Hi Reader

One of those topics that comes round in our community again and again resurfaced this week: honest reviews.

It usually starts the same way. A sitter arrives to find the house isn’t quite as described. The “easy” dog turns out to be reactive on walks, or the place hasn’t been cleaned. They do a good job anyway, then sit there with the review box open, wondering what to say.

Or it’s the other way round. A homeowner comes back to a perfectly fed cat and a fridge full of someone else’s leftovers.

Should they say so?

As always, plenty of people had something to say.

Some sitters said they’d never leave anything below five stars, because they worry about getting a “difficult” reputation or risk a tit-for-tat review back.

Some homeowners said that’s exactly the problem. When every sitter has five stars, the stars stop telling them anything.

Others pointed out that a review isn’t really for the person being reviewed. It’s for the next sitter, the next homeowner and the next set of four paws.

What struck us wasn’t who was right.

It was how much easier it is to be honest when you’re specific.

We were on the homeowner side of this last weekend. We popped over to Düsseldorf to see the Backstreet Boys’ stadium residency (yes, really – and it was brilliant). Our sitter stuck to London’s routine, sent photos and kept in touch the whole time. 10/10, just like the show.

Writing that review took two minutes, because we knew exactly what she’d done well.

1. Write for the next person

Pets first: what were they like, and was the home as described? That’s what the next sitter or homeowner needs to know.

2. Say the awkward thing privately first

If something wasn’t right, message them before you write the review. Most (not all, we know!) issues are misunderstandings, and a calm conversation gives both sides a fair chance to explain.

3. Be specific, not just generous

“Kept to his routine and sent daily photos” tells a homeowner far more than “great sitter!” The same goes for an honest note like “the dog needs a confident walker”.

A five-star review only means something if four stars was possible.

Most reviews aren’t dishonest. They’re just vague. And vague helps no one, least of all the pets.

Have you ever softened a review, or wished someone had been more honest in theirs? Hit reply – we read every one :)

🚆 YouTube Pick

House Sitting for Beginners: Tips for a 5-Star First Sit

And talking of five stars…

If you missed this one, it's our short guide to what homeowners notice on a sit and what makes them reach for the top rating.

It's ideal if you're new to sitting, and a good refresher if it's been a while.

Watch it with a cuppa here 👇🏼

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New to our YouTube channel? Watch our latest videos here.

💡 One Useful Thing

Our free guide: Before You Say Yes to a House Sit

Plenty of awkward reviews start long before the sit, with something nobody thought to ask.

Our free guide walks you through the questions worth covering before you accept, from pet routines to what “fully equipped” actually means. That way there are fewer surprises, on both sides.

💻Remote Work Corner

Here's a tool we use very frequently: Gamma.

We use it to turn rough notes into ebooks and presentations that look properly designed, in a fraction of the time it used to take me. If you freelance, run a side business or need to pitch an idea to a client, it's well worth a look. There's a free plan to get started.

​Have a play with Gamma here

That's it for this week. Happy travels, Sarah & Cooper :)

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The Residence, Wimbledon, England SW19
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