@Lokstar I understand but everyone has to do that too. I suppose what I’m saying is once you press apply that’s it, you’ve saved your place. You can then review the listing in detail at your leisure (especially if you have a laptop - I’m usually on a phone which is much harder :-)). THS haven’t said exactly how long you have. What they say is that if you’ve pressed it you secure a place (I think this may even mean if it reaches 5 but they are a bit shy on details). I’ve done this each time and it’s always gone through, even if I’ve taken over 10 minutes to re read the listing etc and write my application, which is always personalised and fairly detailed. I always do this if it’s a place/country I want to sit in. Read through and discard (therefore not applying but freeing it up again) if they want a couple or the dogs are too big etc etc 
It must be annoying for the HO’s to have to go through these one word or placeholder applications. You’d think THS would change it if this is people’s strategy. As I say it’s crap, it’s a crap system that forces the ‘community’ of sitters to compete with one another with those with more time/technology/in a time zone to be able to secure an application and crap for HOs. I’m actually surprised that there isn’t a minimum character count for the application.
@Reliablesitter , They are introducing a minimum character count on applications very soon, probably because many of us have admitted that we are using that method… so now we have to think of new methods , this time I’ll be keeping schtum.
I agree that it may be annoying for homeowners. I am one, as well as being a sitter, but I’m not in such a popular location that I get inundated with applications. I have had very brief sit applications and, if the sitter doesn’t follow up with a detailed app within a couple of hours, I decline them.
I send my detailed app as a sitter within about 30 minutes of my first one. The first one does explain that I am sending a brief app to get in before they reach 5 apps, so they know why I’m doing it.
A sensible response would be for THS to up the application number hey!! We can only hope…
@Reliablesitter That’s the problem- they won’t! They have made it abundently clear that the 5 app limit is here to stay. Its a pity. But each of us will find our own favourite ‘work around’. There is no stopping the committed sitter!
And re-opening the application and hoping you have enough time to apply properly is a risk! Technology can be unreliable, the page might refresh itself or shut down etc
I’ve explained our method which is a very responsible and courteous approach to securing a place. Its rare that we have withdrawn on the second- main- application- so I will continue with our system which brings more peace of mind and relaxation in applying!
@Colin our application is very much like yours (long!). It covers most of the same things and I too mention our work and our sons (and our) hobbies.
We’ve often sat for people in related lines of work or with the same hobbies. More information may mean more opportunity to find something in common. For newer sitters with few reviews, something in common might be what prompts the homeowner to choose a particular sitter.
As a homeowner, I do not want to receive a message that only says hello. I don’t mind a message that would be a combination of your step one and step two, Especially if it indicates when you will get back to me, not “very shortly”. I have had a message similar to that. But they explained that they weren’t out there. Usual computer enabled to send their more detailed information but they would be sending it within twenty four hours or forty eight hours. I also appreciate something indicating that you actually read the application so that you believe that you would be a good sit match… I’ve had my time wasted. Reading through applications and getting to the end and realizing. There’s no way the person actually read my post. I know it’s been brought up previously about how long or short. An application should be period I’d rather one was longer and contained more information, especially if it seemed to be truthful, than one that didn’t contain much at all. I do like that. You cover a lot of the basics including an alternate way to get a hold of you without having to go back and forth with multiple messages and you’re straight forward With your needs such as good wifi. Overall, I think that’s a really good example but as I said, for me I don’t like that you’re doing a message that just says hello.
I’ve applied for several sits as #5 and have never had a problem. Ctrl + Apply opens it in a new window so you can toggle between sit details and your personalized application. And like you, I spend 10 minutes on it sometimes.
My applications are short but personalised. I mention the cats by name with any relevant info/experience, e.g. I know Siamese cats can be loud. I say whether or not I have been in the area before and why I want to visit. Then I refer people to my profile/reviews as my profile is quite comprehensive and, most importantly, I have 70+ glowing 5* reviews. I have far more acceptances than declines and people comment on the fact that they like my profile and are reassured by the reviews so that’s where I want them to be rather having to read through a long application. Horses for courses . I’ve had to cut back on the number of sits I do this year due to ongoing house renovations, but am already booked through to January next year.
