Hi everyone, I’m new to Trusted Housesitters and am looking for some feedback on my listing. I’ve had over 20 people favourite it, so I’m assuming it’s coming across well, but only 1 application. I realize we haven’t posted far enough in advance but the circumstances are that we had a friend that was going to sit that cancelled, so now we’re scrambling. Just wanting to make sure that there isn’t something else about the listing that might be making people hesitant to apply? Thanks very much in advance for your experienced feedback.
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I just read your listing and I’m saving it as well. All the information you provide about the area and your pets and the good pictures, spot on! Totally doubt thats why few applicants and you may get more . The dates dont align for folks, so they save your listing for possible future dates that do or might.
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You’ve already got a good profile, but personally I’d tweak your first paragraph in your intro a little, as it’s the first one sitters read, and then they decide to read on, or click away.
I hope this helps, please don’t take it the wrong way, because you have a good profile! It’s all about your first paragraph in the Intro part.
Within the first few lines of your profile you ask for “(preferably) experience with house rabbits”, so it could be that those without HOUSE rabbit experience may think you would rather choose an applicant with house rabbit experience, and may rules themselves out at that point, and move on to the next ad, so personally I’d drop the experience words altogether, because caring for rabbits is teachable (with the right sitter). Because I’m sure you wouldn’t rule out someone who had cared for outdoor rabbits, or had an abundance of other pet care reviews who loved learning about how to care for different pets, and the wording within their reviews backed that up. Just leave it more open and see who you get applying, you can then reject whoever you don’t think is a good fit.
Also, I’d put cats rather than felines, as it’s a multi-cultural site, so some don’t speak English as their first language. Feline is similar in a lot of languages, but it could potentially make it easier at first glance for others.
You’ve also put your first paragraph as questions, and finished it with “Then this may be the sit for you!”. I, personally don’t like sales-speel when talking about cute and cuddly pets, you don’t have to convince me like in a normal sales ad, because I would have already clicked into your profile to read that part, and I already know your furry family looks amazing!
In that first paragraph what I as a sitter like to know straight away is who I’m helping out, because I need to feel like I know who you are, I need to feel some sort of connection to you, I’m in it for the love of pets but you’re the one writing our review, and I learned nothing about you as a couple in that first paragraph, so there’s a disconnect, and I’m less likely to read on. It’s great to put about your pet family in a fun way, but I also need a little light hearted info about yourselves, eg YOU love living near the ocean, bla bla bla, rather than asking me if I like it.
Then in the next paragraph you’ve used the word ‘vital’ which is a serious and critical word, which again, adds to the disconnect, but only with the first paragraph being the way it is. I wouldn’t have thought anything of it otherwise.
But like I said, you have a good profile already, and you’ve got gorgeous pets. Your dates are getting closer, but cat and rabbit sits typically get filled quite quickly, even one’s with medication, so fingers crossed you’ll find your perfect sitter quickly.
It is highly likely the sitters who saved your profile couldn’t make your dates work for them. But if there’s any of them that you feel looks perfect, you could always ask them to apply, but given the time-scale write a personal message to accompany it as though you’ve read their profile, just a short message is fine. It’s a long shot, but you never know.
Good luck
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It looks like a great sit! I really like that the cats can explore the backyard as you have cat fencing. I had the same thing for my cats. I really like your rabbit is free and not kept in a cage! If I was looking to travel to Canada I would apply. I don’t have rabbit
Experience which would be a draw for me as I would love to experience living with them and seeing how their personalities are. Why only people with rabbit experience? I think people can do a quick study watching YouTube videos, reading books, etc. maybe have them arrive at your home 24 hours before you leave to observe the care of the rabbit and help them interact.
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I appreciate your feedback, thanks!
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Thanks for the detailed reply, much appreciated.
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I think your profile and home look great. I think it can just take a little time so be patient. Good luck!
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