Handing out business cards

[Anonymous]

I am a career nanny and looking for a new family. I just walked past a group of three women with their young babies. I wanted to give them each a business card, which has my webpage address on it. I felt too weird to do it. Would you? Should I have? As a parent, would you be appreciative or think that's totally weird? Thanks all!

[Anonymous]

I would look you up if I were looking.

If I was on a budget, I'd probably assume you were too "professional" for me, but maybe that would help you get the kind of family you want, too.

[Anonymous]

I would make sure you know with certainty that they were the moms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would make sure you know with certainty that they were the moms.

Why? As I nanny, I find a replacement if needed.

[Anonymous]

OP here. So it's not weird? I often see mothers at the grocery store and think about giving them a business card too. I'm just not sure if that is a weird thing to do. Opinions?

[Anonymous]

i don't think i'd have the guts to do it, but if you were in the same line in the grocery store you could say 'hey i couldn't help noticing how lovely your baby is. i'm a professional nanny and am just looking for a new family. here's my card - maybe you could give me a call if you're needing some extra help?'

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. So it's not weird? I often see mothers at the grocery store and think about giving them a business card too. I'm just not sure if that is a weird thing to do. Opinions?

Honestly, I've had it happen and I find it very uncomfortable and intrusive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. So it's not weird? I often see mothers at the grocery store and think about giving them a business card too. I'm just not sure if that is a weird thing to do. Opinions?

Honestly, I've had it happen and I find it very uncomfortable and intrusive.

Why? That reaction is right up there with people who don't want to discuss money when hiring a nanny. The person handing you the card isn't commenting on you as a parent. Or do you just not like anyone talking to you when you go out in public? Laser focus on the kale ...

If you need a job, market yourself! Don't spend ten minutes reciting your resume; just hand out the card and move on. Most people won't look at it, but someone who is looking might give you a call. If you have a website with your portfolio on it and a way to contact you, even better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. So it's not weird? I often see mothers at the grocery store and think about giving them a business card too. I'm just not sure if that is a weird thing to do. Opinions?

Honestly, I've had it happen and I find it very uncomfortable and intrusive.

Why? That reaction is right up there with people who don't want to discuss money when hiring a nanny. The person handing you the card isn't commenting on you as a parent. Or do you just not like anyone talking to you when you go out in public? Laser focus on the kale ...

If you need a job, market yourself! Don't spend ten minutes reciting your resume; just hand out the card and move on. Most people won't look at it, but someone who is looking might give you a call. If you have a website with your portfolio on it and a way to contact you, even better.

When my child was an infant, we had several people approach us. They kept hounding me to be our nanny and would not take a no thank you. A nanny is not the only form of child care. At the time I was a SAHM, so it was annoying someone was wasting my time that I had no interest in hiring nor would I hire someone I randomly met off the street. I am shopping to get what I need and get out of there. It is not to socialize. At the time I didn't need a nanny so to be pressured or annoyed was really uncomfortable. There are plenty of ways to market yourself without harassing strangers. Not everyone needs a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. So it's not weird? I often see mothers at the grocery store and think about giving them a business card too. I'm just not sure if that is a weird thing to do. Opinions?

Honestly, I've had it happen and I find it very uncomfortable and intrusive.

Why? That reaction is right up there with people who don't want to discuss money when hiring a nanny. The person handing you the card isn't commenting on you as a parent. Or do you just not like anyone talking to you when you go out in public? Laser focus on the kale ...

If you need a job, market yourself! Don't spend ten minutes reciting your resume; just hand out the card and move on. Most people won't look at it, but someone who is looking might give you a call. If you have a website with your portfolio on it and a way to contact you, even better.

When my child was an infant, we had several people approach us. They kept hounding me to be our nanny and would not take a no thank you. A nanny is not the only form of child care. At the time I was a SAHM, so it was annoying someone was wasting my time that I had no interest in hiring nor would I hire someone I randomly met off the street. I am shopping to get what I need and get out of there. It is not to socialize. At the time I didn't need a nanny so to be pressured or annoyed was really uncomfortable. There are plenty of ways to market yourself without harassing strangers. Not everyone needs a nanny.

Several people came up to you and "hounded" you about hiring them as nannies? This is literally incredible, and not at all what the OP was talking about. You object to someone handing you a business card for a service you won't use?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. So it's not weird? I often see mothers at the grocery store and think about giving them a business card too. I'm just not sure if that is a weird thing to do. Opinions?

Honestly, I've had it happen and I find it very uncomfortable and intrusive.

Why? That reaction is right up there with people who don't want to discuss money when hiring a nanny. The person handing you the card isn't commenting on you as a parent. Or do you just not like anyone talking to you when you go out in public? Laser focus on the kale ...

