Advice needed for Newbie

Hi just popping on to say hello. I’m new to TH. Retired couple in our 60s with beautiful rescue girl.
I posted my first sit request at the weekend but as yet have had no applications. Is this usual? I am wondering if I have done something wrong or how,I can encourage applications. Getting a bit anxious as sit is gor a few weeks time. Any advice would be welcomed.

4 Likes

Add your listing to your profile here and experienced sitters can give you feedback:

How to add a listing or profile link to your FORUM profile.

6 Likes

Welcome to forum @Mrsmac !

Depending on location it can surely take a few days, but maybe can something be done in regard to your listing as Maggie8k suggest.

Many fellow members here that would be happy to help out with tips to improve your listing, should you wish to. We can’t see your listing unless you link it it your forum profile. Sometimes small things can work wonders.

5 Likes

Welcome to the forum @Mrsmac. If you press the Help button on your Dashboard then type in Create the Perfect Listing, you will get results to check whether you have covered everything. Here’s one for you to read.
How to create the perfect owner listing | TrustedHousesitters.com

5 Likes

Hi everyone

Thanks to those who replied with advice. I think I have now added my listing to this thread. Would anybody please take a look for me and give me some honest feedback as to what I can do to encourage sitters. I still haven’t had any takers and getting very anxious as dates are getting closer. I am going to invite some sitters also - is this a good idea? Many thanks in advance.

2 Likes

I think your listing is perfect. Lots of good pictures and nice details on the house, the area and the responsibilities. The dates aren’t suited to me unfortunately, otherwise I would apply immediately. And Zia is beautiful :heart_eyes:

2 Likes

Zia looks cute and you sound like nice, easy going hosts @mrsmac so that’s a great start. A few things to do - change the cover photo to one of Zia to catch attention, change the title to “Chilled sit with Zia the pooch in pretty Staffs” or similar (Staffordshire gets lost in the listing so needs to be a bit shorter). How long are the walks? Where does Zia sleep? Those are both key bits of info for the sitter. It’s lovely that you’re off to Japan in March (us too funnily enough), but the sitter needs to know why they should come to you, what’s in it for them and why should they choose you? Things to do, enjoy, you’ve put some in the home part but sell it up front a bit more as the UK is competitive. Could you make your sit family friendly as you mention three bedrooms? Other members will also give you some tips & you still have a bit of time yet so no panic. #japanjaunt

3 Likes

Personally I think some of your photo’s need editing, as some of them are a little lacklustre (sorry). For example, if you take a look at the photo of the sink with the plants on the window, ask yourself if that would that make you want to make a real effort to travel to stay there, just based on that one photo? Then ask yourself the same thing for each and every photo. If it doesn’t make YOU want to travel, then leave it out.

Don’t worry too much about putting as many photos as you can, as it’s more important that every single photo makes a sitter want to travel there. So if it looks lacklustre, don’t put it in.

So personally, you already have a good image of your kitchen, great ones of gorgeous Zia etc. So I would remove the photo of:-

The kitchen sink with the plants on the window photo.
The washer photo (because most homes in the UK have one, and it should be listed in your amenities section, that’s where we look for it).
Remove the bedroom lilac wall photo (there’s no need to show it, the bed is more important, and that looks lovely).

Also, if I were you, I’d take another photo of your bathroom, with the clutter around the sink cleared away (ie remove the toothbrushes, flannels, etc).

Your first/main photo is THE most important one, however, yours is a pretty standard fell image, so it wouldn’t make me personally click to see the other photos because I can take a fell walk in a lot of places in the UK. Whereas the one of Zia with the pumpkin makes me smile and giggle, or choose one of the ones that help ‘sell’ your property in the best light. I am not saying you need to remove the fell one, just make your first image, the best one you have, re-arrange them, where your best one shows first.

Hope that helps, Zia looks gorgeous, and you live in a beautiful area, so I am sure if you make some tweaks you won’t have to wait long before you find your perfect sitter.

3 Likes

It seems you have made several changes, your listing comes across as friendly and attractive in many ways.

In the intro. there aren’t compelling reasons for me to continue reading and not scroll on to the next listing. As I understand, THS prompts hosts to tell about themselves in this section (which is fine!) but I first need to know why I want to choose to read this listing. An example could be:

Discover the charm of Rugeley, an old market town on the river Trent with a rich history. Nestled on the outskirts at Etchinghill, our cozy mid-terrace home offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by countryside. Enjoy the pleasant garden, convenient on-road parking, and a separate garage block. With easy access to Stafford, Lichfield, and Birmingham via bus and train, exploring the area is a breeze. Plus, we’re within walking distance of Cannock Chase, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, perfect for outdoor adventures. Zia would be happy to come along!

7 Likes

Hi @Mrsmac

Welcome to the Community.

Listings are often a subjective topic - different things will appeal to different people.

I’m delighted to see that there’s some great tips/opinions from community members in this discussion already. Similar to @Garfield’s advice, I recommend taking your favourite tips and tweaking what you have.

@temba also linked to our official guide which I think hits all the important points.

For a more in-depth list, some community members recently shared their own perfect listings in this discussion.

@Fatamorgana shared this

And, @Nagy26 shared this

I hope that helps.

2 Likes

I’d mention some of the attractions nearby e.g. Shugborough and what there actually is to see in Stafford and Rugeley. Some people might like the Designer Outlet Centre in Cannock. Can they have use of your car or might it be wise to specify that one could be handy or else the charms of Rugeley could pall after a fortnight without one? Lastly I didn’t see how long your dog could be left and whether she travels okay in a car. Good luck!