The credit crunch has hit businesses of all types including those in the childcare industry. This article looks at the secrets to promoting a nursery, kindergarten or other childcare business without spending loads of money on expensive marketing.

 
As the Worlds economy comes under pressure, parents have less disposable income which means they are constantly looking for ways in which to save money. One of the most costly expenses many parents have is childcare costs so many are now looking around to see if these costs can be reduced. This can range for asking for discounts from their current nursery or childcare provider and in some cases even considering looking for alternative nursery or kindergarten facilities.

So with parents looking for the best deal from their childcare providers, nurseries, kindergartens and day care businesses have to do more than ever before to stand out from their competitors.

Traditionally much of a nurseries business will have come from either recommendations or the fact that the nursery is in a particular geographic location and therefore parents have little choice. However as the childcare sector has become more competitive and parents are willing to travel more for the right nursery then nurseries are having to do more to stand out for the right reasons.

One way in which nurseries and day care providers can attract more children to their establishment is extremely simple and highly effective but very few nurseries actually do it. We have already established that many of the new children are as a result of a recommendation so the first secret to getting more children is to actually ask for referrals. This is an extremely powerful way in which to promote your nursery as you simply have to ask the parents of your current children who else they know who would benefit from using your facilities, Yes, it is possible they may have recommended you anyway but likewise, they might not have and you asking the question could be the difference between their friends children using your nursery or your competitors down the road.

Therefore ask for referrals and recommendations and you may be surprised with the results.

The second secret to marketing your nursery on a budget is to use the media to your advantage. Many nurseries and kindergartens have nicely designed websites or advertise in the local paper or yellow pages and these can be highly effective ways to promote the business. However, they cost money and in many cases, money that could be put to better use elsewhere.

Getting media savvy and building relationships with your local media be it a local newspaper, magazine, radio or television station could put your nursery in the news for all the right reasons. And better than that, it is free and is often even more effective than traditional advertising as hearing, viewing or reading about your nursery in the media is almost a third party endorsement that what you are offering is good.

What is also important when it comes to the media and journalists is that they love stories that involve children, animals and human interest stories so you as a nursery business owner are already at a huge advantage over many businesses who are also trying the get free exposure in the media.

Therefore to promote and grow your nursery on budget make sure you ask for recommendations and you use the media to your advantage. Do this and your nursery with stand out from your competitors and you will grow even in the hardest of times.