Here’s something I don’t get, as an old biddy who’s been typing on a keyboard since she was 4 (that’s 1965, for anyone who’s interested) and does it very quickly (70 wpm at the last count).. And who’s very happy using the THS website, on a laptop..
How do those of you who only use the app write personalised, thoughtful applications? Which are the only sort I send.
I’ve seen Da Yoof wop-wopping away at their phone screens with their thumbs and it depresses me, because on a tiny screen, I can only type with my right forefinger. Ponk - ponk… Ponk… Which means it’d take far, far longer to write an application on a phone than on my laptop keyboard. In fact, for popular sits, if I were stuck with just my phone, by the time I’d sent my application off, the sit would have gone to Reviewing..
Is this why we read so many applications just say “I’d really like your sit. Please see my profile” ?
Or are my lengthy, personalised, keyboard-written applications a waste of time and effort?
Write a draft application in your notes with the main content like pet names xxxxxxx location xxxxxxx host names xxxxx and then you personalise it in the notes. Copy and paste it into the application. Our applications 95 % is pre written and the 5% is personalised. Works for us. Source: old person whose first writings were using a chisel and sandstone.
Got notification of a perfect sit once while out and about. Had to apply quickly. Quickly tapping on my phone in a bouncing car, passenger, not driving. Managed to get out something along the lines of I really want this sit but am in a car and will send a better application soon. I think we got it. In the name of efficiency I probably should do a pre saved but I figure at least if I get the application open I can continue it.
I have several drafts pre written depending on the location. If I’m in a rush I’ll send a place marker application with a promise to write more later, plus I’ll send a friendly photo saying where I am. Today we were at the Wisley Flower Show, Surrey UK.
That is a good point. You can have the THS app on your iPad, and if you have a keyboard cover, it is just like typing on your desktop computer. Much more portable. I don’t travel without my iPad and iPhone.
My partner uses notes for all sorts of things so she can post from her phone. I don’t bother - I just use my laptop as much as possible for anything longer than text-length messaging. But I do admire her ability to do this.
I was 8 in 1965 (certainly don’t think of myself as ‘an old biddy’) and am in awe of people who use two thumbs to text on their phones. As for the app, I’ve tried it on several occasions and just don’t like it compared with the website. I’ve never had a problem sending an application via the website and will continue to use that. I don’t have drafts but write a personaliste application for each listing, although I always start off with “Please have a read of my profile and reviews, if you wish, to find out more about me” as find there’s little point repeating what’s there.
I use iPads and iPhones and have a keyboard from many years ago that sits unused, as it turns out.
When I’ve applied via THS, I’ve used a keyboard shortcut — my templated message spits out when I type a three-character combo. Then I fill in the blanks and type anything I want to change or add in particular for any given sit.
I’ve never sent an application that’s less than finished, because that takes me little time. I just open the application box on one browser screen, to keep it active, while I fill out my templated application message on my notes app. Then I paste the finished application message into the THS text box. Writing in my notes app lets me see my entire application message without scrolling in THS’s application text box.
That is really the best way to do it, especially for anyone who sends many applications! Good point about the tiny THS text box!
There is another old thread perhaps by @Colin about applications. Their application technique has served them well. I will try to find it, as it might help some newer members!
As it’s still so useful, I’ve closed the discussion (so it can’t receive new replies) and moved it back to the ‘Sitter’ category to make it easier to find.
My solution to this problem is to politely ask my spouse to prepare/submit application
Like @Oztravels - we use optional, modular paragraphs to supplement personalized sections. For example- we have a paragraph that requests use of pet parent vehicle, and related info, that we copy-paste into application if relevant.
You remind me of the experience of a Scottish friend, whose arthritis forced her to use voice dictation to write her PhD thesis. Wanting a colloquial tone at one point, she used the old expression “Up hill and down dale”. Marvellously, it was rendered on paper as “Killed! And damn Dale!”
. In the name of efficiency I probably should do a pre saved but I figure at least if I get the application open I can continue it.
