I would like to see a video on marketing your new pet sitting service, how to attract new clients and promote your business in general.

Thanks so much Melinda, love it and will do (^_^)

I'd like to see a video on "What to Leave for Your Pet Sitter (Information)" because this is so crucial for pet sitters. The name of my business is Creature Comforts Pet Sitters in Fort Worth, TX.

Brilliant, thank you!

An important aspect to building a successful pet sitting business is becoming an expert in animal behavior.  I enjoy seeing videos that address specific behavior issues (pulling, chewing, barking...) and how to manage them.

Thanks Brian! Well said and agree, we plan to have our in-house trainer do some videos, thanks!

As a professional dog walker, I keep my clients up-to-date with a blog.  I include photos of their babies on their walks, schedule changes, and about seasonal hazards.  I think it's important to educate our clients and remind readers about summer fox tails, holiday food hazards, over heating or cold weather, as well as other seasonal safety issues.  Giving simple tips to keeping pets safe is an important part of my service.

A flip camcorder would be a terrific way to engage people with things like, The Do's and Don'ts of holiday decorations when you have pets!

Thank you for your video series and a chance to win a Flip Camcorder!

Kortney E Malkin
Founder, DynaMutts
Big walks for small dogs
San Francisco, CA

Hi Kortney, awesome post and could not agree more!!!!

Thank you for your work in spreading the knowledge you've gained over the years.  I've owned a dog walking and pet sitting company in San Diego for the last 11 years, and in the last 5 years it's really grown beyond what I even thought was possible in the beginning :)

Wow Carrie, 11 years? That's awesome, congratulations! I'm sure we could all learn a lot from you in the discussion forums (:

re.: employee hiring process and keeping tabs on them

Love it and would love to make one plus is ripe for some great conversations in the forum too, thanks!

I'm about to hit my 8th year of business out in the suburbs outside of Dallas, TX. Dog walking has never been a much used service for my business, until this year. I've seen growth in this service but would like to do even more to attract more dog walking clients. Id love to see a video on growing your dog walking business.

Thanks for this contest. I love using video in my business both on my website and in social media.

Thanks,
Charry Lackey
The Pet Depot
Highland Village, TX

Hi Charry, thanks for posting and congratulations on 8 years, that's impressive! I definitely think dog walking as a service is on fire in the country and appreciate the video idea, definitely will do (:

I'm new to the business (6 months old) and would like to see something on SEO for websites. Also, with regards to dog behavior. Some videos on canine body language would be great.

Thank you,
Sue Wajvoda
Keep'em Kozy Petsitting
Highland, IN

Hi Sue, Congratulations on your new business! And I'm really into SEO and what an exciting area of business it is, changing every few months (: Definitely love that idea and canine body language too though I think the best person to comment on that will be one of our guest trainers and Victoria Stillwell on TV (:

I started my pet sitting business about 14 months ago and it has really taken off!  Last year for Christmas I had 3 clients.  This year, my client base has grown to over 25 and I have had to turn many away!  I have your book and it has really helped me gain the knowledge I need to effectively start up and run my business.  I am now ready to start hiring and expanding and would love more videos on how to effectively manage Independant Contractors/employees.  I would also love to hear what pet sitting software programs other pet sitting businesses are using and maybe a pros/cons list.  I would love to win a flip cam to add video to  my website!  Thanks so much for being here for us!

Joanne Rogden

Home-aide Pet Sitting Services, LLC

Hampstead, NC

Hi Joanne! Thanks so much and wow you are kicking some butt, love to hear it, love your video ideas and glad the book came in handy (^_^)

Hi. Loved your book. I'd like to see a video of some clever and unusual ways to market your service.

Thanks
Jamie Conway

Hi Jamie, Glad you loved the book and you got it on unusual ways to market, I love that idea (:

Hello. I think I'll buy your book.

_{Thank you Larry!}

Oh the topics are endless aren't they!! =) But here's a couple idea's...

~ Pet Sitter Insurance- Why we have it, Where to get it and what it covers!

~ Marketing- Where to market, who best to market to and which places for example Your web site, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter.

~Your everyday kind of experiences!  Those are the video's that I really like.  I learn a lot from the others too, but I personally think that if someone has had an experience (the not so fabulous kind) I think it really helps others grow and learn thru that experience! You know the ones...Here's what happened today or when a client leaves a bad review, or oh who knows the endless drama that can take place in a given day-but of course fingers and toes crossed that it doesn't even with the best plans in place stuff happens- RIGHT!! =) Haha

Thanks Josh!!

Kirsten Hall
Pet Sitters Unlimited, LLC
Redmond, WA

Hi Kirsten,

Love your comments especially how you love the videos about the "not so fabulous" experiences and that's exactly what I want this site to be about, real talk about what we go through, learning from my mistakes, pain and successes as well as learning from all of yours, thanks a lot (:

Also considering visitors to the site range from newbies to experts I think I'll break the video sections down into categories in the near future so people can check out what would be most helpful to them.

This came to me today as I was walking 2 of my clients - an English Bulldog and a Boxer.  I had remembered that someone had commented about walking multiple dogs but my suggestion would be to do a "mini-series" on "What if...?  A collection of videos showing how to handle typical situations that can come up during a dog walk that might cause the dogs to become startled or fearful.  We the humans want to remain calm and show the dogs that they do not need to be fearful because we are in control.  That might be hard to do in an unexpected situation such as:

1.  Having a pack of kids coming at you on bikes, skates, etc. making loud noises. 

2.  A barking, teeth baring 125 lb. lab barreling at you from a yard with an electric fence (will it work???)

3.  A garbage truck drops a metal bin on the concrete making an awful racket.

By the way, all of these things have happened to me during my dog walks.  Sometimes it is hard to remain calm but maybe some techniques that could be practiced to ensure safety for all and calm for the dogs.  Thanks!

Pat Blaney, Owner

Wagz 'n Whiskerz Pet Sitting

Cornelius, NC

Hi Josh,

I would like to know about getting the most out of my website. The one I have is set up to give me status reports on how many visitors I have, what pages they look at etc. I have noticed that I get alot of visitors who don't go past my home page and I don't know why and want to know what I can do to change that. A video about that would be very useful to me. Thanks and Merry Holidays! Oh and having a real video camera to use instead of my phone would be awesome! Mine won't let me send videos straight from my phone.

 

Jan-Marie Swanson

Happy Tails Play & go!

Austin Texas

Hi Jan-Marie, love your ideas, definitely will, thanks!