10 childcare marketing strategies to attract parents
Now that you have a detailed plan, it’s time to determine which marketing strategies you want to try. Here are a few childcare marketing ideas to consider:
Create a website
Every business needs a website, and you should include a website in your marketing strategies for childcare centers. When parents start researching different centers in their area, they usually start online or by asking friends and family.
However, even if friends and family recommend your center, parents will still want to do their own research. It’s essential to have a website where parents can go to learn more about the services you offer. Your website should include photos of the center, information about the staff, and different programs you have available.
Increase online visibility
If people aren’t visiting your website, it can’t do its job of generating leads. Therefore, you must increase online visibility with your childcare marketing strategies. You can do this by investing in search engine optimization (SEO) and social media marketing to increase your reach online and attract more visitors to your website.
Create a Google Business profile
A Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business Profile) is a great tool for local businesses like your childcare center. These free online business listings allow you to increase your local online visibility.
When someone searches for keywords associated with your business, such as “daycare center” or “childcare center,” you want your business to appear in local search results. Creating and optimizing a Business Profile is the best way to ensure potential customers can find you online.
We’ve already touched on the importance of social media, but you should ensure it’s part of your overall childcare marketing plan because it’s a great way to attract parents.
Facebook and Instagram allow you to target your audience and connect with local parents in the area. You should post on social media regularly by claiming your Business Page and creating informative, valuable content.
With social media, you can share everything from photos of your center, highlight staff and their credentials, and share blogs from your website.
Send a newsletter
Email newsletters can help you attract parents by providing them with information on a set schedule.
With newsletters, you can share important information about your business to convince parents to schedule a tour or call you to learn more. Your newsletter can consist of everything from highlighting staff members and providing parents with informational blogs about childcare and parenting from individuals with childcare backgrounds and experiences.
You can also use ads in email marketing campaigns to attract more customers by offering a discount or deal on their childcare services or highlighting different partnerships you have that allow you to improve children’s experiences. No matter what information you choose to share in your newsletter, you should always consider the email content and design that will attract the most attention from parents.
Of course, to send a newsletter, you’ll need to start collecting emails on your website, so it’s essential to have a form for prospects to enter their information.
Get online reviews
Getting reviews from existing clients can seem scary because you never know what people will say.
However, encouraging online reviews can help you attract more parents because they’ll be able to make informed decisions about your business based on the experiences of real people. You can collect online reviews with your Google Business Profile by providing parents with a link to where they can provide you with a review.
Educate
Whether you’re posting on social media, sending newsletters, or writing blogs, you should share educational content as much as possible. Providing prospects with valuable content and information can help them build trust with your childcare center, which is essential when they’re looking for someone who can care for their children.
Try paid ads
Organic childcare marketing strategies are effective in the long run, but if you need parents to contact you now, you might consider investing in paid ads via Google Ads or running social media ads on your favorite platforms.
Paid ads allow you to attract more customers as soon as your ad is published. Of course, the downside to paid ads is that you have to pay for every impression, click, or conversion, so they can be costly. However, they’re a great way to supplement your organic strategy while you wait for leads to roll in.
Host events
You run a local business, so while digital marketing strategies for childcare centers are important, you shouldn’t forget traditional marketing that can help you build relationships with parents in the area. Hosting events will help you promote your daycare and let them see it in person without making a commitment to become a paying customer. A few event ideas include:
- Scavenger hunts
- Parenting classes
- Open houses
- Sports events
Blog
Blogging is critical if you want to attract parents with SEO and convert them into customers by educating them. With a blog, you can demonstrate your childcare knowledge by providing parents with tips, techniques, and real stories to teach them better parenting skills.
Showing off your experience is a great way to build trust with parents and make you stand out from other facilities in the area that don’t dedicate time to informing or building relationships with parents.
Of course, there are several types of blogs you can write, ranging from educational to funny or even true stories. You can determine which is best for your business by experimenting with them and reviewing your web traffic metrics or by considering your target audience and what types of content they prefer.
In addition, your blog helps you create content for email marketing and social media marketing campaigns, so you’ll never run out of things to share with your audience.
