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DOG OWNERS: Love your dog -- hate poop?
Help is here at last!
THE INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY OF DOG WASTE REMOVAL SERVICES
Scoopers & Friends Discussion Board Archives
Messages archived from the Scoopers & Friends Discussion Board,
going back to May of 1998. The discussion board board is an online forum about the business of pet-waste removal.
Browse the messages, CLICK HERE TO SEARCH
by keyword, or click here to participate in current discussions.
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Page Forty-Two
Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 08-Feb-00 11:07:14
Classified Ads
Hi again board,
I just got through with checking on some classified ads.......
A 3line ad,27 characters per line per month $117.55...Circulation ave. 32,000 readers.
41/2"x 3" business card ad in a smaller paper,$280.00....for three days a week for a month,Tues,Thur,Sat.
I believe that these would be somewhat effective, but for start-up it seems to be a little high.As allways any input would be appreciated.
Thanks
Don
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 08-Feb-00 14:25:36
Re: Classified Ads (vs. Display Ad)
I, too, am interested in hearing what other scoopers have experienced. In Atlanta, we had absolutely no luck with Classified Advertisting. We tried it in a variety of different papers and didn't receive so much as a nibble. (Flyers have been most successful way to advertise, BTW). A display ad (like the business card sized ad you mention) seems like the next logical thing to try, but it is very expensive.
Has anyone tried a display ad? Did it work better for you than a traditional Classified?
Thank you.
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 08-Feb-00 23:52:38
Re: Classified Ads
I have found that running classified ads every day is more effective than displays run 2 or 3 times a week. My paper has a "Call an Expert" service section within the classifieds and I have my own Pet Waste Removal heading. With circulation of about 50,000, I have been getting 4-6 calls/week after a month of running it. It started out slower.
ATTENTION DOG OWNERS! Complete dog waste removal. $7.50/1 dog $10/2 dogs. FREE introductory offer. Scoop Doggie Dog 750-9603.
The Columbian Publishing Co. Subclassification: PETWASTERE 1/28/2000
I also sent a press release to the local papers and was published in the daily (and got a call from a neighborhood assn prez) and was interviewed today by the weekly paper for a full story.
Remember that you need to educate your suspects (not yet prospects) that you exist EVERY day of the week.
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 08-Feb-00 13:56:19
My first clients!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I got my first two clients today. I have the money in my hands!!!!!!! I have only been advertising for two weeks. I'm doing the "Poop Scoopen Boogie" :]
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 09-Feb-00 01:33:41
Re: My first clients!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GOOD FOR YOU!!! KEEP UP THE GREAT SCOOPIN!
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 09-Feb-00 20:13:02
Re: My first clients!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
COOL!!!
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 14-Feb-00 08:20:03
Re: My first clients!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations! I know that's a great feeling! Now just keep doing things right, satisfy those customers, and hang in there through the discouraging times. :)
Matthew
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 09-Feb-00 01:32:30
AGAIN...with the stupid questions...
I am pretty bummed...I have been officially in business for 1 year and still have only 7 clients/customers. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? I've done several gift certificates for 1 month free service....no biters, placed ads in the local paper...no biters. I got my few clients from the flyers in the vets offices. I can't even get my customers to give me any referrals (1 week free service to each referral). NOTHING! I really like my clients and they seem to love what I do for them. Do you suppose they are embarrassed? I don't know.
I do know that I am a bit disappointed about how slow this is going...I was hoping for twice (or more) the amount of yards by now.
I guess I'm looking for more creative/sure thing type of suggestions from you guys to get me through this funk. Please help! My husband wants me to get a "paying job"....
Cindy (PET-DOO Services)
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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 10-Feb-00 12:54:00
Re: AGAIN...with the stupid questions...
Cindy,
Scroll dowwn through the message board to my offer entitled: "GETTING READY FOR THE SPRING MARKETING PUSH." Right now is the best time to roll up your sleeves and plan your marketing strategy. Send me a stamped, self-addressed envelope and I will send you "Cheap Marketing Tricks: A-Z" and "Shoestring Marketing." I guarantee (!) that something in these materials will spark up your spirits.
