What Are the Secrets to Captivating and Closing Parents During a Tour of an Early Childhood Business?
Are you looking to create an unforgettable parent tour and convert potential customers into paying customers? With so much competition in the early childhood business industry, it's crucial to make a lasting impression and convert parents into paying customers. If you're not effectively engaging parents and communicating the value of your facility, you risk losing potential business and struggling to meet your enrollment goals.
To create an unforgettable parent tour and convert potential customers into paying customers, you have to understand that there are important components that go into making a successful parent tour.
This requires a strategic approach that takes into account the unique needs of your business, the demographics of your target audience, and the competitive landscape. From creating an engaging environment to leveraging relevant data points and having the right language, it’s critical to have all the pieces of the puzzle to make a successful tour.
Are you tired of hosting parent tours that fail to convert into paying customers? It's time to revolutionize the way you approach these events. Join us as we dive into the secrets of planning the ultimate parent tour that not only engages parents but also seals the deal.
Today, we'll uncover the strategies you can use to transform your parent tour process and skyrocket enrollment and purchases. Get ready to be inspired and learn the strategies that can take your business to the next level.
Develop your strategic tour process to be used over and over
How to create an engaging environment that will have you stand out from your competition
The Art of Follow-Up: How to convert parents after a parent tour
Having been in this industry for more than 25 years now and 18 years as early childhood business owner/manager, I understand the challenges of creating a parent tour strategy that converts visitors into paying customers. I've been in your shoes, faced the same obstacles, and have learned how to overcome them through trial and error. With years of experience and a track record of success, I am now dedicated to helping other early childhood business owners/managers.
Today I want to help you create an effective parent tour strategy. I understand the importance of creating an engaging environment, using storytelling to captivate parents, training your team, and following up effectively. And I've seen firsthand how these strategies can help to drive enrollment and revenue for your business. If you're struggling to create a successful parent tour strategy, I'm here to be your guide. Together, we'll work to overcome your challenges and create a parent tour experience that sets your business apart and generates results.
Develop your strategic tour process to be used over and over
To help you plan the ultimate parent tour, you need to spend a little time creating a process that results in a quality experience during the tour.
Conduct market research and define your target audience: To create a parent tour experience that resonates with your target audience, it's crucial to understand their needs and preferences. Conduct market research to gather information about your target audience, including demographics, interests, and pain points. Use this information to tailor your parent tour to their needs and create an experience that they won't forget.
Create a strategic plan and define your value proposition: Now that you understand your target audience, it's time to create a strategic plan for your parent tour. Define your unique value proposition and communicate it clearly during the tour. Focus on showcasing your facilities and programs in a way that highlights what sets you apart from the competition.
Ensure that the tour is well-planned and informative: The tour should highlight the unique features and benefits of your early childhood business, and address any potential questions or concerns that parents may have. This can include information about the curriculum, your team, the services you offer, products you sell, the facilities, etc.
Train your team: To train your team effectively, clearly define the tour process and provide access to resources and ongoing training. Create a supportive environment where team members feel comfortable seeking feedback and improving. Regular feedback is important for helping your team execute the tour process seamlessly and provide a positive experience for visiting parents.
To help you brainstorm your own team training process we have created a resource, Parent Tour Team Training Guide & Worksheet to help you. You can find it at kelleypeake.com where this podcast episode info is located.
Implement and evaluate your plan: Once your plan is in place, it's time to put it into action. Implement your parent tour process, paying close attention to detail and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. After the tour, evaluate your results and make any necessary adjustments for future tours.
Creating an engaging environment is a key component of a successful parent tour.
This allows parents to see firsthand what their child will experience when they utilize your school, enrichment program or party services.
Make it interactive: Parents want to be engaged and feel like they are a part of the experience. Consider incorporating interactive elements, such as hands-on activities, tours of the facilities, and opportunities for parents to ask questions.
Showcase your team: Your team members are the face of your business and a key component of the parent tour experience. Make sure they are well-prepared and equipped to answer questions and provide information about your facilities and programs.
Highlight your programs and facilities: Showcase your facilities and programs in a way that demonstrates the value you offer. This might involve creating materials that highlight your offerings, conducting tours of the facilities, and providing opportunities for parents to learn more about what you have to offer.
Create a welcoming atmosphere: The parent tour experience should be welcoming and inclusive. Make sure your facilities are clean and well-maintained, and that your team is friendly and approachable.
Personalize the experience: Personalizing the parent tour experience can go a long way in creating an engaging environment. Consider incorporating elements that are specific to the interests of the parents you are trying to reach, such as targeted activities or materials that speak to their unique needs.
The Art of Follow-Up: How to convert parents after a parent tour.
Following up with parents after a tour is an essential part of converting them into paying customers. This can help to keep your early childhood business at the top of parents' minds, and increase the chances of them enrolling their child. Keep in mind that parents are busy and overwhelmed, so connecting with them more than once or twice is ideal. It shows that you are invested in their family and also provides insight into your high level of communication.
Here are some tips for using follow-up effectively in your parent tour strategy:
Make it timely: Follow-up should happen as soon as possible after the tour, while the experience is still fresh in the parents' minds. This can help to increase the chances of conversion.
Personalize the experience: Personalize the follow-up experience by using the parents' name, mentioning specific points from the tour, or referencing other details that show you were paying attention during the tour.
Use multiple touchpoints: Don't rely on just one form of follow-up. Use a combination of email, phone, and in-person follow-up to maximize your chances of converting parents.
Provide additional information: Provide additional information that may be of interest to the parents, such as program details, testimonials from other parents, or special promotions. Offering incentives for early enrollment can help to encourage parents to enroll their child as soon as possible.
Make it easy to enroll: Making the enrollment process as easy and convenient as possible can also help to increase enrollment rates. Make it simple for parents to enroll by providing clear instructions and a simple enrollment process. Consider offering online enrollment options to make it more convenient for parents.
Hopefully you have taken away some strategies today and have a more clear plan for creating a parent tour that sets your business apart, engages parents, and drives enrollment and revenue. My goal for today’s episode is for you to be able to create a tour experience that showcases the value of your early childhood business and convinces parents to choose you over your competition.
Keep in mind that you are amazing and offer what families need. We have all been there with hectic days and then a tour walks in. Pause, breathe and smile! You have an opportunity to share your story and share your shining star team! They need you! Pivoting your mindset to a space that allows you to embrace that you are a difference maker and what you do for families is incredible will help guide your interaction with that potential family.
Resources
If you're looking for more help when it comes to developing a successful Early Childhood business, including gaining more time+freedom without the chaos and overwhelm, please check out our Shine Membership and CEO Mentorship programs. We are here to help you reach your goals!
Here’s free resource that I put together, Parent Tour Team Training Guide & Worksheet. So if you are thinking about how to train your team to give great parent tours, most likely, some of your questions are answered in this valuable resource.
Work + Life Planning Bundle
This Work+Life Planning Strategy Bundle helps you Reduce Chaos, Break Free From Overwhelm & Take Back Hours Of Your Time every single week!