Advice please.
Discussion
Hello
After giving birth to our first child my fiance has decided to start up a franchised business. It's a "Messy Play" class where parents bring their children and then then children cover themselves in paint and sand and what not. The advantages are that she can look after the little guy instead of putting him into childcare and work the hours she wants.
Now in other areas around the country it's very successful. Sessions will sell out 14-20 places in a couple of days and other franchisees seem to be able to work as little or as much as they like no bother. Picking up extra weekend sessions or private parties is no problem either, again many other franchisees seem to be able to turn down work as they've got too much on already.
My fiance released her session dates and times over a week ago and pretty much nothing. She had two venues set up one of which has got zero bookings. There aren't other classes like this in the same towns.
So far all she has really used for advertising is the Facebook account she was given, this does have 1600+ people following it at the moment as she took over from another franchisee who had to give it up due to several different bouts of serious illness/injury.
Is there any advice anyone give on how to get more people in? I really want to help her make a success of this.
After giving birth to our first child my fiance has decided to start up a franchised business. It's a "Messy Play" class where parents bring their children and then then children cover themselves in paint and sand and what not. The advantages are that she can look after the little guy instead of putting him into childcare and work the hours she wants.
Now in other areas around the country it's very successful. Sessions will sell out 14-20 places in a couple of days and other franchisees seem to be able to work as little or as much as they like no bother. Picking up extra weekend sessions or private parties is no problem either, again many other franchisees seem to be able to turn down work as they've got too much on already.
My fiance released her session dates and times over a week ago and pretty much nothing. She had two venues set up one of which has got zero bookings. There aren't other classes like this in the same towns.
So far all she has really used for advertising is the Facebook account she was given, this does have 1600+ people following it at the moment as she took over from another franchisee who had to give it up due to several different bouts of serious illness/injury.
Is there any advice anyone give on how to get more people in? I really want to help her make a success of this.
Facebook on it's own isn't that good for advertising unless you are already at the stage where other people are promoting it for you, e.g. by sharing your links/posts.
As someone who used to use various kids club type things, I would suggest the following places to advertise:
Boards in local libraries, village halls etc - lots of libraries and halls have pre-school play groups/reading clubs/singing sessions and so you'll already be targeting parents who like to take their kids to that kind of stuff
Local FB community, school or "for sale" groups, plus her own friends list
If she's got any links to local primary schools, some will send out flyers for loca kids clubs or services on their parentmail systems, if you ask in the right way
Your local council will also have a list of local kids services which they dish out to parents on request e.g. see this random page about the Beds Family Information Service http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/children/chi...
Gets some leaflets done and take them to the local doctors etc. They usually have a rack of flyers about local health and community services in the waiting room
Good luck
As someone who used to use various kids club type things, I would suggest the following places to advertise:
Boards in local libraries, village halls etc - lots of libraries and halls have pre-school play groups/reading clubs/singing sessions and so you'll already be targeting parents who like to take their kids to that kind of stuff
Local FB community, school or "for sale" groups, plus her own friends list
If she's got any links to local primary schools, some will send out flyers for loca kids clubs or services on their parentmail systems, if you ask in the right way
Your local council will also have a list of local kids services which they dish out to parents on request e.g. see this random page about the Beds Family Information Service http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/children/chi...
Gets some leaflets done and take them to the local doctors etc. They usually have a rack of flyers about local health and community services in the waiting room
Good luck
Word of mouth is everything where we are. Try to find out what other groups are popular locally and advertise in the halls/venues if you can. Same for local children's centres.
If it's anything like ours the CC's are now strapped for cash and don't run many groups. See if you can do an intro session (paid/subsidised) at the children's centre once per week then sign them up to the full class.
Local authorities run directories and should let you advertise there too.
Holidays coming up - a lot of the volunteer classes stop for the period - good time to get going.
Good luck
If it's anything like ours the CC's are now strapped for cash and don't run many groups. See if you can do an intro session (paid/subsidised) at the children's centre once per week then sign them up to the full class.