Marketing is the "funnest" part of this whole business (that, and the sweet dogs that greet you every week) Get involved in seeing how many ways you can get your business name out there and while you're not looking, your phone will start ringing!!
Be sure to send me your business card & brochure (for my collection!) and, if you like, I will give you some suggestions that worked for me. I started in May, 1999 and I have over 45 clients now, with sign-ups averaging 2 per week. I am bringing in $2000 per month. This is not the best statistics out there, but I am happy with the steady growth in my business...especially when there have been no less than 14 pooper scooper businesses in the area (that are no longer). I had a number of people at the Pet Stores, Grooming Shops and Veterinary Clinics (where I was putting out my brochures) tell me that "this area just doesn't seem to need this service, because these businesses come and go." Now, when I go back to replenish my brochures and check to see that they are still out(!), they are glad to see me and are asking about my service for their own personal needs!! Ya just gotta hang in there and know that your future clients simply just don't know you are there...yet. Focus on how many ways you can let people know. (for instance, wear your T-shirt EVERYWHERE you go; wear cute dog earrings; next time you buy checks, make sure they have dogs on them)...all these things are designed to make people, especially women, who are the majority of the clients, comment on them. When they do, tell them what you do, hand them your business card and joke about being "dung ho", or the "pooperazzi". Their next comment is almost always, "wow, what a great idea" and then they ask for more business cards to give to friends or neighbors.
Tricia
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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 11-Feb-00 13:09:55
Re: Re: AGAIN...with the stupid questions...
Tricia,
Thanks for replying. You always have the best advice.
When I first started this business I had hopes that I would be as successful as you are now. I'm jealous! But very glad for you!
As far as passing out fliers and business cards, I do exactly what you do. I think alot of my problem is the community I live in. We are a "farming" community where people "like to do things for themselves". But with a couple big companies moving in town, we are getting a more "yuppie" crowd. These are the people I have targeted. I am most certain that most of these people haven't heard of such a thing as a "professional pooper scooper and are leary. So, I will just keep hangin in there and hopefully have just as many customers as you!
You should be receiving my info around the first of next week (with my envelope)!
Thanks again
Cindy :-}
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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 10-Feb-00 20:36:12
Re: AGAIN...with the stupid questions...
Leave some business cards in bathroom when you go out, visit pet stores and warm chat to people you see buying dog items, ask what kind of dog do they have, or say something nice about the dog if it is with them, give them a card. If they start asking questions about your business, get their name and tele.# and do a follow up call in a day or two.
I use to sell Mary Kay product for three years and just got out of it, I have made more in one month picking up than gooping up. Hope these help.
Tina
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Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 13-Feb-00 03:09:45
Re: AGAIN...with the stupid questions...
I would be frustrated too! Most people in my area just walk there dog and let them go on someone else's lawn. They never think twice about picking up after their dog! They think it is alright to let their dog go anywhere but their own property.
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 09-Feb-00 20:05:33
Freebies
Hi! What are the pros-cons of offering one free visit as a portion of a prize for (for example) an ugliest dog contest? Should I say *not good on initial visit Thanks, Diane
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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 12-Feb-00 06:44:43
Re: Freebies
I have sometimes provided a gift certificate for free service as a prize in a contest, but very seldom have the winners of the prize converted to regular service.
I still think it's probably a good idea to provide these kinds of freebies from time to time. People hear about the service, your company name is associated with established and credible organizations, your vehicle is seen in new neighborhoods, and so forth.
I definitely understand the dilemma you ask about. If I'm providing a prize, I might as well make it a decent prize and go ahead and provide one month of service, including the first visit. Yes, it might be a good deal of work. But making the prize "not good for initial visit" seems like a bad idea to me. In my opinion it looks cheap and probably erases any real value the prize might have for the winner. From their point of view, it's "free," but they still have to pay for it -- not so good, I think.
My way of trying to limit the possible trouble and expense of the prize is to make it "Good for up to $35 value" or something like that. That way, the prize winner gets a nice prize, something to talk about to his friends and buddies at work, etc. -- and you don't get stuck cleaning up 5 years of waste from 5 dogs. :)
Matthew
matthew@pooper-scooper.com
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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 10-Feb-00 13:00:17
Free online advertising
Hi..
