For Alitia’s Animals, we aim to take note of what’s working and what’s not at least once a year.  And it’s that time of year for us.

I started gathering the resources we use on a daily basis that all fit together to effectively run, manage and grow our pet sitting business.

These are everything from the intake form we use while taking that first new client phone call to the welcome home email we send to complete the job.

Do you have all your ducks in a row?

You need to consistently evaluate the tools you use day in and day out in your business to not only determine if they’re working, but to determine if they’re working the best that they can be.

All said and done, I gathered 8 pet sitting business tools we use to successfully perform each pet sitting job.  This list isn’t exhaustive but it is the bulk of it.

In the spirit of this blog, I want to continue helping as many pet sitters succeed as possible.  I will give away absolutely free the most requested resource on this page.

Read through each tool and cast your vote below.  The tool with the most votes becomes available for the taking.

Vote Here, Read Descriptions Below

Pet Sitting Service Agreement

This is our 5 page interactive document that we have all new clients fill out before service begins.  It is interactive, which simply means that we email it to the client, she fills it out on her computer using Microsoft Word, saves a copy on her computer and emails it back to us.

There is no printing, no pen, and no paper.  Instructions are also included at the end of the agreement that walk the client through exactly how to fill it out, save a copy and return it to us.

Client Intake Form

Whether it’s me, Kristina, Lisa or Alitia answering the phones, we needed a complete, and systematic form that allows us to get every piece of information we need from a potential new client.

Our one-page pet sitting client intake form works like a charm.  We have printed copies of this page nearby at all times and during the conversation, we make sure to cover each area.

Pet Sitter Phone Script

My amazing wife Alitia perfected her phone pitch seemingly out of thin air.  I’m pretty sure she created it on the go.  After hundreds of incoming phone calls, it was finally time to train others to give Alitia a much needed break!

Our phone script is word-for-word the complete dialogue we use for all new incoming calls (outside of any small talk, of course).

Each section is labeled so you can follow along with no problems.

Gift Certificate Template

Truth be told, I had no idea whether or not offering gift certificates on our website would even work.  I was thrilled to be wrong.

Our gift certificate template is a professionally designed graphic available in PDF format.  All you need to do is open up the file and enter the client’s information directly ON TO the image and send it off via email.

(Quick tip: Sell a gift certificate and you’re receiving money up front way before it’s usually redeemed.)

Recorded Incoming Client Phone Call

If you’ve ever been curious what other pet sitter client phone calls sound like, wonder no more.

We have some of Alitia’s best phone calls recorded ready to hand over.  Compare scripts, tone, persona, objections and more.

Pet Sitter Report Card

Ever hear the phrase “under promise and over deliver?”  Well, this is just one way to make that happen.

Your clients want to know at all times that their precious loved ones are doing OK.  Our pet sitter report card is left behind each visit so the client can rest easy reading the details of the entire visit.

Time of visit, eating habit and physical activity is all noted.

Follow Up Survey

If you don’t ask your clients how you’re doing, you’ll truly never really know.  It’s smart to check in every once in a while and ask for some feedback.

Our clients are most often more than happy to let us know the good and the not so good.  Getting honest feedback is one of the best ways you can grow your pet sitting business..

Welcome Home Email Template

For those clients who need to travel, the welcome home email accomplishes a few things.

First, it thanks the client for using our service and for trusting us with the care of the pet and property.

Next, it verifies that the client has returned home to find everything in satisfactory order (they will take this opportunity to communicate any issues, problems or concerns).

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we directly ask for an online review at Google Maps and Yelp.  It’s so extremely important to not only ask for feedback and testimonials, but to ask specifically for online reviews at some of your more popular listings.

This email template is in plain text and HTML format and has worked like a charm for us.

Jump to the Voting Booth at the top of the page.

Share and Share Alike

After voting, please take a moment to let other pet sitters about this give-away. (Thanks!)

Related posts:

1. The Official Pet Sitter’s Guide To Making Google Happy [Free Download]
2. The Secret to a Successful Pet Sitting Business Revealed – The M Word
3. Your Pet Sitting Phone Pitch is Killing Your Business

No matter who you are, or what line of work you are in, most everyone suggests Facebook is the way to go.

