Welcome to the dynamic world of dog training! As this industry grows, so do the challenges and opportunities for professional dog trainers. One strategic move that can significantly accelerate your business growth and improve your work/life balance is hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA). Let’s dive into how a VA can be a game-changer for your dog training business.
Understanding the Role of a VA in Your Dog Training Business
A Virtual Assistant is more than just an extra pair of hands; they’re a catalyst for efficiency and growth. In the dog training industry, VAs can handle administrative tasks, client communications, and even social media management. It’s crucial to understand the difference between a General Admin VA and a VA experienced in the dog training industry, as their specialized skills can be invaluable in addressing your unique business needs.
Specialized Dog Training Industry VA
Role: Offers not just administrative support but also brings industry-specific knowledge. This could include managing client training schedules, understanding dog behavior terminologies, and even providing basic advice to clients before their sessions.
Benefits:
Expertise: Their familiarity with dog training methodologies and terminologies means they can engage more effectively with clients and understand their needs.
Customized Support: They are better equipped to handle specialized tasks like content creation for dog training blogs, social media management with relevant content, and even assisting in designing training programs.
Faster Onboarding: You can more quickly bring them up to speed on what’s happening in your business since they’re already familiar with how training businesses work in general.
Enhanced Client Experience: A VA who understands the nuances of dog training can provide a higher level of service to your clients, offering them reassurance and professionalism that aligns with your business values.
Best For: Dog trainers looking for someone who can not only manage administrative tasks but also contribute to the core aspects of their training business, ensuring that all operations align with industry best practices.
While a general VA can efficiently manage everyday tasks, a specialized VA can offer deeper insights and more tailored support for your dog training business. Ultimately, the right VA should not only ease your workload but also align with and enhance your business’s growth trajectory.
Signs You Might Not Be Ready for a VA
Hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) is a significant step for your dog training business. It’s essential to recognize when you might not be ready to make this leap. Here are some critical signs to consider:
Is your income consistent? If your business is experiencing financial challenges, adding the expense of a VA might not be prudent. It’s crucial to have a stable financial foundation before incurring additional costs.
Are you ready and willing to accept help? If you’re accustomed to handling all aspects of your business alone, delegating tasks might be challenging. This mindset can hinder the effective use of a VA. Reflect on your willingness to let go of certain controls and trust someone else with aspects of your business. It’s a necessary step for growth but can be a significant hurdle if you’re not mentally prepared.
Can you articulate the direction you want to take your business? Take the time to solidify your business model and understand your unique selling proposition before adding team members.
Indicators That You ARE Ready for a VA
Deciding to hire a Virtual Assistant (VA) is a significant step in scaling your dog training business. Here are key indicators that suggest you’re ready to bring a VA on board:
Financial Stability and Preparedness for VA Costs:
Having a steady and predictable income is a strong sign that your business can sustain the additional expense of a VA. Look for consistent monthly or quarterly revenue or a regular influx of new client inquiries. These are positive indicators of financial health.
Recognizing a VA as a Fellow Partner in Business:
Understanding that a VA is more than just a task-doer, but a partner, shows a readiness to collaborate and grow together. This perspective fosters a mutually beneficial relationship where the VA feels valued and, in return, invests more in the success of your business.
Shift from Working In Your Business to Working On It:
If you find yourself overwhelmed with day-to-day tasks and unable to focus on strategic growth, it’s a clear sign you need a VA. A VA can handle routine operations, freeing you to concentrate on business development, networking, and expanding your dog training services.
Wish you had more time to network and grow your referral sources? A VA can help with that in two ways – they can take work off your plate AND source new relationships you should be working on and start that outreach process with you.
Willingness to Delegate and Trust:
Being prepared to delegate tasks and trust in the abilities of your VA is crucial. This willingness often comes when you acknowledge that you can’t do everything alone and need support to grow. Confidence in the hiring process and knowing you’ve selected the right VA plays a significant role. If you’ve done your due diligence in the hiring process, you should feel comfortable and eager to start delegating tasks to them!
Clear Business Goals and Growth Strategy:
Having clear objectives and a plan for your business’s growth indicates you’re ready to leverage a VA’s skills to achieve these goals. A VA can not only assist in day-to-day tasks but can also play a role in implementing and advancing your growth strategies.
Overwhelmed by Success:
Ironically, a sign you’re ready for a VA can be feeling overwhelmed by your business’s success. If you’re turning down opportunities because you’re too busy, a VA can help manage the increased workload and enable you to capitalize on these opportunities.
Special Considerations for Dog Trainers
As dog trainers, you face unique challenges like overdelivering and undercharging, often stemming from a deep empathy for your clients and their pets. A VA can help balance this by managing administrative tasks, allowing you to focus on what you do best – training dogs and growing your business.
