You’re juggling phone calls, emails, coffee meetings, showings and a long list of requirements and preferences for a client who’s itching to move. Then you find out that their family includes a dog, or they are thinking of getting one sometime soon. This is a major factor for you to consider – looking out for the family dog will help them (the client and the dog) stick by your side.
Whether your animal-loving client is buying or selling, their responsibilities as a pet owner are an opportunity to retain contact with them for now and for the long haul. You can develop an ongoing relationship as a resource for good local services. If you have information on hand about great veterinary, dog-walking, grooming and boarding services, you’ll show your client that you care about the whole family’s comfort and well-being.
And if you have perks for your clients such as a special deal at a local dog business for your welcome packages or just a small gift, even better.
We see it every day at my company, Walk My Dog Toronto. People who have just moved haven’t even had time to unpack or get organized in their own lives before they must find a vet and a dog-walker. They need to make sure their pet has the best care while they are at work or otherwise busy settling in. Anyone who can help them find new services without having to do all the research themselves is definitely appreciated for helping with their transition.
A dog in the household certainly means tailoring a home search to be pet appropriate – in size, style, look, feel and location. How will the dog manage in the house as he or she ages? Is there natural light and cosy space for them to enjoy? Are there dog parks or nature trails nearby?
But the relationship doesn’t end there. It’s commonly said that dogs become people’s children, and it’s true. There is a lot of trust involved for people looking to invest in services to help them take care of their cherished pets, just as there is a lot of trust involved in a relationship involving the buying and selling of property. Once that trust is built, it can be maintained.
People pay for services to make their lives easier because they value their time and they want to fully enjoy the (usually sparse) leisure time available to them. They often have most use for services during times of unpredictability, stress and pressure. In order to best serve them during those times, we must think creatively.
That’s why you’re always thinking about the added benefits you can offer clients to help them out while they are working with you, and why we prioritize simplicity and transparency when it comes to spending important socializing and exercise time with their dogs.
Our walk tracker goes a long way toward providing clients with the knowledge they need and deserve when it comes to the security of their home and the trust they place in us to take care of their dogs. We use a mobile app to track our walks, so when their dog is back at home, feeling calm and happily exhausted, clients immediately receive an email that details our activities with a map, photos and a note.
This way clients have the security of knowing that all went as planned, and they feel as though they are taking part in their pet’s experience away from home. It removes a lot of stress from their life and puts a smile on their face.
It is important to refer clients to services that you trust to be professional, transparent and safe. Good, straightforward pet care is an investment for your clients and becoming a resource for those services is a way for you to demonstrate that you understand your clients’ needs at home, both for now and in the future.
Gilleen Witkowski is the owner of Walk My Dog Toronto. She says, “With easy online booking, we walk your dog while you are busy or at work. We give your dog love, socialization and exercise and we keep in touch with you every step of the way with our walk tracker. Contact us for client perks.”
