Back in September, I attended Nannypalooza, a Professional Nanny Conference, in DC. One of the workshops was presented by Genevieve Thiers, Founder and CEO of Sittercity. Besides having a gorgeous name, Genevieve is a talented public speaker and entrepenuer. Her story was a pretty amazing one. A college student, that baby-sat her way through school, graduating with an idea that now influences childcare in the US. Sitterycity is an online resource for families looking for babysitters, pet-sitters, housekeepers, etc. It was the first and model for now many other companies that have followed. I admit I was enthralled with her story of rags to riches and proud of her entreprenurial creativity. What a neat woman!
However, once the background and bio was done I was left with disappointment. About 75 Nannies sat in a room expecting to hear about “How to Market Yourself Online” and what we really heard, in my opinion, was a sales pitch for how awesome Sittercity was. Unfortunately, the website didn’t seem to fit the field that we were in, nor the pay that we expected with our experience. I think that this speaker was very wise about her field, but the “Professional Nanny” was not something that she was familiar with.
The last 10 minutes or so of the workshop she did have some ideas on how to market yourself online. I have taken some of her ideas refocused them for Professional Nannies looking to market themselves online.
High5: Tips for Marketing Yourself Online
5. Be Ready
First things first. Don’t begin online until you have a proper resume, current phone number and email address, and current references. Get re-certified in CPR and First Aid if they are expired. All of the above should be developed with your audience in mind. Take a walk through the process in your head. How would a family view each representation of you? Take the time to have someone proof read your documents. Call each of your references to tell them that you are looking for a position. Also, make sure that your contact information is easy to find, so that contacting you is not a hassle!
4. Be Present
Create a presence for yourself online. Depending on how tech-saavy you are there is now ALOT that you can do online to set you apart from your competition. Create an online portfolio with pictures and experiences. Create a website or blog that will bring black and white words to color and light. Post a brief YouTube video to introduce yourself. Include a link on your resume. Talk about your search on your social networking sites. (I have had many contacts and referrals through Facebook!) Even if you have a simple resume, make sure that it is in a format that can be easily emailed and printed. Always add pictures! Decide what your method will be and make it great. Make it easy to access and appealing to your audience. Be present everyday! Check your email and voicemail, so that you can be responsive!
3. Be Thorough
Each Nanny is different in the unique care you can give to a family. Document your values, skills, challenges and successes. Come up with a vision statement that reflects you and the care that you will provide to a family as a professional. Include all education and goals. Always focus on the childcare part of your resume first. Many Nannies may have other jobs in their past; I have seen many resumes focused in the wrong direction. Many families in response may say, “By looking at her resume I am not sure why she wants to be a Nanny, now?” Think of the specific questions a family may ask about you and answer them before they are asked. For example, if you have a teaching degree and looking for a Nanny job, a family may wonder if you will stay committed to their family or if you will leave as soon as a teaching job is available. Are there any issues that your resume may keep you from getting an interview?
2. Be Professional
With socially networking on the rise, most everyone has an online presence. When looking for a job, please be aware of what persona is being perceived. Search your name in google and see what comes up. Fine tune your Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Twitter, & Etc – and read through again with the audience in mind. Get in touch with your “Mom Filter”. Is there anything that you wouldn’t want your pastor, ex-boyfriend, or future boss to see? Don’t use profanity, have kosher pictures, have a simple professional email address. It is always a good idea not to share very personal things online. When speaking of your family and the kids in your care, don’t use their names (I use initials) or give any personal details. Always speak in a positive way. If you do post pictures or information (like I do at times on this blog) ask the parents for permission.
1. Be Smart
While the internet is an amazing resource it is also a scary world. If you haven’t yet been contacted by someone shady, I am sure it will come…so BE WARY OF SCAMS! If something seems to good to be true it probably is! I had a friend contacted about a Nanny job that had glitz and glamour, travel and insane amount of pay. Red flags went off and turned out I was right. If someone wants to get money involved before they met you – Red Flag! If someone wants you to come to an odd place at an odd time – Red flag! Though Craiglist has proved successful for me and others in the past, there are a lot less credible options – and they are few and far between.
Local Nannies, I would be happy to help you along in your process! If you are searching for a position, do #5. and “Be Ready” then shoot me an email. We can sit down over coffee and talk about how to market you. The CincyNanny website is a safe place to post a description about you. From there families can request your resume.
In this economy, it is worth the time and effort to revamp your methods. What can you do different to set yourself apart?
Links to “Get Online”…