Preparing to Hire a VA
First, identify the specific needs of your business. Are you looking for help with scheduling, client follow-ups, or content creation? Prepare financially and mentally for this partnership.
Then, seek a VA who aligns with your business values and goals. It’s not just about filling a position; it’s about finding someone who complements your business ethos because ideally, you’ll be working with them of a long time!
Knowing when to hire a VA is a critical decision in the journey of your dog training business. It’s about taking bold steps towards growth while staying true to your core values. A VA can significantly impact your work/life balance and lead to sustainable business success.
Work with Us
Now, take a moment to assess where your business stands. Are you ready for a VA? To help you decide, check out our experienced and strategic virtual assistant services: Pawfitable Success Specialists.
Let’s embark on this journey together towards a more profitable and sustainable dog training business!
In the evolving landscape of positive reinforcement dog training, a key challenge for trainers is to convert short-term clients into long-term, recurring ones. This requires a deep understanding of the market, the needs of pet owners, and the continuous nature of dog training.
The Ever-Changing Dog Training Market
The demand for dog training, particularly methods rooted in positive reinforcement, is growing. There have never been so many dog owners. In this context, dog trainers are not just educators for pets but also for their owners, guiding them through the journey of responsible pet ownership.
A common mantra in the industry is “training never ends,” yet this contrasts with the finite nature of most training packages or classes. This presents a unique opportunity for trainers to rethink their service offerings.
Building Recurring Dog Training Clientele: A Strategic Approach
Developing Strong Dog Training Client Relationships
The foundation of any lasting business relationship is a strong personal connection. Trainers should focus on building rapport, understanding individual client needs, and maintaining regular communication post-training sessions. Following up on a dog’s progress not only shows care but also opens doors for further engagement.
Tailoring Long-Term Dog Training Programs
Offering customized training programs that cater to long-term goals can be effective. This might include advanced obedience classes, specialized training like agility or therapy dog preparation, or addressing specific behavioral challenges that evolve over time.
Implementing a Membership Model
A membership model can provide a structured way for clients to engage with ongoing training services. This could include tiered options with varying levels of access to resources like webinars, group classes, or Q&A sessions. Incorporating loyalty rewards or incentives for long-term members can also enhance client retention. One of our previous clients had beautifully implemented this at her dog training facility in Colorado and so has our client with a dog school in California.
Educating on Continuous Training
Hosting workshops and educational sessions on broader topics related to dog ownership — such as behavior, health, and nutrition — can keep clients engaged and reinforce the value of ongoing training. Showcasing success stories or testimonials can further illustrate the long-term benefits of continuous training.
Leveraging Communication Channels
Effective use of social media and regular newsletters helps in keeping the trainer’s services in the forefront of clients’ minds. Sharing useful tips, success stories, and insights into training sessions can foster a sense of community and ongoing engagement.
Expanding Service Offerings
Beyond basic obedience training, offering specialized services such as puppy socialization classes, behavior modification, or even recreational activities like scent work can attract a diverse client base. Collaborating with other pet care professionals can also help in gaining referrals and expanding the client network.
Overcoming Industry Challenges
Ethical Pricing Strategies
Adopting a value-based pricing model is crucial. It’s important to set prices that reflect the quality and outcomes of the training services, aligning with both the trainer’s expertise and the client’s perception of value. Using hourly pricing is not a profitable or scalable business model. Why? Because if you happen to be more efficient and deliver a better client experience in a shorter time frame – you lose out on income because you’re charging on hours worked instead of results delivered.
Balancing Empathy with Business Acumen
Many trainers, often driven by a deep empathy for animals and their owners, find themselves overdelivering and undercharging. It’s essential to establish clear boundaries, manage client expectations, and remember that as a business owner, one’s time and expertise are valuable assets. Make it clear to clients at the start of the relationship that you are the professional and they will need to follow your lead – instead of the other way around. Overly accommodating clients with scheduling or flexibility can lead to resentment on your part and less-than-desired results.
Conclusion: Embracing Continuous Growth
The philosophy of “training never ends” should be mirrored in your business model, too! By fostering long-term client relationships and continuously offering value, trainers can build a sustainable and fulfilling career. This approach not only benefits the clients and their pets but also supports the trainer’s professional growth and personal fulfillment.
In summary, the key to success in positive reinforcement dog training lies in understanding the continuous nature of learning for both dogs and their owners, and structuring business practices that support this enduring journey.
As a dog trainer, the challenges you face are as unique as the breeds you train. One minute you’re on a high, watching a once unruly pup listen to your every word. The next, you’re buried under a mountain of invoices, emails, and marketing tasks that drain your spark.
