Marketing Your Program
Q: We need to let the
community know about our Safe Sitter® classes. Can you
help?
A: Yes, we have many student recruitment and PR tools to help
you promote your Safe Sitter® class. Click on Forms.
Here is an example of what East Tennessee Children's Hospital
did (used with their permission).
Q: We are a new Safe
Sitter® teaching site. How can we get students to sign up for our
first class?
A: You need to let the 11- to 13-year-olds and their parents
know that you are offering the class. Start with your own
organization. Put a notice in the company newsletter or bulletin
board. Ask the library to post a notice. Put a flier in the Welcome
Wagon kits that are given to new families in the community. Ask
churches to announce your program. Once you start teaching Safe
Sitter® classes, word-of-mouth advertising will be very effective
in recruiting additional students. Ask your Safe Sitter® graduates
to tell their friends about Safe Sitter®. For sample fliers and ads
you can customize to promote your Safe Sitter® program, click on
Forms. For
more ideas, email support@safesitter.org
or call (800) 255-4089 ext. 13.
Q: How much can we
charge students for the Safe Sitter® class?
A: Cost should not be a barrier for students. We encourage you
to charge fees that are reasonable for the students in your area
and to publicize the availability of scholarships.
Q: Our budget is very
tight. How can we afford to teach Safe Sitter®?
A: Student fees often cover most of the costs of teaching Safe
Sitter®. You can be creative in looking for additional financial
support for your Safe Sitter® program. Your own organization may
have a foundation that gives grants to programs like Safe Sitter®.
Civic organizations (Kiwanis, Optimist, Rotary, Junior League,
etc.) or local businesses may want to provide financial support for
your Safe Sitter® program as a community service. For a funding kit
to help you look for financial support, click on Marketing
Materials or email support@safesitter.org
or call (800) 255-4089 ext. 13.
Q: How can we get our
Safe Sitter® program on the Safe Sitter® website,
www.safesitter.org?
A: We list all active Safe Sitter® teaching sites on our
website. They are arranged so people can easily locate the Safe
Sitter® program in their area. If your site is not listed, please
email safesitter@safesitter.org.
or call (800) 255-4089 ext. 14.
Q: How can I explain
the benefits of Safe Sitter® to our Board of
Directors?
A: Print out some of our marketing materials to share with them.
Click on Marketing
Materials. Point out the value of Safe Sitter® as a
service to your community. Safe Sitter® increases the availability
of safe and nurturing adolescent babysitters in your community.
Parents are more comfortable hiring a trained Safe Sitter® knowing
that their children will be safer. Safe Sitters learn how to
prevent injuries, how to get help, basic first aid and rescue
skills.
Safe Sitters learn valuable life skills. Better Sitters Today. Better Parents
Tomorrow.®
Q: Can we collaborate
with other organizations to teach Safe Sitter®?
A: Absolutely! There are many possibilities for collaboration.
Some examples are: a hospital teaching Safe Sitter® at a nearby
school; a church teaching Safe Sitter® at a community center; or a
fire department teaching Safe Sitter® at a park. The registered
Safe Sitter® teaching site is responsible for assuring that the
program is taught correctly and that all Safe Sitter® policies are
followed.
