New company --- Ideas needed about getting my name out there (employee, owner)

[Sweet Dreams Homecare]

Hi everyone, I have just started my own company providing homecare services for elderly, disabled, and and people in need of personal assistance in there home or while in the hospital. I have posted this services on Craigslist, but apparently the only replies are those seeking employment from my homecare service. I have PCA, HHA, and LPN's already on board to provide these services to anyone interested in hiring us to provide the services they require.

I am looking to find a couple of clients seeking this service, and we will set up a schedule to adapt to thier needs. I would then send out an employee of mine to provide the service for the hours that they need assistance. I don't know of any other sites to advertise or how to get my company's name out there for people to get in touch with me. Any Ideas?
I am eager to get this company up and running. My staff and myself included have many years of experience doing this kind of work, and some of us are currently doing it for other people running the same kind of business. The other people we know that have this kind of business managed to obtain clients by word of mouth.

Any feedback will greatly be appreciated. We know there are many people out there that get taken advantage of and don't have there needs met in the capacity that they need, and we want to change that. Again...Thanks for any help or ideas that you guys have.

[kattwoman2]

First of all, advertise like crazy! Do you live in a large city or small town or somewhere in between? If you can, buy ad space in local newspapers or hang up posters in the windows of businesses related to health care. You could partner with a few business that might sell health care supplies or respectable doctors who deal with the elderly/disabled. That way, if someone asks the supply store or the doctor about advice for home health care businesses then they will hopefully recommend your business. And as a favor you might recommend their home health care store or their practice to your patients if they ask for advice. I find cross-promotion marketing to be a very good form of marketing when used properly.

You could also try to co-sponsor an event or charitable drive in your neighborhood. That way, the company's name is seen and related to a good cause and helps build positive PR. If you want to go in a more direct-marketing form, you could do a mass mailing to the entire town or nearby area for larger cities. However, I will also say that it is not necessarily the most effective form of marketing, though in smaller towns it might help to spread the word.

You could also have a grand opening or open house as well. Allow visitors to visit the business, look around, and talk to the staff to see how friendly and capable they are when it comes to health care. If you can create a welcoming environment that informs the people that your company cares about their family members like their own instead of like annoying sacks of money then you might be able to build more trust.

The main thing you should do though is advertise like crazy. Buy ad space in newspapers. Buy space for posters or bill boards. Heck, if you have the money buy air space for commericals. I do wish you the best of luck in your business and keep us posted.

[killer2021]

If it is a small business definitely use craigslist. I've used it to help my brother find clients for his lawn mowing business and we got a couple clients from it.

[deezine]

I would get in contact the locate state department on aging, they usually have services listed for those looking for elderly assistance. Get your name out to nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, assisted living centers, hospitals, any where you could get a referral. Good Luck.

[Berlin Haugen]

Sweet Dreams Homecare,

Congratulations on the launch of your new homecare firm. It certainly is a tough time right now considering the state of our economy and the current crunch in consumer spending. Luckily you have chosen an extremely lucrative business with a strong growth projection as a result of the favorable demographic trend. The aging of our baby boomers will keep you in business for years to come. The trick as you seem to be addressing here is, how do you grow your business? This is the question that many new business owners in this industry often ask themselves.

First things first. You are non-franchise, and this will pose its greatest barrier to entry for you. Many of the franchise homecare systems are equipped to launch your business successfully from day one. Consider, Home Instead Senior Care for example, their marketing program is second to none in many markets and there exist lead generation opportunities under a corporate umbrella of a Franchise. There are many other franchised homecare firms, Visiting Angles, ComforCare, etc....but the point is these franchisees will be your biggest competition in your region. They have a powerful brand standing behind them that the public trusts. For instance, Home Instead Senior Care is on the same ground as McDonalds in terms of brand recognition in their industry.

Next. If you have decided it is not the right time to become a franchisee, or if you made this decision based on a freedom motive, the question is do you have the start-up capital to buy an existing homecare firm. It is not below the belt to consider buying another homecare firms operating assets, i.e. their client list. Depending on your start-up capital you may be able to take out one of your competitors while jump starting your own business.

Lastly. Do you have a professional homecare marketing firm or manager on your payroll? Anybody can learn the law and represent themselves in a court, BUT, we hire lawyers because they are professionals at the law and we are professionals at something entirely different. It may make sense to come out of pocket if it is in your budget. At the very least speak to a consultant who can advise you and put together a self propelled marketing plan.

I hope some of this helps.

I am in the homecare business myself, not as an owner, but as an intermediary. My firm participates in both buy and sell side engagements in the homecare industry, and we do so nationally. We represent both franchise and non-franchise, medical and non-medical firms in sell engagements. In addition, for investors like yourself, we provide acquisition search services. Our acquisition search service is designed to help you acquire an existing successful operation even if it is not currently on the market. We help to....provide leverage. We have a very deep understanding of this industry and have successfully navigated deals in it for several years.

I can certainly be of service to you if you desire to either buy a homecare firm or sell a homecare firm. This is our distinctive niche business.

In terms of marketing ideas, I would be interested in talking with you about what you currently have in place and how you can put together a strategic "homecare" marketing plan.

Feel free to give me a call.

Berlin Haugen
Pritchard Osborne Equity Ventures, LLC
314-862-6655