If you need a job, market yourself! Don't spend ten minutes reciting your resume; just hand out the card and move on. Most people won't look at it, but someone who is looking might give you a call. If you have a website with your portfolio on it and a way to contact you, even better.

When my child was an infant, we had several people approach us. They kept hounding me to be our nanny and would not take a no thank you. A nanny is not the only form of child care. At the time I was a SAHM, so it was annoying someone was wasting my time that I had no interest in hiring nor would I hire someone I randomly met off the street. I am shopping to get what I need and get out of there. It is not to socialize. At the time I didn't need a nanny so to be pressured or annoyed was really uncomfortable. There are plenty of ways to market yourself without harassing strangers. Not everyone needs a nanny.

Several people came up to you and "hounded" you about hiring them as nannies? This is literally incredible, and not at all what the OP was talking about. You object to someone handing you a business card for a service you won't use?

Yes, I have had it happen a few times at Target. No, I don't want your house cleaner, roofing, home repair business cards either.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

"Laser focus on the kale"! Love that line!

Anyway, I would walk up to you and say, "You have an adorable little girl/boy. I am a career nanny and offer a variety of childcare services. Here is my card; my resume is on my webpage if you are interested. Have a great day!"

I too find it hard to believe that PP was harassed about childcare, but perhaps. I had someone give me his business card in the tile isle at Home Depot. Didn't use the guy, but certainly wasn't rude, nor did it ruin my day.

I guess I solved it... can't hurt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

"Laser focus on the kale"! Love that line!

Anyway, I would walk up to you and say, "You have an adorable little girl/boy. I am a career nanny and offer a variety of childcare services. Here is my card; my resume is on my webpage if you are interested. Have a great day!"

I too find it hard to believe that PP was harassed about childcare, but perhaps. I had someone give me his business card in the tile isle at Home Depot. Didn't use the guy, but certainly wasn't rude, nor did it ruin my day.

I guess I solved it... can't hurt.

If you are a career nanny, you shouldn't have to walk up to strangers and get a job through word of mouth if you are that good. If you have to stalk people at the supermarket vs. online profiles then something is really wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

"Laser focus on the kale"! Love that line!

Anyway, I would walk up to you and say, "You have an adorable little girl/boy. I am a career nanny and offer a variety of childcare services. Here is my card; my resume is on my webpage if you are interested. Have a great day!"

I too find it hard to believe that PP was harassed about childcare, but perhaps. I had someone give me his business card in the tile isle at Home Depot. Didn't use the guy, but certainly wasn't rude, nor did it ruin my day.

I guess I solved it... can't hurt.

If you are a career nanny, you shouldn't have to walk up to strangers and get a job through word of mouth if you are that good. If you have to stalk people at the supermarket vs. online profiles then something is really wrong.

Why is that? Not everyone wants a nanny, can afford a nanny, and especially a more costly nanny. I have worked for two main families in the state I currently live. People are supposed to knock on my door now that I'm unemployed? The family I worked for previously is supposed to make one of their friends hire me? I have found all of the families I have worked for independently of one another and I don't think that is strange at all. Just like I don't know any nannies or sitters to send their way, they don't know any families hiring. They gave my card to a few people that may be looking, but my average rates are stated on my webpage and are on the higher end. I don't think this means I'm a lousy nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

"Laser focus on the kale"! Love that line!

Anyway, I would walk up to you and say, "You have an adorable little girl/boy. I am a career nanny and offer a variety of childcare services. Here is my card; my resume is on my webpage if you are interested. Have a great day!"

I too find it hard to believe that PP was harassed about childcare, but perhaps. I had someone give me his business card in the tile isle at Home Depot. Didn't use the guy, but certainly wasn't rude, nor did it ruin my day.

I guess I solved it... can't hurt.

If you are a career nanny, you shouldn't have to walk up to strangers and get a job through word of mouth if you are that good. If you have to stalk people at the supermarket vs. online profiles then something is really wrong.

Why is that? Not everyone wants a nanny, can afford a nanny, and especially a more costly nanny. I have worked for two main families in the state I currently live. People are supposed to knock on my door now that I'm unemployed? The family I worked for previously is supposed to make one of their friends hire me? I have found all of the families I have worked for independently of one another and I don't think that is strange at all. Just like I don't know any nannies or sitters to send their way, they don't know any families hiring. They gave my card to a few people that may be looking, but my average rates are stated on my webpage and are on the higher end. I don't think this means I'm a lousy nanny.

Then, maybe if you are having that much trouble getting a job, you should consider lowering your rates.