Need Help With How To Say This...

[MsLaura529]

So, I have had one interview and a couple phone calls/e-mails in the last 2 weeks. Nothing has been set-up yet ... they are kind of in limbo right now (one is waiting for her nanny to go in labor before she needs to switch, one is waiting to see what job she ends up with, etc.). However, I only have 1 full-time spot and 1 part-time spot open. I just got another call today, not sure what it is for since she just left a quick voicemail. When I do call her back, I want to let her know that I have had other people interested, but I still want to have her come check out my place. It seems like any way that I word it, without going into too much detail, that people have been interested, but they're not signing up because maybe something is wrong with my place? Does that make sense? How do you explain this to someone without sounding like a disappointment and/or needy?

[nanglgrl]

I would just call to set up an interview and tell her that you have a limited amount of openings and several people who are interested. Tell her you are finishing up interviews this week and that after you've conducted all of the interviews you will choose the best fit for your childcare. This should get her to set up an interview as soon as possible and make you seem more desirable. All you have to do is show her how awesome you are at the interview and you should have it in the bag. I always tell clients I have other prospects because it gives me an easy out if they aren't a good fit but I've noticed it also gets people to quickly set up an interview and to be on their best behavior because they want to be chosen.

[Blackcat31]

So, I have had one interview and a couple phone calls/e-mails in the last 2 weeks. Nothing has been set-up yet ... they are kind of in limbo right now (one is waiting for her nanny to go in labor before she needs to switch, one is waiting to see what job she ends up with, etc.). However, I only have 1 full-time spot and 1 part-time spot open. I just got another call today, not sure what it is for since she just left a quick voicemail. When I do call her back, I want to let her know that I have had other people interested, but I still want to have her come check out my place. It seems like any way that I word it, without going into too much detail, that people have been interested, but they're not signing up because maybe something is wrong with my place? Does that make sense? How do you explain this to someone without sounding like a disappointment and/or needy?

I wouldn't automatically assume something is wrong with you or your program. Sometimes the timing is just not right...kwim?

I've interviewed parents before and had a fantastic feeling about them, clicked with them and thought they felt the same only to never hear back from them again. Once I had a family (pregnant) interview with me, LOVE everything about my program (or so they said) tell me they were definitely interested in enrolling and then not call me back until their kid was 13 months old. :confused: When I asked them why, they said they took my advice and hired a nanny for the first year .... I must have shared my thoughts with them about feeling like infants should be able to get one on one care the first full year of their life....

As far as communicating with these potential clients, I would say something along the lines of "Hi So-N-So, this is MsLaura. I am returning your call about child care. If you are interested in setting up an interview, we can arrange a time and date to get together and discuss my program. I do have several families interviewing for this space so let me know when a good time for you would be."

Then what I do is first come first served. Unless two families interview really close together, then I choose the best fit. Otherwise, whoever gets their ducks in a row first and enrolls, gets the space.

[blandino]

I do exactly what BC does.

I wouldn't hesitate about returning the voicemail. If the other parents haven't gotten back to you, then it's their loss. I wouldn't let waiting for them stop your from potentially filling their spot. If you make the most recent interest wait, and the limbo clients never call you back, you risk losing all of them.

I have had some clients do the limbo thing, and be very disappointment when they call expecting that the spot is still there. But I look at it the same as any other transaction, no store, leasing office, etc will hold merchandise for a customer who is possibly interested over one who is ready to purchase.

If you decide to give the other parents a heads-up, I would do a simple email saying that you have only one opening and another party interested. That there is no pressure for them to decide now, but you did want to make them aware that the opening is available to the first family who wants it.

[MsLaura529]

Thank you guys! All great advice. I feel a little more confident for my phone call later I'm always worried about how people can twist my words around negatively.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I wouldn't automatically assume something is wrong with you or your program. Sometimes the timing is just not right...kwim?

I've interviewed parents before and had a fantastic feeling about them, clicked with them and thought they felt the same only to never hear back from them again. Once I had a family (pregnant) interview with me, LOVE everything about my program (or so they said) tell me they were definitely interested in enrolling and then not call me back until their kid was 13 months old. :confused: When I asked them why, they said they took my advice and hired a nanny for the first year .... I must have shared my thoughts with them about feeling like infants should be able to get one on one care the first full year of their life....

As far as communicating with these potential clients, I would say something along the lines of "Hi So-N-So, this is MsLaura. I am returning your call about child care. If you are interested in setting up an interview, we can arrange a time and date to get together and discuss my program. I do have several families interviewing for this space so let me know when a good time for you would be."

Then what I do is first come first served. Unless two families interview really close together, then I choose the best fit. Otherwise, whoever gets their ducks in a row first and enrolls, gets the space.

Absolutely! Call the interested family.

[TheGoodLife]

I do exactly what BC does.

I wouldn't hesitate about returning the voicemail. If the other parents haven't gotten back to you, then it's their loss. I wouldn't let waiting for them stop your from potentially filling their spot. If you make the most recent interest wait, and the limbo clients never call you back, you risk losing all of them.

If you decide to give the other parents a heads-up, I would do a simple email saying that you have only one opening and another party interested. That there is no pressure for them to decide now, but you did want to make them aware that the opening is available to the first family who wants it.

This exactly- giving a specific date that YOU will be deciding shows parets that you are a hot commodity, and ensures a decision on their parts. I won't hold a spot unless it is with a signed contract and $100 holding fee paid (it goes toward the first $100 of tuition as long as they start care).
In fact, the times I've had to tell a family that the spot is no longer available has always happened for the family I did not prefer, so I was happy to do it. If they want to take their sweet time and be upset that I didn't just wait around for them to tell me if they were interested, I've always been a little happy about it

[MsLaura529]

Woo-hoo! I ended up calling the lady back, they set up an interview for this evening, and when they left I had their 2-week deposit in my hand! I don't require a deposit, but they won't be starting for a couple weeks, so it's more of a holding fee that will be used towards their first 2 weeks.

[Familycare71]

Woo-hoo! I ended up calling the lady back, they set up an interview for this evening, and when they left I had their 2-week deposit in my hand! I don't require a deposit, but they won't be starting for a couple weeks, so it's more of a holding fee that will be used towards their first 2 weeks.

happyface happyface happyface