You’re not alone. And it’s time to unload some of that workload to an AI tool like ChatGPT.
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is a language model developed by OpenAI, which uses machine learning to process and generate human-like text. It can answer questions, write essays, and even summarize lengthy documents – and so much more. But where it shines for solo business owners, like dog trainers, is its versatility in tackling daily tasks and strategic decisions.
Content Creation Hero
As a dog trainer, you’re an expert at canine communication. However, when it comes to marketing your services, finding the right words can be as tricky as teaching an old dog a new trick. ChatGPT can serve as your on-call copywriter, drafting catchy email campaigns, informative blog posts, or compelling social media updates. It takes your ideas and transforms them into engaging content that can attract more clients and build your brand.
Your Strategic Think-Tank
Dog trainers don’t just train dogs. They’re also marketers, financial planners, and customer service reps. Juggling these roles can be overwhelming. Thankfully, ChatGPT can assist with brainstorming marketing strategies, planning finances, or deciding on the right communication for clients. ChatGPT serves as an accessible, reliable, and cost-effective resource, facilitating strategic decisions that drive business growth.
Client Communication Catalyst
Answering routine client inquiries can consume valuable time better spent on in-person sessions. That’s where ChatGPT comes in. It can handle client questions, schedule appointments, and even send out reminders for training sessions. By automating these routine tasks, you have more time to provide personalized care to your clients.
A Quick-Study Companion
New training techniques, dog breeds, or behavioral studies, the world of dog training is always evolving. Staying updated can feel like a task. With ChatGPT, you have a learning buddy that can provide quick summaries of complex topics. It ensures you stay on top of your game, without having to trawl through a sea of information.
If you’re excited about the possibilities that ChatGPT brings, you’ll want to check out the ChatGPT Skool. It’s an online course designed specifically for professionals keen to harness the full potential of this AI powerhouse.
The Skool offers high-quality 4K video lessons catering to all skill levels, ensuring that even tech novices can grasp the technology. The focus is on real-world applications, providing you with hands-on experience and practical know-how, instead of just theory.
What’s more, you join a vibrant community of professionals who are navigating the same AI journey as you. They’re there to share insights, solve problems, and even celebrate victories together. It’s more than just an educational course, it’s a support network that is crucial for any solo business owner.
For dog trainers running a solo business, the challenges are vast but not insurmountable, especially when you have AI tools like ChatGPT. It’s more than technology. It’s a reliable assistant, a brainstorming partner, and a catalyst for business growth.
Please note – Some of the links here are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase through them, helping us continue offering great advice for your dog training business; we only recommend products we believe in, and we value your trust.
It’s been a busy year with the launch of The Modern Dog Trainer Collective and the ongoing coaching we provide our students in The Modern Dog Trainer Academy, but I still wanted to put this list together to help you navigate the variety of conferences we are now able to attend again! Below you’ll find a list of conferences that are ideal for professional dog trainers – whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been in the industry for years – you are sure to find a conference that will boost your spirits and re-energize your passion for your clients and business.
Oct 18 – 20, 2023 | Covington, Kentucky | Early Bird $440 (Includes recordings!)
This year I’m a little biased about promoting the APDT Conference because I’m on the board! If you come, I will get to meet you – don’t be afraid to say hi! And when you purchase a full conference registration by August 1, 2023, and receive a free conference t-shirt. This is one of the largest conferences and has always been my favorite. The speakers and the people at this conference are a big reason why I wanted to join the board. Here’s their description of it:
The 2023 APDT/CAPDT Annual Conference has something for every dog training background and interest. Gain an educational edge through three days of the best available CEU opportunities, learn about new trends through lectures, workshops, and panel discussions taught by professional dog training experts. Network with your peers and discover products and services that will enhance your dog training business and career. Observe the demo area while experts exhibit dog training techniques and tricks!
“Featuring a world-class roster of elite presenters covering topics ranging from training and behavior to rescue/shelter work and the latest in behavioral and cognitive science, the Dog Behavior Conference (DBC) is a 3-day virtual event designed specifically for attendees seeking an inspirational learning experience and the opportunity to connect with and be inspired alongside a uniquely like-minded audience of dog lovers.”
May 4-7, 2023 | Houston, TX or Virtual | Non-Member $679 (Non-Member Virtual $319)
This conference has a great line up of speakers including: Dr. Kristina Spaulding, Dr. Amy Learn, Michael Shikashio, Dr. Denise Johnson, Dr. Robert Trevino, Gabriel Lencioni, Dr. Amy Pike, Kayla Fratt, Kiki Yablon, Andre Yeu, Jim Crosby, Jennifer Cattet PhD, Darris Cooper, and many more.
