Hi everyone!
I recently joined. I was told London was a hot spot and would be easy to get sitters but I am not finding that at all, so I am disappointed with TH having taken out the premium membership as a host and sitter.
Lots of sitters are saving me but very few applicants. I know I have restricted myself as I prefer a single female. My home is the suburbs of London and nothing spectacular. I live in a lovely area and think my house is clean and comfortable. But are sitters just looking for amazing homes with pool etc? Are my responsibilities too much? I have said it can be flexible. Any tips ( without being too critical please) on how I can attract more sitters to apply , and not just save my listing.
(Listing has been added to the member’s profile by the Forum team)
There are many factors that may influence whether you gain applicants - from your dates, to sit length, to listing expectations and attractivness. Don’t worry though, as there’s plenty of lovely members here to help!
@rssc2010 I appreciate your question.
Not being able to see your post, I cannot make any specific comment.
I guess London is still very popular!
While I’d now personally choose places more in the countryside, for me it is sufficient that it is a nice clean place, but not necessarily luxury. Good reviews from sitters unless it is a first sitting. Parking if I have a car or close to transports.
I would say it might depend on the dates of the sitting, usually it is easier to find sitters in Summer, but London is popular all year round.
My guess is that there are many sittings in UK and perhaps sitters have more chances to choose? I wish there were so many in Ireland where I’m currently looking for Perhaps Brexit has any impact on lower applications? Speaking of sitters coming from abroad…
When did you post your advertizement and when would be the sitting for? Some people want to take some time in choosing and if the sitting is quite ahead you’ll have all the time to get applicants.
I hope it can be of any help.
Hopefully you’ll find a suitable sitter for your pet.
What do you mean by «few applicants?» You can only have 5-ish before your listing goes into review-mode. Then you have to go through your applicants and do the follow-up. Decline or go forward. If you decline you open up space for more to apply.
Keep in mind though that you only need one good match. If you find someone that seems a good match, go forward and set up a videocall. Sitters are encouraged to apply for several sits and other hosts might confirm your applicants if you do not proceed. Going on a «quest for the best sitter» might end up in losing the good ones.
Personally I see it as a red flag if hosts don’t proceed in a timely manner, and it is not a great sign either if a listing often come up again for the same sit as if the host is not satisfied with any of the applicants. From your post it seems like you should be able to get sitters, but if you’d like I’m sure many can offer input on how to make the listing more appealing. Often it could be just small things.
If lots have saved you, this is only a guess as I have not seen your listing but are your dates soon? Some who travel plan weeks or months ahead. They like what they see or they would not have saved it. Another thought is the amount of pets you have. Is it a reasonable amount for a female on her own. I would open your sit up to couple and men as well. I understand you may not want an entire family but what would be your reservation about couples or single men.
It may be helpful to link your listing. Good Luck!
@rssc2010, London is a hot spot. And probably popular with housesitters from out-of-London. Unable to provide specific feedback as you didn’t link to listing but here are a few ideas that may help:
Ensure photographs are clutter-free and include images of all key areas (inc housesitter bedroom and kitchen). Many housesitters run away from clutter.
Consider reasonableness of pet responsibilities. Many housesitters have red-flags based on pet care expectations. This can include number/complexity of pets; likely issues in pet care (e.g. aggressive dogs); intensiveness of care per day (e.g. many hours daily dog walk); separation anxiety (e.g. unable to leave pets for reasonable duration); pet rules (e.g. pet sleep in human bed)
Consider duration of housesit. Pet Parent expectations for a 2-day housesit are probably different than for a 2-month housesit. The longer the duration, the more latitude a housesitter may expect (they have to live their lives too).
Review listing content. Some applicants may not be local. Provide details of local public transit, local restaurants/supermarkets, attractions, etc.
I don’t believe that “sitters are just looking for amazing homes with pool”. But they do seek a fair trade. If you’re not receiving applicants then, for one reason or another, potential housesitters may not perceive the listing as attractive or fair.
London is a popular destination for sitters . Sits in the suburbs are also attractive to sitters , if they have good transport connections into central London and the sitter will have enough free time between pet sitting responsibilities to travel into London and visit the attractions .
