Childminders Club: Advertising and Branding

[KatieMaChristmas]

OK - so I'm on a big advertising kick for January I have 10 'days' to fill.

A very kind mum at school has just drawn me a 'logo' with a tree on it and a squirral eating a nut in the middle.

This is 'cos I use Childminding @ Walnut Corner as my trading name (not sure about the legalities of this).

I am also setting up a Before & After school club and a holiday playscheme - I thought to call this Squirrals @ Walnut Corner (BTW Walnut Corner is the name of my house), but I'm concerned that this will only appeal to the Mums and the kids will be embarassed.

I am also going to push occasional minding - I was origional (earlier in the year) going to call this "Katie Pop-ins" after very helpful suggestions from Mumsnetters - but now wonder whether I should 'Brand it' like the others? - But I can't think of anything

Any thoughts/ideas anyone??

today

Thnaks KM - it was great to see everyone but sad

The Sports Centre has it's own creche so won't

What about just letting people know what you do, and offering a free visit. "Need Childcare - call me first." sort of idea. Let the person imagine why they need childcare themselves - the first time they come it might be because they have a smear test or some other necessity, after that they might use you for some more pleasant activity. What is it that your current clients do while you look after their children?

When you did the thing about the haircut etc. that didn't work, did you have your prices on that?

I've changed it to (The Bits in Bold are changed)

Calling all?Busy Mums
Do the School holidays last forever?
Do your children get bored?
NEED Holiday Childminding
LOOK NO FURTHER ? Here at Walnut Corner, we can provide your children (aged birth to 14 years) with all sorts of entertainment including:CRAFT DANCING BAKING MUSIC SPORTS
Also DAYS OUT to Thrigby Wildlife Park, Wroxham Barns, Sea Palling, Banham Zoo, etc.
All at reasonable rates e.g. 6 Hours Childminding + trip to Thrigby + Packed Lunch for only 18.00
With the benefit of a home environment, and attention of trained, insured, OFSTED registered childminders.
If you need some time to yourself ? for an hour, a morning, a day or even the whole holidays! Call Childminding @ Walnut Corner
Childminding also available in termtime.

BTW I'm going in the local TAMBA & NCT magazines...how about that for advertising

Brilliant - you have said they are busy not stressed, and the kids are bored not a pain. You have offered them time to themselves, without pressure to have a hair cut or go to the gym. I like it a lot. Very best of luck with it.

Ta - couldn't have done it withoput Mumsnet

Thanks Again Ladies

brill deffo go with it

Hi Km....Hows things?

brill don't start work till next thursday

so more time to mumsnet

wot about u?

Back from hols 6.30 mon eve
Started work (11 C/Mees) at 7.30 Tues am
Funeral Thurs

How do YOU think I am?

oops silly question

That look really rude - I didn't mean it to be - I'm just a bit brain dead and trying to get all my troubles out of my head (by reading other peoples)

I really wasn't being a cow (well intentionally anyway)

Sorry

I was a bit unfair gloating on still being on holiday

is there anything i can say to help you?

I've just got too much to do
too much to think about
too much to decide on

and if I don't get going on it all no-one else will.....

Look at my indecision over this ad etc (I must have posted about 3/4 different threads and brought it up on loads of others)

You know me by now - I act first and think later - this is so unlike me

sorry don't know how to help really

I am a prize procrastinator

Thanks for being concerned....I'll get over it

See you Tomorrow
KMc

I am sure about that

addict is my middle name

Yup
Night

kmc

KatieMac, I think your advert is brilliant. As a stressed mum too I wish you were nearer me so I could childmind in peace .

Hope you get some business from this.

Just a thought - do you have a website? That might bring in some business.

I'm hoping to get one from a very nice MNer in Feb or Mar

I've been offered a chance at advertising in a local (ish) GP surgery

It's on their appointments cards and will cost about 400 (over 2 years) in 6 installments

It will go on 40,000 appointmet cards...What do you think?

Is it worth it?

I'll get back to you but

How much work can you fit in in next 2 years?

How many spaces are you expecting to loose and need filling?

If you have alot of space then yes

good way of getting mums and dads

I've currently 2 f/t and expect 2 f/t within 1 year.

Plus all the out of school (probably from school) and the holiday vacancies...

Hmm sounds less viable that way

On the other hand £400 over 2 yrs is £4 a week (ish)

Well I'm confused

so sorry for being dim

but how many spaces are you left with empty?