May 20 – 21, 2023 | Virtual & San Francisco State University | $375 ($190 Virtual)
“The Canine Science Symposium is an animal behavior, welfare, and dog training conference featuring top scientists in the field of companion animal behavior. This year’s Symposium speakers include national and international canine science experts, including: Dr. Monique Udell, Dr. Erica Feuerbacher, Dr. Lisa Gunter, Dr. Alexandra Protopopova, Lindsay Merhkam, Victoria Cussen, Sarah Marshall-Pescini and Angela Perri, and they will be speaking on the theme of Our Interconnected Lives with Dogs.”
“The training conference that focuses on the impact of city life on dogs. Dog owners/guardians, veterinarians, vet techs, walkers, dog daycare attendants and trainers will learn about the rising behavioral challenges, causes, and innovative methods to solve them from renowned industry leaders.”
Sept. 29 – Oct. 1, 2023 | Chicago, IL or Virtual | $545 ($149 Virtual)
“Celebrating our fourth annual Aggression in Dogs Conference, our mission is to help dogs and their guardians around the world by creating a community focused on sharing the most up-to-date techniques, developments, and research related to dog aggression. From specialists in aggressive behavior, to veterinary behavior experts, to shelter pros, to research scientists….we have brought together the world’s best to share their knowledge and insight on aggression in dogs!”
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to whip this article together in time for this conference, but I highly suggest you get on their email list so you can be the first to know about their next one! They have legendary speakers including Ken Ramirez, Debbie Martin, and so many more! I can tell they have really put some innovative ideas behind their revamped conference structure.
The Modern Dog Trainer Signature Edition of Pocketsuite is a must-have tool for any professional dog trainer looking to streamline their business and maximize their efficiency. This software platform provides a comprehensive suite of features designed specifically for dog trainers, from client management and scheduling to billing and payment processing.
As a dog trainer, you know how challenging it can be to manage your schedule, clients, and payments while also providing high-quality training services. The Modern Dog Trainer Signature Edition of Pocketsuite is designed to simplify these tasks and help you focus on what you do best – training dogs.
Why not just use Venmo?
A huge percentage of people in our profession use Venmo or other single payment apps that are designed for splitting meals with friends, not for business. While they seem convenient at first, they cost Pros a ton of money in late payments and non-payments, plus time you don’t have tracking who hasn’t yet paid you. What we recommend instead is enabling credit card payments on PocketSuite and then pass on the small fee using the surcharge feature to your clients. Not only does it track your income, it makes payments happen automatically so you always get paid upfront or
immediately after for your work.
Modern Dog Trainer Signature Edition of Pocketsuite
One of the key features of this software platform is its client management tools. With The Modern Dog Trainer Signature Edition of Pocketsuite, you can easily organize your clients’ information, track their progress, and communicate with them through an integrated messaging system. This feature allows you to stay on top of your clients’ needs and preferences, which is crucial for building strong, long-term relationships with them.
The Modern Dog Trainer Signature Edition of Pocketsuite also offers a robust scheduling system. With this feature, you can create and manage your schedule, book appointments, and set reminders for yourself and your clients. This helps you stay organized and ensures that you don’t miss any important appointments or training sessions.
A key benefit of The Modern Dog Trainer Signature Edition of Pocketsuite is its billing and payment processing capabilities. With this software platform, you can easily create invoices, process payments, and track your revenue. This feature is especially useful for dog trainers who need to manage multiple clients and projects simultaneously.
The Modern Dog Trainer Signature Edition of Pocketsuite also includes several marketing and branding tools to help you promote your business and attract new clients. With features like custom branding and online booking, you can create a professional image for your business and make it easier for potential clients to find and book your services.
Overall, the Modern Dog Trainer Signature Edition of Pocketsuite is a powerful and versatile tool that can help you streamline your business operations and grow your client base. Whether you’re a seasoned dog trainer or just starting out in the industry, this software platform has everything you need to succeed.
One of the key benefits of using the Modern Dog Trainer Signature Edition of Pocketsuite is its ease of use. This software platform is designed with the user in mind, and its intuitive interface makes it easy to navigate and use. Whether you’re creating an invoice or booking an appointment, the process is simple and straightforward.
Unique to The Modern Dog Trainer Signature Edition of Pocketsuite
With our signature edition, we’ve set up some baseline settings you can use immediately so you aren’t building out the app from scratch. These settings follow our best practices and recommendations we give to our own students.
Best Practices-Based Default Settings
Settings that start you out with the best practices we believe dog trainers should be going by in their businesses.
