what is the best way to advertise yourself as a babysitter?

It depends on where you are. In some countries, you must be "vetted" to do so, in others, you just get on with it.

notice in shop window, notice in house / car window?

printing some little cards and asking freindly shop keepers to have a small pile on the counter?

give a few to friends and relatives and ask them to pass on a cvar to anyone intererested.

Asking folks who you do sit for to pass on your name by word of mouth

You can put up a flyer in your local grocery stores or you can advertise it in the newspaper in the classifieds section. Maybe have your parents tell their coworkers that you babysit. You could maybe even just call friends of your parents and tell them you are available if they should ever need a babysitter.

Word of Mouth. And no I haven't tried it before however I only approved of babysitters for my nephew who have been recommended to me by other parents in the neighborhood thats how he landed at the babysitter he's in now.

Make a nice and childlike flyer with your information. Post them at church bulletine boards, library, school office, doctor's office (especially pediatrics). Also, by word of mouth. Call Child service agencies and tell them you're available to provide childcare and if they would put you on an service offered list. There is no need to advertise in the newspaper.

Find a domestic childcare placement agency. They will make money by placing you in a job so they will market you. Further the quality of the family you will work for is often better because they are willing to pay an agency for good candidates. Some not all that arent willing pay tend to not want to pay the baby sitter much and are often difficult to work with.

I went to homes in the neighborhood where I lived, knocked on their door and handed them a piece of paper with my name and phone number on it. I explained who I was and spoke of what I would charge if they were interested.

After I got one family all the other families talked about how good I was and my phone was always ringing. Once I did a morning (they were golf people) from 5am until 2pm. Went home for a nap then did another family for a night thing. 5pm until midnight. Another time I did 2 families at once. One family was planning to be back at 8pm and the other family I was doing an allnighter. So I spoke with both families together and they agreed that it would be okay.

If you take a "Babysitting Course" at your local Red Cross, you can advertise with them. Another good place to advertise would be at your church or where your parents work. You could also give flyers to your teachers that you know have children.

I would definitely suggest taking a baby sitters course though.....that looks really good to parents that are looking for someone to watch their children!

You can post flyers around your town and you can ask people who know you if they need a babysitter.

I gave my name and number to the office staff in my school and I put up a card on the local church bulletin board. It worked for me.

have your friends and family recommend you to families they know who have small kids. Personal recommendations are the best bet- people want someone they know they can trust. Maybe even people at church, but their should be a personal connection.