I have also ran classifieds. I notice people take the tabs off my flyers but never call. I only got one phone call from my classified that ran for 30 days and cost $100. I've been in the business for 4 years but just moved so am new to the area. I can't rely on word of mouth since I don't know many people yet? The family I did have just informed me they no longer need daycare because the dad was just laid off. My husband will be laid off in Nov because his job is seasonal, so I really need to get some income coming in. Any ideas would be appreciated!
2006-09-12 07:03:05 · 8 answers · asked by Michele F 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
My husband drives a gravel train truck. In the off season he does side work and so he doesn't draw out unemployment unless he makes less than they would pay, but we still need my income to help. His income is the main source of income all year, mine is just supplemental.
2006-09-12 12:13:35 · update #1
Hmm.. sounds like a rough situation. Look at it like a company would. When business is down, it's time to re-evaluate how you do things. First thing is to check out what your competition is doing. Do you have a child? If so, go check out other daycares on the pretense that you might have to go find a job. See how they run their operations.
Consider some sacrifices to make yourself a niche in the market. I always hear of parents complaining that if they can't leave work by a certain time to pick up their kids, they get charged a great deal extra. Or they complain that the daycare isn't open on certain holidays. Or their daycare person is on vacation. Maybe you could ally yourself with another daycare person to help cover each others kids when the other would need to be out of town or is sick or something.
To help find out what people are looking for in a daycare, consider doing a survey. The easiest would be to do one online. You could even put it in the survey section here, I suppose.
I'd also use the free time you have now to get involved in the community. Volunteer at a hospital or church or the Boys and Girls club or something. Anywhere where there will be parents and children. Get to know the people. They might already have child care, but chances are they'll know a young couple that is expecting and they can personally recommend you.
Another idea would be to spend a bit on advertising again and have an open house. Then, parents could come and look at the setup and you could explain how you would structure their child's day. They wouldn't necessarily need to call you to set up an appointment. You could plan some fun activities for the visiting parents (and children) and maybe let them enter a drawing for discounted child care services for the first month or something like that. It would just be disappointing if you went through the effort of setting this up and then didn't have the turnout.
I really hope some of these ideas help a little. I understand how rough it can get with seasonal jobs. It's makes the holiday season a bit stressful. Just keep your spirits up and keep trying!
2006-09-12 07:54:12 · answer #1 · answered by larsor4 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Interesting article, but has nothing to do with your question. It's a pity lawyers seem only interested in finding loopholes (or creating them), rather than following the spirit of the law. What the United States needs is a general strike - including exempt employees. While there was a time when employees were loyal to the company and the company was loyal to the employee, this is no longer the case. Older employees are being laid off in order to bring in younger, cheaper employees. Saves money on salaries and benefits. Pension plans are almost non-existent. Continuing education plans are going away. Vacations are being reduced. And medical benefits started disappearing when cafeteria benefits were introduced several years ago. Yes, the rich get richer, but it's only because of greed and loopholes.
2016-03-26 22:07:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand the pressure you are under. But I also wonder, what prohibits your husband from finding something in the "off season" that he can't work? Is it union related or something? B/c if it is not, then I would really encourage him to do something so you don't feel the total burden on your shoulders. You can't promote very well feeling like that. As far as your business, go to the local department of labor and post your info there. Hang up info at places of employment, churches, community colleges, etc. But word of mouth is the best. Ask your acquaintances to give you referrals.
2006-09-12 10:06:57 · answer #3 · answered by Brzo Biciklo 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Use promotional products that relate to your kind of business. don't do what everyone else does by placing your business name, phone #, & address on them -
Put down your benefits - why should I be interested in your home daycare? What do you do that's different from everyone else? Sell me on your business.
I had a customer who guaranteed his muffler's for life and provided free exhaust inspections, yet he did not place this information on his business cards or promotional products like key tags and ink pens. I suggested he put down his benefits.
there are great items like water free hand cleaners that can be imprinted with your info and hand out to prospects.
Visit your local unemployment offices and network there placing fliers and handing out promotional products.
2006-09-12 08:58:28 · answer #4 · answered by JLMelvin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A clever promotion I know of would be to have some business cards made up (or make them yourself) They need to be a folded kind and when folded have them look like a hundred dollar bill. *folding at a 45 degree angle usually works best for this so the inside that shows when closed looks like the back of the bill.
Drop these anywhere on the ground. After their initial.. dang this isn't money.. they will see how very clever you are and if they have need of your services hopefully they will call.
(the laundromat, near schools, grocery stores, etc. are places to drop your cards on the ground.)
It is unlikely you will have problems for littering since very few people will pass up picking up what they believe is money. Just don't drop a bunch in one place.. it needs to look like someone lost a bill.
I trust you have the appropriate licenses etc... make sure on the inside of your card you list having your license and insurance.. perhaps your years of experience as well.
Check to see if there are any on-line local directories of businesses in your area and if there are, see about getting a listing. (some are free and some charge so you will need to determine if this is feasible for you.)
Good luck with your business.
2006-09-12 07:19:00 · answer #5 · answered by Silvatungfox 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
How about a daycare business and a home busiess, i just signed this lady up last weeks, she runs a daycare from home and also a candle business too, My company is called scent-sations Inc, and here is some more info regarding our products and how to go about signing up. Here is my website.
www.jakettas.scent-team.com/
I make also of money doing fundraisers for schools & churches, ect, and also i host in home parties, and retail them in shops
2006-09-12 07:11:28 · answer #6 · answered by stmarysfinest 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Are you convinced you want to only have a daycare business? Would you be interested in other home businesses?
2006-09-12 07:05:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sign up for city search, they are post pay and real good as far as online yellowpages go.
you can also place free ads on craigslist.com they have a large community.
2006-09-12 07:04:59 · answer #8 · answered by princesstheruler 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