Part 3 of our Traveling Pet Sitter Series.
Blend In or Stand Out
After reading Got What It Takes? you have decided that you would make a great traveling pet sitter! So now lets move on to how to make yourself stand out among all the other sitters out there vying for the same pet sits that you are. Because we only use TrustedHousesitters now, I’ll be speaking about how their website works but much of this advice can also relate to other websites.
Show Them What You’re Made Of
When we signed up on TrustedHousesitters, we realized there was a lot of competition. At the time, recommendations and background checks were optional. Background checks are now required to be a pet sitter on TrustedHousesitters. Our year of traveling abroad depended on pet sits so we decided we would do everything we could to look like the perfect pet sitters! We were new and had no reviews so we obtained our background checks and recommendations. We knew being older and retired might be a plus but we didn't want to count on that! So here’s what else we did and what we suggest:
One of the first things you’ll do is write your profile. Take your time, it’s really important because it may be your introduction to a host (the homeowners/pet owners who post the pet sits) TrustedHousesitters gives great advice on how to write a pet sitter profile for your profile page. Take a look here.
Create a website. We felt that a website would help us stand out. Having a website does two things:
You will be able to give more detail about yourselves.
You show, by taking the time to create and maintain a website, your dedication to pet sitting.
We used WIX to create a free website. That’s the site you’re in right now! It has gone through a few revamps over the years but it serves us well. There are many platforms where you can create a free website. It comes down to what you’re comfortable with and your skill level. You can always level up to a paid website later on, which will give you more features and flexibility.
Open accounts on social media sites. You could start with just one if you’re not already comfortable with social media. We started with Instagram. Showcase your love of animals, your traveling experience, anything that shows you really are serious about being a traveling pet sitter. Make sure you link to it on your website!
Create an application template. This is so important. Other than your profile page, your application to a pet sit could be your first introduction. You only have one chance to make a first impression! TrustedHousesitters also has a great article on how to write an application. Take a look here.
We found that having a template that introduces who we are and highlights experience saves a ton of time. Like our website, our application template has had many revisions over the years.
Currently, our template is broken down like this:
Introduction. I introduce ourselves and state how we would love to pet sit for (names of animals)
Provide some background on yourself. Highlight your experience with animals, personally or professionally.
Direct them to your profile page so they can learn more about you. Even better, if you have a website, include a link!
That’s the template. It should contain information on yourself, information that's valuable to give every host. Once you’re ready to apply for a pet sit, tailor the following information to the specific host you are applying to. This should include:
Let them know why you would be a good fit for them. Make sure you read their pet sit posting carefully. Tell them why you would be a perfect fit for their pets and their home (maybe you have/had the same breed of dog/cat, you can administer medications, you’d love to take Fluffy for long hikes, etc), talk to any concerns they may have expressed in their sit post and above all, try to make a connection.
Your travel plans. It helps a host to know your plans. Maybe you have already booked pet sits near their location, have family members in the area or already booked a flight to their location. Letting them know your plans reassures them that you are serious about wanting to pet sit for them. Remember, you are a traveling pet sitter so logistics come into play. A host wants to know you’ll show up.
Closing line. Reiterate to them again why you would love to pet sit for their furry companions.
Use the pet sitter website as a knowledge base. TrustedHousesitters has a great blog on everything you need to know as a sitter or a host. They also have a forum where you can engage with other sitters and hosts, ask questions or gather knowledge from other sitters. Look at reviews of other sitters. See what hosts felt what was important in a sitter and what they disliked.
Can you still become a traveling pet sitter without doing all these “extras”? Probably. I have known of sitters who just do the basics, background check and the profile page and have gotten pet sits. For us though, we knew this was something that wasn’t temporary, we wanted to build pet sitting into our life. We love to travel and what better way to travel than to have free accommodations and the joy of pets. Meeting new people, seeing locations we would never have seen are just some of the perks of being a traveling pet sitter. It truly has given us a life we didn’t know existed!
Next up in our traveling pet sitter series: What to look for in a pet sit and the application process.
So For Now…
We have so much more to talk about! Please follow us to learn more about our adventures, how we do what we do and many money saving tips. Is there a subject you would like to cover? Leave us a comment!
Is traveling the world while pet sitting something you’re interested in? Join TrustedHousesitters and get 25% off your first year membership!
Comments