I finally got my first response to my advertising and it was through text messaging. Is this normal? The person didn't leave a name or anything, just asked if I could take good care of her kids and to text back. I'm going to respond asking for basic information and hopefully try to schedule an interview. I'm very anxious!

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Nope. Never had an inquiry via text.

That is kind of odd but I guess no parent surprises me anymore.

I wouldn't text back anything other than asking for them to call you or e-mail you so you can discuss things with them that way.

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I had two or three when I was advertising in the beginning that texted me to inquire. They all wanted care to start the same or next day, too. My take away was that if they didn't even make the effort to talk to the person who may watch their children (especially immediately), they weren't the kind of parents I wanted to do business with.

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That is what i would do. Weird!

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I have only had one text inquiry and it was odd. Never spoke to me or met me but was haggling my price via text! Really? Wanted me to give them a cheaper rate before even talking to me or seeing my daycare!

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I do think its the way of the future unfortunately. A few years ago most of my initial inquiries started coming by email instead of by phone. Lots of people view texting the same way as emailing (I feel there is a difference), so not surprised that this is starting but at least include some detail!!! I still have my home phone number listed on all my daycare info, only give my cell number to parents after they enroll so they can't text me for those initial contacts.

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Be careful, sometimes people spam cell numbers. I don't know what my dh did but he put his cell number in something and started getting replies to ads in other places and spam stuff. I would request they call you or email you.

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I specifically state in my ad( s) that I accept phone calls from 1-2:30pm, 6-7 pm only. No texts, email @ x address.

I have had two. Never responded to either.

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I've had several. usually they just want to know prices and area of town. I had a few that obviously didn't read my ad, bc they wanted care for an age group I didn't do.

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Was it a CL ad? I am in Pittsburgh and the only thing I ever get from CL is exactly what you mentioned. It never turns into anything. When I ask for more info I never get it!

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I actually prefer to receive first contact by e-mail. I can answer at my convenience, and can use it better to screen them before wasting my time on the phone with them. I send a copy of my contract, expectations, and rates, and the ones who respond are always serious about going further into the process. I admit that I have more "rules" than other daycares, I charge more than many other daycares, but I also provide a level of care that not many others do. I like having parents consider my e-mail before talking to me, and it helps weed out price shoppers.

I have had a few text me, I will reply with an answer if it can be kept short, but when they want lots of information, I ask them to call me and give them a time to do so or e-mail.

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I used to get lots of texts for care when I first opened. Then I got a landline for business use and so that stopped, mostly. But anyway, the texts I did answer were always a waste of my time. I learned to respond with "I'd love to discuss this more over the phone or through email." If they were serious, they would pursue it from there...

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I texted back asking for more information and never got an answer, so there's that. *shrug* It may very well have been a response from Craigslist, I have an ad up there as well as on several sites (care.com, etc.) and my own website. I'm not a big fan of phone calls, myself, but it seems really difficult to conduct business through texting. It's too informal. Emails, on the other hand, are great. I'm a smart person but I don't do too well thinking on my feet with strangers.

I did get two emails this morning, one from CL with hardly any info and one from my site that I'm hoping will pan out. Funny how I had no responses for over a month and now three in the span of 24 hours.

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The taking good care of my children part leads me to think its a craigslist scam.

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