Local authorities run directories and should let you advertise there too.
Holidays coming up - a lot of the volunteer classes stop for the period - good time to get going.
Good luck
skilly1 said:
Also nurseries may allow you to do a free session. The one my daughter goes to does and she now does ballet from a trial class.
Might be worth a look into.We ordered some leaflet last night. Going to figure out where we want to put them before they arrive then get them out there straight away.Most of the advice seems to be word of mouth and such so going to try and find as many different groups on social media and get the word out there too.
Thanks for all the advice.
I would take reports of what other franchises actually do with a pinch of salt. They could be stacked out, equally they could be saying they're stacked out because that's the line they want everyone to believe.
Having said that, it doesnt answer the issue of having pretty much zero pickup. Facebook is where pretty much all our stuff is organised for the baby sensory/play/groups/other stuff that we do. So the platform itself isnt necessarily s
t for it.
If you dont already do this, it'd be worth adding the events as Facebook events with a cover photo and a description, including the date and time really clearly, so that people can quickly view it, decide where they are on that given day (baby classes run weekly, you might want to check who's where when so you dont clash).
I know for instance that if anything was to come up on a Tuesday morning, my wife's already booked to do sensory classes and she wouldnt not go to them. Same with Saturday morning, Dads go swimming with their kids.
If you/your wife arent already in local baby groups for buying/selling, join them and start posting onto the feeds. If they get removed, have a quiet word with the admins of the groups/pages so you dont get banned. Also, comment on things when people need advice from the Facebook account that runs the classes. You'll get more interest than using a personal account.
You can spend £10-£20/month and get a reasonable return just doing sponsored posts/ads targetting specific people in your area. The quicker you can get the word out that you're now running it, it's back on, it's regular and it's £x/month/quarter, the easier you'll get the bookings.
People make really quick decisions on stuff like this, and they'll also try it but might not be there each and every time, so you're likely dealing with constant churn (ie dont give stuff away because likely people wont always come back).
Lastly (after an edit) I'm assuming that you dont just st the kids up and then they go home? There's something that comes out of it? Like infront of me right now I have a small wooden box that I use as a pen holder that's got my daughters footprints on it in paint with sparkles and stuff.
Having said that, it doesnt answer the issue of having pretty much zero pickup. Facebook is where pretty much all our stuff is organised for the baby sensory/play/groups/other stuff that we do. So the platform itself isnt necessarily s
t for it. If you dont already do this, it'd be worth adding the events as Facebook events with a cover photo and a description, including the date and time really clearly, so that people can quickly view it, decide where they are on that given day (baby classes run weekly, you might want to check who's where when so you dont clash).
I know for instance that if anything was to come up on a Tuesday morning, my wife's already booked to do sensory classes and she wouldnt not go to them. Same with Saturday morning, Dads go swimming with their kids.
If you/your wife arent already in local baby groups for buying/selling, join them and start posting onto the feeds. If they get removed, have a quiet word with the admins of the groups/pages so you dont get banned. Also, comment on things when people need advice from the Facebook account that runs the classes. You'll get more interest than using a personal account.
You can spend £10-£20/month and get a reasonable return just doing sponsored posts/ads targetting specific people in your area. The quicker you can get the word out that you're now running it, it's back on, it's regular and it's £x/month/quarter, the easier you'll get the bookings.
People make really quick decisions on stuff like this, and they'll also try it but might not be there each and every time, so you're likely dealing with constant churn (ie dont give stuff away because likely people wont always come back).
Lastly (after an edit) I'm assuming that you dont just s
t the kids up and then they go home? There's something that comes out of it? Like infront of me right now I have a small wooden box that I use as a pen holder that's got my daughters footprints on it in paint with sparkles and stuff. Edited by andy-xr on Thursday 6th April 09:16
Also sensory play is popular with children with autism or related sensory processing disorders so it might be worth spreading the word on groups relating to those.
