It’s tough when you’re not getting the clients you need. When the income dries up, the panic and overwhelm can quickly set in.
You can spend your time flitting from one tactic to the next, hoping something works.
But what if I told you there are a few simple things you can do today to get the bookings flowing again…
Just by implementing a couple of these top tips, you could be inviting new clients into your classes or programs, just by using smart tactics and leveraging the power of social media.
Here are 10 things you can do today to get customers for your dog training business from social media.
These tips are part of the ‘Boosting Your Sales And Conversions’ bonus masterclass from the Pet Biz Thrive Online Club. Not a member yet? Check out the Club here.
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When business is slow and you need a quick sales boost, get super obvious with your messaging.
Sometimes we can be too cryptic about what we want our audience to do. It can feel icky to ask for the sale. I get that. It used to be hard for me too.
But if the customers aren’t coming in, you can’t afford to beat around the bush. Tell your followers exactly how you can help them and how they should get in touch.
Encourage your audience to take immediate action by sharing this post once a month: I’m looking for xx people who want to achieve xxx. If that’s you, drop me a comment or DM me, I have something exciting to share.
Then be sure to follow up with every person with more information and a link to book in.
Don’t forget CTAs
When you need more clients, don’t forget to ask for the sale in your everyday posts.
Never assume people know what you want them to do next. You need to hold them by the hand and show them.
That means getting comfortable with including call to actions in your social posts.
Each post doesn’t always have to be a promotional post in itself. You could start by talking about a common challenge your audience faces with their dog, and offer a few top tips to help them.
Then you could sign off by saying: ‘If you really want to turn things around for you and your dog, click here to book your free discovery call.’
You could also end the post by asking them to sign up to a lead magnet, provide a direct link to your services page, or to DM you.
In around 70% of your social posts, be sure to tell your follower how they can take that next step with you.
Share a re-introduction post
You may be attracting new followers every month. And sometimes spelling out exactly what you do can pull new potential clients out of the woodwork.
So once a month, re-introduce yourself and share who you are, what you do and how people can work with you right now.
Then be sure to include your call to action and invite people to take the next step with you.
Post your re-introduction post everywhere.
On your Facebook page and group (if you have one), Instagram profile, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Follow up with every comment
Leave no comment unanswered.
Follow up with all comments on your posts within 24 hours. Ideally quicker than that!
This shows you care.
Having conversations with your fans are how relationships are built. So don’t just like their comment and leave it there. Get the conversation flowing. Be friendly, get curious and talk about them.
Then if the chat goes that way, share how you can help them.
Follow up with DMs
Past DMs with potential clients are low hanging fruit.
Those people have already shown an interest in your services in the past, and a little nudge may be all you need to seal the deal.
So check your DMs regularly and follow up with everyone who’s inquired about working with you before.
Say you’re just hopping in their inbox for a quick chat or check in.
Ask them how they’re getting on, if they’re still struggling with xxx problem, and share how you might be able to help.
Optimise your social bios
Your social bios are prime real estate for encouraging that next step.
It’s one of the first things people see when they land on your profile, so don’t forget to make good use of the space.
Be concise in sharing who you are, who you serve and what you do.
Then follow that with a direct link to your services page, your contact page, or your Calendly link to book a discovery call.
Optimise your social cover photos
Your social covers are brilliant advertising space too. Be sure to put it to good use.
Create a standout graphic that tells people what to do next or how they can contact you.
This could promote your lead magnet, your most popular offer, or to book a call with you.
In your design, have a ‘button’ that says ‘click to download’ or ‘click to book a call’. Then within the description of your cover image, include more information about your thing and the link where they can sign up.
Post a personal welcome message
This is an opportunity to start a friendly conversation with every new follower, but also reinforce the ways that people can work with you too.
So for every new follower you get on any profile, post a personal welcome message.
You often see this a lot in Facebook groups, but you can also do this for your Facebook page, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Then in that post share an overview of your bio, and include the ways they can work with you.
Run a 24 hour flash sale
A flash sale is a great way to get people off the fence and bring new clients in fast.
Open up 5 slots for your program/classes for half price or a percentage off for the next 24 hours.
Share the post across all your social media platforms. Then follow up with a couple more posts as the deadline draws in.
Be sure to run these sparingly though (Once a year or once every few months). Run them too often and you may struggle to sell at your normal prices. We don’t want your audience holding out because they know a discount is just around the corner.
Host a live event
A great way to not only boost sales but grow your audience too, is to host a live event.
The main goal is to promote your latest offer, but you focus on providing value first, sharing key learnings and takeaways for your audience.
Then when you wrap up the live video, talk about how they can take the next step with you and include the link to book in.
Schedule the event to run in a couple of weeks, then promote that event daily in the lead up.
Over to you… Which sales tactic will you use today to boost your bookings?