Sitters need to picture themselves living in the spaces depicted in your listing, so make them as inviting as possible. Sofabeds/daybeds evoke an instant pass from us, so unless the daybed is where sitters will sleep, I’d remove that pic. Likewise for lumpy pillows; they just aren’t appealing and suggest the rest of the bedding might be a bit past its best, too.
Your location on the lakeside is your main attraction and you mention sunset views over the lake from your windows in your listing, yet that isn’t substantiated by your photos.
The images show your animals in both summer and winter scenes. I’d suggest choosing those which best reflect the season of your sit.
Also, I think most sitters have given great feedback. As a HO - posting a sit in October in Michigan - would most people think it is warm enough to sleep in an unheated room?
As a HO, I would suggest you just state your heated master is where the sitters will sleep. The other room can be optional but really I wouldn’t volunteer for that in October, personally.
I say this because it comes across as wishy washy, like maybe you really hope they will sleep in the unheated room - but not reasonable if there is a heated alternative, so just state that outright.
Your location sounds wonderful, it would definitely appeal to us if we were planning to visit the US.. Donkeys are also on our wishlist of pets to care for.
I’m pleased to see that you are open to families. We are a family of 3 (mum and teen boys), so my feedback relates to ehat we might want to see in a listing.
When I read your description of the home, you mentioned that 2 sofas / couches were comfortable for sleeping. It wasn’t clear whether these were actual sofa beds, or just ordinary couches that could be slept on. My sons are happy with sofa beds, but wouldn’t want to sleep on an ordinary couch. It would be a good idea to be clear about this in the text of your listing, so that sitters don’t click away from your listing without looking at the photos. As others have said, you should make clear that sitters can sleep in the main bedroom. Then say something like “If additional beds are required, we have 2? comfortable sofa beds but 1 (or both) is in an unheated area of the home.”
I personally would like to see photos of all 3 sleeping options.
I think the picture of the donkeys with the lake view would make an eye catching first photo. They steal the show as an opportunity to spend time with more unusual pets . They are adorable. Along with the sweet kitty and dog it sounds wonderful. I’m booked up at the moment but it looks very nice.
Welcome, Sarah! Thanks for asking for our input. That garden looks wonderful and so do those views. Do you have a season appropriate photo of it? It won’t look like that in October. I would put the use of the car in the title and in the opening description because that can be a big draw. TBH the home looks cluttered and filled with ‘stuff” IMO. For me that would be a deal breaker. To be fair that is not true for all sitters. Clean the desk before photographing it or don’t include the picture. It comes across as rushed and unprepared. I need to see a full photo of the kitchen and a closer pic of the dining area. Way too many pet pics. One or two of each pet is enough. Remember sitters are sifting through many possible sits and can get tired of multiple pic viewing. Don’t post the same pic twice. It is a shame you won’t allow children because that cuts out families and they are usually the ones interested in farm animal sitting. “only 15 min a day”? Really? I find that difficult to believe especially with that very lengthy responsibilities section which I did not read thoroughly because it is far too Long. Big turn off. You include the use of a car in amenities then say it “may be arranged”.. hmmm, ok. Sounds challenging. Any info about grocery shopping near by? An old dog is not really a plus for sitters. They are typically more work and more risk. I wouldn’t highlight that fact. The area is gorgeous and many sitters want to be remote so I don’t think the rural aspect is a challenge. The rest of what I mentioned I think is.
I can’t really tell how much info to put in each box; I put in details of activities that take 15 minutes twice a day. Reading about them might take longer than doing them :-).
@Keweenaw_Sarah I understood your listing as being open to families, with just a little warning of potential hazards, particularly for patents of very young children. I found that part welcoming and informative.
When I open your listing, one of age “highlights” that appears at the top is that you are open to families with chikdren aged 13 - 17 (the age category my sons fall into). I assume a sitter with children of a different age would see the appropriate age group in the “highlights” presented to them. So you have ticked the right boxes to show that you are open to families. I think @Worldsitter1 maybe just misread that part.
You can also note if there is a space heater (or an electric blanket) that can be used in the room - then maybe ok for early fall/late spring (assuming the room has electricity, which you should also clarify - if it doesn’t maybe you can buy an inexpensive propane heater and some really snuggly cozy and thick blankets for fall.
Propane heaters in bedrooms are a REALLY bad idea. Too many people don’t realize the danger and go to sleep with them on. Every year, there are stories in the news from around the world about tourists/visitors going to bed and never waking up. Too often, it’s couples or entire families and all the household pets. Tragic.
I’ll take my chances with a hot water bottle.
@Happypets Sitters can see these age ranges if their sitter profile also includes children in one or more of those age ranges. It appears as one of the “highlights” at the top of the listing when opened.
Sitters who don’t include children they may occasionally bring on a sit in their profile won’t be shown these highlights. However @Keweenaw_Sarah has also made it clear in the text of her listing that she is open to families.
