I know a lot of people (myself included) already are linking to their listing from their forum profile, but what about the other way around? I’m considering doing this myself but am wondering if there are any pitfalls I’m not considering. My theory is that this will cut down on sitters applying to dates they can’t commit to just to open a line of communication, because they have the option to message on this forum.
2 Likes
That’s an interesting workaround! My experience is that very few members even know the forum exists so they might be a little confused, and I’m not sure you can add active links to your profile, but I think it’s a good idea to try it if you’re interested in receiving random inquiries.
2 Likes
That’s a really interesting way of thinking. The only problem I can see is if you have posted a problem on the forum before, as a lot of sitters are in a positive frame of mind when looking for sits, so they can see everything you have posted, warts and all. Also, a lot of sitters (& HO’s) don’t know the forum even exists, so they could come onto it and it could put them in a negative frame of mind with it being a problem solving platform, and stress them out, rather than remaining upbeat about your profile.
But very interesting concept. But the easiest thing to do, would be if HO’s would automatically reach out to message anyone who likes/favourites their profile that seem like a good match, just say thank you for hearting their profile, and then if the sitter has anything they’d like to say they can take it from there.
1 Like
@Shafofo I have seen Rover URLs in some sitter profiles, so it seems like it can be done! Hoping the random inquiries are limited to sitters applying to active dates 
@HappyDeb I’m all for transparency, so having prospective sitters read through my previous posts isn’t a con for me-- actually, maybe it’ll prompt bad fits to self-filter if they read what I’ve said and think I’m crazy 
That said, you do raise a good point about the negativity on this forum! That’s something to chew on.
I like the idea of reaching out to sitters as they favorite my listing, but I no longer get emails about it. Even when I did, I was never really able to tell who the most recent sitter was, unless I combed through the list and tried to match the tiny profile photo. I think I read somewhere on this forum that the list is now in chronological order, but I haven’t had a chance to verify that yet. I’ve moved a few times since joining THS so the bulk of those who’ve saved my listing are probably not interested in my current location.
1 Like
That’s genius! I’ve turned off notifications because my favorites list was so unhelpful, but now I see how my opening a line of communication could make it useful all around. 
3 Likes
@adelia I have my forum username as part of the first paragraph of my About section on my profile. I didn’t do it to open up communication, but I see how that could be useful.
I do stand by anything I write on the forum, whether it’s in helping a member, or giving compliments or complaints to TrustedHousesitters. I have no concerns about a host reading my forum content, but not everyone feels that way about theirs.
I appreciate a thorough host and those who take the time to review my profile on the forum show that they are thorough in their selection process. I also tend to be drawn to those who aim for a relationship with me, and vice versa. So far this has worked well for me. Hosts who read my forum profile mention it to me and often say it’s part of the reason they selected me. 
4 Likes
I used to link my forum profile to my sitter profile, but delinked them after receiving some outlandish msgs. One for instance involved someone asking me to help their grown son find a job. They’d apparently read my sitter bio and said they liked the way I described my company at the time.
Previously, I did sit for hosts who mentioned that they’d read my forum comments and posts.
2 Likes