Just joined and really need help with my post. See I probably did this wrong which is why I need the help. I have paid for a tour in Italy starting 12/1 but I wanted to go 2 days early, so I posted for 11/27.
Also how can I put it out there that dates for start can be flexible? if the link does not work query for Fort Worth starting 11/27. Thank you in advance for your help, I really appreciate it.
Listing added to Forum profile
Hi there!
Firstly, unfortunately there is no way to make your dates âflexibleâ on THS other than simply writing this in your introduction (mentioning it in your title will help too). Make sure you mention how long before your departure you would like a sitter to arrive (most sitters wonât be willing to arrive more than 24hrs before your departure).
Secondly, I took a look at your listing for you. Overall, it appears friendly, inviting and fairly relaxed, but definitely misses some key details. The good news is there are plenty of people here to help & give feedback, and there is still plenty of time to find a sitter before your dates, so donât panic 
Here are some tips for you;
1: Your title is quite long - a sitter can only see the first 6 - 8 words in a listingâs preview before it is cut off, and a sitter has to click the listing to view the full title. Try something short, snappy & exciting like âExplore Fort Worth & the wild west!â
2: Add some more images of your home - sitters often want to see the front of your home, and your garden. I would probably change the cover photo, as to not mislead sitters - a cover photo of bulls may lead sitters to think this is a farm sit with bulls before theyâve even clicked your listing for more info! Instead, use a nice image of your dog or the front of your home as your cover photo.
3: Your introduction is very autobiographical and doesnât do much to keep a sitter engaged. Rather than telling sitters about your hobbies and interests as the (unhelpful) prompt tells you to, tell sitters why they should choose your sit and what they would be gaining. Start off with a strong opening line such as âcome and explore the wild west and all of Fort Worthâs attractions.â
4: Your home and location section gives details about your home but says nothing about your local area. Sitters want to know whatâs in Fort Worth and why they should visit - at the moment you give little reason for sitters to choose your sit. This section is where you really need to sell your sit and describe your area, giving compelling reasons why somebody should visit. Also tell sitters if they will need their own car or if they can use yours.
5: Your responsibilities section needs some more detail. Tell sitters:
Definitely check out this blog for more tips!
Hope that helps!
Hi @sherrystrahla, welcome to the forum.
I have had a look at your listing and I think you should mention something about your location, points of interest, how to get to them⌠You say itâs not accessible by public transport so it would only attract people with their own car or willing to hire one.
Regarding the dates, you should include all the time that you expect the sitter to be in your house, including some overlap, if any. but you can mention in the introduction that thereâs some flexibility in the dates.
Sometimes there are couples sitting together with just one account. If they are already booked for another sit that overlaps yours they wonât be able to even get in touch with you to discuss the possibility of one of them doing part of the sit while the other is doing the other sit already booked. To open a channel of communication, some owners post fake dates quite in advance, like the end of 2025 or something like that, they specify that those dates are not for a real sit but to allow people who are interested in the real dates get in touch and possibly negotiate the dates.
I hope this helps.
Good luck
Welcome to the Forum!
Wow! A trip to Italy sounds exciting. I had the opportunity of visiting Pompei, Rome, and Venice a few years ago. And although it was a lovely experience, I did not want to look at pasta or pizza for a long time. 
I would agree with @Nagy26 and @Newpetlover that you could mention that your dates are flexible in your Introduction. Depending on where the sitters are traveling from, they may or may not want to do a 4-5 day overlap. Usually a one or two day overlap of the start date of the sit suffices for many sitters. I recently accepted a sit whereby I will have a one-day overlap. I will have an overnight stay and the homeowners will depart the next day.
I have a differing opinion than @Nagy26 about your introduction as âvery autobiographical and doesnât do much to keep a sitter engaged.â I felt engaged and I appreciate homeowners who state information about themselves and list their hobbies. I have applied for many sits because the homeowners had listed something in their Introduction that we had in common; e.g. being retired. For homeowners that I would be sitting for, I enjoy learning about them as well as their pets.
You have a lovely home and Tristan is adorable. I would agree with @Nagy26 about changing your first photoâŚWhat about having photo 17 of Tristan as your first photo? You want the first photo toânot onlyâ attract sittersâ attention, but keep their interest by looking at your entire listing. Many sitters may pass by your listing if they see bulls as your first photo.
