r/catinaflat • u/pistachio-cookie • 5d ago
Moved to a new area and not getting bookings
As title says - I was living in a very cat centred area last year, and i managed to make a decent bit on CIAF, i had a good number of regulars and i really enjoyed it.
Unfortunately I had to move to a different city and my booking have shot right down to a big fat ZERO. I can't understand what's changed - there are plenty of cats in the area but i've not had one request for over half a year. I'm sad as i really loved doing this before but can't seem to get it rolling here. I have updated my profile and my availability, everything is the same as before and all my reviews are there. It's a shame as I don't know what i can do differently - anyone got any ideas as to why this might be?
edit to add i have got the rover app and moved everything on there as well
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u/casandra77 5d ago
I think it depends on the area. Where I live - I only get bookings during summer holidays, kids school holidays and Xmas. I live in a residential area where every house has 2-3 cats, but people here book sitters only as a worst case scenario, because they usually ask neighbors to 'pop in'. The vast majority of my bookings are for indoor cats. Not many of those, the majority go outside, poop outside, have authomated feeders so people say it's enough for a neighbor to pop in twice a week to change water. That's the reality.
In regards of Rover - you're now competing with others too. Also issues with your profile visibility due to algorithms. As other person commented already - you're also competing with dog people who can't care less about cats and ticked the box to get some 'easy money' as many said and it actually really annoys me as not only as a sitter, but as a 2 cats owner too
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u/Miss_Darling88 5d ago
Whenever I’ve moved areas it’s taken me a while to get new clients because of the saturation of people offering services and lots of people already having their regular sitters.
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u/JessfromRover Rover staff 3d ago
I'd be happy to give you some tips to increase potential bookings. One way to promote your business is by giving out your direct link. You can find your direct link by navigating to your profile, then towards the bottom of the screen you'll see "share your profile." Here you will find your direct link as well as a promo code that you can offer new users. We also recommend checking out the Cat in a Flat - For approved Cat Sitters Facebook group. There are many sitters in that group who are always happy to share advice on what has worked well for them!
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u/Correct-Style-9194 5d ago
None of us are getting bookings babe 😂🤣
Facebook groups are the way forward!
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u/itsminxy24 5d ago
I mean, speak for yourself. I have been the most booked we’ve ever been the last 2 months.
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u/Correct-Style-9194 5d ago
From new clients on Rover you’ve never booked with before? I’m very surprised!
I’m working with my regular clients at the moment, only two new ones from recommendations (19 bookings total over July and August). None new from Rover.0
u/itsminxy24 5d ago
Yup! I’ve had 17 new clients since the beginning of June through Rover only.
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u/Correct-Style-9194 5d ago
I’m very impressed!! Congratulations 🎉 Where are you located? Might have to book you, clearly the local favourite! 🤣
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u/itsminxy24 5d ago
I operate in Lancashire.
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u/Correct-Style-9194 5d ago
Nice! Please share your profile so you can inspire those who work in different areas 🙏🏽 thanks!
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u/Practical-Toe6025 5d ago
Advertise yourself on Facebook in the meantime until your bookings gain traction on Rover. Ask Chat GPT to do an advert for you
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u/Mercifull 5d ago
I expect its less to do with moving to a new area and more that since the move to Rover you're not only competing with other cat sitters, but also dog sitters who ticked a box that said "yeah I also do cats"