As a dog groomer, it’s important to know how to market your business so that you can attract potential clients. Luckily, there are many different ways to do this. Today, we’re going to list 20 of the BEST tips to market your dog grooming business.
Following these tips will help you reach more people who might be interested in hiring a groomer. In turn, this will increase your chances of getting hired for more appointments!
Pro Tip: Want to be a professionally certified dog groomer? Our Ultimate Guide will teach you everything you need to know in just six simple steps!
What Is The Target Market Of a Pet Grooming Business?
The first step to marketing your pet grooming business is understanding who your target market is. To do this, consider what type of clients you want to attract.
For example, are you looking to attract high-end clientele? Or are you more interested in attracting budget-conscious dog owners?
Once you know who your target market is, you can begin thinking about how to best reach them!
Where Do Groomers Make The Most Money?
While it’s important to understand your target market, it’s also essential to consider where you can make the most money.
For example, some groomers choose to work exclusively with high-end clientele because they know they can charge more for their services. Alternately, other groomers may choose to work with budget-conscious dog owners because they want to be able to help as many dogs as possible!
No matter what route you decide to take, be sure to consider where you can make the most money so that you can maximize your earnings!
How Profitable Is a Dog Grooming Business?
The profitability of a dog grooming business depends on many factors. The location of the business, the prices charged for services, and the number of clients served are just three examples.
That said, most dog grooming businesses are very profitable! In fact, according to Indeed, the average dog groomer in the United States makes approximately $45,650 per year. But the salary range for a dog groomer is very wide.
Meaning, you can absolutely may way more than that with the right effort and business strategies! So, if you’re looking to start a profitable business, dog grooming is a great option.
Marketing a Dog Grooming Business: How Do I Get More Grooming Clients?
Alright, you know now who your target market is. Now it’s time to start thinking about how to get their attention. After all, if they don’t know that you exist, they can’t book with you!
There are many different ways that dog groomers can get the attention of their target market. Some of the most effective methods include:
- Developing a personal brand
- Creating a strong online presence
- Participating in local events
- Getting featured in pet industry publications
- Listing your dog grooming business on online directories
Let’s take a closer look at each of these methods, shall we?
1. Developing a personal brand
Developing a strong brand is another way to get people to know about your dog grooming business. This means creating a recognizable identity for your business that sets you apart from other grooming experts in the industry.
There are many different ways you can go about this, but some of the most effective methods include:
- Creating a professional logo: This will help people to easily recognize your dog grooming business – both online and offline.
- Developing consistent branding: Use the same fonts, colors, tone, and overall aesthetic across all of your marketing materials.
- Creating high-quality content: Share blog articles, photos, and other pieces of content that show off your dog grooming skills and expertise.
Creating a personal brand for your grooming business will help you make a good impression on potential clients. Plus, it’ll help you stand out from your competitors, too!
2. Creating a Strong Online Presence
There are many ways to create a strong online presence for your dog grooming business. Start by creating a website and make sure to include plenty of photos and information about your services.
Next, be sure to claim your business on popular directories like Google My Business and Yelp. By doing this, you’ll make it easier for potential clients to find you when they search for dog groomers in your area.
Finally, make sure to stay active on social media! Posting photos of your work, sharing helpful tips, and interacting with potential clients will help you attract attention online.
3. Participating in local events
Another great way to market your dog grooming business is by participating in local events. For example, you could set up a booth at a pet-friendly festival or host a meet-and-greet at your salon. This is a great way to get your business in front of potential clients and to show them what you’re all about!
4. Getting featured in pet industry publications
Another way to get your target market’s attention is by getting featured in publications related to the pets industry. This could include websites, blogs, magazines, and even newspapers!
The benefits of this strategy are twofold. Firstly, this will help you reach more potential clients. Secondly, it’ll also give you some exposure.
There are several ways to get featured in pet industry publications:
- Submit articles or tips to popular websites
- Pitch story ideas to editors of pet magazines
- Share your business’s success stories with pet bloggers
Being featured in a publication is like getting a stamp of approval from the industry. So, if you can manage to get your business featured, it’ll definitely help you attract more clients.
5. Listing your dog grooming business on online directories
Another great way to market your dog grooming business is by listing it on online directories. This will help potential clients find you when they’re searching for dog groomers in their area.
Some of the most popular online directories for pet businesses include:
- Yelp
- Google My Business
- Google Maps
- Apple Maps
- Bing
- MapQuest
- Angi (formerly Angie’s List)
- Petfinder
- BringFido
By taking the time to list your business on these (and other) online directories, you’ll make it easier for potential clients to find and contact you.
Pro Tip: Make sure to claim your business listings on these platforms and keep your information up-to-date!
20 Tips To Market Your Dog Grooming Business
As a dog groomer, you know that it is important to market your business. After all, marketing is essential for any business… That said, it can be especially important for businesses in the pet industry.
