I have been a HO for 3 years, why does it take so long for sitters to apply, is it my listing? I do not find it reassuring when you have booked your holiday. Do you book a sitter then a holiday, perhaps not a good idea!! Any advice, after my auto renewal, I may have to find another source next year!
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Yes itâs your profile, so donât take any offence, hope this helps because you have a gorgeous home and a very very cute dog.
Very few people will click your ad because your main image is one of your weaker images (ONLY in comparison to the others). Itâs the one of the bedroom & itâs a portrait shot so not good. Thatâs the image that make sitters decide whether to click to read more or not. We get a bedroom at every home we sit in so thereâs nothing unique, so instead we click into others.
One of the most successful first images is the front exterior, but I totally understand that not everyone wants to give that image. As the pic of your patio table is slightly dark and portrait style, I would instead choose the conservatory & dining table as your main one, because it indicates thereâs outdoor space beyond.
Also, some images let you down, when youâve a beautiful home, so remove the pic from bedroom door/hall of the en-suite, and the one showing chest of drawers, because thereâs an abundance of not-so great portrait shots of various angles showing the bedroom, and some wonât realise youâre trying to show the en-suite, whereas you already have a fantastic bathroom shot, so donât add the others. You have also got 2 images showing the same thing, the loo, sink, one with writing at the top, so remove it.
Also, youâre intro is too short, check out other owners profiles & mimic them. We need to feel like we know who we are sitting for, who we are helping, and who it is that is writing our review.
Also, donât say Lynne and Colin are bla bla bla because itâs too impersonal, instead say Weâre Lynne and Colin and we have a gorgeous dog called Squid who loves cuddles bla bla bla
Your intro is the first bit we read, and we need to âlikeâ who we are sitting for, but youâve worded it factually and to the point. Itâs easy to make yourself sound friendly and approachable, by adding in something about Squid, because then you sound easy going, and light hearted, warm, and kind.
Also, what is Wheelwrights? Re-word it.
Hope that helps, your place is stunning!
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Iâve just responded to your message on another thread, but here it is again:
Squid looks gorgeous and your home looks nice and organised and clean, but your wording is matter-of-fact and lacks warmth. At the end of the day, sitters are looking to connect with HOs on some level, so make your listing stand out a bit more (visually, by re-ordering your pics) and think about how you can portray yourselves as more welcoming. Iâm sure youâll get applicants after a few minor listing tweaks.
It might be worth having a look at this thread for some pointers on how to amend your listing to attract more applicants:
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Why does it take so long for HOs to respond? I have several applications out for a certain times and places and all of them, days have passed, nothing.
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I would agree with HappyDeb in her feedback. As a sitter I dislike those teeny tiny photos that are hard to really see.
Also, there is not enough detail about the dog.
Where does he sleep? How long is he OK on his own at home? Does he do well on walks, does he pull and therefore need a strong sitter, does he âplay well with othersâ ie, OK encountering other dogs or children?
Also, there is not much info on the home. Is there just one bedroom available to sitters (what if itâs a pair of friends who do not wish to share a bed), is it the master bedroom or a guest room?
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You sound like a lovely host from your reviews!
What I look for and donât find in your listing is:
What home is it that is available to use for me as a sitter? Specially no. bedrooms and what kind of/ size of bed (-s). Please mention actual size as «queen», «double» and such may vary. Many sitters find bed-situation important. Some couples might prefer separate bedrooms, pull-outs many would avoid etc.
What kind of sitters are you open to? Solo, couple, family? Family with 12±child? You decide, but nice to think through. Donât do anything you are not comfortable with, at the same time donât rule out what would be ok.
Where does dog sleep? Important to many sitters. Many avoid sits with dog in bed/ bedroom. Sometimes it could be fixed if pet can sleep in master and sitter choose to sleep elsewhere.
How long can the dog be left alone? Very important to many sitters. Less than 4+ hours one get really restricted on pool of sitters (possibly offer a dog walker 1-2 times a week so sitter can go exploring), if 6+ hours most dog sitters would be happy, I think.
Personally, I think pet looks lovely and hosts friendly, so I would say little tweaks to your listing would help a lot, @Lynneive .
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@Lynneive I just tried doing a search for your listing and I couldnât find it, even when setting my search specifically to Chichester by distance (to reduce listings in nearby areas). Perhaps check to make sure your listing is active in your account.
Itâs saying Reviewing on the app @Snowbird but still Low Applications so maybe HO has paused it to make changes.
Thanks @temba I searched on the website and it doesnât show reviewing listings there. Yet another difference between the two. 
Hopefully @Lynneive is perhaps reviewing applications sheâs received, or editing, as youâve suggested.
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I like the new look @Snowbird 
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I can see the listing has been tweaked and is now in reviewing stage, so letâs hope @Lynneive is now chatting to some good sitters.
I m confused?
Do you have one dog or two? It says two on the top of your listing and in the âresponsibilitiesâ area, there is a cartoon image of a second dog, but I can only see reference to one dog - Squid?
Thank you Colin. I have taken all the comments on board. Paused my listing whilst tweaking (for some reason it wouldnât allow me to save 1 dog) Iâm not sure how long THS approve the tweaks - please feel free to msg me again, if Iâve forgot anything important or for any further advice.
Thank you 
Thank you snowbird- I paused to tweak my listing. Iâm hoping I have improved it - I think now I wait for approval until live again- pls feel free to advise if needed many thanks for your time and help 
@Lynneive , it looks like your listing is live again now, with all your tweaks, and it now shows one dog!
@Lynneive I know in your original set of photos you had photos of the sitterâs bed and bathroom but theyâve now disappeared. Do include them please. Although Squid is a very cute dog, you could remove two of his photos so that the bedroom and bathroom are included.
Your responsibility section still needs to include the answers to the questions @carpediem16 raised.
Itâs great youâre taking notice of the suggestions made. Squidâs a lucky dog to have such a caring owner.
good news - Thank you Colin
Right, I agree with Temba - there are some good tweaks but there is no photo of the bedroom (and if there is only one bedroom available to sitters, please state this) and no photos of the bathroom.
Most sitters want to see all the spaces in the home they will have access to.
Adorable pup, though!!
Best of luck!
Iâm pretty sure youâll soon be receiving applicants now youâve tweaked the listing, @Lynneive , but please do add a photo showing the bed (the pic youâve used only shows one corner) and the bathroom. No need for the field pic (unless itâs yours?). As sitters, we appreciate seeing where weâll be sleeping and what the bathroom is like (bath or shower, or both?) Tip: ensure the loo seat is down! .
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