerHour.com, and UpWork.com are online havens for freelance talent. These sites operate on a similar premise, providing a stage for one-time projects.

However, exercise caution:

Freelance portals permit anyone to offer services, so be discerning about design quality. Your investment remains protected since the platform acts as an intermediary. However, disputes may arise if the output doesn't meet expectations.

5 Strategies for Engaging the Ideal Freelancer:

1. Clearly articulate your requirements.

2. Preferably, work with freelancers who speak your language fluently.

3. Opt for designers who offer revisions - most do, but confirm beforehand.

4. Assess their platform reviews to gauge their reliability and quality.

5. Don't feel daunted by the prospect of navigating PeoplePerHour or UpWork.

On these platforms, post a job description, and freelancers will pitch their services, specifying their fees. There's no obligation to hire. Feel free to inquire and clarify any points in their proposals.

Ensure the designer can provide your completed flyer in various formats (.jpeg, .svg, .png) for versatility with different printing services.

Design Considerations for Dog Walking Flyers:

Don’t settle for a basic template. Your flyer must be unique, embodying your brand and style. Consistency across all marketing materials promotes a professional image that sets you apart from competitors.

Here's an example of a dog-walking flyer layout that checks all the boxes:

• Branding: Feature your logo prominently, maintaining consistent brand colors.

• Contact Details: Include them clearly – they’re crucial.

• Services: Detail the services you offer, emphasizing your unique selling points.

Step 2: Printing Your Dog Walking Flyers

Now that you have your design, it's time to print. Canva and Printful are my go-to for printing due to their consistent quality and affordability for startups.

Uploading your design (preferably in .png) and choosing specifications like size and quantity is straightforward with Vistaprint. Delivery typically occurs within a few business days, and prices for 2000 flyers vary from £80 to £150, depending on quality and size. DL size (99mm x 210mm) with a mid-range finish is recommended.

For flyer holders, Amazon offers better deals. I found a durable pack of 10 for $15 – a long-term investment.

Step 3: Distributing Your Dog Walking Flyers

As previously discussed, door-to-door flyer distribution is ineffective.

So what’s the best approach?

Think ‘set and forget’ in terms of distribution.

Focus on the volume and locality of your audience. Door-to-door distribution hits these marks but is the least efficient method.

I've explored numerous strategies to promote my dog walking services through flyer distribution, aiming to reach a broad audience. The top two approaches that have yielded remarkable success are as follows:

Distributing Flyers at Local Veterinary Clinics

Positioning flyers in veterinary offices has proven to be highly effective. The reason behind its success is timing; pet owners are likely to consider their dog's care needs while at the clinic. While not all visitors to a vet may be actively seeking a dog walker, the possibility that they might require such a service in the future increases the likelihood they will pick up a flyer.

Advertising with Dog Walking Flyers at Veterinary Clinics

Gaining exposure for your dog walking business within a veterinary clinic is straightforward. Upon entering, ask the receptionist if you can leave about 50 flyers on their counter. There's no need for a sales pitch; just be candid about your new business venture and your goals.

Typically, veterinary staff show a keen interest as you share the same commitment to animal care. Provided you present yourself professionally, and your business branding is visible on your attire, most clinics are amenable to displaying your flyers.

Effective Tips for Flyer Distribution

• Using a flyer holder presents a more professional image and keeps your materials organized.

• It’s vital to revisit the vet clinic periodically, replenish your flyers as needed, and inquire about the response they've been getting.

This follow-up is a crucial aspect of monitoring the effectiveness of your advertising efforts and distinguishing your business from competitors—understanding which marketing strategies work allows for more targeted and profitable investments in the future.

2. Placing Flyers in Local Shops

Local shops offer another potent avenue for advertising your dog walking service. This method trumps door-to-door flyer drops and increases visibility where your potential clients shop.

Advertising with Dog Walking Flyers in Local Shops 

Rather than targeting large chain stores, focus on independent local businesses. Shop owners, typically present throughout the day, are business-oriented and will respond positively to well-organized and professionally branded approaches.

Negotiate a modest fee with the shop owner for a prime spot near the cash register and propose a recurring arrangement for flyer placement. Engage with the shopkeeper, understand the customer feedback, and if there's no traction after a few months, reassess the location for your flyers.

Potential Local Businesses for Flyer Distribution

• Cafés

• Charity shops

• Grocery stores

• Newsagents

A tidy display, such as a stand for your flyers, can make a significant difference in visibility and maintain good relations with the shop owner by preventing clutter.

Final Considerations

In promoting your dog walking business, keep an open mind to all advertising possibilities and continuously search for opportunities. Local preferences can vary, so it's important to tailor your strategy accordingly. Always ask yourself whether the placement of your flyers will reach your intended demographic and if potential clients frequent the location.