Or at least part of the way to go.

But I’m not so sure…

Is Facebook Right for Pet Sitters?

The strangest thing happened to me on Facebook recently.

You know when you are on your profile and they “suggest” friends for you?

Well one of my suggestions the other day was my best friend David’s mother.

I know!

Facebook thought that I’d be interested in being FB friends with my friend’s mom.

Now don’t get me wrong, there’s surely nothing wrong with David’s mom, she’s a wonderful woman.

I’m just not sure if being in each others’ feeds will accomplish anything.  And we’re not even in the same part of the country.

Sure, it doesn’t cost anything to friend request people, but where does Facebook for personal life end and Facebook for business start?

I’m not sure of that line anymore.  Does it even exist?

Do You Have A Pet Sitter Account on Facebook?

So, I’m quite certain you have a Facebook personal profile, right?  But do you also have a Facebook Fan Page for your pet sitting business?

You know, that page that everyone swears will bring you heap of new clients.  Now I know there are pet sitters who swear by Facebook and have found new clients that way.

Yet the majority of pet sitters I speak to are struggling to make it work.

What’s your story?

Do you have a Facebook account for your pet sitting business?  Do you “use it?”  Is it working?  Can you share any tips or tricks to help bring in more clients?

Do you use it to keep in touch with and communicate with current pet sitting clients?  Or are you able to locate and attract new clients?

Also, feel free to list your Facebook links in the comments below.

Related posts:

1. Is Your Facebook Fan Page Hurting Your Pet Sitting Business?

Some months ago, I received an email from fellow pet sitting business owner Danielle Chonody asking if we can set up a time to speak.

I already knew Danielle from the industry and was excited to hear what was on her mind.

Early into the conversation, Danielle cuts to the chase and says, “I want to start a pet sitting association!”

My immediate response was “Let’s do it! Count me in.”

Now, at the time, I had no real concept of what it would be or what would be involved, but just hearing those words – “I want to start a pet sitting association” – excited me. It felt right.

I knew that this was the thing to pursue and was something the industry desperately needed.

Our First Order of Business

As soon as we hung up the phone, I couldn’t stop thinking about this new venture we would be embarking on. I spent days scribbling notes and jotting down ideas.

Anything and everything I felt was missing from the industry went down on paper.

Because, really, our goal was not simply to rehash all the resources and tools currently available to pet sitters… We know you can find free forms, templates and tools with a Google search.

No. Our goal was to bring something new, unique and innovative to the pet sitting community. Something that would inspire and empower pet sitters to achieve excellence.

And little did I know (something I learned shortly into our first conversation), Danielle already had a name picked out, along with a clear mission and vision for the association. She was also well into the final draft of her pet sitting book “How To Create Excellence in Your Pet Sitting Business” (now available at Amazon.com). You can download a 33-page sample chapter too!

So instead of offering the same-old out dated tools and resources, we set out to provide pet sitters with some of the tools that big business use simply by harnessing the power of the Internet and modern technology.

The Pet Sitters Speak Out

We also began to elicit feedback from the pet sitting community. The pet sitters who are out there day in and day out trying to grow their businesses.

We discovered what was working, what was not working, and learned a thing or two about your current frustrations.

• How do I hire staff?
• Where in the world do I find new clients?
• My website is not the best it can be.
• Help – I need a day off!

And on and on…

The APSE is Born

On April 15, 2010 Danielle and I were thrilled to open the doors to the Association of Pet Sitting Excellence. And the response and support from the pet sitting industry has been amazing, to say the least.

As co-founder of the APSE, I could certainly go on and on about how wonderful it is and continue to gush like a new parent.

Instead, I invite you over to the APSE website to discover for yourself what our charter members are already utilizing and buzzing about.

Please also become a fan of ours on Facebook

Feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts or questions below, and I look forward to seeing you over at the APSE member forums!

Related posts:

1. Is Your Facebook Fan Page Hurting Your Pet Sitting Business?

Sarah’s pet sitting business was voted “Best Pet Sitting Company” in 2009 by Atlanta Magazine and with a roster of 13 independent contractors on board, the company must be doing most things right.

