We're so excited to see how much the Meowtel community has grown over the last few years. Cat parents have more choices than ever before when they're choosing the purrfect caregiver for their precious kittos. With the ever-growing number of independent sitters to choose from, you might be asking yourself how you can stand out from the crowd. Well, we're here to help! We've compiled a list of suggestions to delight and leave a lasting impression so that your name will be the first one cat parents think of when they need a-meow-zing care for their kitties.
What Cat Parents Expect During a Reservation
You may have already seen the FAQ about what visits often include. If you haven't already, it is helpful to familiarize yourself with it to understand what cat parents commonly expect from cat sitting visits booked through Meowtel. While this covers the basics, such as the general tasks (food preparation, water refreshing, litter box cleaning, tidying up, written update, photos, etc) we have a sneaking suspicion that you want to know more about what experienced sitters are doing that really a-meowze their clientele. So, without further ado, let's dive right in!
#1 Being Proactive
Most sitters on Meowtel can relate to the anxiety a cat parent feels when they have to leave their kitties with someone new. One of the best ways to ease their fears is by being proactive. This begins as soon as a cat parent reaches out to you with a reservation request. You may offer a meet and greet before the cat parent asks. Offering this shows you're eager and invested in getting to know them and their kitties. Being proactive also helps instill confidence in your cat parents. It demonstrates that you feel confident in your abilities and have the experience and knowledge they are looking for. For more tips on this crucial step, check out our guide on making a meet and greet meow-velous.
During the reservation, many sitters find that keeping cat parents informed helps build trust. You might consider letting your cat parents know when you have arrived and when you are leaving a visit, as this gives them the opportunity to reach out to you in real-time with any questions or requests they may have for their kitties. Sending detailed updates, videos, and before and after photos of completed tasks (litter, food, water, etc) is the purrfect way to demonstrate that you've taken care of everything! Proactive updates can prevent cat parents from worrying about how things are going.
When things are wrapping up, be the first one to get the ball rolling for any key return scheduling that may be needed, and don't forget to politely invite them to leave a review of your services so you can continue to build those 5-star reviews.
These tips are from experienced sitters - how you run your business is up to you.
#2 Take notes!
Some cat parents may already have notes written for you. However, this is not always the case, and it's important to consider that you have all the information you need prior to a reservation. There is a notes feature on the cat parent's page in the app where you can jot down things, but you may also use your own note-taking app as well. We're all guilty of thinking we will remember something only to find that we don't when the day comes when we need that information, especially when there is a larger gap of time between a meet and greet and when the reservation starts.
Wondering what topics to cover during a meet and greet? Check out this comprehensive guide!
If you're more of a pen-and-paper fan, try checking out the official Meowtel Meet and Greet notepad in the Sitter Store. In addition to being adorable, it also has items broken down into suggestions to help guide you through the kinds of things that are helpful to ask on your meet and greets. 🗒️
Want to take your notes to the next level? Try creating a Google doc that you can share with your cat parent that you and they can edit and add to as you sit for them.
These tips are from experienced sitters - how you run your business is up to you.
#3 Extraordinary Updates!
It's safe to say that the world loves cat photos and videos, and cat parents are definitely no exception! Getting to see the adorable fur friends while we are away gives us all the warm fuzzy feelings. To take it a step further and really wow your cat parents, turn on your camera's "portrait" mode to capture some Instagram-feed-worthy snapshots of their kitties. This effect blurs the background slightly so that the focus is all on their fantastic feline. 📸
Many sitters also include before and after photos of any tasks completed, such as litter boxes, food, water, tidying up, etc. This not only gives cat parents peace of mind but also helps clarify the work done in the event of a misunderstanding.
You can find many sitters also crafting charming, funny, and unique written updates that tell a story about the day's visit. Include information that is specific to the kitties, such as unique habits or adorable antics that are personal to them. This shows your attention and appreciation for these special babies and assures your cat parents that their kitties are getting the absolute best care while they are away. If you need inspiration, read more about the anatomy of a text update.
These tips are from experienced sitters - how you run your business is up to you.
#4 Giving Thanks
It can be a big step for many cat parents to trust a stranger to care for their cats, even one that is highly rated and experienced. Taking a moment to recognize that trust and thanking them for taking that big leap is another purrfect touch you can leave on your final visit. A handwritten note thanking them for their trust in you, and for getting to spend time with their precious kitties goes a long way. Some sitters also will use this space to write something fun, like a poem about the cats, or a cute illustration of the kitties. We encourage you to make it your own and get creative. When in doubt, ask yourself what would make you feel happy as a cat parent to read.
If you're in need of some cat-tastic note cards, we've got some official Meowtel Thank You Cards that feature the adorable mascot, Timothy. If you wish to leave a gift such as toys or treats for the kitties, please always check with the cat parents first to confirm that is ok and safe, as some kitties may have allergies or sensitivities to certain items. ❤️
These tips are from experienced sitters - how you run your business is up to you.
Get Out There and Wow!
We hope these tips have been helpful and have given you some new ideas on ways to grow your business, create lasting relationships with cat parents, and provide you with some insight into what cat parents expect and look forward to during a visit.
Are you doing something to delight your cat parents that wasn't mentioned above? Feel free to email us at [email protected] and you and your idea may be featured in one of our Sitter Newsletters!
Ready to give cat parents the cat-titude they deserve? Check your sitter profile today!
Ready to find the purrfect sitter for your feline friend? Find a cat sitter on Meowtel today!
