Many prospective dog walkers want to know how much they can really expect to make by taking on dog walking jobs.
The answer to this question really depends on 1) how many clients you are able to handle and 2) how much you are able to charge in your area for dog walking services.
How many dog walking jobs can you handle?
One factor is determining how much you can make with dog walking jobs is how many clients you can service per day. Whether you intend to pursue dog walking as a part-time job to make extra income or as a full-time small business, will indicate how many total hours per day you have to walk dogs.
It also depends on how much you will need to travel between dog walking clients. If you live in an urban area, you may be able to reach a larger client base in a short period of time and handle a higher volume of walks per day than if you live in an area that requires driving long distances.
Regardless of the situation in your area, it is a good idea to try and organize your day so that you can service dogs in the same area around the same time to avoid extra trips.
It is also possible to multiply your capacity by hiring additional help. If you plan to pursue a full-time dog walking business, the best method is to hire additional dog walkers. Taking this step comes with a lot of additional responsibility and coordination, but is a great way to scale your operations.
What price should you charge?
How much you charge per dog walking job is the other factor in determining how much you will ultimately make. This also depends on the area that you live in as prices are typically higher in cities.
In order to figure out what to charge, you need to conduct research to figure out what other local dog walkers are charging to help you find the average price range and set your optimal price.
Try looking at ads on Craigslist to get a sense for what others are charging. Another approach is to find the website of a local dog walking business which typically list prices on their site. You could also make phone calls to a few businesses and ask what they charge.
It is extremely important that you do not charge the lowest price around. Undercutting the prices of other businesses may get you some clients, but our advice is to stay within higher-end of the price range in your area. Differentiate yourself on quality of service rather than price as this strategy will pay off heavily in the long-term.
If you start out by offering low prices in the beginning, it will be more challenging to raise prices as you expand your business. If potential clients object, provide reasons why you are worth the price rather than offering deep discounts. It is also important to re-evaluate your prices frequently so that you remain competitive.
How much do you need to make?
This is another way to look at the question of how much you can make with a dog walking business. Assess your personal finance situation and figure out what you need to support yourself. Set some initial income goals, and then take steps to make this a reality!
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