Two Tiered post- Advertising on Craigslist/Kijiji AND how else to advertise

[MonkeyPrincess]

What are your opinions about posting on Craigslist or Kijiji? I have never advertised my daycare on those two sites, but i have sold items on those items. Some people i have dealt with on Craigslist/Kijiji have been 'iffy', but not to the point where i would swear off the sites.

I am not having a lot of inquiries despite advertising here and some other daycare websites, posting fliers in the area, asking people to pass along the info, handing out business cards, etc. (I swear, sometimes its like feast or famine in this industry!) What else can i try? Luckily, I haven't had to worry too much up until now because i have always been full, but now i have hit a bump in the road.

[momofnerds]

I haven't posted on them in a long time. But I would try. My only beef with kijjiji is that they need to have seperate sections, one for the crazy babysitters, the babysisters and the daycare providers. Right now there are so many teens advertising as babysisters that you have to ween thru all the ads to find home daycare ads. Also, I have a sign on my property, its works wonders. Thats how i get all my clients.

[Crayola kiddies]

I have found a majority of my families on kijiji and really haven't had a problem .... Just ask lots of questions before booking an interview to weed out the ones that are just wasting your time

[cfred]

Have you tried godaycare.com? I've had a few snags from that site as well.

Personally, I'm not keen on Craig's List and Kijiji for advertising my daycare. Of course, if it works, it works and this isn't meant to disparage anyone else's success from those sites. I'm just not comfortable with them. I prefer sites dedicated to the business.

My biggest asset for advertising has been a personal website. Even if people find me here first, they very often check out my website as well. I've had a number of interviewees state that they only contact providers with their own website. I guess it lends itself to looking more established and professional. That has, hands down, been my biggest draw for clients. I moved into a new area 11 mos ago and am full now, so I'm happy with the results.

I've never had much success with flyers. I used to put them up in grocery stores and on public bulletin boards. They'd always be taken down, covered by another provider's flyer or had all the numbers taken off. I used to drive 'round and put them in mail boxes as well. It was a lot of work and expense with little payoff.

Good luck!

[playfelt]

Kijiji has been one of the best sites for me. Another one here in Ottawa is www.usedottawa.com and if you look at the bottom of the homepage there will be links to other major cities.