Sounds like an iffy sitter. Most experienced sitters would be more consistent/reliable with communications. And having sat for you, I know that you’re a hospitable host who doesn’t make unreasonable demands.
I was disappointed by a 4 star for communication although I sent photos every day and a video. This was for two cats.can anyone help me do better next time is there something I missed.they were healthy no problems eating playing usual stuff.
We would only be guessing, just ask the host what she felt was lacking. If I am looking at the correct listing it was 4 stars overall and a dropped star in the Pet Care category. She mentions communication felt like the minimum.
Your response to the review was that the images in the listing were inaccurate, no sea view etc. but you have given 5 stars for Accuracy of Listing.
Maybe she has updated the listing but it does say countryside and the map shows it some distance from the sea.
Going forward I would ask before the host leaves how much communication is preferred. We have had everything from ‘no need to contact us unless there is a problem’ to ‘daily updates please’.
Update
I have just noticed the heading does say sea view so very misleading.
There’s no “communication” category for sitters, only for hosts. Did they tell you your communication was not good enough?
I’m just not sure what more could I do apart from send photos every day and a video.if there was a problem then I would tell the house owners right away.never had this before with any sits.i will just move on just felt upset.i was trying to be kind there were things I wasn’t happy about but i should be more honest for future sitters.
The only way to know is asking the HO. They should have told you, especially if they want more than that.
I have now read the review and it doesn’t sound reasonable.
For future reference, in responses to reviews, I would recommend addressing only what has been mentioned. In this case, the frequency and amount of pictures and videos and the fact that nothing specific had been requested.
I was not happy with a sit ( ie cleanliness, comfort, pet behavior) and I addressed all of these in my review so as to warn future sitters. You didn’t address any of your issues and yet ask what you could have done… isn’t seeming all that balanced out, maybe. You also mention sending pics…were there any texts along with pics? I’m on a sit now where the owners asked why cat’s collar wasn’t on in a photo…I immediately sent another photo where it was clearly visible along with reassuring text about how happy the animals seemed, about our schedules, and just giving them peace of mind. After all, they don’t know me! So if you’re talking about being responsible for someone’s pets, it’s good to be proactive and not wait for a problem to communicate. That’s my two cents.
As a sitter my husband and I communicate daily with photos etc. What I usually tell the homeowner is that if they are busy no responses required but that we will continue to send daily updates to put their mind at ease.
As owners, we’ve included in the responsibilities section that we appreciate daily updates.
As Sitters, we always ask how often they prefer updates.
Our current host said, “please don’t send me photos every day. I’m on holiday and will enjoy the break. Twice a week is plenty.” Less common approach but always good to know and actually makes for a more chilled sit. #settingexpectations
Every single day, usually twice a day is how often we communicate and send photos and videos. I usually tell the homeowner that please feel no obligation to respond but we want to make sure you know your babies are being cared for. That is us. I think it’s really sucks to not send any updates other than asking questions about how things work. In my opinion that is not a good sitter. Sorry.
We communicate as often as we are asked; only 1 homeowner has asked us for daily check-ins with photos. Others had said whenever it suits us. I don’t ask how often do they want us to message them while they are away, but I do say we will “message you to let you know how things are going”, and let the HO take the lead from there.
Careful there!! I am a HO and now a sitter (dual membership). With only 1 good review and sit completed as a sitter, I am going to be VERY careful with this subject and ASK the HO what they want before the sit begins. I recommend you do the same as it can bite you later in a review if the HO assumed (much like the original poster here) that more regular updates would be sent. I have seen it on HO reviews of sitters, and have seen a reply of sitter to HO about the lack of communication on this subject. So be careful with your approach. Personally, I prefer over communication, no assuming.
@PV592 it’s always helpful to clarify the frequency of updates HOs would like. In our experience most hosts, especially for shorter sits, love daily updates. 2 weeks or longer we usually default to twice a week. If nothing has been strictly agreed we send daily for short sits and twice a week for longer, or whenever feels right. We try to tune in to the HOs, how they respond etc and so far always seem to get it right. The rare times a host checks in with us, esp newer hosts at the beginning of a sit, we immediately send a reassuring update. The last thing you want is a host knocking off stars in your review and complaining publicly that you did not send enough updates..
Yes I got a star taken off for communication for cats even though I sent photos every single day. Ithink she wanted a story as well.
That’s unfair. She should have expressed her wish for commentary- whilst the sit was in process- so could have acted on that. Or she could have asked you questions about the cats welfare etc, if needed. Did you respond to her review? I.e mentioning you sent daily updates? At least then future hosts reading your reviews will see you did make that effort.
As a sitter I send photo(s)/video updates daily even if the HO hasn’t specified an expectation as a matter of good practice. The one time I asked a HO whether or not she wanted a daily photo/text she said, “if it’s a cute photo”.
Ha! That evening she sent a text saying he husband was missing the dog and they wanted a photo.
Interesting though, I’ve experienced a case where the HO said a photo/commentary occasionally is fine (every other day specifically) and when I skipped a day he immediately asked about the pet 
Based on that experience, on another sit I diligently sent pictures and commentaries every day until the HO said I didn’t need to message as much! I went to every 2/3 days and the HO was satisfied.
So I dunno….
hahaha yep there are all sorts out there. I as a Sitter will ask up front what is desired, then i will deliver. If they change their mind, I’ll adjust accordingly.
We always err on the side of caution and send multiple photos a day. We tell the HO that they do not have to respond.