Help with advertising

[Shell Dunn]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to here and also to the business world. Ive recently set up a Leeds based babysitting agency and need idea's of how to get the information to the parents of Leeds.
I currently work in childcare so I have been handing out leaflets with all the details and web address. I have babysitters ready to work.
Through a friend I have an ad going into a Leeds Directory that goes out every month starting sept this covers over 24,000 homes around Leeds.
Does anyone have any idea's of low cost ways?
Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thankyou

[TestAPlug]

I would love to help! I am getting into advertising myself. As I have no proven background in this area ( and as a test of my own skill ) I would advertise for you on a comission basis. No jobs for you no money for me! I estimate I could get around 20 responses a week for around a month. If this interests you please call or text me on 07877736731. Cheers KEV

[Party Lantern]

Hi Shell,

Have you tried advertising in play centres, schools and nurseries. Most indoor play centres have a notice board or an area for flyer distribution.

I did a search and found the following play centres in your area which you could contact:

Funalot Indoor Play Centre (Castleford)
Adventure World (Elland)
Tiddley Peeps (Bradford)
Rascals Childrens Soft Play Centre (Batley)
Fun Planet (Keighley)
Jimmy G's Play Centre (Shipley)
Aladdin's Cave Indoor Playcentre (Keighley)
Polka Dot Kids Ltd (Leeds)

Also why not contact the childminders in the area, most only work during the day and if you network with them and maybe swap leaflets/contact details you would be able to help each other out.

This sounds like a fantastic business idea and I wish you all the best with your venture!

Hope this helps!

Adam

[thedesigntailor]

Hi Shell

Can you tell us a bit more about what your service entails please?

It sounds on first views like you want to do this on a shoestring.
If thats the case please don't see this as a negative. The best campaigns I;ve seen tend to have the lowest budgets. After all necessity is the mother of invention in the same way that lack of budget is the mother of creativity.

Let me know some more info about your service and why people should use you in particular and lets see what clever ideas we can come up with!

[Shell Dunn]

Hi

Thankyou for the idea's. I do already work in childcare so I have leaflets going in every nursery/childcare setting across Leeds theres hundreds though.

The company is called Tiny care "its the tiny things in your child's care that matter" this means I provide qualified/experienced sitters that already work in childcare and most important have been on training courses to deal with all different types of needs including ADHD and autism.

What we guarantee:

All babysitters complete a formal interview process.
Hold relevant childcare experience/qualifications.
At least two complete references.
All babysitters will carry a personal file containing relevant certificates / ID card and CRB certificate (We advise all parents to take the time to look through these files)
Above is the guarantee we have on the website. I would quote the website as that would give people all the information but as i'm new I have to wait until i've posted more.

Thankyou

[AerialSolutions]

Hi

We are a Leeds company and find that On Your Doorstep brings in 40% of our customer base. Also the Leeds Life magazine works quite well. Do you only operate in Leeds? Or can you travel?

[Danny@BFC]

hi shell,

not just play centre's but all possible "family days out" venues would be worth looking into IMO.

for instance I regulary take my little one to community farms, its free and he loves feeding the animals, they have notice boards that I always read and take notice(!) of.

a lot of these are charities too so a small donation of say a bench or animal feed or whatever they need could work wonders in getting you some (pretty much) free PR / local press headlines

"Tiny Care, the safe, professional, local childcare company hands leeds farm a lifeline"

followed by a story about your company, what you do, how you helped the local community and a link to your website (http://www.tiny-care.co.uk)

I do however have to say that personally I'd never leave my child in the care of anyone other than a close friend or family member, regardless of vetting/qualifications/checks etc, but thats my own feelings.


hth

Danny

[Soul_Survivor]

a nice cheap way to reach mum's and families is postcards in local shops, news agents, chippy, pizza, curry house etc.

Can you get a copy of your flyer up? Am sure people would be able to give you ideas on how to make this more response orientated.

Good luck

[PurpleCommunications]

How about local coffee shops were groups of mums meet (they do were I live!) or local soft play centre's.

Or how about local large company offices and spreading the word there about the services you offer.

Just a thought, good luck in your new venture.

Jon

[iphone sports apps]

If I were you I would approach all the local primary schools.
Prove that everyone is CRB enhanced checked and you are fine.
I started football coaching courses in Leeds a number of years ago, I supplied the letters to schools and they sent them to parents.Within a week I was running several afterschool and lunchtime clubs.
Defo worth a go and if it goes through the school parents would find it more credible:)

[TheWordWell]

Hi there

A great idea! Definitely check your babysitters have been CRB checked, as that's a hot issue just now.

If you've a local forum you could post on that. Try gumtree too - an excellent and free way to get publicity. Postcards are a cost effective way to advertise locally. If you advertise in a newspaper etc you may not get the return. It's best to try some of the suggestions out and see how you get on.

Try local supermarket noticeboards and newsagents windows too.

Good luck. I'm sure you'll do well. :)