I am wanting to start babysitting,ideas on how to get more people to find me?

Ive already been in the paper once and only received two phone calls after a week.(I think it ended up being a waste of 40 bucks) I put up 10 fliers at stores/laundry mats,called schools to be on babysitting lists.I dont know how else to get business started.Is it ok to put fliers in peoples mailboxes? I always thought it was a federal offense to get in other peoples mailboxes?!I am a stay at home mom and was a preschool teacher at a daycare center previously.Please help me!:)thanks for helping!

Take your kids places where other kids are and talk to the other parents. Every kids birthday party is a lead. Make some cards to put on more bulletin boards and that people can keep so they can call later.
If you are doing daycare it isn't the same as random babysitting on date nights so make sure you put daycare or preschool in your ads if you offer that and be sure to let them know you are licensed and have been a teacher and if you have first aid or other training.

put fliers in peoles mailbox

Get the word out through family and friends then soon enough you wil start to get recommended.

please try craigslist.org but avoid using UPPER CASE. PEOPLE HATE THAT.

Are you a member of a local church? Check with the ladies there.

Does you newspaper have a free add column in it? Or have you called the radio stations in your area sometimes they offer free spots. Some TV stations have adds on there programs that are free, our 9 and 10 news has advertising on their web site. Put a sign outside your house stating that you do babysitting & to call or stop in for more information.
I hope this helps you some.

Couple of things come to mind.

Flyers taped to the outside of a person's mail box.
Print up business cards at Kinkos.
In the front of most Grocery stores they have areas where local small businesses can put cards for their companies.
In some coffee shops, you'll find bill boards for the same type of thing.
Craigslist. com in your area
Backpage.com in your area
Put it up on your myspace.com account
Let all of your friends know and whenever a new person you meet asks what you do, tell them you're a babysitter rather than a stay at home mom. The more you talk about it, the more luck you're likely to have.

Why don't you put an ad on craigslist.org, it's free.
Mention that you're a former preschool teacher and now stay at home mom, and days/times you're available to babysit. When I'm checking new sitters I tend to call the ones that say references provided upon request and say that they're certified in first aid, that's a big plus. Good luck.

Tough one.As people tend to use a regular from day one and you're breaking into the market.I'd advise (as other answers) to work on the word of mouth angle.What about your kids school /toddler group etc ?.Meeting mums and then offering to childmind does work.Speak to your social services-they always need day care for kids and if you work for them its a good selling point of your proficiency as a carer
Hope it works

Go back to Local day care centers, churches, and recreation centers and offer your profile package to them. ask the if they could send home a fliers and business cards with each student . Just Make Sure You Can Offer A Clear Background Check If A Parent Request. Also go to local businesses and do the same. And try offering some form of a discount for the first week. Go to your local neighborhood City Hall And get a mailing list and mail out your fliers and discount. God Bless You And The Children In Need Of Care!