How do YOU Advertise?

[Thriftylady]

I have not read all the threads but I wanted to chime in, based on what I considered as a parent.

- Most parents I know are not looking the cheapest care. Even those with low incomes more often look for the best quality for the money or the best deal vs the cheapest care.

- I personally raise an eyebrow to the quality of program of the daycare programs that market the most. Those posted to craigslist everyday make me wonder "what is so wrong with them that they always have openings, etc"

- While I am undecided on if I will opt to be part of a food program I do know it is a big draw to parents so I think you should at least consider it.

I am launching my program in the fall and my marketing plan consist of:

Craigslist Ads
Facebook Groups
Local Yahoo Mom Groups
Care.com

I will be hosting and marketing an open house that I would be hosting at my expense. It would be free to come and check out the space and my program, I would have samples of the work we will be doing, some activities for the kids, food and some activities. (Maybe even a bounce house.)

Also I am considering reaching out to local large employers close to me --- sending a flyer / email to them that they can share with their staff. Maybe even offering a promotion to their staff depending on how much I wanted their children as my clients.

I also plan to send an email out to any and everyone I know letting them know I am launching my business and have spots available and asking for referrals.

Another thing once you are established and have good clients I suggest setting up a Yelp page and asking clients to review you on there.

I feel the opposite about marketing. I mean I have had two spots open for more than a year that I am looking to fill. I don't get a ton of calls in this area, and I am very picky about the families I accept. So the marketing can be a factor like that. Especially with some providers with a lot of slots. I can't imagine trying to fill 12 in this area.

[CityGarden]

I feel the opposite about marketing. I mean I have had two spots open for more than a year that I am looking to fill. I don't get a ton of calls in this area, and I am very picky about the families I accept. So the marketing can be a factor like that. Especially with some providers with a lot of slots. I can't imagine trying to fill 12 in this area.

I am not saying they are "bad" because they market often but if you are posting on Craigslist everyday/often in high volume... it makes me wonder ----

In my area there are a ton of providers but also a ton of need so when I always see the same 2-3 providers and they are always on Craigslist some posting more than once a day, it does make me pause to wonder why.

[LysesKids]

I am not saying they are "bad" because they market often but if you are posting on Craigslist everyday/often in high volume... it makes me wonder ----

In my area there are a ton of providers but also a ton of need so when I always see the same 2-3 providers and they are always on Craigslist some posting more than once a day, it does make me pause to wonder why.

See, in my area most of us have Fall openings (I have 2 myself when infants age out)... everyone is putting out CL ads now trying to get a bite. It's the licensed homes & centers that are over posting more than the licensed exempt people which makes absolutely zero sense

[wonderfullisa]

When I first started, I only used care.com and sittercity.com.
It took a good year or two to find my way. Now I'm completely full, and have a wait list. Occasionally I post on local FB groups. For instance, my own daughter turns 6 in August, so she will no longer count in my ratios. Yesterday I posted an ad for a FT spot opening September 1st.
I am on CACFP. They used to be smaller ($200-300), but now they are over $700 a month! Definitely worth a couple of minutes on my phone app a day.

[KTsKids]

Also I am considering reaching out to local large employers close to me --- sending a flyer / email to them that they can share with their staff. Maybe even offering a promotion to their staff depending on how much I wanted their children as my clients.

I've done this and it worked really well! I live less than 2 miles from a hospital so I spoke to their HR department and they allowed me to post flyers in a bunch of the break rooms. I went from struggling to stay full with craigslist ads to having a wait list so long that I've stopped advertising all together! Walmart and Kroger also allowed me to advertise in their break rooms. Some of the I contacted said no, but it was well worth the effort to get the 3 that said yes! And here's an important tip-take your flyers and go to the business to talk to them. If you call or e-mail it's real easy for them to say no. People have a harder time saying no to your face