I had a great first visit last week and when the clients picked up their dog they seemed really happy. They asked if they needed to do anything more and I said no, but if they would be willing to leave a review for me I would appreciate it. They both said they would and also said they would use me again, but no review was left. Any suggestions on how I could have handled this better?
I've had a very similar experience, and unfortunately it was my first client on Rover. I house and dog sat for a couple for a weekend, and even though I'd had a medical emergency, my partner made sure their house and dog were always safe and secure, and their dog was happy and very well cared for... After being discharged from acute care/observation almost nine hours later (the emergency hospital trip happened around 3 AM) I even went back to the client's home, had my partner help me take their dog for a walk and cleaned the all the rooms I'd used in the house thoroughly, myself, left a thank you note and a "loot bag" for their dog...
Still no review, and it's been well over a month. I also just had a client refuse to put their home address on their profile so I could set up a meet and greet. I understand the need for a feeling of security online, but I did everything in my power to help this client, even give step-by-step instructions on how to add their home address and why a meet and greet is both mandatory with me, and important for their dog. Two days and they haven't responded. I honestly am starting to wonder if I'm doing something wrong, here, although I doubt it; I've had stellar reviews sitting for neighbourhood dogs and veterinary medicine is my primary career field.
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose some. I've lost a bit my initial optimism but I won't let that stop me from doing what I love; cuddling dogs and helping their families.
Another community member asked nearly the same question. Here is my answer to them, copied and pasted:
Needy sounding or not, potential customers look at reviews. I am a client as well as a sitter, and I certainly do!
I have had good luck getting reviews with the following tactic. An hour or two after a guest's departure, I send an email through Rover that reads something like this:
Dear Sam,
Thank you so much for the opportunity to host sweet Rover. He was a wonderful guest and we look forward to his next visit!
Soon, you will receive an email from Rover asking for a review. I would be grateful if, once you get settled in, you could take a moment to write a sentence or two.
Thanks again!
Warmly,
I would add that I have had clients leave reviews a couple weeks after the stay, some people just take a while to do it, sometimes they are coming back from a trip and have to get their life back on day to day mode and they are just busy, does not mean they wont leave a wonderful review soon.
Thats a good idea. Does ROVER actually e-mail the client to ask for a review and if they do the review thru ROVER it goes on your profile or do you actually have to get the review personally?