As a nanny or babysitter, you’re a crucial component for families, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to advertise yourself in order to get the job. In fact, smart advertising on your end can help you land the job. And fortunately, you needn’t have a marketing degree to do just this.
“When advertising yourself as a nanny or sitter, it’s important to be intentional,” says Laura Schroeder, a credentialed nanny and the former president of the International Nanny Association. “Be sure to have a professional photo, list out your strengths and certifications and specify what you’re willing to do.”
Want to advertise yourself as a nanny or babysitter, but not sure where to begin? Check out our list of expert tips on how to advertise babysitting that will help you get your name and services out there and stand out from the rest.
1. Craft your personal brand
For better or worse, being in the job market today means having a personal brand. And while you don’t need to schedule weekly Instagram Lives or take out a roadside billboard, creating a professional online or IRL (or both) “image” is, without a doubt, beneficial.
“When nannies and sitters craft a personal brand, it can directly lead to a higher rate of pay, or at minimum, help them outrank another candidate to get the actual job,” says Christine Landis, founder of Peacock Parent, Inc., parent of two and former CEO of a global fintech company.
“When nannies and sitters craft a personal brand, it can directly lead to a higher rate of pay, or at minimum, help them outrank another candidate to get the actual job.”
— Christine Landis, founder of Peacock Parent, Inc.
Parents, or agencies, want insight into who you are as a person, she explains, as opposed to the basic info on your resume. Are you silly? Strict? Active? Creative?
One simple way to convey this is via Instagram, Landis says. “Starting an Instagram account purely to showcase your services and style as a nanny or sitter is smart because you can shape the narrative about your interests, experience and role that you are comfortable taking on,” she notes.
If the idea of “creating a brand” on social media makes you cringe, Landis recommends thinking of it as a “visual resume, where you can show parents what you love doing and position yourself as an educator and supporter of the family.” (Put another way: You don’t have to be gimmicky, just genuine and professional.)
2. Create promotional materials
Almost all advertising, marketing and self-promotion is done online now. That being said, hard copies aren’t completely obsolete.
“Business cards are still a good idea because they can be handed out at the playground, library and other places where you may run into families,” says Schroeder, adding: “Flyers can be helpful in a college community, but most colleges and universities now have digital bulletin boards for advertising services.”
Also, consider marrying the old and new. One particularly creative high school babysitter in New Jersey, handed flyers out at the playground that featured a QR code that led to all of her pertinent info.
3. Craft your online presence
This may be obvious, but it bears repeating: Keep your personal and professional online presences separate.
“Your personal account should be private and used solely for your friends and family,” Landis says. If you create a brand account, keep it strictly for business, and the same holds true if you’re posting in child care Facebook groups or using an online platform, such as Care.
“Everything you post on these platforms is business-related and should be treated as such,” Landis says.
To that point, Schroeder adds, when posting a photo of yourself, “use a headshot (professional if possible), without other people in the shot — especially not other children.”
For more tips on how to advertise on online platforms specifically, check out: 8 tips for updating your profile to score a coveted job.
4. Highlight your skills
In addition to the basics, such as your photo and experience, be sure to list out any special skills or certifications on your resume or profile.
“Be aware of your strengths and include them,” Schroeder says. “This may be for a particular age group, based on a skill set that you have honed or something in which you’ve received specific training. Do you have an up-to-date CPR/first-aid certification? Are you a newborn care specialist? A positive discipline parent educator? List it all.”
And special skills needn’t only come in the form of a formal certification. “Acknowledge how you’re willing to go above and beyond the typical role,” Landis says. “For example, if you are available to travel, do overnight work, take on personal tasks to assist the family, cook or more — make sure you are clear about those upfront and in the first few lines or bullets of your listing.”
“Any quality, experience or ability that shows that you’re not only reliable, friendly and kind but that you’re willing to support the family outside of child care-only needs may give you a leg up,” Landis notes.
” … if you are available to travel, do overnight work, take on personal tasks to assist the family, cook or more — make sure you are clear about those upfront and in the first few lines or bullets of your listing.”
— Christine Landis, founder of Peacock Parent, Inc.
5. Gather references
When it comes to advertising yourself on an online platform, “references are the key,” Schroeder says. “Make sure you have a list of references,” she notes, “and keep them updated” (i.e., Don’t use someone you were a nanny for five years ago).
“References are the key … Make sure you have a list of references, and keep them updated.”
— Laura Schroeder, credentialed nanny
Many apps and online platforms, including Care, allow you to request reviews and references from families with whom you’ve previously worked, so be sure to take advantage of these features.
And if you don’t have a catalog of references just yet, that’s OK. “List the qualifications that set you apart from other nannies and babysitters,” Schroeder says. “And if you’re just starting out, you may consider charging a slightly lower rate. This is a great way to gain experience and build up those references!”
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6. Cast a wide net
Don’t limit yourself to one form of marketing. In addition to crafting an online profile and/or social media account, get yourself out there for networking opportunities.
“Join in-person or online nanny or babysitter support groups in your area,” Schroeder says. “Most major metropolitan areas, and many smaller areas, have these. It’s a great way to make friends and get more business.”
Schroeder also recommends looking into nanny agencies in your area, as ‘they can be a great way to get both nanny and babysitting jobs.”
For more tips on finding nanny jobs, check out: How to find nanny jobs: 6 places to look and share your services.
For more tips on finding babysitting jobs, check out: How to find babysitting jobs: 7 ways to search, share your services and get hired.
Also, check out current nanny job listings and babysitting job listings near you.
The bottom line
Advertising yourself as a nanny or babysitter will take a little bit of work on the front end, but truly, it shouldn’t be all that time-consuming. And when you put in the time to highlight both your professional experience and personal strengths, you’ll set yourself apart from the rest.
“Parents and potential employers want to get to know you a bit first,” Landis says. “They want to see who will be modeling behavior for their children and heavily integrated with the entire family.”
