I have done Newco work on a small scale for many years, mainly a few cage jobs and a lot of beaver removal. But now I moved to a new area and I can now afford to slow down on other responsibilities and would like to try to make more money and go full time on trapping. Any advice on getting started? Especially on advertising and what other forms of trapping should one educate himself to grow in this business? I have no illusions of making it rich I have been in the trapping game too long to expect that. But with the kid moved out and house paid off I figure this would be a time to try something I always wanted to do. Any advice would be appreciated.

I'm not familiar with the term Newco.

I suppose the first thing you need to decide on is what you're interested in doing. We do an awful lot of work with things that make noise in the attic. Familiarizing yourself with them and how to fix the houses safely goes a long way toward paying the bills. The guy with a wife that just cut him off because she's mildly irritated he hasn't gotten rid of the mice, raccoons, bats, that thing running across the ceiling all night has some major motivation to give up some hard earned money for a bit of marital bliss. He might be able to ignore the woodchuck under the shed indefinitely.

Advertising is an interesting topic as everybody does it differently and has their own idea on what is best. Advertising also costs money, especially if you're in a new area without a referral base. Low budget, bang for the buck advertising, label the truck and let people know you exist. Wear a shirt with your company logo to the grocery store and gas station. Business cards can be handed out. Tell everybody you know that you're in business.

Then it's down to time and money. You can buy leads or sit and wait for them. Web page, social media, can be done by you if you're willing to put the time in. Or you can pay somebody. I know companies that have gone into an area and had exponential growth in their first year, but they threw crazy money into growing their company.

I put up cards in every feed store and mom n pop store in the country and got in with the local Federal trapper who referred me his overflow beaver removal.
Earned a good living for 7 yrs until my back went out.

Cards are an excellent way to get the word out. I had some 3 x 5 cards made up with my name and info. In the background are some of the catches I've made so the customer can actually see what you can do. My first year I saved every gopher I caught just for this reason. A picture of me kneeling in front of a large pile of gophers (or whatever) really gets there attention. Telling them you caught 350 gophers vs showing them will convince them that you can do the job. I also added pictures of other things I caught to show my versatility. Most of my customers have no problem showing off my card to others and that's about the best advertisement you can get.

Dog catchers hate when they get wildlife calls. Most won't do it. Find that guy and give him a bunch of business cards.

x2 on aco's, I don't know many who handle wildlife if they aren't permitted to. They turn a lot of calls over to wildlife folks. Pd's are a great place to drop cards off at. Try to hook up with bigger outfits that deal in only pest control ie..bugs. I get a lot of work through word of mouth by a few big named outfits. I wouldn't be a sub for them though, double edged sword. Word of mouth alone will drive call volume. So many avenues to go down that could potentially get your name out there, but city work is where the money is. Tough start if you are trying to start up in an area where most folks rather live with the problems or take care of them their self. Enjoying what you do is great, but when you're putting out funds to trap and not making any back will catch up and create problems. I know it would for me. Either way Good luck

Learn flying squirrel and bat exclusion.

Everyone hates bats and bee's. Are you going it alone are going to have others in the business?

YEP!..i forgot about them, our "animal control" ONLY do cats and dogs, and I gave them a few cards, and they posted 1 in their office for all staff to call me when it was not a domestic.

Was in the DMV today getting a copy of a registration and had 2 people notice our logo and start up conversations. I ended up handing a card out for bats and ants. Hopefully they turn into jobs. You never know where you'll be when somebody decides now is the time to discuss their issue.

#1 Best advice I have is buy magnetic business cards. In this line of work they may only need you every 3-5 years that magnet will still be on the refrigerator when they need you again.

Phone skills is #2 Be nice no matter how busy you are do not be an (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) on the phone, might just be a northeast problem but I get a lot of work even if I am higher priced just because I treat people like I wish to be treated.

RF Wildlife, two real good points, I use both! Make sure your customer knows and understands everything you are going to do for them, and end with do you have any questions or concerns. JMO