How do YOU Advertise?

[Whatever17]

Hi Everyone! My daycare unfortunately just lost our only full time family and the loss of income was a shock. DCM unexpectedly had to leave the state and won't be coming back.

Anyway, I was wondering how everyone advertises to get new families to come check out your daycare? I feel like I am advertising in every way I can, but still get hardly any people to come check us out.

Some information about where I advertise: Craigslist, Facebook Groups, Business Facebook, Website, and Local Bulletin Boards

I always put our full time rate in the ads because we are the lowest price I've seen in our area. I also add pictures of the daycare set up. I get many comments about how nice our set up is, but hardly any follow though.

Any advice on new places to advertise? Or new ways to get families attention?

I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone else handles advertising!

[yodaone]

Not much help here! Just wanted you to know that you're not alone. I feel the exact same way. I advertise the same way as you and get lots of great feedback. I just don't have families actually signing up. I'm beginning to think the Facebook groups are people who are more curious than anything and not actually needing daycare. I'm looking forward to the suggestions other may have!

[Blackcat31]

Hi Everyone! My daycare unfortunately just lost our only full time family and the loss of income was a shock. DCM unexpectedly had to leave the state and won't be coming back.

Anyway, I was wondering how everyone advertises to get new families to come check out your daycare? I feel like I am advertising in every way I can, but still get hardly any people to come check us out.

Some information about where I advertise: Craigslist, Facebook Groups, Business Facebook, Website, and Local Bulletin Boards

I always put our full time rate in the ads because we are the lowest price I've seen in our area. I also add pictures of the daycare set up. I get many comments about how nice our set up is, but hardly any follow though.

Any advice on new places to advertise? Or new ways to get families attention?

I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone else handles advertising!

When I first opened and was trying to establish a reputation in my community, I tried all the methods you listed above.

Now that I have been in business for many years, I no longer advertise and simply get new clients through word of mouth from current clients. They also keep my wait list FULL.

I'd continue trying Facebook, Craig's List and local business bulletin boards. Also spread the word....have your current clients tell others...I'd also consider offering a referral discount for any new families you gain from current families.

Word of warning when dealing with referral bonuses though is make sure the family that is new stays for X amount of time before giving the current family any kind of "bonus" for the referral.

[lovemydaycare0912]

Hi Everyone! My daycare unfortunately just lost our only full time family and the loss of income was a shock. DCM unexpectedly had to leave the state and won't be coming back.

Anyway, I was wondering how everyone advertises to get new families to come check out your daycare? I feel like I am advertising in every way I can, but still get hardly any people to come check us out.

Some information about where I advertise: Craigslist, Facebook Groups, Business Facebook, Website, and Local Bulletin Boards

I always put our full time rate in the ads because we are the lowest price I've seen in our area. I also add pictures of the daycare set up. I get many comments about how nice our set up is, but hardly any follow though.

Any advice on new places to advertise? Or new ways to get families attention?

I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone else handles advertising!

Another way I advertise is Instagram. I am able to friend anyone my area with children. Sometimes I message people who are about to give birth and/or asking about daycare. It has landed me one client. I pay to advertise with Facebook. I have business cards I am constantly giving out. Word of mouth. When I go to the nail salon, the owners are always telling someone I have a daycare. Post fliers in your local grocery store's bulletin board. Fliers at local libraries. Call your local dcf department and see if you can give them your information. I don't post my rates. Mine are in the middle. I do post what I offer, and how I stand out. I post pics of what we do with the kids. Best wishes on filling up soon!

[Whatever17]

When I first opened and was trying to establish a reputation in my community, I tried all the methods you listed above.

Now that I have been in business for many years, I no longer advertise and simply get new clients through word of mouth from current clients. They also keep my wait list FULL.

I'd continue trying Facebook, Craig's List and local business bulletin boards. Also spread the word....have your current clients tell others...I'd also consider offering a referral discount for any new families you gain from current families.

Word of warning when dealing with referral bonuses though is make sure the family that is new stays for X amount of time before giving the current family any kind of "bonus" for the referral.