Grab-N-Go Dog Training Programs
Skyrocket your profitability with our designed-for-you dog training programs that will practically sell themselves.
Professional Client Questionnaires
Know exactly what you’re walking in to with our done-for-you dog training questionnaires. Never be caught off guard by a client’s situation again!
Take & Tweak Cancellation Policy
Use our cancellation policy as a starting point to set yourself up for success with client compliance.
If you’re looking for a way to streamline your dog training business and improve your overall efficiency, the Modern Dog Trainer Signature Edition of Pocketsuite is the perfect solution. With its comprehensive suite of features and easy-to-use interface, this software platform is the ultimate tool for any dog trainer looking to succeed in today’s competitive market.
In conclusion, the Modern Dog Trainer Signature Edition of Pocketsuite is a game-changer for dog trainers who want to take their business to the next level. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, the Modern Dog Trainer Signature Edition of Pocketsuite is the ultimate tool for success.
As a dog trainer, you’re always looking for ways to improve your business and provide better services to your clients. One tool that you might not have considered is Chat GPT, a language model that can help you with various tasks. In this post, we’ll explore 5 ways to use Chat GPT as a dog trainer.
1. Use Chat GPT for Customer Responses & Templates
As a dog trainer, you likely receive a lot of emails and messages from potential and existing clients. Instead of spending hours crafting responses to each message, you can use Chat GPT to generate templates for common queries. This can include responses to questions about your services, availability, pricing, and more. By using Chat GPT templates, you can save time and ensure that your responses are consistent and professional.
2. Use Chat GPT to Help You Make Professional Sounding Dog Training Business Policies
Every dog training business needs a set of policies that govern how they operate. These policies can cover everything from scheduling and payment to behavior and safety rules. However, writing policies can be time-consuming and tricky. Chat GPT can help you create professional-sounding policies that are clear and easy to understand. With the help of Chat GPT, you can draft policies that will protect your business and set expectations for your clients.
3. Learn About Your Ideal Dog Training Client with Chat GPT
One of the keys to running a successful dog training business is understanding your ideal customer. You need to know who they are, what they’re looking for, and how to reach them. Chat GPT can help you learn more about your ideal customer by analyzing their online behavior. You can input your target audience and get insights into their preferences, pain points, and behaviors. This information can help you tailor your services and marketing efforts to better appeal to your target audience.
4. Come Up with Clever Names For Your Dog Training Services with Chat GPT
As a dog trainer, you’ll need to come up with names for your services, packages, and products. Naming things can be challenging, especially if you’re not particularly creative. Chat GPT can help you come up with catchy and memorable names for your business offerings. By inputting relevant keywords and phrases, Chat GPT can generate a list of possible names that you can choose from.
5. Bring in Chat GPT to Help You Respond to Reviews
Online reviews are an essential part of any business, including dog training. Positive reviews can attract new customers, while negative reviews can turn them away. Responding to reviews in a professional and helpful way is crucial for maintaining a good reputation. Chat GPT can help you draft responses to reviews that show empathy and understanding. You can input the review and get suggestions for how to respond that will help to defuse any negative sentiments and address the reviewer’s concerns.
In conclusion, Chat GPT is a versatile tool that can help you in many aspects of your dog training business. By using it to generate customer responses and templates, create policies, learn about your ideal customer, come up with names, and respond to reviews, you can save time, improve your services, and increase your revenue.
Fun Fact: 95% of this article was written by Chat GPT! I simply gave it a 5 bullet point list and then went back through and optimized for search engines and tweaked the formatting. It took me less than 10 minutes to throw this article together for you. Let us know how you’re using AI to support your business these days in the comments below!
NEW Program to Learn *Everything* ChatGPT!
As someone who values staying updated with the latest technology, I wanted to share an exciting opportunity that’s helped me elevate my business and projects – ChatGPT Skool.
ChatGPT Skool is an online course that teaches you how to harness the power of AI-driven chat technology for your business, freelance work, or educational ventures. With the rise of AI and chatbots, learning how to use this cutting-edge technology can give you a competitive edge.
Here’s what you can expect from the course:
Comprehensive video lessons that cover everything from the basics to advanced
Expert insights and practical tips for implementing ChatGPT in your projects
A supportive community of fellow learners and professionals to help you along the way
Note: Some of the links here are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase through them, helping us continue offering great advice for your dog training business; we only recommend products we believe in, and we value your trust.
When you’re hitting 4K-6K months, you are feeling productive and accomplished. But you may soon start to experience cracks that show it just isn’t enough…
Does this sound familiar?
You are working with a few clients a week.
Dog training is your full-time gig now. There’s no other job to fall back on.
You are making anywhere from 4K-6K per month.
