Every month I share actionable business tips, practical pooper scooper advice, and high-quality insights from across the Pet Waste Removal Industry, directly to your inbox. ๐ฉ Check out the awesome resources below that will help your Pet Waste Removal Business and make sure to subscribe to The Scoop Report newsletter so you don't miss the latest scoop!
Why Most Pooper Scoopers Fail Within 3 Years
Unearthing the Missteps in Pet Waste Business Success.โ |
Hey Reader , Tony here! ๐๐ผ The pet waste removal industry, with it's seemingly straightforward business model and ever-growing demand, tempts many people to start this kind of side hustle and eventually go full time. With pet ownership on the rise, there's a clear need for poop scooping services, yet many fail within the initial years. ๐ฎ But why does this happen? Is it a lack of effort, poor execution or something more nuanced? Today I'm diving deep into these pitfalls and will share actionable tips to help you avoid them. Lack of Business Planning ๐ Every business, regardless of its scale or industry, needs a clear roadmap. In the Pet Waste Removal Industry, this involves assessing local demand, studying competitors, and anticipating challenges. However, many new scoopers underestimate this and frankly don't create a business plan. Consider the unfortunate business trajectory for my friend "Billy". He was so excited to start scooping, and his initial enthusiasm landed him a loyal customer base after marketing in his neighborhood. However, his lack of a cohesive business strategy led to spending more money than needed, making decisions on the fly and ultimately a dwindling customer base as people left him for his competitors. ๐ญ Learn from "Billy's" oversight: Your business plan must account for growth strategies, potential challenges, financial management and more! It's your roadmap, ensuring you don't get lost in your daily hustle. โ Underestimating Operating Costs & Competitive Pricing ๐ Maintaining a stable Pooper Scooper business goes beyond just picking up dog poop. Vehicles need maintenance and fuel, equipment wears out, advertising costs continue to grow and unforeseen expenses will come your way. But, one of the biggest mistakes new businesses make is getting into a Price War. ๐ฐ Attempting to stay "competitive" with established franchises, I see new scoopers take the risky route of undercutting prices, and even offer scooping services for FREE. It's tempting to slash prices or offer complimentary services to outdo larger franchises. But you need to remember that these franchises can afford to provide free services because they have route density and economies of scale working in their favor. I did a poll on my Community Tab and an overwhelming number of responders do NOT offer a free scoop for the initial appointment: As a new scooper, it's in your best interest to focus on providing MORE VALUE to your customers instead of competing on price alone. What unique, personalized service can you offer? Perhaps it's pet-friendly deodorizers/sanitizer or digital information products you can give to your customers that help them with their dogs. โ Ineffective Marketing and Customer Acquisition ๐ข In today's digital age, spreading the word about your services isn't just about having a presence online or distributing flyers. It's about strategic positioning and targeting. The more you understand your ideal audience, their behaviors, preferences and pain points, the more your marketing will resonate with them. Unfortunately, many new scoopers burn through their marketing budget without gaining any significant traction. And it's scary to invest money in marketing without any guarantee of a return. But if you truly focus on the demographics and psychographics of who you are targeting, that will help you frame your marketing message to match your ideal avatar. For example, if you want to target elderly or people with mobility issues, your marketing message should say something like: Are you having difficulty picking up your dog's poop because of your bad knees/hips and need a helping hand? Your ideal avatar will read this and say "Yes, I AM having difficulty picking up my dog's poop because of my mobility issues" and they will be more likely to reach out to find out more information. ๐ด๐ต Optimize your marketing budget by investing in local SEO services, allowing people in your service area to find you easily. Collaborations with local pet shops, groomers, veterinarians, websites etc can lead to mutual referrals, ensuring you're getting exposure to an audience already interested in pet-centric services. It's not just about quantity, but the QUALITY and relevance of your target audience. ๐ช โ Poor Customer Service, Retention & Business Model ๐คฌ In an era dominated by online testimonials, your reputation is your most valuable asset. But great customer service goes beyond just addressing negative reviews, it's about building trust and creating genuine, lasting relationships with your customers. If you set an expectation with a customer, YOU MUST KEEP THAT EXPECTATION. I can't tell you how many times I got new business because their previous scooper never showed up to service their property or did a mediocre job.๐ One time appointments might get you a lot of quick cash, but for sustainable growth and predicable income, you need customer's who want you to return week after week. Luckily for Pooper Scoopers, once you clean the yard the first time, their dog will still need to poop outside and this is your opportunity to sign them up for weekly services. You can create loyalty programs where you give them X gift after a set period of time, discounts for monthly service packages or referral bonuses to reward your customers who help you grow. These strategies not only ensures a steady stream of income, but they also foster a community of loyal customers who will be your BIGGEST ADVOCATES. Remember, it's always easier and more cost-effective to retain a customer than to acquire a new one. ๐ธ โ โ Are you doing anything differently so your business won't fail? Or have a competitor who no longer is around? I'd love to hear your stories, feedback and experience (I read all replies lol). Reply to this email and let me know!! I'll See You On The Next Scoop! โ Tony - Poop Scoops For Noobs P.S. - And As Always, Acknowledge The Now. ๐ฐ In other news
โ ๐ฐ How I Can Help You ๐ค ๐ Book a One-on-One Coaching Callโ ๐ Facebook Audience Keywords List For Pooper Scoopersโ ๐ 140+ Before/After & Bag Display Photos for Social Mediaโ ๐ Contract and Terms of Service Templateโ My favorite tools to run my business ๐ Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. |
โThe Scoop Report
Every month I share actionable business tips, practical pooper scooper advice, and high-quality insights from across the Pet Waste Removal Industry, directly to your inbox. ๐ฉ Check out the awesome resources below that will help your Pet Waste Removal Business and make sure to subscribe to The Scoop Report newsletter so you don't miss the latest scoop!
Hey Reader , Tony here! ๐๐ผ Letโs be honest โ running a pooper scooper business isnโt easy. Itโs not just picking up poop; itโs marketing, sales, customer service, and wearing about a dozen hats every single day. Thatโs why tonightโs live stream is a special one: ๐ โThe Hard Lessons Every Pooper Scooper Needs to Learnโ Iโll be sharing the biggest mistakes I made while building my businessโand the lessons that helped me turn it into something sustainable and successful. This isnโt theory. These...
Hey Reader , Tony here! ๐๐ผ Four years ago, I was working a full-time job, filming content at night, and picking up dog crap in between โ because I was tired of being broke, stuck, and depending on someone else for a paycheck. No funding.No free weekends.No magic moment where everything "clicked." Just long days, short nights, and a constant voice in my head saying: โYouโre wasting your time.โ But I kept going.Because I hated starting over.And I knew that one day, I wouldnโt have to juggle it...
Hey Reader , Tony here! ๐๐ผ Most new scoopers think this business is just about picking up poopโฆ but if youโve followed me long enough, you know the real growth happens when you treat it like a business. Thatโs why Iโm doing something special TONIGHT at 6:30PM MST. Iโll be going live with my friend John Noonan, a seasoned pro in the pet waste removal space, and together weโre pulling back the curtain on: โ The secret to hitting 6 figures in this businessโ What you must focus on if youโre...