Finding Clients

[HJKAZ]

Hi! We recently moved to a new area and I have become a registered home day care provider. I have a website, business cards, I am on the state provider list, craigslist, sittercity and care.com, and I have not been able to find a single client! I've been told (and can see) that the town is not thriving. Many families are single income or unable to pay for day care privately. I have considered walking door to door to businesses to let people know about our new day care and handing out business cards. My husband says it is "creepy." Any ideas? I'm convinced there are 4 children in this town who need care! Any advice would be helpful.

[KateM]

Originally Posted by HJKAZ

Hi! We recently moved to a new area and I have become a registered home day care provider. I have a website, business cards, I am on the state provider list, craigslist, sittercity and care.com, and I have not been able to find a single client! I've been told (and can see) that the town is not thriving. Many families are single income or unable to pay for day care privately. I have considered walking door to door to businesses to let people know about our new day care and handing out business cards. My husband says it is "creepy." Any ideas? I'm convinced there are 4 children in this town who need care! Any advice would be helpful.

I'm sorry you haven't had much luck!! I'm kind of in the same boat!! I had a full house but 3 of the kids I watched are siblings and after having them for a little over a year their mom got an opprotunity to stay at home so now they are at home with her.

I've been trying to market myself and get some more clients in. I just got a new kid to watch (via Facebook). I'm still looking for more full timers!!

I know you have a website, but do you have a blog or a Facebook page for your business? I have a FB page for my business which has honestly helped some w/ marketing myself online. I don't have a blog but have heard it'd be wise do start one up.

I had made up brochurs of my own and went my neighborhood and put them in peoples mailboxes. It doesn't hurt to go around local businesses!! I asked at a local grocery store to see if I could put my info. up on their board but I guess they have a big rule on not allowing people to do that... check local businesses and see if they have a board they'll let you put your info. up on. Constantly update your info on the sites that you're posted on. I updated my Craigslist ad every 2 days so my info. is posted towards the top.

Do you apply for any of the jobs posted on Care.com and sittercity.com? I'd recommend applying for some of the jobs posted on there that fit your needs! There are so many childcare providers on those sites that it's probably overwhelming for the parents to sift through them all.... so I honestly throw myself out there and apply for alll the jobs that fit my schedual so that way there is no way of them not seeing my profile and my services.

Hope this helps!! Good luck!! If you need any motivation please continue to write w/ me!! We can help motivate each other!! It's tough to get new clients when you're in a new area! Once you continue to advertise and get your face out there it should help!!!

[Marrisa]

go to International MOMS Club - MOMS Offering Moms Support - an at-home support group for Moms and find your local chapter. Contact them and ask if you can advertise in their monthly newsletter. I used to belong to the MOMS club in my area and when I had a child care I advertised in our newsletter. I had several moms that I watched kids for come from that advertisement. It would not be full time care because they are stay at home moms that will need occasional care for stuff like appts and things but its better than not having any kids in your child care at all. I'm sure advertisment rates are different for each area but the MOMS club in my area charges $20 for a full year!

Good luck!
Marrisa

[HJKAZ]

Hi! Sorry it has taken me so long to respond. I still haven't had any luck finding any children to watch. I actually haven't had one phone call or email! I have been told by my child's school that many families in the area have one parent who is laid off, unemployed or at home. I think I have given up for now and will focus on finishing school

[marehues@aol.com]

Some time it you have say a Community College, or any university; those parents are some time in need of a sitter. Try posting on their Job where they allow you to post for small jobs.. Good Luck

[shall]

Sometimes a professional sign in the yard indicating your business is helpful. I don't believe they're that expensive and worth it if you get the business going. Good luck - keep us posted as I see this is from November.

[ames]

Hey there! I ran a home daycare for 5 or so years before I moved to another state.

To get my name out there I did a lot of different cheap/free things to advertise. Here are some ideas!

-At Halloween I bought DumDum lollipops, because they're cheap! Then I either used a business card or created a card stock card with my business name/ phone number and passed them out to trick or treaters. I've also done this at various church "trunk or treat" things.

- go to yard sales or thrift stores and purchase gently used books, preferably hard cover. Glue your business card to the inside cover (not on a page..that can rip out). Get a stamp or neatly write "This book was donated by" above your card. Donate books to pediatrician offices, pediatric dentists, family practices

- Contact other home providers in your area! Some refuse to help and I don't know why..but some are a great resource! I had people call me, asking advice. When I was full and got calls, I'd send people to them. Ask other child cares to network with you.

- Create a web page and get it on search engines. There are free sites out there for this!

- I have been sneaky and stuck my business cards on diaper packages, formula cans, toy aisles, etc in stores. I will just leave a few at a time.

- Order a couple of pens from a company that makes them for businesses. they are inexpensive. Leave them in various places.

- buy a car magnet for your vehicle! People will see it while you are out and about.

-make a flier and ask public schools if they would post it in the teacher break room (most schools won't allow it to be sent home with students, but will put in break room for staff).

- Many consignment shops will allow you to leave business cards with them. A children's consignment store would be n awesome place to leave some cards.

That's all I can think of right now. If I think of more I will post!

[netter49er]

I partnered with a daycare that didn't take infants. I did an infant only daycare. My kids happened to attend the daycare I partnered with, but I would think if you chatted with places that don't provide the care that you do and establish a repoire they would recommend.

Also, I joined the Family Childcare Association in my area, which was all in home daycares. We all referred to each other, had meetings, did group CPR so that we could keep the costs down. Also asked my current mommies to refer their friends and co-workers.

Hope this helps.

Lynnett