Have a strong message
It is important that you present a clear message to your existing and potential customers. Think about your strengths and highlight those positives which are unique to your setting. If you offer extra activities or can provide extra services for your users make these statements up front so people can understand the differences between you and your competition.
Overall it is important that you use a mixture of different promotional methods in order to reach the community. Different methods are better for different uses and will benefit the provision in a different way.
EXAMPLE: Turtles playgroup is a new setting, they have done their research and are happy that they can attract enough children for them to be sustainable. They have designed their service to meet the requirements of the local area and have a number of key messages they now wish to promote to the market. In order to create a promotional plan they have listed the reasons why they want to promote, who they wish to target and the ways to reach them.
|
Why |
Who |
How |
|
Attract new users |
Potential parents,
Heath visitors
Carers
Existing parents |
Advertising
Leaflets
Information Packs
Children’s Information Service
Open days
Press releases |
|
Raise profile within the community
Attract funding |
Everyone |
Press releases
Community notice boards
Events
Good signage
Community newsletters |
|
Attract staff |
Professionals
Existing childcare workers |
Targeted advertising SureStart bulletin |
Creating a list ensures everyone knows what the plan is. From this specific, tasks can be decided upon, e.g. producing the literature or placing the advertisement.