Social Media...tools

A big part of social media is frequent updates to stay "top of mind" with your facebook fans, Twitter followers and blog readers.

My weapon of choice is the Apple iPhone.

It is the easiest smartphone on the market to use and has a number of social media applications that can be used to update facebook, Twitter, blogs and PRWeb. You can pick up one for $99 at your local Apple store. Best bet is to get it directly form Apple so that they can give you the quick tour of how to use it!

FunTrax!

FunTrax Dollar Promotion!

PureFun! customers can sign up for FunTrax for just $1 a month through March 2009!

Funtrax is a Web based reward and incentive system, designed to help Childcare Centers define and reward the behavior they value in their staff. FunTrax is designed to help centers motivate and incent their staff, through a culture of immediate validation. The "catch someone doing the right thing" concept is taken to the next level with this easy to use tool.

Owners, Supervisors and Team leaders benefit from a solution that helps build your culture and turn employees into "Ambassadors" of your Brand!

Improved morale, reduced turnover and increased productivity are just a couple of clicks away!

Click here to get started with FunTrax!

Your Marketing Tool Kit

Here is another question that I get quite a bit. "What marketing tools should I have?"

At a minimum you should have:

• Business cards
• Signage (Street & Building)
• Letterhead
• Web Site
• Informational brochure

Advanced tool kit includes:

• All of the above
• Blog
• Email signature
• Email tool & template (Constant Contact is a good option)
  
• Counter top sign templates

That should be all you'll need to make a lasting impression.

Signage

Stand at street level facing your center and ask yourself the following:

• Can I see my main sign from the road?
• Is there anything blocking the view of my main sign from all directions?
• Can drivers see my sign from at least 1/4 mile away?
  
• Is my sign simple and clear enough for a driver to understand as they go by?
• Does my building have any signage to support my main street sign?

This seems pretty obvious but at least 50% of the centers I visit have weak street level visibility and branding.

Here are some examples of what I've seen:

• Signs blocked by bushes
• Signs blocked by cars
• Signs that are too low
  
• Signs with letters too small to be seen from a car
• Lighted signs that are not lit
• Broken or faded signs
• Old "event" banners (Now Open, Summer Camp, etc...)

Here are a couple of things to do:

• Take down old banners with dated messaging. "Now Open" is not good if you have been open for 5 years.
  
• Clean all of your existing signs. First impressions are important. Does a dirty sign make you think "great place for my child"?
  
• Replace any broken or faded signs inside and out. I'd rather you have no sign. A missing sign may mean that a new one is on the way. A broken sign says "I don't care."
  
• Move anything that blocks it from all sides. Go do this right now!!!!
  
• Change the message twice a week if you have a sign with removable letters. Drivers like to read things, give them something to think about. Make your sign a "visual destination" every time they drive by.
  
• Make sure your building has at least your name on the front to support your street sign. Don't lose an opportunity to get your name out there!
  
• Make sure your sign is simple enough to be read by someone at "driving speed". A fancy sign may not be a better sign!
  

I know you're thinking "thanks for nothing Mo" but trust me on this one. Street level visibility is step #1 in getting new folks to realize that you exist. If they can't see you, they can't meet and love you!