In this open and honest interview, Sarah walks us through the step-by-step process of finding, interviewing and hiring the perfect IC for your team.

Listen in and discover:

• The number one reason Sarah decided to hire her first IC
• The best (and worst) place to post an ad
• How to avoid getting overwhelmed with IC responses
• What to include in your ads
• What to look for during your first face-to-face interview
• Why putting yourself in the clients’ shoes is so crucial
• Whether it’s better to pay ICs a flat-rate or a percentage
• Sarah’s biggest concern when it comes to hiring ICs

Related posts:

1. Is Your Pet Sitter IC Sharing Your Secrets With Competitors?
2. Hiring Pet Sitters? The 12 Most Fun, Direct and Eye-Opening Questions You Must Ask.
3. Is That Pet Sitter You’re Hiring An Independent Contractor or Employee? Find Out Here.

And it’s no secret that I’m a big fan of hiring pet sitters to help your business grow.

Bringing on the right person can make you more money by helping to expand your services and your service area.

I received this question through the Ask Joshua page:

Question:

Dear Joshua,

How can I make sure the information I share with my IC is not used against me or shared with anyone else?  I don’t want my competition to know all my secrets, or the exact way I do things.

Help!

-Cindy Espers
Tampa, Florida.

Answer:

Hi Cindy,

As you know, the secret to a successful relationship with an IC is trust.

Without it, you won’t be able to bring out the best in your IC and she won’t bring out the best in you.

With a solid foundation of trust between you and your pet sitting IC, you’ll be certain the job is getting done up to your standards and that your IC is being open, honest and upfront with you at all times.

How Do You Build That Trust?

So, like you asked, how can you feel safe and secure disclosing all your business secrets and information to your IC while you strengthen the trust?

A non-disclosure agreement is a great way to start.

But, let’s back up for a moment…

When hiring and working with your IC, it’s only natural (and often quite necessary) to disclose a certain amount of information to the IC that will make her job go smoothly.

Certain information will be sensitive and must be kept confidential.

A few examples of things you may need to share with your IC include:

• Client or potential client personal details
• Payment fees and pay structure
• Marketing strategies
• Website statistics
• Client forms, contracts or agreements
• Company policies
• Login details
• Business practices

Clearly, in order to build a mutually beneficial and long lasting relationship with your IC, you will need to place a great deal of trust in each other from the get go.

You’ll want to make certain that every piece of information you share with your IC is held in confidence (and not shared with your closest competitor, for one thing).

Remember, by definition, your IC is legally entitled to provide the exact same pet sitting service for both you and your competition.  By law, you cannot prevent your IC from doing so.

Therefore, make sure you have the proper agreements and contracts in place to assure both you and your independent contractor are always on the same page, so you can feel comfortable confiding in her.

An IC and Friend for Life

Properly done, your IC can be a trusted partner and friend that you feel comfortable sharing business details, thoughts, and ideas with.

This will not only help your business grow, but will also strengthen the relationship you have with your IC.

You want to find an independent contractor that you can trust and begin to build a personal and business relationship that will last a lifetime.

When you and your IC have respect and admiration for each other, you both will always be looking out for the good of the company.

And that is a win-win for both of you.

If you haven’t already done so, check out my Pet Sitter Independent Contractor Tool Box, and see if it’s right for you.

For starters, it does contain a legal 4-page non-disclosure agreement that you can use.

Hope this gets you on the path to a successful relationship with your pet sitting IC.

Related posts:

1. Is That Pet Sitter You’re Hiring An Independent Contractor or Employee? Find Out Here.
2. Pet Sitter Independent Contractor Tool Box – See Full Video Here!
3. 6 Important Reasons To Hire A Pet Sitting Independent Contractor

PSI alone boasts more than 8000 members (that’s a lot of pet sitters) and the Internet is littered with articles claiming anyone can make money pet sitting.

But how much good are they really providing us with?