I've been a regular visitor to your board, I love your service, I think it's going to *pick up* so to speak over the next few years for many of you..
I just opened a new site, http://www.petfancy.com
you can post your ad there free until Feb 26,2000 for one free month..
Thought you'd like to post there...can't hurt!..
Good luck, I hope you get a lot of new jobs..
'
Webmaster@petfancy.com
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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 10-Feb-00 15:47:28
Sales Tax
Hello,
This is my first entry to the message boards of the Pooper Scooper elite. I am gearing up for my scooping business kick off in just a couple weeks. I've got flyers, business cards, quickbooks, getting ready to place some classified ads,etc...I'm ready to go but I have a question for my fellow scoopers in the fine state of Ohio. Do I need to charge sales tax and if so what is the percentage?
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Message Date/Time:
Thursday, 10-Feb-00 18:37:15
Re: Sales Tax
Nope. So far there is no sales tax on pooper-scooper services in Ohio :-)
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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 11-Feb-00 09:01:56
TV and Radio
Has anyone tried radio or tv commercials to promote their scoop business? If so,what were the results?
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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 26-Feb-00 15:37:54
Re: TV and Radio
The second worst thing is to spend a bunch of money and have no calls. The worst thing is to spend a bunch of money and have more than you can possibly handle. Radio and TV offer both opportunities, as well as just what you needed. Frankly, it scares me. Of course, I am going to do radio again, and possibly TV this year.
If ya ain't livin' on the edge, ya ain't livin'!
Pete, small business owner, pilot, motorcyclist, scuba diver, parent, 3 time husband and driver on the interstate during rush hour! (daredevil seems a bit redundant, don't you think? ;-) ) The secret is to look before you leap.
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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 11-Feb-00 20:28:09
MY MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT SO FAR...
I faxed a short and sweet Press Release to four radio stations. One called back and said..."sounds like you just want free advertising. You can reach Sales at this number...." Well, yes, I did want him to talk about my service and no, I didn't want to pay for it, so I guess technically he's right, but I thought DJ's liked to joke and talk about unusual, newsy things! The other 3 radio stations haven't called. They're ignoring me. Better than being humiliated. Any input? Thanks, Diane, Pooper Scoopers "I want your dog's business to be mine."
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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 12-Feb-00 06:35:26
Re: MY MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT SO FAR...
Diane, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. Unfortunately, sometimes people in the news departments of radio stations, or even people at small newspapers, will act VERY unprofessionally and respond to a news release by trying to sell advertising. It is that person who should be embarrassed -- not you.
One of the first things people involved in public relations and journalism learn in school is that there should be no connection between the news department and the sales department.
Please don't consider this episode as "being humiliated." Sometimes a press release does not result in a story -- probably most of the press releases sent out all over the world every day end up in the trash. It's just a reality of the business. It's still important to maintain good press relations by continuing to send out news when you have newsworthy information. Newspapers, radio, and TV all RELY on these things for content. Did you know that most of the articles printed as news stories started out from the desk of some public relations practictioner or a small business person with news to provide? In that sense, at least three-quarters of all news, from the neighborhood weekly paper to the nightly news on network broadcast TV is "free advertising."
It is important to follow some of the conventions of writing and distributing news releases; it will help to provide information of news value and interest for the readers/listeners/viewers of your local media. And that's exactly what news directors and editors are very much in need of all the time. There are some easy-to-follow books in the library that explain the basics. In "The Professional Pooper-Scooper" I also have some examples of news releases that have resulted in published news items about my own business. But as I say, even well-written and properly formatted and distributed press releases won't always end up in a story about your company. It's all part of doing business.
Hang in there. :)
Matthew Osborn
matthew@pooper-scooper.com
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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 26-Feb-00 15:31:08
Re: Re: MY MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT SO FAR...
First, don't be embarrased. It just didn't work this time, that's all. Let's face it, you DID want something for nothing, or at least no monetary exchange. They wanted something, too. Sounds like business to me.