You mentioned âenjoy the house and surrounding area.â What is Forth Worth, Texas known for? You could elaborate on the selling points of visiting your area.
You also mentioned that Tristan is a trained service dog. You could also elaborate on thatâŚDo you take him to visit patients in a hospital? Does he help with someone who has Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
Good luck!
Thanks @sharondc!
To clarify, I didnât mean not stating any interests & hobbies - but if thatâs all an introduction states, itâs not exactly key info that most sitters are looking for. A strong introduction also tells sitters whatâs in it for them, why they should keep reading and choose this sit, and starts off with a great opening line. Thereâs some more tips in the blog about intros too if you or the OP are interested
I interpret your above statement to mean for the OP to omit her interests and hobbies from her Introduction.
Does writing a blog mean that the blog is the all-true bible for THS? Sorry, but that is the way it comes across. Sorry, but your blog is not beneficial to me as a sitter. As a sitter with close to 40- 5-star sits, I know what I want and what I am looking for.
I find it perfectly fine for homeowners to list their hobbies and interests in their Introduction. It could be just as relevant to list their hobbies and interests in the Home / Location section. They could also list the reasons why sitters should choose their sit in the Home / Location.
THS is not a one-size fit all. What grabs my attention and your attention will differ and will differ from 30 other sitters.
I could have written that statement better to better reflect what I was trying to say, apologies for any confusion. I have also never expected anybody to agree with or follow any tips, advice or opinions I have ever given; I am just trying to help somebody and give suggestions 
It is completely up to the HO if they find the blog or any tips given useful. It was also written for HOâs, not sitters, so was never intended to be beneficial for sitters in the first placeâŚ
I completely understand and agree that THS is never a 1 size fits all, but that doesnât mean somebody isnât allowed to make suggestions and provide articles that may be beneficial. We all have our own views and opinions, and you are completely entitled to your own
I agree with the other suggestions for improving your profile. Definitely Chane the headline because this is all that shows on the thumbnail in the page of listings: âCome see where the West begâŚâ
If it is in your budget, I would make the bedroom a little more inviting - maybe some pictures on the walls and a cheap rug for the floor.
Sitters usually want to know what neighborhood you live in. Not a specific street (yet), but is it Fairmont? Benbrook? Downtown? Is it walking distance to shops, restaurants, bars, museums?
Lots of people need sitters over Thanksgiving, so you need to sell your sit. What is the weather like at that time? What Thanksgiving activities does FW offer. Explain that it is close to Arlington for the sports fans. I live in Dallas, so I know that FW has lots of offer, but most people wouldnât know.
Good luck.
I just read your listing and loved your pictures! I love to see pictures of an uncluttered kitchen! Without reading any other comments on here, the first thing that I noticed missing was any info on the area you live. As a sitter, I know nothing about Fort Worth, Texas - elaborate on why a sitter would like to go there. How close are you to transit, shops, restaurants, community centres, etc. That is very important to me as a sitter and plays a huge part in applying on a sit. Best of luck in finding a suitable sitter!
Howdy @sherrystrahla 
I saw your location and was about to suggest mentioning The Fort Worth Stockyards as a point of interest before I even checked out your profile!
Perhaps better to use an opening photo of your lovely dog or home though and leave the Stockyards one until the end.
We really enjoyed visiting The Stockyards when did a sit in Texas last year, especially as foreigners this was a really unique experience to see the cattle walk! It was like stepping back in time 
Best of luck with your listing.
Great points @Nagy26
Re. No. 2 Totally agree - And theyâre Texas Longhorn cattle - I thought they were bulls before I visited too! Really unique experience to visit the cattle drive at The Stockyards and go back in time to The Wild West if you ever find yourself in Texas!
I think I got instant culture shock 
Hi everyone!
Just a quick note to say Iâve done a little moderation on the discussion as it was potentially going to get a little off topic - nobodyâs on the naughty step - just keen to keep things on track.
As you were!
Thank you!
Jenny 
Thank you very much. I really appreciate your suggestions.
Thank you very much. I really appreciate your suggestions.
Thank you very much. I really appreciate your suggestions.
Thank you very much. I really appreciate your suggestions.