THE PROFESSIONAL POOPER-SCOOPER
THE PROFESSIONAL POOPER-SCOOPER
INTRODUCTION...... Page
12.
Why People Hire a Dog Waste Removal Service; The Need
is Real and Growing; History and Outlook for Dog Waste
Removal Business
GETTING STARTED...... Page 16.
Your Mission Statement; Setting Up for
Business; Business Licenses and Taxes
MARKETING MATTERS...... Page
21.
Media and Marketing Weapons; INCLUDES ACTUAL SAMPLES YOU CAN MODIFY FOR YOUR OWN USE!
Classified Ads; Publicity
and Public Relations; Fliers; Direct Mail; Truck Signs,
Customer Referrals, Yellow Pages, Radio, Business Cards;
Gift Certificates; Trade Name; Pricing; Best Times to
Advertise; Customer Source Tracking; Demographics and
Psychographics; Customer Survey Data
TOOLS OF THE TRADE...... Page 48.
Scoops; Plastic Bags; Shovels; Sprayers
and Disinfectant
WORKING TECHNIQUES...... Page
55.
Search Patterns; Fences, Gates and Locks;
Different Strokes; Weather-Related Considerations; Rain;
Snow; Freezing Cold; Wind
DEALING WITH DOGS...... Page 75.
Normal Barking, or Warning of Danger?; No
Mace! Should You Give Doggie Treats? Health Signs in Dog
Stool
ROLLING STOCK...... Page 79.
Humble Beginnings; Can't Afford a Truck? Home
Based, With a Remote Garage; A Tax Advantage in Cheap
Transportation; What Kind of Trucks; Rules of the
Road
OFFICE OPERATIONS...... Page 83.
Scheduling; Setting Boundaries; Increasing
Frequency-of-Service; Billing; Sample Invoice; Late
Pays, Collections, and Bad Debts; Outside Mailing
Services; Using a Post Office Box; Customer Worksheets;
Sample Worksheet; Route Sheets
CUSTOMER COMMUNICATIONS...... Page 95.
The
Need to Keep in Touch; "Under-Promise and Over-Deliver";
Voice Mail; Customer News; DogOut/LockOut Notes; New
Customer Welcome Letter; New Customer Sign-up Form
WASTE DISPOSAL...... Page
105.
Don't do Anything Stupid; Take it or Leave it?
Jumping Through Hoops Can be Good Exercise! Licensed,
Bonded, and Inspected; A Simple Solution!
COMPUTER OR NOT
........ Page
109.
A Pen and Paper System
A Better Way
HIRING HELPERS....... Page 112.
Working Solo; The Decision to Be an Employer; Using a Payroll Service; Wages; Help Wanted Ads;
Training
INSURANCE...... Page 120.
COMMERCIAL WORK....... Page 122.
More Difficult, But Worthwhile; Pricing Can be
Tricky; Not the Same as Residential Work; Needed: A
Different Approach; Potentially Large Market; A Profit
Center for Property Managers
MORE RESOURCES FOR FURTHER
HELP ...... Page
127.
S.C.O.R.E.; Your State Government; The Internet
and the Online Community; Books for Entrepreneurs;
Magazines
" Matthew, I received
your manual and I love it. I couldn't put it down. You are
really into this!! I think it is great that you offered all
these suggestions to all the up and coming new scoopers out
there like myself. Most business people don't trade secrets.
Anyway, I'm on a roll with my business and I hope I am as
successful as you and some of the other scoopers.
Thanks!"
Patricia L. Wilder, Proprietor, PooP b Gone
Canine Waste Cleanup Service, Mason, Ohio
"...exceptionally
detailed, colorfully written, point-by-point, A-Z 'everything
you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask' manual that
leaves nothing to guess at...Bravo, Mathew! I could not be
happier or more confident that this business will succeed now
that i have your book to tell me exactly how to make it
happen!"
David Hopkins, Doody Calls, Lompoc,
CA
"Your manual was very
informative and helpful in starting up my pooper scooper
business."
Guy Sularz, The Poop Patrol, Scottsdale, Arizona
"WOW what a wealth of
info... this book is really worth the money ... get the
manual.... it's fantabulous.... great info and important
advice .."
Hedy Nobil; P.A.W.S. Professional Animal
Waste Services; Clearwater, Florida