Everyone will tell you to spend hours agonizing over your house-sitting profile. They’ll say to polish every word, craft the perfect bio, and treat it like a university thesis. Here's the secret they don't share: your perfectly crafted profile is almost useless on its own. The single most important element the thing that separates a 'yes' from the 'nope pile' is the very first message you send.
Your profile is the library; your first message is the librarian who convinces someone to open the book. After choosing the right membership, which we covered in our comparison of popular house-sitting plans, mastering this initial contact is the second, and most critical, step. If your message is generic, copied-and-pasted, or all about you, homeowners won't even bother clicking to see your profile, no matter how amazing it is.
So let's flip the script. Instead of starting with the profile, let's start with the one thing that actually gets your foot in the door.
Your First Message: The 60-Second Audition
Think of your profile as a sales letter. The homeowner isn't there to read your travel memoir; they're there to solve a problem: finding someone they can trust with their home and, more importantly, their furry family members. Your first message is your one shot to prove you're the solution.
We once applied for a sit with two huge, powerful dogs. The owner's main concern was finding someone with experience handling large breeds. Instead of starting with a generic "We'd love to sit for you," our message immediately addressed her core need. We mentioned my experience with a 75kg Saint Bernard and our time with a Great Dane. We didn't just say we were experienced; we proved it with specific examples relevant to her dogs. We got the sit.
This is the key. A winning first message isn't a template; it's a direct response to the homeowner's listing. Here's how to craft one that works every time:
Personalize Everything
Address the homeowner and their pets by name. It’s a tiny detail that shows you’ve actually read their listing instead of spamming every available sit. A message starting with "Hi [Owner's Name], I saw your listing for [Pet's Name] and [Other Pet's Name]…" is a thousand times more effective than "To whom it may concern."
Lead with Their Benefit, Not Your Vacation Plans
This is the biggest mistake newcomers make. A message like, "I've always wanted to visit Switzerland and your chalet looks beautiful!" is an instant red flag. The owner doesn't care about your holiday plans; they care about their pets' well-being.
Instead, lead with how you benefit them. Frame your interest around their animals. Say, "Your Golden Retriever, Max, is so adorable! I have a soft spot for Goldens and would love to take him on all his favourite trail walks." This shifts the focus from what you get to what you give.
Show, Don't Just Tell
Don't just say you're clean and reliable. Weave it into your message. For instance: "I noticed you have a lovely garden. As a keen landscaper, I'd be more than happy to mow the lawn and keep the plants watered so you can come home to a tidy space inside and out." This provides concrete proof of your respect for their home. It transforms you from a random applicant into a helpful, considerate guest. Knowing what homeowners look for and which red flags in a pet sitter they avoid in this first contact is crucial.
Building Your Library of Proof: The Profile Itself
Once your message has hooked them, then they'll snoop your profile. This is where you back up your claims. The profile isn't the introduction; it's the evidence. It's the deep dive that confirms their gut feeling that you're the right choice.
So, how to create a strong profile for international housesitting platforms? You build it piece by piece, with each section designed to build unwavering trust.
The Photo Gallery: Your Visual Handshake
Your photos are the first thing they'll scan. They need to scream 'trustworthy animal lover.'
Essential Photos: You need recent, smiling photos of you interacting with animals. Any animals. If you don't have pets, get creative. Go to a park and play with a friend's dog. Visit a neighbour's cat. A gallery full of you happily engaging with pets is non-negotiable.
What Makes a Photo Compelling: Action and affection. A photo of you throwing a ball for a dog or cuddling a cat on the sofa is far more powerful than a stiffly posed selfie. It shows you're comfortable and genuinely enjoy being around animals.
Your Bio: The Story of Their Peace of Mind
This is where you can use AI, but carefully. First, write down everything genuine about yourself: your experiences, pets you've cared for, your philosophy on home care. Be authentic. Then, you can use a tool like ChatGPT to polish it, making it more readable and engaging. The goal is to enhance your own voice, not replace it.
Structure it to answer their unspoken questions:
Your Pet Experience: Be specific. Instead of "I'm good with dogs," write "I've raised a Labrador from a puppy and have experience administering daily medication to senior cats." Specificity builds credibility.
Your Home Philosophy: Briefly mention your approach to keeping a house. "We believe in leaving a home cleaner than we found it, ensuring you return to a calm and tidy space." This reassures them you're not going to throw a party.
Your Lifestyle: If your lifestyle is a plus, mention it. When we moved into our campervan, we added it to our profile. For homeowners, it signals flexibility and a commitment to this way of life.
The Reference Game: Building Trust from Zero
When you're starting, you have no reviews. This is where references are gold. And no, you don't need prior house-sitting clients. Ask your landlord to vouch for your reliability as a tenant. Ask a former roommate to speak to your cleanliness. Ask your parents. Genuinely, any reference is better than none. It shows you have people in your life willing to stand by your character.
As you complete sits, these will be replaced by powerful, verified reviews from house owners, which are the ultimate currency on these platforms.
From Local Gigs to International Dreams
The fastest way to build a killer profile for international sits is to start local. Use platforms to find house sitting opportunities near you for a weekend. These short, low-stakes sits are perfect for a few reasons:
They give you a taste of the lifestyle. You'll quickly learn the daily rhythm and what house sitters usually do.
They are less competitive. This makes it easier to get your first 'yes'.
They build your review count. Two or three positive reviews from local sits will make your profile exponentially more attractive for that dream sit in Tuscany. This is the single best strategy for using housesitting as a way to travel affordably.
The Final Polish: Badges, Follow-Ups, and Honesty
Once the core of your profile is built, a few final touches can make all the difference.
Get Verified: Pay the small extra fee for identity verification. It's a badge of seriousness that tells homeowners you're invested and not just a casual browser. When you're new, this can be the detail that tips the scales in your favour.
Follow Up (Politely): If you're genuinely excited about a sit and haven't heard back, it's okay to send a gentle follow-up after a day or two. A simple "Just wanted to check if you had any other questions for us" shows enthusiasm, not desperation. It reminds them you're still keenly interested.
Be Transparent: Delays happen. Emergencies occur. The key is communication. If you're going to be late, let them know. Honesty builds more trust than pretending to be perfect.
Ultimately, learning how to create a strong profile for international housesitting platforms is less about writing a perfect bio and more about mastering the art of the first impression. Lead with a personalized, benefit-driven message, back it up with a profile full of genuine proof, and you'll be unlocking front doors to homes all over the world before you know it.
Good luck with your house sits!
Caro & Konrad 🐾🚐
DM us @housesittersguide if you have questions — we answer everyone!
How long should my profile description be?
Aim for 3-4 concise paragraphs. Focus on your experience and how you benefit the homeowner, not your life story. Remember, your introductory message is more important for grabbing initial attention.
Is it okay to use a little AI like ChatGPT to help write my profile?
Absolutely, but with a crucial rule: write the genuine content first. Detail your real experiences and personality, then use AI to polish the grammar and flow. Never use it to generate fake experiences.
Should I include my rates on my profile?
Most international house-sitting platforms operate on a free exchange. As we discuss in our article on What’s the Average Pay for a House Sitter, these sits are typically unpaid. Focus your profile on trust and experience, not payment.
How soon can I expect to land a big international sit after creating my profile?
To boost your chances, start by securing 2-3 short, local sits to build up verified reviews. A strong review history is the fastest way to become a top candidate for competitive international opportunities.
What if I don't have experience with a specific type of pet listed?
Honesty is the best policy. Be upfront but enthusiastic. Say something like, 'While I haven't cared for lizards before, I'm a very fast learner and would be diligent in following your detailed care instructions to the letter.'