I find that the humor of the entire poop-scooping business lends itself well to radio. I drove my truck through a hotdog give away line a radio station held. Got a little air time, laughed with the on-air guys. Did it again the next year. Did it again the next year. One of those guys has been in this market over 15 years, and mentions PET BUTLER 3-4 times a year. Mention dogs? How bout that PET BUTLER? Mention odd jobs? How bout that PET BUTLER? Think your job stinks? How bout that PET BUTLER?
Finally, if that's as embarrasing as it gets for you, you're doing MUCH better than I.
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Message Date/Time:
Saturday, 12-Feb-00 23:56:54
NEED SAMPLE INVOICE FOR NEW BUSINESS
STARTING NEW BUSINESS LOOKING FOR SAMPLE INVOICES THE SIMPLER THE BETTER. THANKS FOR THE HELP
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Message Date/Time:
Sunday, 13-Feb-00 13:09:38
Here I Go!
OK! I have really jumped into this head first. My wife is scared to death. I quit my job, (national sales manager). I am so sick and tired of the corporate world!
This week I have done the following: purchased a pickup truck $6,800.00, having my logo desiged by a student at Vo-Tech High Scool (half the price) $85.00, put together my uniform (I'm a former US Marine, so I bought a drill instructors hat, cami pants, combat boots,shirts
and made up lettering for shirts with HP iron on T-shirt transfers made right on my computor. $195.00, business cards $28.00 and I placed 4 ads in local weekly papers for 13 weeks $146.25 each. I have made up 2000 flyers $65.00, and today I am writting up press releases. I also have purchased literature holders for local Vetranarian offices. Any other suggestions ?
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Message Date/Time:
Monday, 14-Feb-00 11:07:38
Re: Here I Go!
Oh my gosh!
You weren't kidding about jumping! Don't get discouraged if you don't make a profit right away. You have a ton of expenses to recover!
And to think - I was happy when I got my magnetic truck sign!
Good luck!
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 15-Feb-00 21:38:24
Re: Here I Go!
Hey Jack,
You need to have a fall back job to bring money into your house hold. I find this business grows SLOWLY, on the up side, it keeps growing and what customers you get stick.
I wish you lots of luck ! But plan for the worst.
Barry
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Message Date/Time:
Friday, 18-Feb-00 03:52:37
Re: Here I Go!
Hi Jack,
If you have any money left(!), you might get a $.33 cent stamp and put it on a self-addressed envelope and send it to me. I will send you a copy of "CHEAP MARKETING TRICKS: A-Z" Please include one of your business cards and a flyer (for my collection!)
Tricia T. Timmons
TAIL END PooPER SCooPERS
P.O. Box 51554
Sparks, NV 89435-1554
P.S. This offer is open to ALL Pooper Scoopers
looking for ideas. My only request is a sample business card & brochure.
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Message Date/Time:
Tuesday, 15-Feb-00 00:00:29
GIFT CERTIFICATES
Should a gift certificate be at face value (2 dogs = $10/week X 4 wks = $40 gift certificate, or should you add a little just in case the first time is a whopper? Or do you just gamble and hope that after the first month they realize how wonderful it is and they sign up, even if the first time is a whopper. Thanks, Diane
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 16-Feb-00 13:06:42
Re: GIFT CERTIFICATES
Hi Diane!
I always ask the person buying the certificate when the last time the recipient's yard was cleaned. That way you kind of have a feel...and charge accordingly.
Make sure you put an expiration date on the certificate. (and maybe even put the dates available??)
Good luck!
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Message Date/Time:
Wednesday, 16-Feb-00 22:42:13
Re: GIFT CERTIFICATES
I been selling most gift certificates as a one time job; usually the job would be $50. So I sell them for $25, the employee gets paid, and hopefully the client who receives the gift will maybe stay as a customer. Sometimes the wife/husband will be buying to set up service, so I sell them a couple as they would be paying to have their yard clean, weekly, every other, and they are on scheldule with us as a client usually they'll buy one, put it in a picture frame with a picture of their pet(s) and a poem we write on the gift.
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