How much of a discount would you offer for a referral? I currently charge $175 per week for full time. How long should the new family be enrolled before the bonus is given, in your opinion?

[Blackcat31]

How much of a discount would you offer for a referral? I currently charge $175 per week for full time. How long should the new family be enrolled before the bonus is given, in your opinion?

IF I were to give a referral bonus, I would do NO more than what is equal to a day's fee per child.

If current family refers a family with 3 kids, I'd give the current family ($35 x 3) but ONLY AFTER the new family stays a minimum of 60 days.

I'd also consider maybe giving sign in bonuses...if there is lots of competition for child care kids in your area... Maybe 25% off a week of care (AFTER the trial period) etc.

I don't know, I'm lucky in that there is a huge need for care here so families looking are usually pretty serious since it's hard to find space.

I wouldn't give out too many discounts or bonuses though as that's just giving your services away but I'd absolutely consider doing something like that though (if its tough to get kids) just to get your name out there and make others notice you!

[Whatever17]

IF I were to give a referral bonus, I would do NO more than what is equal to a day's fee per child.

If current family refers a family with 3 kids, I'd give the current family ($35 x 3) but ONLY AFTER the new family stays a minimum of 60 days.

I'd also consider maybe giving sign in bonuses...if there is lots of competition for child care kids in your area... Maybe 25% off a week of care (AFTER the trial period) etc.

I don't know, I'm lucky in that there is a huge need for care here so families looking are usually pretty serious since it's hard to find space.

I wouldn't give out too many discounts or bonuses though as that's just giving your services away but I'd absolutely consider doing something like that though (if its tough to get kids) just to get your name out there and make others notice you!

Unfortunately, My area is the exact opposite if yours! We are over saturated with home daycare's, with 15-20 in a 3 mile radius. Not all of them advertise, though. We seem to be the one that advertises the most!

I like the idea of the referral bonus being given after the new family is with us a while. Thanks for your help!

[Whatever17]

Another way I advertise is Instagram. I am able to friend anyone my area with children. Sometimes I message people who are about to give birth and/or asking about daycare. It has landed me one client. I pay to advertise with Facebook. I have business cards I am constantly giving out. Word of mouth. When I go to the nail salon, the owners are always telling someone I have a daycare. Post fliers in your local grocery store's bulletin board. Fliers at local libraries. Call your local dcf department and see if you can give them your information. I don't post my rates. Mine are in the middle. I do post what I offer, and how I stand out. I post pics of what we do with the kids. Best wishes on filling up soon!

Can you give me some more information about Instagram? I am totally unfamiliar with it! All I know about it is that you can post pictures. Do you sign up as your business name or your real name?

[LysesKids]

Unfortunately, My area is the exact opposite if yours! We are over saturated with home daycare's, with 15-20 in a 3 mile radius. Not all of them advertise, though. We seem to be the one that advertises the most!

I like the idea of the referral bonus being given after the new family is with us a while. Thanks for your help!

See, I get the over saturation thing ... same here, however the ones who aren't filling spots are the low charging providers. I offer specialty care & have very few spaces so I charge middle ground.

Are you on the food program? If not maybe get yourself a sponsor & have them list you as a provider that offers nutritious meals - they do that here; they even show you the map when a parent puts in a Zip so they can see where the provider is. Just a thought.

[Whatever17]

See, I get the over saturation thing ... same here, however the ones who aren't filling spots are the low charging providers. I offer specialty care & have very few spaces so I charge middle ground.

Are you on the food program? If not maybe get yourself a sponsor & have them list you as a provider that offers nutritious meals - they do that here; they even show you the map when a parent puts in a Zip so they can see where the provider is. Just a thought.

Why do you think it's the providers that charge the lowest prices are the ones not filling spots? Shouldn't parents want to pay less if they can? Or do you think that parents think that less money means lower care quality? I'm trying to stay competitive in my pricing for my area, but I don't want that to hurt me in the long run!

[Thriftylady]

Why do you think it's the providers that charge the lowest prices are the ones not filling spots? Shouldn't parents want to pay less if they can? Or do you think that parents think that less money means lower care quality? I'm trying to stay competitive in my pricing for my area, but I don't want that to hurt me in the long run!

