I wanted to post something in this category, but I don’t think I qualify, as my sit is starts soon, but I’m getting nervous. Feel free to move this post to the correct category. When I went to post here, THS said I had 72 sitters that favorited my listing, but I don’t know how to find these people. When I go to the category [See sitters who favourited your listing], every person whose ever favorited any of my sits show up, so how do I figure out those who have favorited a “particular” sit for specific dates, I’d love to reach out to some of those people. Any help is appreciated.
Edited to remove listing link and details mentioning sit start date as this does not meet the criteria for Last Minute Sits and I have now moved this to the relevant category as per the Community Rules.
Hi @Myka
As a sitter I only favour sits that I like but can’t do. I have a feeling many other sitters do the same to be notified if/when HO like you post future sit dates.
As to reaching out to sitters that have favoured your sit recently I’m not sure if you can see such.
Usually “favorite” means they like your sit but the listed dates don’t work. If your dates are flexible at all you could unlist, change your dates, and relist. Since sitters can’t contact HO’s without applying and they can’t apply if they have an overlap with another sit just changing one date could help. Or you could reach out to the most recent ones about flex dates. In my account they are listed by most recent first. If dates are firm the best thing to do is make sure your listing is really appealing. I think if you edit your listing it will show up again as New too, which can help.
Like richten1 I favour listings that look good for possible future dates, but that don’t currently work for my schedule. I took a look at your listing, and I think you would benefit from some editing. You offer some very nice amenities, but It contains a lot of information that really belongs in the Welcome packet, making it a bit difficult to wade through. Being as you’re looking for someone on now pretty short notice for a popular weekend, I would tidy up your listing and make it short, sweet and appealing.
You talk in one section about the car/airport for a date that has already passed, and only in another section mention that on this sit it’s not available. . I’m also not sure from how you worded it, you say the sitter can show up a day or 2 early - are you putting them up for those days? And on the sit where your car is not available (like this one coming up), does the sitter need their own car to take the dogs to the park?
Hi Myka,
I read your listing and I think I remember helping you once before with your listing if I’m not mistaken? Your intro, photos & title are great
Your home & location section is okay but it would help you to talk less about the pets in this section and more about what is in the area to see & do. The purpose of this section is not to talk about your pet & their needs, but to tell sitters about your home and local area.
Your responsibilities section could still do with some amendments to help you get those sitters from ‘liked’ to ‘apply,’ as it is quite detailed, repetitive and tricky to follow. Much of the info can be saved for your welcome guide instead of your listing. Try listing responsibilities in clear, concise bullet points only rather than long-winded sentences. You also skip key, specific details that sitters want to know, such as how long the dogs can be left for and where they sleep.
Try condensing and making info more specific. For example:
My dogs:
Willow and Sophie are (gentle? Playful? Energetic?) dogs who require daily exercise and playtime. Willow is (how old?), has tonnes of energy and loves to play fetch with a ball. She may bark when over-excited, but a bark collar (worn periodically for up to 2hrs) helps manage this. Sophie is (how old?) and tries to keep up with Willow but doesn’t have as much energy and may tire more quickly. They sleep (where?) and can be left for up to (how long?). They can also join you on car trips & adventures!
Pet-care duties:
Feed dogs morning & evening
Walk dogs (once daily? Twice? For how long?) and provide some playtime with ball-throwing at the nearby dog-park.
House-care duties:
Water flowers if necessary (I have a gardener who also takes care of the sprinklers, who comes (when?)
Tidy up after yourself - I also have a housekeeper who comes once a week for up to (how many hours?)
The end. All other information can be in your welcome guide, not your listing, and the info about the WiFi, streaming services & local area does not belong in your responsibilities section.
Hope that helps and best of luck!
Typically, sitters who favorite do it because they’re interested in the sit, but the dates don’t work. So even if you invite them for the posted sit, it’s highly unlikely to work — they’ve already seen your posted dates.
This is at least the third time you’ve posted about having trouble with getting applicants. Beyond the specific advice already given to you, which would make key differences, it would help if you step back and remember that you’re always competing for sitters. That means putting yourself in their place when writing and updating your listings. Review whether you’re offering a compelling exchange and how much you’re leaving unsaid and how much you can clear up gaps or confusion (like if you have outdated or messy explanations).
It also can help if you review sits in your area, because you’re competing against them. If other listings are coming across as more compelling and/or clearer than yours, you’ll probably have many sitters skipping your listing even if they actually want to sit in your area. And that will be happening repeatedly unless you can make your listings more compelling and/or clearer.