You’ve been training for a long time and you are a wonderful trainer, but the business is putting pressure on your passion.
Here’s our Facebook Live Replay from the Facebook Group.
Right now, as things stand, you might not want get to 10K months…
If you are priced hourly, that means you are logically thinking you’d have to work twice as hard.
You would have even less time to be with your own dogs and family.
You’d be driving all over the place.
You’d be burnt out and exhausted.
Using the traditional dog training business structure of hourly pricing – yes, that would absolutely cause burnout.
Why get to 10K months?
Getting to 10K months requires a shift in perspective. An evolution away from thinking of your value being priced by the hour.
A leveling up of how you position yourself, your services, and your business.
At first, it made sense to aim for 5K months. Maybe that’s what your parents earned. It’s a comfortable number.
It felt attainable and reasonable.
But now, with inflation, healthcare, and if you ever want to retire, you are going to need more breathing room.
You also enjoy good food and restaurants. 5K a month you still have to watch your spending very closely, but at 10K, you can give yourself a splurge budget so you can eat well and take the trip you’ve been dreaming of.
Not to mention, at 10K you are able to put more things in place to save yourself time.
You’re not worried about every little penny – you can pay for the assistant or the top-tier software to reduce your workload.
And then maybe you need a new car. A new home. A new building for a board and train program.
You now have the resources to make those things happen without straining.
Sporadic new client inquiries happen for a couple of reasons.
Reason #1: Fear of being seen and being visible.
Reason #2: The vicious cycle.
When you get an influx of new clients, you stop marketing. You’re busy!
Then things slow down because marketing hasn’t been consistent.
The cycle continues!
This creates seasonality to your business. You must have a plan to be consistently visible to your potential clients – even when you are booked up. Or you WILL experience a lull.
When you aren’t able to keep the momentum going, your inquiries and income will drop off.
Lastly, you are trying to be everything to everyone.
Puppy clients. Reactivity. Resource guarding. New dog. Old dog new kid. Etc
This means you are constantly creating new things – materials – adding work to your schedule.
If you’re creative like me, it feels productive! It feels good in the moment.
But this comes as a time trade-off for other work or time with family.
This is not a sustainable path to growth.
You have to streamline to reduce your workload and be able to get to 10k months.
Not to mention, your marketing will be sporadic as well.
You will be trying to create a message that applied to everyone – and no one is going to resonate with it because it wont be speaking directly to them specifically.
I hear it all the time: “I want to raise my prices, but I don’t want to lose customers.” The idea is that if you increase your prices, nobody will buy what you’re selling. And sure enough, most businesses have seen sales slow down when they increase their prices. But here’s the thing: raising prices isn’t just something that happens once—it’s an ongoing process! If you start charging more today and then stop tomorrow, then next week your customers will be used to paying more for your product or service. And so on…
Raising The Prices of Your Dog Training Services
If you’re not raising your prices, then you’re losing money. You may have been taught to believe that the only way to grow your business is by increasing your value and adding more services or products. While this is true, it’s also important to realize that as time goes on, the value of a dollar adjusts. You should always strive for continual growth in all areas of your business—not just with how much value you provide but also with how much money people are willing to pay for it! But it’s not as simple as some might have you believe. It’s not always beneficial to just “raise your price” because of the multitude of factors that are at play.
Why You Can’t Just “Raise Your Prices”
You can’t just raise your prices. As a dog trainer, you have a very unique skill set. No other trainer can precisely replicate the way you go about training dogs and interacting with clients. But most trainers forget to articulate the uniqueness they bring to a dog owners dog training journey. They assume they need to base their prices on what other trainers around them are pricing at, but to me, that’s like pricing apples and oranges the same price because they are both fruit.
To effectively raise your prices, you’ll need to address a few other aspects of your business too. You’ll need to intentionally create you marketing message, level up your client experience, and/or build out your systems to streamline sales—and that’s not easy! You’re going to have to put in some serious time and effort into figuring out how this will work for your business. You need a plan for what exactly you want to offer clients that they can’t get anywhere else; then make sure it’s something people actually want (i.e., not just what YOU think would be cool).
There’s a better way to raise prices.
There’s a better way to raise prices. Instead of just raising your prices, you can increase the value you’re offering at the same time. Here are some ideas for doing that:
Evolve your dog training package into a dog training program with specific goals in mind. When you productize your services, it makes them more tangible to the potential client. They aren’t buying “time with you” and instead buying a solution to their problem.
Offer a discount for a limited time. This can be as simple as offering 20% off for the first week or month after your new price goes into effect. It gives clients an incentive to buy right away rather than waiting until later on when they might forget about it (or find another option).