PSI and NAPPS both claim similar goals and benefits:

• To educate the pet sitter
• To promote pet sitting to pet owners
• To give exposure to pet sitters across the country
• To provide networking opportunities
• Annual conferences
• Quarterly magazines
• Bonding and Insurance (through partners)
• Searchable pet sitting directory
• Pet sitting certification
• Health care benefits

When my wife and I launched our pet sitting business, we chose to hop on the PSI bandwagon.  The first thing we did was slap their logo on our website and submit ourselves to the pet sitter business locator so pet owners could potentially find us.

I’ve heard varying degrees of success from other pet sitters regarding the locator (directory).  Some get a good portion of new clients that way, while others get zero.

I do flip through PSI’s quarterly mag when I have some free time and find it mildly educational.

For $140 per year (PSI) or $160 per year (NAPPS), you can join either of these organizations and call yourself a member.

So, Is It Worth The Money? Take Our Poll.

I’ve been reading a lot lately about pet sitters choosing not to join PSI or NAPPS because they don’t feel like it’s worth it.  And that the only true benefit may be to post the organizations’ badge on their website.

But the bigger questions are:

• Is membership worth it?
• Do they succeed in their claims?
• Do your potential clients care, or know the difference, whether you are a member or not?

What has your experience been? Take our poll, and leave your thoughts below with the answers to the Qs above…

Related posts:

1. PSI and NAPPS Members Are Now Eligible For Health Care
2. Can You Really Make Money As A Pet Sitter?
3. Is A Pet Sitting Business The Way To Make Money Fast?

You may like to supervise hands on to make sure every thing gets done exactly the way you envision it.

However, at some point you’ll come to realize you can’t do it all, at all times.

Enter your pet sitting independent contractor.

We all get sick, get tired, get burnt out, get called away for an unexpected emergency and simply want a day off for ourselves.

Plus, in order to grow into a powerhouse pet sitting business, you’ll need to bring others on for maximum potential.

When you begin to see an independent contractor as someone you can trust, count on and confide in, you’ll be able to breathe easier knowing your business is in fine hands while you tend to other matters – including growing your business and profits.

I currently have nearly 30 pet sitting ICs on board helping Alitia’s Animals to run smoothly and I thank my lucky stars for their continued commitment and dedication to the business.

It’s the IC who upholds my reputation and keeps the clients coming back time and time again.

Here are 6 reasons you’ll thank your lucky stars for your wonderful IC:

1: Expand Your Service Area

A bigger service area equals a bigger pay day.

You’ve thought long and hard about the area you can logically (and most profitably) cover, right?  Well feel restricted or limited to one neighborhood or zip code anymore.

Consider this: While you maintain your current service area, find your ideal pet sitting IC who can cover a broader area. Voila! You’ve now doubled your service area, and doubled your potential client list.

Serve more clients and make more money.

2: Expand The Services You Offer

Can’t offer cat sitting visits because you’re allergic?  Caught up with the kids mid-day and can’t leave the house?  Schedule doesn’t permit you to offer sleepovers in the client’s home?

Problem solved!

If you’ve had to turn down one too many potential clients because you simply don’t offer that service, hire an IC who just so happens to love providing the services you do not.

You provide the services you most enjoy and pass off the rest.

3: Emergency Backup

Savvy business owners prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Nobody plans for emergencies to call us away from work but life is unpredictable and our pet sitting clients rely on us to fulfill our commitment to care for their pet.

Rest easy knowing your IC will promptly step up to the plate at a moment’s notice and help out with your current appointments and responsibilities while you tend to your emergency.

Can’t you just feel your shoulder tension easing already?!

4: Take A Break/Vacation

As McDonalds once proclaimed, “You deserve a break today.”

When’s the last time you took a day off?  I’ve met some pet sitters who have not taken a day off in years.

You may feel that running your own pet sitting business is a 24/7/365 job. And really, most of the time it is.

Yet we all need some time off to rejuvenate our mind, body and soul. Be good to yourself with a much-needed vacation while your IC holds down the fort.

Start planning your perfect getaway now.

5: Sick Day

Exercise. Eat well. Get plenty of rest.

Perfect advice for a healthy well-balanced life. Sadly, those tiny infectious bacteria still manage to get inside and run us down – no matter how much Airborn or Emergen-C you take.