It’s worth noting that the efforts you put into marketing your business don’t have to be difficult or expensive. On the contrary, there are many simple and affordable ways you can achieve your goals!
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of our top 25 tips for marketing your dog grooming business…
Tip #1: Get professionally trained and certified as a dog groomer!
One of the best ways to market your dog grooming business is to get professionally trained and certified. QC Pet Studies is a good place to get this training. When you’re certified, you show potential clients that you’re serious about your work – and that you have the skills necessary to take proper care of their beloved pet.
Learn all about QC’s self-paced, online Dog Grooming Course and its internationally-recognized certification!
Tip #2: Get real-world, hands-on experience!
In addition to getting certified, it’s also important that you get some real-world, hands-on experience. After all, there’s no substitute for actually doing the work!
Try to get an internship or apprenticeship with a local dog groomer. This will give you the chance to learn from a professional and gain some valuable experience. Furthermore, you can gain invaluable experience by offering free (or discounted) services to people you know, such as friends and family.
Tip #3: Get out there and meet people!
Attend pet industry events so you can meet other professionals in your field. Join organizations to stay connected and learn new things (we’ll talk more about that in the next tip). Finally, connect with other groomers and other industry experts to promote your work.
Tip #4: Join professional organizations!
Another great way to market your dog grooming business is to join professional organizations such as the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA) or the International Professional Groomers, Inc. (IPG). These types of reputable organizations offer many benefits! Access to educational resources and networking opportunities, are just two prime examples.
Plus, being a member of a professional organization shows potential clients that you’re serious about your work and that you’re always looking to improve your skills.
Tip #5: Ask for referrals!
If you have happy customers, ask them if they know anyone else who might benefit your professional groomer expertise. Typically, people who are happy with your services are more likely to give you a referral for someone who needs those same services.
Tip #6: Maximize social media!
Social media provides a unique opportunity to connect with potential clients and promote your work. So, you should definitely post pictures of your latest grooming results – as well as share helpful articles/videos – on various platforms. You should also use these different platforms to regularly engage with other users and industry professionals.
Some notable social media platforms you should consider focusing on include:
- TikTok
- YouTube
Tip #7: Create a professional website!
If you want to do business in today’s world, you need to have a professional website. Not only that – you always have to ensure that it stays up-to-date and looks its best!
When developing your website, include the following information:
- Your name and your business name
- Your logo
- Any certification(s) and qualifications you have as a groomer
- Contact information
- A portfolio of your dog grooming work
- Positive testimonials from past clients
- Information about your grooming services
- Links to your social media
- An option for online booking
If you need help getting started, Forbes offers 10 tips for developing a business site.
Tip #8: Develop a solid portfolio!
Speaking of your portfolio, you’re definitely going to put effort into this, too. After all, your portfolio is a reflection of your skills and abilities. As such, it’s important to make sure it is up-to-date and includes your best work. This way, dog owners can see what you’re capable of!
Discover 5 of the most effective ways to market your dog grooming portfolio!
Tip #9: Understand SEO and best SEO practices!
SEO (a.k.a. search engine optimization) is the process of making sure that your website can be found by people who’re looking for it on websites such as Google. Basically, the higher your ranking is, the more likely people are to find you!
One business-savvy way to improve your SEO is by using specific, targeted keywords on your website and in your social media posts. For example, if you’re a dog grooming living in New York, some keywords you might use would be:
- “Dog groomer New York”
- “New York dog groomer”
- “Best dog groomer New York”
What’s more – you can improve your SEO ranking by regularly blogging, too. Within your blog posts, make sire to include links back to your website. This will help people learn more about you and it will also help improve your SEO ranking.
Over time, you can also build up your website’s authority by getting other businesses, websites, and publications to link back to your articles and site as well.
If you’re new to SEO, Moz’s Beginner’s Guide will walk you through everything you need to know!
Tip #10: Pay for ad marketing!
Investing in paid ads is a great way to get your dog grooming business in front of potential pet owners who are looking for your type of services. Google Ads and Facebook Ads are two of the most commonly used examples.
When creating your ads, be sure to use relevant keywords while also targeting your ideal client base. For example, if you’re trying to target pet businesses, you might want to create an ad that says: “Dog groomer for businesses – We can help you keep your dogs looking their best!”
Alternately, if it’s dog owners you want to target, your ad might sound a little more like this: “Dog parents – Keep your pup looking sharp with our dog grooming services!”
If you’re not sure how to get started with paid ad marketing, this article by ConvertKit can help. It offers a useful overview of the different types of paid ads, as well as how to create them.
Tip #11: Market your dog grooming business by getting involved in your community!
