What to write on a babysitting flyer?

Parents, babysitting flyer advice?

• I am a responsible teenager looking to expand my babysitting business. If you received a flyer, what information would you like to have from a potential babysitter? I already have a broad network of babysitting customers but this summer I am looking to expand to new people as well as re-emphasize my availability to my current customers. I am thinking of creating a flyer with my information to distribute to local families who I know, and include a business card of mine for them as well as "one for a friend" so they can give it to someone who asks them if the know a babysitter or if they just want to pass it along. What kinds of things can I put on the flyer to take up space? I am looking for a sort of summery slogan to put at the top as well that involves babysitting. (I also would say I am CPR and first aid certified and have taken a babysitting course as well as a 30 hour coaching,teaching, and recreational leadership class. And of course include rate and availability and other little details) Thank you!!

• Answer:

  You sound like you have some great ideas! Handing out extra fliers and cards is a good way for parents to pass your information to friends with their personal recommendations. Make sure your name, contact information, and the purpose of the flier are clear and easy to read. Listing qualifications is really important, as well as listing rates and availability. You could ask the parents you babysit for now if they are comfortable giving references to others. Then, put a line on your flier saying that you are willing to provide references upon request. That way you keep your current clients' information private to all but serious inquiries. Make your fliers colorful and use nice fonts - but don't make them so busy that they are difficult to read. Maybe you could use some artwork from your current kids, or include photos of a craft you made with kids (no kids in the photos, though!). You could also create a simple website with all of this information on it. If you don't know how to make a website, you can use Wordpress.com or another blogging site. That way you can update information immediately, and parents can go online to find your information if they lose the flier or don't have any more to hand out. You can also add photos of crafts you made, quotes from references, etc. You could put the website on your business cards as well. Here are some sites that give more tips and tricks to creating great babysitting fliers: Babysitting-Rates.com, http://www.babysitting-rates.com/babysitting-flyers.php eHow.com "how to", http://www.ehow.com/how_2221611_create-babysitting-flyers.html eHow.com ideas, http://www.ehow.com/way_5289752_babysitter-flyer-ideas.html --Rebecca H. Librarian-in-training Librarians--Ask Us, We Answer! Find your local library at http://www.publiclibraries.com