Marketing in Times of Recession

I just returned from St. Cloud, Minnesota where I spoke on the above topic to a group of family child care providers at the 20th annual “Pamper the Provider” conference sponsored by Providers Choice, a large Food Program sponsor.

Here are some of the ideas share by the providers at my workshop:

·One provider created a collage of pictures and artwork around learning activities in her program (monarch butterflies, learning numbers, etc.). The children in her program were included in the pictures. She laminated the pages and posted them around her playroom. Parents were very attracted to the pictures. This is a good way to communicate what children are learning in your program.

·Another provider holds an annual “Mom’s Night Out” for the mothers of the children in her care. She invites them to a formal dinner at her home (the dads stay home with the children). Her own teenage children served the food and the day care children prepared the dessert. This activity helps the provider bond with the mothers who look forward to the dinner.

·A provider who has been in the business over 25 years shared that some of the former children in her program organized a Facebook fan page for all past families who used her services! This is a wonderful example of how former clients can create positive word of mouth about your program.

What’s your favorite marketing idea?Tom Copeland - www.tomcopelandblog.comImage credit: https://www.thebluediamondgallery.com/notepad01/m/marketing.html

For more ideas see my book Family Child Care Marketing Guide.