LIFE

Now that you’ve passed your babysitting course with flying colors, let’s drum up some business! Ask friends for glowing recommendations to get your Nikes in the door. Next time a bud is in a jam and can’t take a job, see it she’ll be kind enough to refer you as a fill-in. (Whatever you don, don’t steal your friend’s gig for good). Be sure to contact families you shadowed or helped out. Tell them you’re certified and ready to be added to their call list. Babysitting is a word-of-mouth business. Tell friends and families you’re ready to log some sitting hours.

Meet potential clients by volunteering at a youth group or church nursery. Never post fliers or Internet messages (giving out your name and digits to anyone you and your ‘rents don’t know is not a smart idea). Instead, check out our business card maker and print out cards offering your sitting services. Next time you hang out with a cool family with kids, hand ‘em your card.  They’ll think you’re a real pro and serious about the biz.

Next, throw together a brief resume with your background. Since you don’t have a mile-long list of past jobs, focus on any experience that prepares you for babysitting (“As the older sister of triplets, I can handle a small load of little ones”), accomplishments that showcase responsibility (“I headed up the fifth-grade can drive”) and any interests you have that might make you seem like someone the kids would have fun with (“I’m an expert at making friendship bracelets”). Finally, list three trustworthy references to back you up.

10/14/2009 7:00:00 AM