If I ever open my nursery - how will I advertise it??Any clever MN ideas?

[Katymac]

Do I do 10% of your first months bill?

Or big noticeboards on the main roads?

Or leaflets?

Or what??

[bobsmum]

You need local press coverage. Get a good writer to do a press statement that you're happy with and send it out - make a big deal of how your nursery stands out from the rest. Maybe local radio too? Or Radio 4 - Woman's Hour?

If the press are interested than they'll send out a photographer and you might get one of those "advertorial" pages with contact numbers etc.

Contact local HVs/surgeries and toddler groups.

[ruddynorah]

leaflets or poster to local big businesses with lots of staff.

big billboards (ask permission first!) near main road junctions near the nursery. will commuters pass by?

also, does your area have a 'hub' magazine type thing. we have one here, contains lots of family info ie nurseries, soft play etc etc..

good luck!

oh and have an open day for parents to look round early while you're still setting up/building etc, show them the plans.

[bobsmum]

Are there any green magazines that would do an article on you?

[treacletart]

local parenting mags, little posters in the park cafes, soft play etc anywhere frequented by parents and toddlers, leaflet residential streets in your target area.. try and do something newsworthy to mark your opening to get some free publicity with local press ....

[bobsmum]

Open Day is a great idea RN.

There's a university field station built down the road from us with geothermal heat pump etc and they had an open day for all local residents as well as people with a direct involvement. They offered boat trips on the loch (I know you can't do that - but an incentive plus food brings them in )

[CODalmighty]

you ahevnt built it yet?

[willywonka]

Some sort of open afternoon/evening where parents can bring children along and see the facilities. Invite the local paper because children always make a good photo story. Only other suggestion for advertising is to post something on MN too!

[EvilSmellingBugger]

churches, ymca (ours have baby & toddler activities held there) surestart. Childrens information service website, schools. Dr's surgeries, HV.

[Katymac]

Cod - Forward planning

I am also seeing a business angel this week for extra fundingso I need lots of ideas

I will be opening in January - so need cold/chilly weather ideas

I wondered about making an open invitation to a Christmas party and seeing who came?

[CODalmighty]

oh tis atucally happenign then?
i htoguth planning was refused?

[Katymac]

Still waiting for planning

But Highways has been approved - & that was the biggest problem

[bobsmum]

We went to the university station open day because we were leafleted personally with a proper invite, we were interested in the eco side of things and we were local. But I'm not a biologist. However if I met someone interested in biology and ecology I would point them in the direction of the uni station IYSWIM.

So don't limit your target to parents because other nosey people are great at doing you word of mouth job for you

[Katymac]

So a nice invite is better than a leaflet

I wonder if I can get the babies to "do" something

I have 8 months to get a lot made

(That is really evil & I wouldn't really do it)

[KTeePee]

Will you existing mindees transfer over to the nursery? I think you will find that word of mouth will be the best thing in the long run - the best nurseries around here don't need to advertise, they have waiting lists, whereas the "chains" are always advertising in the local papers...

But to get started I would second the local press and open day ideas...

[Katymac]

The older ones will the younger ones will stay at home here

So I should have over 3 F/T children to start off with

But I need about 4.5 to meet my cashflow forecast

With the hope to be 80% full at the end of 3 yrs

[bobbysmum07]

A sign or banner, an open day and a leaflet drop. Don't advertise in a magazine or newspaper - it's a waste of money, you only ever get one or two responses.

It takes time to build up your numbers, but if you can establish links with a local school it will help. Maybe offer a 10% discount for teacher's children.

[bobsmum]

Eeeek! A Bobbysmum! Will have to change my name

Hello bobbysmum btw - good taste

[bobsmum]

Put up a profile and we can compare Bobs.

[UCM]

Appeal to working Mums by saying, No Frootshoots, No processed food, just great grub and blah, don't know what the rest should say.....

[sniff]

great big garden party

[Katymac]

Sniff - In JANUARY?

Interesting about newspaper ads - is that for local papers too?

Food will be a major selling point so that's covered UCM

Like the teacher 10% idea - but I'm not sure I can afford that (esp as they are only 39 weeks of the year)

[southeastastra]

yes get a big stand outside a busy shop and do free face painting too

[Katymac]

Plans have gone on my profile

Whatcha fink??