New to this and worried

Hi everybody, very new to this. we had one sat last year and it went brilliantly good reviews from both sides, I have posted dates for this year about a month ago and there have been no applications at all, should I be worried? the holiday is not until June but last time the applications came in so quickly.

We’re new too and posted our first for April. No applicants yet, but I have been reading some great stories. We can’t cancel our trip since it’s a cruise for my mom’s 85th birthday. Fingers crossed!!

You should both add your listing to your forum profile (can someone provide the instruction link please?) so the nice folks here can look at your listings and suggest ways to make them more enticing. June is a ways away, but for April you’ll want to review your listing, make adjustments, maybe even cancel and relist your dates so it shows up as new. Others here know better how that works. Don’t lose hope, sometimes the best sitters show up at the last moment!

Hi, sorry @JohnJen I see you’ve already added your listing link and your sit looks amazing!! How fun to run around the woods all day with those cute dogs. And it looks like you could accommodate a small family?

I think the input you’ll get is that you are limiting your pool due to the sitter needing a car. Rentals are so expensive these days. Could you possibly offer your car? I am an HO in a semi-rural area without public transportation and I have found that it really helps to offer sitters use of my car. Hopefully some seasoned sitters will jump in with more advice. Good luck!

@JohnJen I suggest you mention in your listing where the dogs sleep when they are indoors. Also mention if any of the pets require medication or have any type of special needs. Six dogs may otherwise be overwhelming for some so if they are easy to care for indoors, you need to point that out (but be factual and accurate).

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Hello @JohnJen here is some of my feedback:

Use a different cover photo

The cars and rv’s is a confusing photo, may imply sitter to use.

Add a caption to the photo where the thsitter will sleep

The is no photo of the bathroom.

You have 6 dogs so that may limit the # of sitters that apply

The responsibilities are not very clear.
The dogs running around the woods all day to me is a RED flag.

Good luck…

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Thanks for the advise. I worry about lending my car because it’s kind of new and expensive. The animals are all in good health, even the old ones. I’ll add it to the description.

I have also not received any applications yet. My profile has my listing linked. First time with this, advice welcome!

Thanks! I’ll make some adjustments (the camper will be with us :laughing:)

@JulieD Your headline could be more effective. This is your marketing tool. We know you’re in Columbus. With 5 cats, it’s also likely you want a cat lover. How about ‘car negotiable’ - that will more likely draw someone in.

By only offering a single bed you are limiting your sitter pool significantly. Although many sitters don’t like to use the owner’s bed, is it an option and is it a double or larger? If so, you may want to consider that.

I hope that your last photo is not indoors as it doesn’t reflect a clean environment. It really could make some sitters concerned.

@JohnJen the comment about lending a vehicle wasn’t from me. I’m not a supporter of that, because of the complex reasons why it could create problems. If you search with the spy glass you’ll find many posts on that topic. I do, however, understand why it was suggested.

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It would also be good to add how long your pets can be left alone and call out how long it takes to get to all those lovely places you’ve mentioned as well as places like the airport, nearest grocery/pharmacies, i.e. the things HS would need. If there is any transit option, it’s also a good idea to list those as well. X

Thank you all for the advice! This is very helpful to see through other’s eyes. I’ve made adjustments and ran around the house taking pics :slight_smile: Hopefully this will be a success! and we could take mom on the cruise for her 85th, worry free.

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I think a considerable number of people especially in the US will be very anxious about dogs running free all day and that could limit your applicants. Our dog is let out to run free for 1-2 hours a day (safe rural location, no predators, dog has tracker, tracker history clearly shows he stays in the fields around the house) and it is definitely an issue for some people. 6 dogs would make it even more so! An unneutered tomcat might also put a lot of people off. I hope it works out for you but I do think it would be no harm to have a Plan B.