Put a sales system in place. I know we don’t like to think about sales, but it is a crucial piece to being able to help more families and their dogs. There is a science to sales and if it means you get to help more people and their dogs by implementing a proven sales process, then its a win-win. Look at sales as simply a conversation with someone that needs help and you two are deciding whether what you have to offer would be beneficial to them and their situation.
Know how you’re going to generate leads that need your services. All too often trainers are reliant on referrals for their business. Should they want to move or if the referrals stop, then business stops. We should be putting in place a strategy to generate leads for your services and if you don’t know what to do each day to generate potential clients, then you shouldn’t be raising prices yet. You need to be able to generate your own demand instead of relying on referrals or word of mouth which come from the kindness of others – something that’s totally out of your control.
The bottom line is that raising prices is not as simple as it sounds. There are many factors to consider and you must do more than just raise your prices if you want to build for sustainable growth.
Suggestions for You
Want to take a deep dive into where your business stands with my team? Our business strategist is currently accepting applications for Game Plan calls. A complimentary call where, together, we take a look at what’s preventing you from hitting your goals.You can apply for this call here.
Grab our $7 book, “The Modern Dog Trainer’s Guide to 10K Months” to get a comprehensive picture of what it takes to get to six figures within integrity to who you are as a person and trainer.
You’re now not just a dog trainer. You’re a CEO. And if you want to have a 6-figure dog training business in the near future, you have to believe that you ALREADY own one.
If you already have one, you have to be conscious of this! I’ve worked with clients that didn’t even realize they have a six-figure business until I asked them about their goals.
If you aren’t disciplined with yourself, your family, and your schedule, it is easy to be a bit too flexible and overwhelm yourself. Be proactive and determine your hours of operation. Having hours I know I’ll be working allows me to communicate them to clients and family. If you’re too wishy washy about your hours, you’ll end up working all the hours you don’t actually want to be working.
If you want to have a 6-figure dog training business in the near future, you have to believe that you ALREADY own one.
Delegate Personal Tasks
My students are often surprised to learn that I have a yard scooper service come TWICE a week (its a small yard and my corgi always goes in the same spots…) While I LOVE my dogs, I do not want to spend my valuable time scooping their poo. I’d much rather be talking to clients, playing with my daughter, or playing with my dogs.
Everything that takes time and energy away from the things you truly love and want to do are contributing to burnout.
Think about what you’re doing regularly that you don’t absolutely love. Grocery shopping? Laundry? Mowing? These things should be delegated to someone else. A family member. Or someone that is paid to do this work for you. Your time is more valuable than money. If tasks are taking your time and energy away from your business and they aren’t lighting you up with joy, then its time to delegate ASAP.
Another thing I don’t do is go grocery shopping. Every Friday morning my husband goes to get us groceries. He takes his earbuds and listens to a podcast or his favorite music. He actually finds it enjoyable! In the meantime, I spend some quality time with my toddler. We read, we play, or we go on a short walk just her and I. When I get into work, I feel really good about how I spent my morning and am energized to get some things done.
This didn’t come about without some trial and error. I had to really tune into how certain activities made me feel. If I felt annoyed and frustrated after them, I asked my husband to take care of them. We are quite opposite in our preferences – I enjoy mowing, taking our daughter to the playground, and feeding the dogs. He enjoys grocery shopping and doing the dishes. The hardest part about delegating? It’s usually realizing what you need to delegate and how to ask for the help you need – but it is so worth it!
I had to really tune into how certain activities made me feel.
Say No
Or at least “maybe.” I’m the first one to say “yes” to invitations. I love getting out of the house. BUT if you’re not careful, this can take time away from the time you need to be spending with your thinking cap (CEO cap) on. Additionally, if you say yes to other’s invitations – you’re saying yes to their plans, not yours. This is why I’m a huge fan of planning out your free time in your calendar so that if an invitation comes your way, you know what you’re saying no to.
I’m also more of an introvert so I need my space. If I end up doing too many activities with others, I feel drained, anxious, and irritable. As much as I want to be super social, I need to be considerate of my own boundaries and limitations. And I have to preserve some energy for clients!
Be conscious of how much energy you’re letting others take from you that may leave you irritable around your family or clients.
Make Your Life Easier
Take the time to set yourself up for success. Stop getting frustrated at situations in your home by taking care of them once and for all. I read Denise Duffield-Thomas‘s book, Chillpreneur, and one of my favorite takeaways from her work is to make life easier on yourself.
A few examples…
Get extra laptop charging cables so you never run out of battery no matter where you are. I have one cable for my desk and one for my bag.
Same for phone chargers. Get a few extra chargers so you don’t have to get up every time your phone has a low battery.
