Article Link: http://stage.exchangepress.com/article/why-you-ask/5020402/
I recently received an email from an Exchange reader asking me why I insist that centers conduct constant and consistent marketing, and, interestingly, how she might do it better. This juxtaposition of “Why?” and “How?” is an example of the confusion that grips us when we take a myopic view of our centers.Constant and consistent marketing has numerous benefits, not the least of which is creating on-going enrollment so that our enterprises can continue to thrive. However, marketing goes beyond this. Staff, if given the opportunity to participate in marketing, take pride in the high-quality service that is being offered to children. Everyone wants to be a part of something much bigger than themselves and marketing something that everyone has passion for can bring a staff together.
Marketing creates community both in our centers among staff and parents and outside where families need information and counsel for decisions they will make for their young children (regardless of whether they choose our center). As professionals, we have an obligation to help parents understand their choices and to know what quality looks like. Early care and education programs makes it possible for parents to work and for young children to learn. ...