Some parents do think that. I run the middle range. Here the low range providers, many of them do run lower quality. No learning (I believe in play programs but some learning), no arts and crafts not even coloring, TV all day, ramen noodles for lunch. No here that is the providers that charge $10 per day and also run 24/7. I offer night care and SOME weekends, but these do all hours and all weekends. One does $10 a day for as many hours as you want, so 15 hours a day? $10.

[Thriftylady]

Some parents do think that. I run the middle range. Here the low range providers, many of them do run lower quality. No learning (I believe in play programs but some learning), no arts and crafts not even coloring, TV all day, ramen noodles for lunch. No here that is the providers that charge $10 per day and also run 24/7. I offer night care and SOME weekends, but these do all hours and all weekends. One does $10 a day for as many hours as you want, so 15 hours a day? $10.

ETA: I know this because I talked to one of her past clients today who said "I wasn't very impressed with her". I told her that is why parents need to ask questions like "what will my child eat?", "What will my child do all day?", "will my child watch TV?". Those are the questions I try to answer for parents at initial contact.

[LysesKids]

Why do you think it's the providers that charge the lowest prices are the ones not filling spots? Shouldn't parents want to pay less if they can? Or do you think that parents think that less money means lower care quality? I'm trying to stay competitive in my pricing for my area, but I don't want that to hurt me in the long run!

Competitive doesn't mean lowest fees ever... I will never be the lowest priced home, nor do I want to be; as a single mom, I looked for quality over price when my kids were in childcare.

Around here lower fees can mean lower quality (or be seen that way); I've heard some stories, but it's not just homes, some lower priced centers too. I offer things nobody else does & found my nitch, but I priced myself to cover the extras too without getting too spendy.

I checked out your website & FB page... and the newsletter. I was wondering why parents were donating snacks etc, that's why I asked if you were on the Food program. If not, Why?

My main thing is I am infant only & try to be as Organic as possible also which is my difference from others around here. A lot of parents are looking for what makes you unique

[Whatever17]

Competitive doesn't mean lowest fees ever... I will never be the lowest priced home, nor do I want to be; as a single mom, I looked for quality over price when my kids were in childcare.

Around here lower fees can mean lower quality (or be seen that way); I've heard some stories, but it's not just homes, some lower priced centers too. I offer things nobody else does & found my nitch, but I priced myself to cover the extras too without getting too spendy.

I checked out your website & FB page... and the newsletter. I was wondering why parents were donating snacks etc, that's why I asked if you were on the Food program. If not, Why?

My main thing is I am infant only & try to be as Organic as possible also which is my difference from others around here. A lot of parents are looking for what makes you unique

We aren't on the food program. Not really sure why! I will have to look into it. Parent's asked about donations because we offer such low prices and they wanted to help out, so I created a section in the Newsletter so that we can ask for what we need. Sometimes they donate just because their DCK wanted to bring in a treat for everyone!

Our daycare is in a very low income area, which is why we have such low prices. I hate to think that parents think we don't offer everything that a daycare that costs almost double does, when our facebook page speaks for itself in terms of the activities that we do!

[Thriftylady]

Competitive doesn't mean lowest fees ever... I will never be the lowest priced home, nor do I want to be; as a single mom, I looked for quality over price when my kids were in childcare.

Around here lower fees can mean lower quality (or be seen that way); I've heard some stories, but it's not just homes, some lower priced centers too. I offer things nobody else does & found my nitch, but I priced myself to cover the extras too without getting too spendy.

I checked out your website & FB page... and the newsletter. I was wondering why parents were donating snacks etc, that's why I asked if you were on the Food program. If not, Why?

My main thing is I am infant only & try to be as Organic as possible also which is my difference from others around here. A lot of parents are looking for what makes you unique

I agree with a lot of this. I am not on the food program, because I am legally unlicensed, but I serve healthy, home cooked, made from scratch meals and I use that as a selling point. So I agree find what you offer that is different and use it!