Coaching VS DIY marketing - Is it worth hiring a coach for My pet business?
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether you should hire a coach to help grow your dog training or pet business - or just keep figuring it out yourself - you’re not alone.
Loads of pet professionals reach a point where they think...
“Do I actually need a coach?
Or am I just overcomplicating this?”
So, let’s chat about it.
Honestly. No fluff, no sales pitch.
Just a real look at the pros and cons of both options, so you can figure out what’s best for you and where you're at right now.
DIY
Going solo is how most of us start.
You download freebies,
Watch webinars,
Join free Facebook groups,
Stalk helpful Instagram accounts,
And try to piece together a plan...
✅ Pros:
Free (or very low cost) - Resources are everywhere, and you can learn a lot without spending a penny.
Go at your own pace - No pressure or deadlines. You work when you want to. Giving as much or as little time as you want to your business.
You’re in full control - You get to choose what to focus on, when and how.
❌ Cons:
Overwhelm is real - There’s so much information out there, and not all of it’s helpful or right for you or your business.
No accountability - No one’s checking in to see if you’ve done the thing, so it’s easy to push things off “until next week”... again. And to get results, you actually have to do the stuff, not just think about it.
Learning vs doing - You can get stuck consuming content, second-guessing everything and getting stuck in the learning cycle. instead of actually implementing and moving forward.
Shiny object syndrome - One minute you’re learning one thing, then next you’re off doing something else because it sounds interesting...but that gets you nowhere.
Random activity - There's often no plan, strategy, or logic in the way you are doing things, which can leave you feeling a bit lost.
If you’ve got good self-discipline, a solid grasp of your goals, and the time (and money) to trial-and-error your way through - the DIY route can work.
But it’s easy to get lost in the weeds.
Coaching
Now let’s look at the flip side - working with a coach.
This doesn’t mean handing over your business to someone else or being told what to do.
It means having someone in your corner to help you plan, prioritise and move forward.
✅ Pros:
Clarity - A coach helps you get clear on where you are now, where you want to go, and how to get there.
Accountability – Someone’s checking in to make sure you're doing the do, which means you’re less likely to go off track or ignore what needs to be done.
Less overwhelm - You stop trying to do all the things and focus on the right things.
Custom support - You get feedback tailored to you and your business (instead of generic advice that may or may not apply).
Real progress - With focus, planning and support, things start to move. Without all the overthinking and detours.
❌ Cons:
It’s an investment - Coaching costs money. It can feel like a big scary leap, especially if you're struggling for money right now.
You still have to do the work - It’s not a magic fix. You still need to take action - but a coach will help you do that clearly and confidently.
Not every coach is the right fit - It’s important to find someone who gets you, your business, your values, and your vision.
You need commit regular time - You need to commit to prioritising the time for your coaching support to get real results.
So... What’s Right for You?
There’s no “one size fits all” answer here.
If you’re just starting out, have time on your hands, have money to trial and error, and you enjoy learning things at your own pace with no-one checking in on you, then the DIY route might suit you just fine for now.
But if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re constantly busy but never actually moving forwards… coaching might give you the clarity and direction you’ve been missing.
Either way, the most important thing is this:
Take action.
Whether you’re doing it with help or on your own, nothing changes until you start doing.
