Babysitting Still Big Business
In recent weeks, I’ve posted some great ways for teens (and adults) to earn extra cash. Let’s face it, we all need some - especially heading into the holiday season.
So far, I’ve suggested cash surveys and mystery shopping. Today, I want to address the good ole’ fashion business of babysitting. The demand for a good babysitter is HUGE. Parents will always need one. Trouble is they often can’t find someone - especially close by.
Here’s where you come in.
If you are serious about earning extra money by babysitting, here are a few tips to help get your business off the ground:
- Make flyers:Once you have your flyers ready, you need to find appropriate places to post them. Not street corners!! It is better to put them up at grocery store’s bulletin boards, shopping malls, recreation centers, family restaurants, even day care centers if they let you. You can personally hand out your flyers to parents in parks and playgrounds. Ask your neighbors and friends to distribute flyers to their friends and relatives.
- Word of mouth: This a quick way of letting people know about your babysitting business. It’s also one of the best forms of advertisements. Also, you can create a nice e-mail and send it to everyone you know and ask them to forward it. You can also tell your clients to tell their friends and relatives about your babysitting services.
- Join SitterCity: You can create your profile for free, list all your qualifications and experience and choose who gets your number. You can also list the times you are available that week, so it’s easier for both parties. Becoming members at such websites immensely increases your client pool and gives you the exposure you need.
- Advertise: You could also advertise your services in your local newspaper. It won’t be exactly cheap but every business needs some investment. Perhaps you can ask your family for an investment or maybe you can do a quick fundraiser to fund this aspect of your business. Plus, if you manage to get a client through the newspaper, you can probably earn your investment back within a week or so.
Oh and I have one other piece of advice, albeit personal.
Be flexible and accessible.
Parents always like to call their sitters in a pinch. Myself included.
More from around the sphere:
- Before you embark on this home business, be sure to check out all the local and federal regulations. You will most likely be required to have a police check done, and may need some sort of license if you decide to babysit in your own … - Many of the businesses require basic skills which can be acquired relatively easily: household cleaning, babysitting, window cleaning, pet boarding, commission selling, renting a room, and so on. Or you may be able to learn a skill from … - wikiHow article about How to Start Your Own Babysitting Business. |
