Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Babysitting Blurbs

Blurbs can be a great way to get the message out to families in your community in need of a babysitter.  They should be kept short and sweet and contain the right information.

Include:
Your name and age-- use discretion to determine whether to put your last name on it or not
Credentials [Red Cross certified, First Aid, et cetera]
School and grade
A little bit about yourself-- what extra curriculars are you involved in? Are you on honor roll? Choose things about yourself that show you are a responsible individual and that you have a positive influence on children.
Contact Information-- will vary depending on where you post your blurb, be careful and use good judgment!  For example, if you are putting your blurb in a public place, do not include your home address or home phone number.  I suggest using either your email address or cell phone number.
Touch on your rates/requirements. Even if it will require more information/explanation, it will show parents that you are responsible and will give them a feel for what they should expect.

Incorporate the above into a short paragraph in an easy, readable font.

Where/how to post your blurb:
~as an email signature: this is a good option, because you get control over who to send it to
~in an email or flyer to give to family friends
~give it to families you babysit so they can pass the message on to their friends

I do not suggest posting it in a public place, but some safe options could be a church, or preschool/elementary school; a place where you are confident that the people reading it will not abuse the information posted.

Babysitting blurbs can bring you many connections but be safe and smart with what you put in them.

Good luck :)
Casey L.