Not Having Much Luck With Craigslist...

[tjones34]

So I have been open since February and still no new kids. I have been advertising and everything. I need a different outlet...any suggestions? I have even handed out my business cards in the local shopping center. i have had a number of calls but then nothing?

[hhdc]

Craigslist hasn't been great for me either. I have opened last march and had kids right away but this winter most have moved and one father lost his job. I went from needing help twice a week to only having one child here some days. It is rough. I have signed up here and with care.com. I also have a facebook page and have posted there that I have openings.

[Lkurtyak]

I opened in February and am having the same issue. Recently another home daycare in my area closed and the owner has been my guardian angel, referring everyone to me. I've taken one of her kids so far and her mom is pregnant so one is on the way

This guardian angel of mine told me I should pay for the premium package on care.com because she got so many calls from doing that. She said she usually had a waiting list. Good luck ladies!

[Starburst]

Do you have your own website? Maybe you could try that.

Here is a website with some tips for marketing:

http://www.startapreschool.com/training/marketing.html

http://www.startapreschool.com/training/website.html

In case you want to watch all the videos (just click the week and go back to this page when you want to watch a new video; I suggest saving this in your e-mail):

http://www.startapreschool.com/training/graduation.html

[KnoxMom]

Craigslist has been my main source outside of WOM. I also have a profile on care.com (featured). I would consider finding a local Mom's club or group on facebook to share your openings. Also, if you have a church home I would recommend requesting that they add to the announcements one Sunday that you have openings and ask the church to support and spread the word. Have you left your card at your local pediatric office, children's consignment stores, Toys R Us parking lot, etc. Last resort: hang out in the baby aisle in your grocery store and strike up conversations. HTH!

[tjones34]

I have gotten 4 kids this month alone and the calls keep coming in! Thanks for all the advice guys!!! happyface

[Alwaysgreener]

I have heard of people posting on Care.com and sittercity.com. You need to word your post just right or they will require you to pay, but you could respond to other people looking for care post. I have not quit opened yet, but I did create a free website that gives way more info about my DC at weebly.com another one is wix.com --- some dc in my area create a page on facebook - (if I do this I would make 2 pages one for advertising my dc and a private one to use for your DC families for pictures / info / updates) and share it with their friends and family. That gets the word out about you dc and you can link your web page.
You can also link your website to your craigslist ad and turn off the email option making the people view you web page to contact you.
Creating the web page was easy and fun to do. I had others look it over, to find errors on it, very helpful.

[allsmiles]

What did you end up doing TJONES??
i guess it all happens in cycles.. CL was my main way to get children in the beginning.. now i get a call every once and a while and most of my recent kids came from referrals. i keep my post up at all times tho.. I am licensed for 12 and have 2 openings.. I am only full in the summer time.

[allsmiles]

i tried sittercity too.. i havent gotten any calls and i do respond to some ads with no call back LOL.. worth a try??