When you can barely get yourself out of bed in the morning, roll over and make one phone call to your IC and fall back to sleep.

6: Partnerships Are Good

You can accomplish a great deal on your own.

You can practically conquer the world with the right people around.

Many small business owners, including the professional pet sitter, work alone. Whether you like the solitude that this business offers or not, a second person to chat with, bounce ideas off of or get a second opinion from will keep you sane, happy and motivated.

Learn to trust others and you’ll be amazed how quickly your pet sitting business will succeed.

The Pet Sitter Independent Contractor Tool Box

I know most of us are self-proclaimed control freaks and want things done our way.  And that’s OK.

But hiring an IC will only give you more to control by making you happier, more relaxed and more successful.

I’ve made it simple to find, interview and hire your first pet sitting IC by putting together the Pet Sitter Independent Contractor Tool Box.

It literally hands you everything from IC agreements and contracts to a template library and 21-page manual.

Find an IC you can count on and you will find a partner that will make you wonder how you ever got along without her.

Related posts:

1. Is That Pet Sitter You’re Hiring An Independent Contractor or Employee? Find Out Here.
2. Pet Sitter Independent Contractor Tool Box – See Full Video Here!
3. Is Your Pet Sitter IC Sharing Your Secrets With Competitors?

They have power.

Use the right ones at the right time and you’ll succeed beyond your wildest dreams.

They make you feel good, keep you energized and have others looking up to you in admiration.

I’m not, of course, talking about those four-letter obscenities. I’m talking about the two four-letter words that most of us forget about.

Work. Hard.

Those are the two four-letter words you should use often. Unfortunately, too many people don’t work hard enough and still expect to see the results they claim they are after.

In order to obtain everything you desire, you must put in the hard work.  Ironically, once you understand that concept, achieving your goals becomes a breeze.

The 10 Best Ways To Do It Right

Here are 10 pointers to keep you working hard to get everything you desire out of life – including a wildly successful pet sitting business.

Network

Whether it’s online or in person, stay connected and develop relationships with the people who compliment your service.  Build trust and add whatever you can to the mix. You’ll be surprised how things come full circle when you least expect it.

Help Others First

In order to truly succeed in any service industry – pet sitting included – you need to help others first (without expecting anything in return).  Only then will you see the favor returned ten fold.  Look for ways to provide value to enhance the lives of those around you.

Be Genuine

Nobody like a phony.  Whether dealing with potential clients, colleagues or friends, say what you mean and mean what you say.  Be true to yourself and others will flock towards you.

Stick To Your Word

Becoming a resource that others can rely on takes time to master. The first way to assure success is to simply stick to your word.  Follow through on your commitments and you’ll be good to go.

Be Quick

Return calls in a timely manner (preferably within a few hours, but not more than 24 hours later), and reply to all emails you receive.  Even if you can’t help or don’t have the time, give the sender the courtesy of letting them know that.

Work Smarter Not Harder

As the iphone commercial boasts, “There’s an app for that.”  And with technology what it is today, chances are the Internet will provide you with a free method, tool or resource to make your personal and business life easier. Discover the world wide web and all it has to offer.

Listen

Ever notice how much more you talk when you’re in an uncomfortable situation?  In business, the most successful people understand the power of listening (much) more than they talk.  Listen and ask questions.  Lots of questions.

Set Goals

Continually set goals for yourself.  Set daily goals, monthly goals and annual goals for your business.  Decide how many new clients you want before month’s end or what new skill you’ll implement.

Learn Something New

Whether it’s learning a bit of html code to manage your website better or discovering a new sales technique, develop the skills to become a strong leader in the pet sitting industry.

Love Every Minute

There’s an old saying that goes “Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life.”  If you simply are not enjoying (read: loving) the work you do, no amount of hard work will pay off.  Do what you love and the business will follow.

There You Have It

Four-letter words don’t have to be mean and nasty.  In fact, the best ones will create the life you dream about on a daily basis.

So what are some of your favorite four-letter words?

