We used to really quickly get lots of applications, we live in a holiday destination. Now we haven’t received any, I had it up for two weeks and thought maybe there was an issue with my listing not showing up so I took it down and redid it but still nothing, I know we have two dogs and live in the countryside but how has it gone from getting applications the day we put up up to nothing at all? Any tips? Getting a bit desperate for a sitter!
Anglesey is beautiful, it’s a stunning idyllic place. I know your dates are coming around fast and you’ve only given it 2 weeks, whereas most give a few months, but I’m really surprised you haven’t filled it on Anglesey.
Don’t take this heart, you have a lovely place, but personally I’d remove about 10 of your photos, as some are lacklustre, and some are really AMAZING, but the lacklustre ones bring it down. Thin them out, that way they’ll all look brilliant, amazing, fantastic. We don’t need 4 pics of your kitchen, when it shows the same things, plus it delays us from getting to your fun pics.
I’d remove:
The sitting room TV one - You have 2 others of the same room which are better.
You’ve 2 images showing the en-suite loo & sink, remove 1.
You’ve 4 pics of the kitchen - pick your best 2.
You’ve 2 pics of the dining table, remove the one that doesn’t show the table/chairs clearly.
Remove the pic of the bed end/window/drawers, because your other pics give a clearer idea of the sleeping arrangements.
Remove Sam on the grey/white rug… you’ve better ones.
Remove Sam at the back door, there’s dirty shoes/and the leaves make it look cluttered too.
Remove Sam at the small lake on the yellow grass, you’ve better pics.
Remove Otis at the door in his bed, you’ve better pics.
and
Reposition the pic where Otis is smiling with Sam in the background, it’s a brilliant pic, position it straight after your home ones to capture your sitters hearts, because it will make anyone smile straight away.
I know it’s hard to remove pics of your pets, but your fantastic pet pics look like so much fun, so uplifting, and so adorable, so get rid of the filler pics.
Hope that helps.
4 Likes
I agree with the suggestions that @HappyDeb makes re your photos.
The issue some sitters may have is the less than 5* review you received from one of your sitters and who you also did not give 5*. That sitter raised several concerns re your dogs which you responded to but I notice you have not included some of this information in your actual listing which might help. You say you are getting desperate for a sitter. Was this perhaps the case for confirming that sitter?
Anglesey is a lovely destination in summer but perhaps not so much in October.
If you remove your dates then re-list them, your sit will become New again instead of being labelled Low Applications. It will then come to the notice of sitters again.
4 Likes
Because hosts are joining faster than sitters, there are now more sits than sitters. That means sitters can be more selective, so even longtime hosts who used to easily get sitters need to compete harder for sitters now. It can be even more challenging if you’ve been dinged by previous sitters in reviews.
If possible, maybe offer use of your car, which might widen your potential sitter pool.
2 Likes
Also agree with @temba and @HappyDeb’s feedback. Spot on! How about offering to pick up a sitter from a local train or bus station and ordering their groceries in online? It sounds as if you can walk to a pub and a small shop so two weeks off grid with the pooches might suit some people? You’ll also attract more international sitters that way as rentals are so expensive for them. It’s half term week so a small family might love the break. Have you ticked that tab to make sure you’re capturing them too? #angleseyrocks
1 Like
We keep a list in a spreadsheet of previous applicants and also make some notes about anything of relevance such as if they are available during certain periods. This time around I reached out to about a dozen sitters who were in my list, either via the THS message system or WhstsApp if I had that information from the last time.
We reached out to about a dozen of sitters on our list and one of them confirmed within a day.
Even if you didn’t make a list, your inbox has all of that information.
2 Likes
Thanks everyone, I’ve done everything you guys have said for the profile (some things I could t figure out how to do!) and I’ve contacted past sitters. Thank you!
6 Likes
Great job! If you pause it and relist it then it should lose the low apps badge and get a “new listing” one instead which is more appealing. #ifonlywesatwales 
💕
1 Like
Thank you, done!
I can’t see any pics/description of the outside of the house or garden - most sitters will want to know what sort of house they are staying in and how close the neighbours are.
I also notice that you don’t seem to have any/many repeat sitters, which could be a red flag to some sitters. Maybe it’s your remoteness that is putting repeat sitters off but asking sitters why they don’t want to return could let you know about any issues you need to address.
1 Like
It may just be the dates . Many of your previous sits have been for shorter duration and over summer months .
We have a sit for these exact dates in October ( which was confirmed 5 - 6 months ago ) since confirming that sit, we have received at least 5x other invitations for the same dates .
A search for sits in Wales in October brings up 47 listings .
For your specific date range there are over 70 sits listed ( duration 1 week and over )
It appears that currently there are far more sits than sitters available.
1 Like
Aberffraw beach is probably the best beach on Anglesey, I think you need to really big it up a bit more! I know its october, but there will be people (like me) who would still get in the sea! Get some more photos of the mountains in, too as that will appeal.
Offering to pick sitters up is a good idea, would you go as far as bangor or holyhead to pick up potential sitters?
We would apply but I don’t think we could handle your dogs. That said, I am sure you will get a suitable applicant as it is such a beautiful area.
4 Likes
As a sitter that review detailing some pretty bad pet behavior would stop me from applying. It sounds like a lot to deal with. I think that is going to be an on going issue for you sadly. I would invest in some training and detail that in your listing once it is completed.