If THS does that, maybe we can create a “macro” to drop text into the first application communication rather than copy and paste!
@PVGemini, I’ve been doing that all along for applications — there’s a keyboard shortcuts feature I use on iOS. I don’t send “hi” messages, though. All of my applications are the real deal. I use the keyboard shortcut and tweak my msg for relevance to the specific sit.
I’m the homeowner looking through profiles before I advertise. 
I’ve been using Kiwihousesitters for a long time and we are experienced at having sitters in our home.
I started using Trusted after a sitter fell through early this year due to her not reading the finish date properly. I had waited for her to finish another sit - 3 weeks and had put off others who would have been great sitters.
My pet peeves are
- Sitters not updating their availability.
- Not updating their profiles.
- Too lengthy bio, keep it short and to the point - with an update date attached.
- Not adding enough photos of themselves… It’s lovely to see lots of pets but they mean nothing unless there is a human attached to them somewhere in the photo.
- Create a video of yourself. I’ve seen a few of these and wow they are impressive and really helpful. They convey volumes.
- Not reading my advert… whether I’m asking for couples, a single person, and or no other pets allowed.
- Focusing too much on - ‘we want to see as much of your country as possible’. I want to know that they are interested in looking after my house and my pet first and foremost.
Hope these points help.
@lilypool
Its great you have clear requests for sitters and many of your points are valid.
As an experienced THS sitter I’d like to comment on the points you raise…
From the sitters perspective!
1- The availability calender is tricky to use- therefore many sitters, myself included don’t actively use it at all. However if a sitter is booked on a THS sit those dates will be automatically struck out with a black line -so at least you know dates they are definitely not available! The rest will be green or white (last time I looked!)
2- Guilty! Our does needs updating however we always include all the important and relevent information in our application and make sure to mention pets names and specific requirements of the sit in question.
Our profile is mainly for back up info but does ofcourse include all our reviews and many pics which support our application message.
3- That’s very individual. Some people love, and are interested in, long bios others don’t.
In contrast-as a sitter- I certainly would appreciate a bit more info on hosts. Many write little or nothing about themselves. And usually no pics of themselves either so a sitter has little to go on. In contrast most sitters include a lot of pictures and info.
4- all our pics are of us with or without pets. Agreed- pet only sits -on a sitter page- makes little sense!
But too many pet pics on a HO page is overkill!
As a sitter I would encourage all hosts to include at least one picture of themselves in their listing so we at least know what you look like!! And all hosts should also include pics of all main living areas especially bedroom for sitter. Too many host listings do not include enough of the important pictures sitters always want to see.
5- I have never considered making a video and have never come across a profile that includes one! But always happy to have a video call if required.
6-See point 2 answer- I agree sitter should include refs to the advert to show they’ve read it properly! Many don’t have time if they want to be in the first 5 but if we apply quickly to ‘catch a space’ we will then study the listing carefully before applying properly (or withdrawing)
7-Yes the application should be a balance of of interest in the home/pets & the reason for wanting to visit the area. Don’t forget most travelling sitters will not be flying around the world just to care of a particular pet! Its the whole package we look for. But certainly the host should feel sufficient interest & enthusiasm is shown for their particular sit offering!
You can find video of me on Youtube, teaching physics in a previous life. Not sure how that would help an HO’s decision
Totally agree with these points made by @Lokstar
That’s helpful on the holding messages. We by and large cover your points in our application but we don’t usually put all our background stuff as that is in our profile. Do you think it is needed. I know when we have wanted sitters I read their profile.
We always add something about flexibility eg we will be in your country before your advertised dates so you can rest assured we won’t get held up by delayed flights and similar at the end of the sit. (The joy of retirement, clearly that won’t suit everyone) I think this contributes to our 100% success rate.
I have had a person do the one word response before. What I failed to realize was that there was a follow-up and I completely discounted that application. Maybe you can have a short sentence: e.g. Hello- I saw your application and am very interested. I’ll be sending you a follow-up message!
I would take message 1 and 2 together.
I prefer “dear” than “hello”.
I like few information about a sitter and a lot of information about why a sitter has been attracted by my listing.
If I have the feeling about a long text that only has been copied I don’t like too much.
Could you clarify the key strokes here.
Ctrl and then which other key acts as “reply”?