Why isn't nobody is booking me??

Hi Nicole,

Like Katie said, it can take a while to get established. You're competing against people who have been using Rover a lot longer, so you have to be patient, get the word out, and do everything you can to make your profile appealing to new clients.

Looking at your profile, I can make a few suggestions regarding that last point.

1) Request testimonials: Since you don't have any reviews yet, request a few friends or family members write testimonials for you. You'll need someone to vouch for your ability to work with and care for animals. Having at least a couple different references on there will go a long way toward convincing someone to take a chance on you.

2) Pictures: You have a few pictures up, but it's unclear what I'm looking at. Make sure there are clear pictures of your home, yourself, your family members who will be helping you with the dogs you sit, and make sure they're all labeled appropriately. Add captions so potential clients know exactly what they're seeing and how it pertains to their dog's care (I question whether dogs are allowed in the game room and pool you have pictured--unless these are areas where you'll be caring for dogs, best to leave it out).

3) Badges: Collect a few badges. They help your profile stand out. You can have a background check performed (I hear it's free now!) to show clients you're trustworthy. Take the Rover Sitter Success training to earn another badge that shows your commitment to pets.

4) Flesh out your profile: Currently you've answered all (or at least most) of the profile questions, but the answers are brief and very casual. You're running a business; to make a good impression, speak professionally. Use whole words and sentences, and try to leave out irrelevant details (like not liking mean dogs or that you don't have a car). Try not to refer to a potential client's dog as "it" in your profile. Most people think of their dog as a who, not an it. The point is to make someone who doesn't know anything about you feel comfortable enough to want to leave their dog in your care, and in order for that to happen you have to be detailed, clear, caring and professional. YOU know that you'd be a good sitter, but your future clients don't, so it's up to you to show them.

5) Advertise! Post to craigslist, nextdoor, your neighborhood facebook page, whatever. Check with local pet stores to see if you can post a flier or leave business cards. Make sure your friends and family know about your business so they can refer you to people they know who might need your services. The more legwork you do to bring people to your profile, the faster you'll get a booking.

I'd encourage you to read... (more)