I think the style of writing helps getting a good match.
I tried to make a longer application after I joined forum, as some here said that was Ā«betterĀ». I experienced a lower acceptance rate, I shortened my draft and got more sits. It might be a coincidence, ofc - but it could be that different people prefer different approaches.
So I just do my thing, and hope for better matches just being myself - with shorter applications and less spread of personal data.
Right. Thereās not one way to land sits. If you have an approach that works for you, thatās all that matters.
For me, my mid-length application usually leads to hosts saying something like, you sound like our kind of sitter. Then we promptly do a video chat thatās usually brief, because itās a mutual confirmation, and we quickly agree on the sit.
If you have a lot of strong reviews, that tends to tip things in your direction anyway.
Plus, your demographic matters. Like I sit solo as an older woman who telecommutes. Thatās quickly landed me sits, including many unsolicited offers, right from the get-go of joining THS. Back then, I didnāt even bother with references (still have never bothered).
The first sit I accepted was an unsolicited offer ā two easy little dogs, lovely hosts and home, use of a late-model car, my choice of three guest rooms. I chose the one with glass doors to the beautiful yard, taken care of by a regular gardener. They also had a weekly cleaner. Hosts treated me to cocktails and dinner and said eat whatever I wanted from their full pantry. The dogs had had back surgeries and didnāt even need walking. They slept a lot and had access to the backyard during all daylight hours.
I flew in, because that sit was on the opposite U.S. coast from me. The neighborhood was beautiful and near loads of amenities.
Plus, I tested out Nomador early on during my THS membership, to see whether it might yield sits in places where THS isnāt strong. I just pasted in my THS profile and linked to THS reviews and quickly got offers, including unsolicited ones.
I donāt mind a short application. As @Garfield suggested, Iām more interested in whether the style and tone feels like a good match. I like to know briefly why the sitter is interested specifically in my home, area, and pets, and they must adore cats. For me, a detailed profile is a better source of information because itās not rewritten to suit each potential sit. I look at all applicant profiles (even just out of curiosity when an application is particularly odd) and am happy to dive deeper there. No disrespect to @colin but I would likely not make it through his whole application, thatās just way too much information for me up front Iād likely click over to his profile halfway through. But obviously his method works because he doesnāt seem to lack for sits, so, yes, weāre all different! Surprise, surprise LOL
I applied to a sit recently last week I believe for new pet parents on this site and I send them a very short message only because I wanted to be one of the applicants before it cuts off once it hits five applicants. I was than writing my long message to the same person and before I sent my long message. They rejected me in less than a minute. Didnāt even give me a chance
Did your first message say that you would be writing more later? Thatās what I usually do. However, some members consider this (sending a placeholder message) is cheating, and maybe your HOs were of that opinion.
Iād likely click over to his profile halfway through. But obviously his method works because he doesnāt seem to lack for sits, so, yes, weāre all different! Surprise, surprise LOL