Changing Business, Need Ideas Please

[Evansmom]

I'm changing my business from a full time daycare with curriculum to a part time (MWF) home school that is Waldorf/Reggio inspired. I'm really excited about the change and passionate about the changes I am making to my approach to teaching, art and also documenting my student's learning! But I am having trouble finding the right audience I guess bc my CL ad isn't generating any responses at all and that's actually never happened to me before.

I joined care.com and have an ad on this website tho I can't figure out how to upload the pics, it gives me error messages.

Anyway, what are some other ways to get the word out to the kind of families that might be interested in this type of program? I also placed a file on our local homeschooling yahoo files.

Thanks!

[Evansmom]

Here is the link to my CL ad

http://austin.craigslist.org/kid/3663005189.html

[cheerfuldom]

I think you should replace the first few pictures. just my opinion. i do like the last few.

Then give people an idea of Waldorf/Reggio approach. some people may love this idea but you have to first let them know what that means for their child. Bring some of the info from your website directly to your ad. Your ad is sparse and doesnt catch my attention right off. Looks like any other daycare or mom watching kids when clearly you have a unique approach and a nice look to the website.

Also, try checking out any local FB groups for cloth diapering, baby wearing, or breastfeeding. A lot of those types of mom are really into stuff like Waldorf. You can also check into local groups that meet up and see if they will allow you to pass out a flyer on your daycare with a little freebie during their meetings. Post flyers at natural food stores and other places where this type of parent would frequent.

[snbauser]

I agree with the pp that you need to add more description to your ad. You need to let people know what it means and why it is different. Also remember that this is not the time of year that most people are looking to start preschool. I know around here some of the larger/name brand centers start their fall enrollment now but I have found that most people looking for inhome programs don't really look this time of year. I might get a few calls starting in May for the summer or the fall but most won't call until the beginning of August.

[MarinaVanessa]

At first glance your CL add didn't really have much to keep me intrigued and I personally have not heard of that kind of program. Maybe you can add a description and background of what a Waldorf/Reggio approach is etc.

I'm going to go google Waldorf/Reggio now to see what it's all about.

[Evansmom]

I think you should replace the first few pictures. just my opinion. i do like the last few.

Then give people an idea of Waldorf/Reggio approach. some people may love this idea but you have to first let them know what that means for their child. Bring some of the info from your website directly to your ad. Your ad is sparse and doesnt catch my attention right off. Looks like any other daycare or mom watching kids when clearly you have a unique approach and a nice look to the website.

Also, try checking out any local FB groups for cloth diapering, baby wearing, or breastfeeding. A lot of those types of mom are really into stuff like Waldorf. You can also check into local groups that meet up and see if they will allow you to pass out a flyer on your daycare with a little freebie during their meetings. Post flyers at natural food stores and other places where this type of parent would frequent.

Thank you for your advice! I always thought people would just go to my website but I see what you are saying about fleshing out my ad.

Also could you tell me what about the first few pics you didn't like?

[Evansmom]

I agree with the pp that you need to add more description to your ad. You need to let people know what it means and why it is different. Also remember that this is not the time of year that most people are looking to start preschool. I know around here some of the larger/name brand centers start their fall enrollment now but I have found that most people looking for inhome programs don't really look this time of year. I might get a few calls starting in May for the summer or the fall but most won't call until the beginning of August.

I was wondering if this was a slow time of year thanks for sharing your experience with me!

[Evansmom]

At first glance your CL add didn't really have much to keep me intrigued and I personally have not heard of that kind of program. Maybe you can add a description and background of what a Waldorf/Reggio approach is etc.

I'm going to go google Waldorf/Reggio now to see what it's all about.

Thank you for your advice! I guess I was under the impression that these philosophies were more main stream now but that's probably just my personal view because I have been reading and studying them and know others who do as well. I will add more info into my ad about what I actually offer in detail.

[Evansmom]

Also here is my Facebook page with more pics and I think they give a little bit more insight into how our days look. But I just created it so there isn't that much there yet.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-of-Learning-Home-School/427315347347297?ref=ts&fref=ts

and here is another CL ad I run, ideas?

http://austin.craigslist.org/kid/3660055167.html

Oh and also cheerfuldom great idea about visiting mother's groups etc! Thank you!! I have an in with LLL here.

[Evansmom]

OK, I'm redoing my CL ad and it's now paragraphs long. I'm seeing that there isn't a really succinct way to describe these philosophies.

Isn't there a way to make a CL ad where people will just click on my website and FB links for more info and pics?