Wonder What I Am Doing Wrong

[lalondelori]

Be patient

When I stared....it ended up taking a year before I had good steady clientelle. Money was so tight for us. In the beginning, I had lots of "drop in" or part-time people. Ideas to help boost things....teachers, Mom's clubs or church groups, neighborhood flyer, ad in newspaper, other providers in your area who may have to turn away families due to not having enough space in their programs, signs on corners (like garage sale signs)..move them around often in your school area, Halloween is coming up....if you put a business card attached to your handouts, I believe you can claim this as business expense as well. Great promo.

Be patient but deliberate about getting your info out there. They will come. As you are in this business longer, you learn what type of client you wish to attract etc. Then you can be more choosy as to how you interview and select your families.

For what it is worth.....best wishes to you.

[momofsix]

Also, if you're comfortable doing so you could put a copy of your flyer and cl add on here and we could let you know if there are some things you could add/change etc to attract more people.

[renodeb]

I wouldnt say your doing anything wrong. I have to say that I got most of my clients from word of mouth, craigs list (Im not a big fan of cl but its free), Also where I live we have a resource and referal list with all of the licensed dc providers on it. Check into that if your town has one.I printed up some business cards and always have a handful in your purse (you would be suprised at how many times you will be able to hand one to some body) also, I leave my card every where I go. (restaurants, community bulletin boards, I also have a card holder at my front door so people can grab one, if you have any one in for carpet cleaning, repair work whatever, ask them if you can give them your card and ask them to leave one of theres, I have done that alot. One thing I did is made up some shirts for the kids to wear (make one for yourself) with your dc name and number on the back. I choose school bus yellow b/c its a color that he associated with being happy. I cant tell you how many people remember me from those shirts. (I got the shirts from michaels) they have all diffrent colors there. I actually use them for when we go on field trips but its a great tool. Its funny, I always find a way to mention my occupation. It takes some time but it will happen.
Debbie

[Unregistered]

Family Child Care Marketing Guide

It been a month since I am licensed and I have yet to find a family to join my program. I tried craigslist and got tons of people who are trying to waste my time and not needing child care. I tried flyers...still nothing yet. How do you all find clients? I know a month may not be that long however, I feel like I been working at this daycare for 6 months just trying to get things ready and get officially licensed. It is so discouraging right now. What do you think I should do? Any outlets I should of taken?

You can find a lot of ideas to promote your program in the Family Child Care Marketing Guide, which is published by Redleaf Press, www.redleafpress.org.

[Danie362]

I am new to this as well. I am in the process of getting licensed and wanted to start on my promoting. I really like you ideals.

[ritah]

I also have a card holder at my front door so people can grab one, if you have any one in for carpet cleaning, repair work whatever, ask them if you can give them your card and ask them to leave one of theres, I have done that alot.

Love this idea! Thanks renodeb!

[moshimoshi]

I am in the same situation. I haven't had any full-time enrollments since May. Honestly, it has been demoralizing at times to feel like I'm pouring everything I have into my business and having nothing to show for it. I have been working toward promoting my business and improving my skills and program. Finally, this week, I had two inquiries and both scheduled interviews. I got funding for an online course study for the CDA. It's been an incredible week for sure.

Many of us have been suffering through this economy as well so it is not something "wrong" with what you are doing. Just stay encouraged and continue to take steps forward and do what you can to promote and improve your program and skills. Good luck.

I tried to upload a webinar by Kris Murray about marketing in the Digital Economy for ECE Programs. It's too big, but I'm sure you can search it.

[DCMama]

yeah, thank you for understanding. I just spend so much money on improving my daycare and I wish I had some kids to share those things with. A lot of activities waiting to be shared, it is hard. What do you all do to stay sane during this process?