One great way to market your dog grooming business is by getting involved in your community. There are a number of ways you can do this, such as:
- Volunteering with local animal shelters or rescue groups
- Donating services to charity auctions
- Sponsoring a pet-friendly event
- Attending trade shows or pet expos
By getting involved in your community, you’ll not only be able to help pets in need, but you’ll also be able to meet potential clients and build up your business’s reputation.
Tip #12: Offer free consultations!
Many people are hesitant to hire a dog groomer for the first time because they don’t know you, and therefore can’t necessarily trust that they’re dog will be in safe hands. Further, they’re likely unsure of what they want or how much it’ll cost.
You can alleviate ALL of these concerns by offering free consultations! This is the kind of simple, easy gesture that results in big rewards for you and your business. The client can have their fears put to rest, while also seeing what you’re capable of doing for them.
As a result, this will help YOU get more bookings and also put your name out there!
Tip #13: Offer other types of incentives while you’re at it!
To sweeten the deal even more, why not offer additional customer incentives? People love to save money, and if you can offer a way to do that, you’ll better your chances of them hiring you.
Discounts, freebies, referral bonuses, and/or loyalty/membership programs are all excellent examples of what we’re talking about. This will show potential clients that you’re generous – and that you care about them doing business with you.
The fact that it’ll also help you stand out from the competition is just an added perk!
Tip #14: Combine dog grooming with other pet services!
By offering additional pet care services, you’ll attract a wider range of potential customers. For instance, in addition to dog grooming, you could offer:
- Dog training
- Doggy daycare
- Boarding facilities
- Dog walking
- Homemade dog treats and food for purchase
- Grooming tools and products available for purchase
- Discounts off brand-name products (if you’re an ambassador for any pet companies)
- Dog toys for purchase
- Custom-made pet clothing, trinkets, and accessories for purchase
The benefits of adding more services to your business are endless! For starters, this will show people that you’re a versatile pet expert with lots to offer! Not to mention, you’ll have additional streams of income – and can even potentially raise the rates of ALL your services in general!
Interested in adding professional dog training to your business? QC Pet Studies’ self-paced, online Dog Training Course can turn you into an International Dog Training Professional™ (IDTP™) in as little as 6 short months!
Tip #15: Provide virtual services!
With the current state of the world, many people are feeling uneasy about leaving their homes. As a result, they may be hesitant to bring their pets out – even for something as simple as a grooming appointment.
You can ease these worries by providing virtual services! This could include:
- Skype or FaceTime consultations
- Virtual pet tours (of your facility)
- Pre-recorded grooming tutorials
- Online dog training courses/programs
By offering these kinds of services, you’ll show potential clients that you’re adaptable and willing to go above and beyond to ensure their safety and comfort. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that this is an excellent way to set yourself apart from the competition!
Tip #16: Write a dog grooming blog!
Blogging is a really effective way to market your dog grooming business and improve your website’s SEO. When you blog, you’re sharing your knowledge and expertise with a wider audience. On top of that, blogging also gives you a platform to showcase your best work and attract new customers.
Not sure where to start? Wix has an awesome step-by-step guide that we highly recommend!
Tip #17: Speak at pet industry events!
If you’re an expert in your field, there’s a good chance people will want to hear what you have to say! Public speaking is an excellent way to market your dog grooming business, gain some valuable exposure, and even network.
Not only will this help you attract new customers; it’ll also solidify your status as a credible authority in the pet industry. To find events near you, we recommend searching online or contacting your local Chamber of Commerce.
Tip #18: Sponsor a pet-related event!
Sponsoring a pet-related event is another great way to get your business name out there. When you sponsor an event, people will see your company logo, hear your business being mentioned, and have a positive association with your brand.
This is an especially effective marketing strategy if you choose to sponsor a local event, as it’ll help you attract attention from people in your community.
To find events that you could potentially sponsor, following the same recommendation above (looking around online or contacting your local Chamber of Commerce).
Tip #20: Collaborate with other pet industry experts!
Finally, one of the single best ways to market your dog grooming business is to collaborate with other pet industry experts. This could involve anything from guest blogging, to co-hosting an event or webinar, to participating in a joint marketing campaign.
When you collaborate with other businesses, you’re gaining valuable exposure. Moreover, you’re also building strong relationships with other leaders in your industry. Believe us when we say that these relationships can be extremely beneficial down the road!
Collaborating could also come in the form of pairing up with existing businesses, such as:
- Pet stores
- Dog walkers
- Kennels and boarding facilities
- Vet offices
- Animal shelters, etc.
If you have a good relationship with these businesses, they may be willing to promote your services to their clients!
How To Market a Dog Grooming Business: Conclusion
We hope you found these tips helpful! Marketing your dog grooming business doesn’t have to be difficult. Rather, with a little effort and creativity, you’ll be well on your way to success.
Do you have any other marketing tips that have worked well for your dog grooming business? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below! And don’t forget to follow our blog for more great content like this.
Thanks for reading!
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