Limited cabinet or storage space? Clear out containers or utensils you don’t use very often and put them in a box for safekeeping, but stop letting them take up precious day-to-day access cabinet space!
Ultimately, quit putting up with minor inconveniences, because they REALLY do add up. What constantly bugs you about your home? Take 30 minutes this weekend to take care of it once and for all.
Focus on Money-Making Activities
Nothing has taught me how to be efficient quite like becoming a mom. No one is more efficient with their time than moms. We don’t have hours upon hours to mess around online. We have to make sure every move we make is worth time away from our kids.
For me, that means that everything I do should have an emotional and/or financial payout afterward. I should feel better AND earn revenue from my work. This means I need to spend my time getting to know my ideal clients, talking to them about what I can do to help them, and then deliver on it. That’s it – I now leave tasks such as tweaking my website, producing my podcast, and responding to non-client inquiries to my assistant(s).
You have to become more and more comfortable with imperfection. You have to accept that mistakes are going to happen, but that’s the only way to get better. It’s not that the other things aren’t important, but they are not tasks that will directly grow my business and anyone else can be trained up on how to do them – so you should!
That means that everything I do should have an emotional and/or financial payout afterward. I should feel better AND earn revenue from my work.
Persist in Finding the Right Team Members
This leads me to my last tip – try, try again. Admittedly, it has taken me months to find the right team members. People that had the right attitude, tenacity, skillset, and responsiveness to run more things behind the scenes for me. I’ve made all the mistakes – hiring based on being recommended to me, assuming someone knew what they were doing, hiring purely based on skillset and not attitude, etc.
I had to get tough on myself and really sit down and define who I needed – not just what tasks needed to be handled. I had to make the tough decisions to let others go and say no to nice, but not-right potential team members. This is part of being the CEO. You shoulder the responsibility to choosing the people that support you.
I also help my Chief Executive Trainer students do this with the help of The Modern Dog Trainer Leadership Coach, Cherylann, as a part of that program.
In the Chief Executive Trainer program, I help six-figure dog training business owners grasping at straws due to burnout or overwhelm transform their business into a fulfilling, industry-leading multi-six-figure business that is better able to run on its own and better serve its clients.
We help 6-figure dog business owners move to multi-six figures, take back your time, and make more money without adding more to your workload through my three-step Revive. Refresh. Recalibrate. process.
We address three parts of your business that are holding you back from massive success.
Systems – We immediately take back your time by identifying and optimizing systems that aren’t working in your favor.
Services – We standardize your services into packages and programs that skyrocket your profitability within weeks, not months.
Team Members – We work together to help you be a better leader to your team so that they are enthusiastic about your company’s vision and their part in it.
What’s keeping you from reaching $20K-$30K months as a dog trainer?
Since I have the privilege of working with hundreds of professional dog trainers each year, I get some insights into what’s really happening in the industry.
I get to see what holds a LOT of people back from reaching their goals. Some issues are standing out really clearly to me these days.
We get into dog training because we love the dogs and behavior. We love seeing the relationships develop between our clients and their pups.
What we don’t realize is that being a business owner comes with its own challenges…
Which of these are you stuck in? Which of these do you need to overcome to achieve the impact you’re hoping for in your community?
Because making $20k-$30k a month isn’t just about the money – it means you’re actually being SEEN in your community and valued for the knowledge and skills you have to share.
Are you… reliant on inconsistent referrals? Not having an established potential client generation process to attract your ideal clients with whom you can have the biggest and most fulfilling impact?
Are you… lacking confidence in selling your services? And not charging enough because you fear the word “no”?
Are you… stuck doing ALL the things – helping clients, answering the phone/emails, running your social media, updating your website, etc? Lacking a team that is confident taking work off your plate?
This is OKAY – and it’s normal. Its actually a sign you are seeing success and it is time to LEVEL up! So exciting!
But it can also quickly burn you out. And fizzle out your spark for your work. Which in my opinion is the worst case scenario.
We need you out there helping people and pups. The community needs you. We need more examples of success and impact in this industry.
If you’re at this stage, you have what it takes. You just need a few tweaks to truly create your ideal business.
One that allows you to take time off whenever you want.
One that let’s you focus on the work you love rather than the “busy work.”
One that builds wealth for your family while serving your community in a way that really lights you up.
One that allows you to be an industry leader with time for side projects and speaking events!
If this sounds like you, let’s talk about what’s in store for you in 2021. I have a program starting up soon for 6-figure dog trainers that want to grow to multi-six figures with ease and without more work.
Curious? Let’s chat to see if it makes sense for you -> send me a private message on Facebook -> http://m.me/inesbmcneil
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