If you said no, do not be sad! There are other options in the childcare field that are available for you. You can learn how to care for yourself and for other kids by being a Mommy’s Helper!

To learn more about being a Mommy’s Helper, click on the post, “Mommy’s Helper” in the related resources section below.

If you said yes, Congratulations, you are ready, please read on!

What is a referral?

A referral is basically a recommendation by a person, who has experienced your product or service, to another person.

How can you apply it to your babysitting business?

All you need is one person to experience your extraordinary service and, like a tree, will branch out to other referrals. If you did such a great job watching the child/ren of one client, odds are, they will most likely tell their friends about it. The best part about referrals is that clients may casually bring up your name in a conversation with friends because you made such an impression and before you know it, the friend is asking for your contact info – and it’s free marketing!

5 Ways to Gain Referrals

You should be worth talking about – in a good way

Referrals only works if you make a lasting impression that is news worthy. Think of each babysitting job as a referral opportunity. This will encourage you to do your best every time. People will talk about you only in two different cases: 1. you did such a fantastic job and made their lives so much easier they just had to tell their friends all about it or 2. they had such a horrendous experience with you and had to tell their friends about the nightmare they endured.

Maintain your credibility

You should always try to be great at your job. Just because your client referred you to someone else, does not mean you can slack off. It just takes one bad experience for them to turn their positive feedback into a sour one.

Make it easy for others to refer you

The last thing you want is for this to happen:

Client: I have a great babysitter you should look into.
Client’s friend: Oh really? Can I have her contact details?
Client: Sure! … oh wait, I don’t have her number on me, I’ll give it to you next time.

Chances are, next time they see each other, you will be the last thing on their mind. To avoid this, have business cards prepared and give, not one, but at least two of your business cards to your clients. Don’t be afraid to say to them, “Here’s an extra one – in case you have friends who are also looking for a sitter.”

Follow up with your clients

If your client’s do not require your services anymore, it’s still perfectly fine to call them up from time to time. It’s typical for babysitter’s to grow strong bonds with the kids you sit and it’s okay to call up and see how they’re doing. That is what makes a great babysitter, when you think of babysitting as taking care of Susie or Bobby instead of it being “just a job”.

When you call up your clients, be genuine about it. Don’t just say, “Hi, how are the kids? Great. Do you know anyone who is looking for a babysitter?”. Going straight to the point may throw off your client and they’ll most likely be thinking about the odd call they received from you rather than your request to refer you to their friends.

Ask for it

Asking for referrals might be the most difficult thing for people to do, because they are simply embarrassed to do so. People are sensitive to the idea of self-promotion because they don’t want to seem too upfront, pushy, or annoying. (Kind of like the people in the mall trying to sell you those nail buffers.)

It all depends on how you ask it, if you try to sound pushy, then yes, your clients may think you’re being too pushy. But a simple, “If it’s not too much trouble, if you know anyone who is looking for a babysitter, would you please give them my contact info? I would appreciate it a lot. Thank you!” is not upfront at all. There’s no harm in trying, it’s better than not trying altogether.

So what do you think? Are you going to try asking your clients for some referrals? Do you have any good lines you use to ask for referrals? Share them with the SitterSource community!

Many parents already know how much they are willing to pay a babysitter. Even in these cases, it is important for you to know how much your time is worth. Before you agree to a rate, do some research.

Ask your friends and family how much they charge, or would be willing to pay. Ask your parents to help you search websites like Craigslist where you can easily see what other people are charging.

Whether you are using the money to save for college or as extra spending money to go out with your friends, don’t try to get the job by being the cheapest. Instead, take babysitting classes to become a certified babysitter. The rate you set for babysitting is likely to stick with you for as long as you are sitting for that family. In the long run you will make more money by investing some up front for babysitting classes so that you can feel comfortable charging more for your time.

If you are looking to babysit for people who don’t know you, it is often difficult to show parents that you have what it takes for the job. Taking babysitting classes and becoming a certified babysitter can give them the peace of mind they need to hire you.

Whether you are experienced with children or just starting out, babysitting classes can build your confidence and your business!