Related posts:

1. The 8 Components Of A Perfectly Run Pet Sitting Business
2. Struggling With Your Pet Sitting Business? Simon Cowell Can Relate!
3. What Does Makeup Have To Do With Pet Sitting?

Technorati was founded to help people discover great blog content, and their network of media sites was just ranked the 5th largest media property.

Needless to say, I’m stoked to have been given this opportunity to expand my business knowledge to a wider audience.

With that said, below are the first 5 articles published on Technorati. I’m certain pet sitters can find value in these posts.

I look forward to your comments…

1: Are Your Customers Secretly Talking Behind Your Back?
What if all the countless hours you put into your business went down the drain because of a problem you weren’t aware of?

2: Stop Wasting Your Time Trying To Land On The First Page Of Google
Working tirelessly to land on the first page of Google is great. But if no one visits your site (or buys from you), what’s the use?

3: How Alex Trebek Has Changed My Life
Succeeding in business can be the difference between what you know and what you don’t know. Make sure you know a lot.

4: You and Twitter Really Need To Kiss and Make Up
Do you feel like the entire world is making Twitter work for their business while you just get left behind? Let’s change that.

5: Do You Have Your Own Personal Simon Cowell?
When’s the last time you took a step back to see what’s working in your business and what isn’t? An outside view may be just what you need.

My Technorati Profile Page: http://technorati.com/people/JC10002/

Related posts:

1. Hiring Pet Sitters? The 12 Most Fun, Direct and Eye-Opening Questions You Must Ask.
2. Pet Sitters: What You Can Learn From America’s Got Talent
3. 4 More Ways To Drive New Clients To Your Pet Sitting Business

Why do I feel so strongly about speaking up for the Pit?

Maybe it’s because I often feel misunderstood myself.  Or that I love all animals equally.  Or that I’d rather spend time with a furry creature than with most of the people in my life.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m a Leo, as social as they come, and label myself a ‘people person.’  But if our focus remains on proposed legislative bills to specifically ban dogs based exclusively on its breed, I’d like to turn the tables for a minute and shine the light on the human.

Sure, my family, friends and colleagues mean well, but we as humans are cursed with a tremendous amount of negative emotions, traits and qualities that no dog is capable of.

And because of our advanced nature, we are capable of manipulating those around us based on those feelings.

What Humans Are Capable Of

All people experience jealousy, insecurity, blame, drama, and feelings of inadequacy.  Human beings can be superficial, secretive and tasteless.

We hold grudges, lie to each other’s face and can become overly critical to the ones we love.  We plot against, plan around and pretend to listen.

We are selfish, self-centered and self-important.  We talk too much and reveal too little.  We protect our motives and guard our emotions.

We laugh at each other more than we laugh with each other.  We cry alone, behind closed doors, and when no one’s looking.

We keep our guard up when we should let it down.  We push each other away instead of drawing them in.

The Master/Dog Relationship

The human being is a flawed creature.  And it’s the human master that our dogs learn from.

A dog takes it cue directly from the person it’s around.  A dog is not born violent or vicious.  A dog is a product of its surroundings.  Period.

What example are we setting for our dogs?  If the Pit Bull breed has the unfortunate circumstance of being bred for despicable reasons, should we not question the master in charge of creating these circumstances in the first place?

And shouldn’t we spend more time focusing on setting a better example as the dog’s master, opposed to wiping out a specific breed and sending them away?

So put me on a deserted island any day with all the Pit Bulls that some legislation is looking to ban.

I love my family and friends dearly.  It’s just that the drama people are capable of causing greatly outweighs those inherent in the Pit Bull.

Let’s put the responsibility back on the human before victimizing a domestic breed.

Let’s take responsibility as people first and ask from what vicious animal the Pit Bull is actually learning from?

What Now?

It frustrates me to no end when I hear the ignorance of others claiming that all Pit Bulls are all bad.  Or when the closed-minded believe it’s OK to prejudge an entire breed (prejudge = prejudice).

Please share your Pit Bull photos and stories with me so we can continue to honor the strength, loyalty and commitment of a wonderful breed. Leave a comment below or contact me directly through this site.

Thanks to my friend Katherine, of No Worries 4 Pets, who recently shared this YouTube video:

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