Where to advertise

[Kylara]

I'm struggling to think of places to advertise my livery spaces.

I have an ad on *******, and have been popping adverts on FB groups and have put some flyers in a few tack/feed places in the area, but any other suggestions would be super helpful.

Also, I've not had a huge amount of enquiries from FB posts so any tips on what to include in the ad? I have facilities, pictures, the types of livery I can accommodate and a direct link to my website and my contact email/number.

If I can get people to come and view I'm sure I wouldn't have any difficulty getting liveries! But struggling to get to that point sadly so any hints or tips much appreciated.

It's been a very long time since I last looked for livery as mine are at my small yard at home so not really sure where people look!

Thank you lovely HHOs!

ETA: yard is on Berks/Wilts border if that helps with specific groups/places etc to pop adverts in

 

[Deltic Blue]

I've always found Facebook a great place to advertise.
That's where I tend to look when I look for livery yards.
Shame you aren't closer to me as I was looking for a new yard a few months ago!

 

[Kylara]

Thanks DB, yard is Chilton Foliat so super great to access and fab facilities so wasn't too worried about getting liveries, but I am starting to worry now!

What groups/places on FB were you using? A lot of the wiltshire ones I'm still pending on (almost a month later!) which is infuriating.

 

[TheHairyOne]

I've seen your advert on the local FB horsey sites (too far from me), and the one thing that jumped out at me was the picture that wasn't on there...the fields for turnout (assuming you have some!), everything else looks lovely.

I've also found this time of year people aren't as mobile, summer is so much easier and the little niggles at this time of year only tend to magnify when the sun isn't shining and the nights draw in. Certainly true for me and my sister, we've only moved twice in 10 years of ownership, both in spring after terrible winters.

Perhaps if you are struggling to get people through the door add something about discussing some form of bespoke part livery package?

 

[Kylara]

I have pictures of some of the turnout, so I'll pop them on in future ads. Have a big one and a smaller one - perfect for restricted/pony/individual turnout without being stupidly tiny. Only 7 stables and I am very good at field management (have some difficult fields at home that I have managed well over the last decade or so and these are much less problematic and have big auto troughs too!)

The packages are all flexible and I have said that, but still not much interest :/ maybe adding the word bespoke might be helpful though

 

[TheHairyOne]

Bespoke is a good word, people like to feel special.

And i will never be able to afford anything but DiY unless i have a miracle windfall, but I am guessing there are no horses there at all now? Might be worth moving yours in for a bit as in my experience being 'first' can put people off to. Just a thought as might be putting people with a single horse off.



Good luck!

 

[Kylara]

It's half of a barn and the other side have horses in (racers and a SJ). My retired has to stay at home due to fencing and SI considerations, but I'm looking for a new competitive dressage and jumper so once I find it that will move in as yard is great location for comps and training. I had one I thought would come, but has gotten complicated (owner wants horse to come but is currently being looked after by someone else who doesn't want it to go!). Too far west for one client who would have come with me (and still wants to but an hour from them unfortunately!) not helped by it being the farthest west of my known teaching/schooling area so pretty much having to build base up from scratch!

 

[be positive]

Being nosy I looked on Livery list and found 2 yards in the area, 1 of which is probably yours, both have the same address, use the same photos, which suggests a shared yard, it may be that you are the new YO and the previous YO is no longer in business but it is not going to help you promote your new business especially as the first one that comes up on the list is probably the last YO.

If I were looking it may put me off to see both yards advertising, both being run under similar sounding names, if you could use some different photos it may help, I would also get a few with a horse in them, even if you have to borrow something, as it looks empty, the facilities are very smart but the bare empty field does not look welcoming, putting a rough price guide may help attract some interest.

 

[Kylara]

I can shove a horse in the field no problem. Previous barn inhabitant has moved onto a bigger yard, but not sure about how to go about shifting their old ad from livery list. The only photo that is the same is the one of the front of the barn because the ones I have aren't quite so nice (blue sky!) I'm hoping to get a couple of better ones but the weather has been totally against me and not great for doing pictures. The other pictures are all fresh.

I thought about price guide, but it really depends on what people want, as happy to make packages suit. Should I put what part costs? Or a mix of the most basic package costs for each? It's a bit of a minefield really. To put prices or not put prices! The other person in the barn is a jump racehorse trainer (only has a few horses in and owns the place) so quiet.

 

[Theocat]

If people are going straight from Facebook to your website, but not enquiring, there's either something wrong with the website or with what you're offering.

Make sure you have Google analytics on your website - it will tell you which pages people are looking at and where they're coming from. If you're posting a link on face book I'd expect people to click on the link rather than message, but you'll need to find out.

I'd expect a basic price list with services and facilities, plus information on any mix-and-match / personalised packages.

 

[neddy man]

see how much www.*******.co.uk would charge. (there is one on there at CL with zilch details dont know if its old owners add )

 

[Cobbytype]

I'd be a bit put off if livery prices weren't mentioned briefly so as to give a guide. Something like 'DIY livery from £xx per week, assisted livery from £xx per week'. Might sound obvious but how about a sign outside the yard/at the end of the drive with 'Livery Spaces Available' and a contact number?

Good luck.

 

[neddy man]

you dont mention diy, probably 90% of liveries are diy so its limiting your chances, also what about trailer/horsebox parking .Get the other advert removed pronto.Totally agree with horse in paddock and over stable doors.

 

[asmp]

As you're on the Hants border, why not advertise on www.nfed.co.uk? Assume you've done the local tack shops? Sign outside as mentioned above is a good idea too.