Personalising your application message: why it matters

Picture the scene: you’ve painstakingly crafted the perfect sitter profile (and read through it - twice - with a fine-toothed comb). You’ve even secured some great external references to sit proudly on your profile. And then, you see it: the house sit of your dreams.

Of course, there are many things to consider when applying for a house sit. But taking the time to personalise your application message is one of the best ways to really stand out from the crowd. So, what does 'personalising your application message' actually entail, and why is it so important? Let’s dive in…

Why should I personalise my application? 

While it’s tempting to rush off and apply as quickly as you can once you've found your dream house sit, it really does pay to take some time to craft the perfect application message.

Personalising your application is one of the best ways to get yourself noticed by pet parents. Why? Well, firstly it shows that you’ve taken the time to read through their listing - after all, pet parents need to feel comfortable about welcoming you into their home, and showing you’ve taken the time to read their listing can help give them the reassurance they need to invite you to care for their pets. 

It’s a great way to strike a good first impression, and show that pets are truly at the forefront of your mind. Plus, if the pet parent has four other applications to consider, don’t you think they’re more likely to pay attention to the one that mentions them or their pets by name? 

Why personalising your application is important

• Connection. Nothing helps to break the ice more than pets. Our pet parent members tell us they love it when a sitter has taken the time to really get to know their pets, and refers to them (by name) in their applications.
• Trust and responsibility. Mentioning things like your previous experience in caring for their pet’s breed or that you’re a pro when it comes to caring for senior pets like theirs can really help to instil trust and build a connection with the pet parent. 
• First impressions count. Consider this: a thoughtful, well-written, and personalised application message vs. a copy and pasted application that lacks a personal touch. Which one do you think the pet parent is most likely to resonate with? 
• Sitter success. Unsurprisingly, when we crunched the kibble we found that the sitters who take the time to personalise their applications are more likely to be successful! 

How to personalise your application

Here are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to personalising your sitter application:

Do… 

• Mention the pet parent and their pet(s) by name. Personalising your application with a, ‘Hey, Pet Parent and Pet Name - it’s lovely to meet you both!’ is a great way to start your message.  
• If relevant, mention their pet’s breed/species, and any previous experience you have caring for this type of breed/animal. For a pet parent, knowing that their precious Springer Spaniel is in the hands of an experienced, fellow gun-dog lover could make all the difference! 
• Talk specifically about their pet(s), and how you can help. If they’ve mentioned that Fido’s favourite way to start the day is with walkies along the beach, why not mention how you’d be delighted to take him for a seaside stroll each morning? 
• Make reference to the pet parent’s location, and share a little about why you’re interested in visiting the area.
• Share why their listing suits you - are you a local looking for a nearby house sit, or is their home office the perfect location for you to work remotely?
• Consider their pet’s needs. Does kitty require some nightly medication hidden within their kibble? Or perhaps their particularly high-octane canine means only experienced doggy handlers need apply? Read all of their requirements, and - if you fit the bill - be sure to let them know you’re just the person for the task at hand. 
• Finally, spell-check your application - and double-check for typos!

But don’t…

• Copy and paste your applications - we know, it can be tempting and it could even save you a couple of minutes per application. But nobody wants to send off their application only to realise you’ve started your message with a ‘Hi, Dave!’ to a pet parent named Sheila… 
• Only focus on the location. While it’s nice to mention that you’ve always been interested in visiting their hometown or you’re looking forward to exploring the nearby hiking trails, it’s important to think pet-first.

What else should I include in my application? 

Personalisation is the key to standing out - but what else should you mention in your opening message? Here are some talking points to get you started: 

• Your name, age, and where you’re from
• What you do for a living (or if you’re retired/work-free)
• What you like to do in your spare time
• Why you want to house sit
• Your previous house sitting experience
• If you’re a solo sitter, or if you’ll be sitting as a couple or a family

Calling all savvy sitters! 

Looking for some more tips to set you up for house sitting success? We’ve got you covered:

• How having references will help secure your dream sit
• 10 reasons why pet sitting is the best way to travel Europe
• How to choose the perfect pictures for your sitter profile