Someone skilled.

Parents will feel better about leaving their children with you if you’ve taken a babysitting course that includes First Aid and CPR training. A babysitting course is an excellent thing to have on your babysitting resume!

Someone trustworthy.

Of course, a parent isn’t going to leave their baby or child with someone they don’t feel 100 percent comfortable with. If you come across as even a teeny bit irresponsible, they won’t hire you to babysit. Things like being on time, listening to all instructions and coming across as mature and responsible are extremely important if you want to get a babysitting job.

Someone who is reliable.

If a parent has to leave three messages before you call them back, or you say “no” to babysitting jobs too many times to go out with your friends, they’re going to realize you aren’t very reliable.

Someone who enjoys working with kids.

Parents want to get an idea of how you’ll interact with their children, so be prepared to answer questions about why you want to babysit and what kinds of activities you might do with them before they give you a babysitting job.

Someone who can handle difficult situations.

Parents may ask you questions about how you’ll deal with everything from a temper tantrum to a stranger at the door to a fire in the kitchen. A babysitting course will go over many different emergency situations and help you learn how to confidently deal with them.

A great babysitter will plan to meet new parents and children (and pets!) to get acquainted before the day they have to work. This is something you should suggest to the parents when they first hire you. This shows you are very professional and caring, and also makes the start of the job much easier. When you arrive for the job, the kids have already met you and won’t be so nervous about being left with a stranger. It’s a good idea for you too, as it can show you what to expect for the job. It also reassures the parents, since they’ve spent a little bit of time with you, that they can trust you with their children.

Getting Important Info

This is a good time to get some information about the job, the children, and their home and safety issues. There is a copy of my Babysitter Questionairre for you to give to the parent to fill out. Feel free to print it out and use it.

Babysitters’ Questionnaire

It is highly recommended to give the parents this form ahead of time that way they can take their time to thoroughly fill out this form and you can ask them any questions when you review it before your first babysitting job for them. Parents are often in a rush the day they ask you to babysit for them so giving it to them ahead of time is better. Suggest that the parents give you a tour of the home to best answer these questions.
Whether this information is filled out days before the babysitting job or just before you begin, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you get it. It will help you in all kinds of situations. It will be good to save the questionnaire so the parents don’t have to fill it in again everytime you babysit for them.

I Have to Play With Them?

Babysitting is more than just making money. It’s making sure kids are safe and happy! This doesn’t usually happen without trying. You do have to play with the kids. Unless you want to be stuck playing with the same toys all night, you had better go prepared with some fun ideas for activities. You may even want to prepare a babysitting kit to take with you for activity ideas and materials.

To get started, you can print our calander that we have made for you! Just write in the month at the top, fill in days in the little yellow boxes, and fill out your activities and any babysitting jobs you have scheduled!

Babysitter’s Calendar

Here is a blank list you can print out. One page creates 3 copies. Give the other copies to your subs and don’t forget to include your name on the list as well.

Babysitter’s Substitute List

Maturity
Trustworthy
Patience
Attentiveness
Safety-conciousness
Ability to keep rules for kids.
Fun
Great preperation
Being on time(early is even better)

If you feel you have many of these qualities and have permission from your parents, you are ready to move forward into the world of babysitting!

1. Spread the words
Tell people (you or your parents) that you are available to babysit.
2. Word of mouth
Once you have babysat for a few different families, you’ll be surprised at how much your business will start picking up. Word-of-mouth tends to be the most common way that a babysitter finds work.
Safety Tip: If a new family that you do not know calls, ask who recommanded you. Always do your best at each job as it may earn you a new client!
3. Speak to teachers
Later, after you get some experience, you may want to speak to the kindergarten and lower grade teachers at school or church. Students’ parents often let the teachers know if they are looking for a babysitter. You can let them know you are looking for families to babysit for.
4. Be cautious when posting flyers
When posting flyers at a supermarket or on the street please be cautious as you may receive some unwelcomed responses. The same thing goes for classified ads listed in newspapers. Answering them might not be safe.