kfeusse Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I will try not to get too wordy here....but some information will help you understand our situation. We live in a TINY town (400ish people). About 95% of the people who live here, have lived here their entire life...and they have 2-3 generations that live within a 10 mile radius. We aren't in the 95%....we moved here 16 years ago...but some people still treat us like we just moved here...and we don't have a place here. (not all...but many). My daughter LOVES to babysit and has 2 families that she is basically their only sitter, but she wants to have more families call her. I don't know for sure, but I have the feeling that the 2 main reasons many people won't even consider her is because 1) many families will call neices first (or cousins)...and 2) because she doesn't go to PS and isn't a popular girl. Her selling points (if we could ever get this out to people) are 1) she is available most of the time...she isn't involved in every sport under the sun or other school related activity like most of the girls here and 2) she actually plays with the kids...she spends time packing a special bag with activities for the kids. She doesn't have a phone or other devicies that seem to take the focus off the kids.... BUT, our problem is this: we don't know how to "advertise" her without actually doing that. We talked about putting up little "ads" around town letting people know that she is available, but there are still many people here in town that I wouldn't want her to babysit at...we don't know them, we don't know if we can trust them...and I don't want to put her in that kind of situation. We also don't want to go around "tooting our daughter's horn" either...."Hire our daughter to babysit"...to me that seems sort of weird. So does anybody have any ideas for me? Or do we just need to be patient and see what happens. The 2 moms she already sits for have told others that she is a good sitter...but nobody has called her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 As the two families that she babysits for if they can recommend her to their friends. Reassure them though that she will still be available for them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted September 1, 2014 Author Share Posted September 1, 2014 she has done that....but I guess we will just have to be patient and see what happens next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GinaPagnato Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 What about if she started a little "camp" for kids? Maybe for a few days over a holiday break, days that the public school kids have off because of teacher workdays, Saturdays, etc. She can advertise the camp by putting up fliers, or contacting people and neighbors directly. She can charge a small amount for supplies, and do crafts, games, obstacle courses. Then she'll be known by others and may be more likely to be called as a sitter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renthead Mommy Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Instead of you advertising her, she needs to do it. If you have list of people you know that you would like her to babysit for, send them a 'Back to School Special" flyer. Mail them or deliver them. If she actually sees the person when dropping off say "Hi! I'm trying to build up my babysitter business this fall so I wanted to give you my flyer." "School is starting back up! Do you have your babysitter lined up? Call Jenny at 867-5309! * Experienced * References available * CPR and first aid * Crafts and games * Homework help * Flexible hours (I am homeschooled, so I am available during regular school hours!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted September 1, 2014 Author Share Posted September 1, 2014 excellent...and duh...right, advertise to just those who we know....the camp idea thing is cool too...I like it. thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 If you would refuse certain families you can't put out random flyers. "You want a sitter? Sorry, not you!" In such a small town two regular families is actually really good!!! Try to look at it that way. The camp and the targeted flyers sound like good ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Instead of you advertising her, she needs to do it. If you have list of people you know that you would like her to babysit for, send them a 'Back to School Special" flyer. Mail them or deliver them. If she actually sees the person when dropping off say "Hi! I'm trying to build up my babysitter business this fall so I wanted to give you my flyer." "School is starting back up! Do you have your babysitter lined up? Call Jenny at 867-5309! * Experienced * References available * CPR and first aid * Crafts and games * Homework help * Flexible hours (I am homeschooled, so I am available during regular school hours!) I see what you did there! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted September 1, 2014 Author Share Posted September 1, 2014 right, random flyers is not the way to go...but "targeted" ones are...that is really no different than "talking" to people you already know....wish I would have thought of it...but it's because I don't think of those great ideas that we have this board!!!! THANKS again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renthead Mommy Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I see what you did there! :) I wondered if anyone would catch that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 She could also offer to be a mother's helper first. Some families might be more comfortable going that route first with someone they don't know at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 When I was 12 I built my babysitting business by hand drawing a flyer, photocopying it and handing it to people I was interested in sitting for. I was admittedly influenced by the Babysitters Club and think I even drew the heading letters out on alphabet blocks, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I don't think I would hire THAT Jenny--- LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I'll be humming about that Jenny through dinner, haha! Targeted advertising sounds good. Also have a plan in place for how to accommodate new families? The plan could just be "no", of course, but in a small town you don't want to burn any bridges, right? So maybe you are allowed to stop by and or stay, only 2 hours at a time to start, home by dark, etc. Something so that she has a ready response for families that haven't been cleared by you. What about offering sick-day or snow-day or after-school care as a foot in the door? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 You know, I think it's okay to toot her horn a little. If you're not going to allow her to put up flyers and advertise to the general public and the initial word of mouth isn't quite doing it, then I think it's fine for you and your dh to tout her a little to your friends and acquaintances. I don't think you need to send an email to everyone you know with young kids, but I would just start mentioning it when you see families you know who have kids the right age. "Hey, I've been meaning to tell you that dd started babysitting and just loves it. She'd love to sit for your dc if you ever need her." As long as you don't carry on and on or bring it up more than once or maybe twice ever then it's not braggy or pressure filled. Initial information and leave the ball in their court. No big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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