The suggestion for offering advice on FB, posting as your "company" is also very good advice - I've found a few services/groups that way myself.
The suggestion for offering advice on FB, posting as your "company" is also very good advice - I've found a few services/groups that way myself.
andy-xr said:
.
Lastly (after an edit) I'm assuming that you dont just st the kids up and then they go home? There's something that comes out of it? Like infront of me right now I have a small wooden box that I use as a pen holder that's got my daughters footprints on it in paint with sparkles and stuff.
They make something every session I think.Lastly (after an edit) I'm assuming that you dont just s
t the kids up and then they go home? There's something that comes out of it? Like infront of me right now I have a small wooden box that I use as a pen holder that's got my daughters footprints on it in paint with sparkles and stuff. Edited by andy-xr on Thursday 6th April 09:16
bobmcgod said:
They make something every session I think.
I think if you're advertising it the same as you described it in your OP, you might want to make it clearer that they get stuff. We've got loads of cavases with hearts/hand prints/ foot prints and 'stuff' and it was because of that that we went to the classes. The thought of just getting them messed up to then sit in her car afterwards that I'd end up cleaning without a suitable 'reward' would turn me off a play class. I'm sure though if it's a franchise then standardised messaging would apply?
Where are you based? If anywhere near Cambridge drop me a line and we can set up a session at Mrs BigBen's soft play area, she hosts quite a few classes / groups which are generally well attended. If not near Cambridge then try your local soft play area, they will of course require a cut of the takings but you will benefit from their marketing efforts.
bobmcgod said:
, this does have 1600+ people following it at the moment as she took over from another franchisee who had to give it up due to several different bouts of serious illness/injury.
Have you done a re-launch type event? That's what I would do. Plaster the place with "under new management" etc.andy-xr said:
I would take reports of what other franchises actually do with a pinch of salt.
This is also a good point. Some Herbert who retired on a massive pension buys a franchise and does one day a month its no shocker they are full to capacity that one day. A big problem with franchise business is often you will find its peoples second or ever 3rd income stream and they don't actually need to do it they just treat it like a play thing and never actually make money.Edited by andy-xr on Thursday 6th April 09:16
bobmcgod said:
My fiance released her session dates and times over a week ago and pretty much nothing. She had two venues set up one of which has got zero bookings. There aren't other classes like this in the same towns.
So far all she has really used for advertising is the Facebook account she was given, this does have 1600+ people following it at the moment as she took over from another franchisee who had to give it up due to several different bouts of serious illness/injury.
You're starting a business just the same as any other. Being a franchise should help a bit, but there still needs to be graft put in.So far all she has really used for advertising is the Facebook account she was given, this does have 1600+ people following it at the moment as she took over from another franchisee who had to give it up due to several different bouts of serious illness/injury.
'Releasing' dates on a FB page with 1600 people, of whom about 25 might have actually seen it, you were expecting what exactly? If it was that easy...
Sack the second venue. Use the best local venue you can get. Know how many bodies you need to make it work. Have that number in mind all the time. Use some of the suggestions above. Don't expect too much from leafleting.
Let's say that number is 20. You START by saying there 'are only 20 spaces left'. Create urgency. Make a video with your Mrs and a kid talking about it/demonstrating it. And another one for 10 spaces left. Post them on FB- they'll be seen by more people and shared more than standard posts.
Personally I wouldn't discount. You're in business to make money, not give it away. Add value instead e.g. book for three sessions (or three kids) and get 1/2hr extra or something. And remember that even if this class is 'unique' you are still competing with every other kids class/club/activity, and in a wider sense with every other business for the £ in Mum's pocket.
And lastly, I was always told if someone is earning good money, in a good environment, very rarely will they leave. I'd revisit the previous franchisee, at the very least she should have a customer list you can hit.
And a final tip- when the parents are at the class ask if they would leave a review on FB. Most will be happy to leave 5* and a few words. And if they think its crap they'll say so, giving a chance to sort it before they go home and leave a stinker.
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