We can’t see your listing - it’s not been linked to your profile yet -
If you would like some feedback on your listing you can ask the forum admin to add it to your profile @Jenny@Sam_F .
Hi I am new to this as well and only had a few applications. I am not totally sure how it works. They apply, you accept then video call? Then what? TY in advance.
Sitters Apply ( up to 5 and then the listing is paused )
You select a sitter that seems suitable and have a video call before accepting them .
You make a decision after that video call - either offer them the sit or decline their application. ( Do this via your dashboard.)
The sitter then has to decide if to accept or decline your invitation to sit .
If they accept, it shows as a confirmed sit on your dashboard . Once a sit has been confirmed by both parties - neither party can cancel unless they both agree or there is an exceptional circumstance.
You share your Welcome Guide and your address with the sitter ( THS do not do this for you )
Keep in regular contact with your sitter prior to the sit start date and if not already discussed agree the finer details like arrival / departure times etc .
(Many prefer to use What’s App for this messaging and for contact during the sit )
@Grace1215 There’s so much helpful information for new members on the THS website that I’d recommend you read some of it. Just click on the Help section and then type what you want to know.
If you haven’t already, make sure you read the Code of Conduct and Terms of Service as you have agreed to them when you joined.
If you have had a few applications (5 is the max) & you like the sound of one or some of them then do not delay. Respond asap & set up the video call(s) and then you can BOTH decide if you want to go ahead. It is not advisable to send an invite before a call as you and the potential sitter would be wise to chat first, talk details, pets and check you have a nice connection. If you wait too long @Grace1215 (more than 48 hours as an example), many sitters will remove their application and move on. This platform is all about timely, clear comms for the exchange to work well. You can happily talk to more than one applicant, just be clear with everyone what your intentions are. #dontdelay
@rssc2010 we’re in the UK, at the moment you’re putting all sitters into one box because you haven’t got a result so add the link to your profile, and ask for feedback, it’s amazing how many owners this forum has helped simply by offering advice about an owners profile.
There are so many different types of sitters on here, and we’re all different. Yes, we’ve stayed in amazing homes with pools, but that isn’t our go-to type of place, because we’ve also stayed in a caravan, a one bed retirement flat, small terraced houses etc. It’s about the experience.
Amazing homes and pools take a lot more maintenance tasks usually, and we’re in our 50’s and 60’s so it’s fine now and again, but not every week of the year (we sit full time).
Preferring a single female will limit your audience so it will take slightly longer to find someone, but there’s still plenty of single female sitters on THS.
The one thing that a lot of owners miss out, is about who you are, because its an owner that writes our reviews, so check you’ve got that covered, but add your link and we’ll help you, they’re a fantastic bunch on here for helping with profiles.
I have had a look at your listing and I am really surprised that you don’t have enough applicants. I’m not sure if there’s something wrong because, although I can follow your link, I don’t get your listing if I do a search.
Your pets look adorable and I would apply if the dates matched.
Same as @Newpetlover in that I can’t see your listing as live which could be the issue @rssc2010 a few tweaks that might help appeal to sitters, change the title to “Hang out in Wanstead with four legged friends” or “Easy pooch & cats looking for company” or similar? A picture of the dog’s lovely face close up would grab more attention; add some things the sitter can do nearby (you mention Westfield but that’s all); put the loo seat down and retake the bathroom picture and show the shower if there is one. Annoyingly if you search for Wanstead you get Godalming, Maidenhead, Beaconsfield all up the top so that’s not helping you. Perhaps reach out to MS for some assistance too? #bestofluck
You’re welcome. Membership services. Probably quickest way for them to help you is talk to the chat bot but ask for a human (twice) and you’ll get an agent that way. #checkitsislive
Perhaps Brexit has any impact on lower applications? Speaking of sitters coming from abroad…
a few tweaks that might help appeal to sitters, change the title to “Hang out in Wanstead with four legged friends” or “Easy pooch & cats looking for company” or similar? A picture of the dog’s lovely face close up would grab more attention; add some things the sitter can do nearby (you mention Westfield but that’s all); put the loo seat down and retake the bathroom picture and show the shower if there is one. Annoyingly if you search for Wanstead you get Godalming, Maidenhead, Beaconsfield all up the top so that’s not helping you. Perhaps reach out to MS for some assistance too?