Setting up an Aquarium Maintenance Business
Part II: Marketing and Services
by Jay Shaw
Aquarticles
One of the unique aspects of the aquarium service business is that your creation is
your advertising. Almost all of your new clients will contact you because of a tank they
saw elsewhere, that you did the work on. So rule number one, always display your name and
number somewhere on or around the tank. Always ask your client first, if it's ok to
display your name, then offer them a free month's service or some fish…. It's well
worth it for you!! Invest in some business cards, which you can leave on or around your
tanks. As for running ads….I don't think it's worth it. You're better off to develop
a catalogue or brochure, which you can personally drop off at potential businesses.
Most people associate a spotless tank with a healthy environment. Don't try to argue
this point….just keep their tank spotless!!! You will be doing yourself a favour and
you'll be promoting yourself as a clean running service.
You're going to need to come up with a sound maintenance package. Draft something up
and make changes as you encounter problems. You want to include your hourly rate and what
you require to do your tasks. Do not get into drawing up contracts or agreements. You will
scare off a lot of clients if they need to start signing stuff.
You will find over time, certain rules which the clients must follow. These rules will
protect you and your client's investment. Here are a few: To decrease health risks on your
client's fish, have them resist from adding fish without your consent. Also perform your
maintenance tasks at off peak business hours. This will protect you and your client's
customers from potential accidents. I have about ten rules, which I like to discuss with a
client before installing a new tank. I can't stress enough, that you must work together in
protecting their investment!!
Offer your clients a change of atmosphere once in a while. Let them know there are many
different fish available and that you can change the look of the tank. Most clients become
attached to their fish….this is ok, don't try to change that. If your client is open
to change, this is a great opportunity to attract new customers with a new and different
tank décor.
Spin off Services
I have been amazed at how owning an active fish room and maintenance service, interact.
I find that I can convince most of my clients to buy fish from my room. I try to breed
popular common community fish. Swordtails, Platys and Tetras are all great fish to
produce. You can offer large numbers of fish at low prices, (I can't imagine what a school
of Boesemani Rainbows is worth from a pet store). You will also be assured that your fish
are healthy and will not cause any problems in an established tank. The fish room also
provides you a quarantine area in which you can place new pet store arrivals. I always
keep clients' fish for at least two weeks in my tanks; just to be sure they are healthy.
I find that at the businesses where I install tanks, I always get one employee who I
make into a home fish tank owner. This gives you the opportunity to sell another tank
set-up and fish. I have also sold a lot of tank cleaning equipment. Employees and
customers see you using tools which they may not use at home, and become interested in
that product.
Making house calls is also something I encounter. It may be real urgent or just a minor
problem. It does give you the opportunity to talk to other fish owners. If you know your
stuff, they really appreciate your help and tell all there friends about the "Fish
Whisperer" or may even call you "The Fish Man", but only if you're lucky!!!
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