Writing a couch request

The CouchSurfing Wiki, an informal workspace which anyone can edit.

This page will help you write a more effective Couch Request on CouchSurfing.com

Contents 1 Don't Cut and Paste 2 Start the Search 3 Use the Couchrequest button 4 Introduce yourself 5 When and Where 6 Who are you with 7 What about them 8 Don't Be Dull 9 Timing of a request 10 How Many Requests to Send

Don't Cut and Paste

• The number one thing that people say turns them off a requester, is when it looks as though the text of the request has been cut and pasted in many emails and is so broadly written that it could be for anyone. You can copy a short paragraph of text again and again. Although, you will have a much better chance of finding a couch the more unique each request is.
• It may take a long time to find a couch in some places and it can be hard work thinking of new stuff to say every time. When you think how much you save and how much you gain, then the price of a little hard work actually works out pretty good.

Start the Search

• Go to the Couchsearch page and actually search for people that you think that you may have a common interest with. If they don't think that you'll get along then they wont want you in their home.
• Be Picky in your search, really read the profile before sending a message. You want to get an idea if they'll be cool with the way you want to surf.

Use the Couchrequest button

• Don't just send an ordinary email to someone. Show them that you really want to surf with them by using the "Couchsurf with XXXXX!" button located at the top of the Couch Information section of their profile.
• Viewing the "CouchSurf requests replied to" button will help show you the percentage of requests a member has answered through replying to the "Couchsurf with XXXXX!" button.

Introduce yourself

• A brief intro about who you are is often best. Even if you've written something in your profile its sometimes best to state all about you again just for this person.
• Tell them why you are travelling to their neck of the woods and what you expect/hope to find there.
• Find common ground where you believe you could connect with a potential host. Do you have interests in common? Do you have photos of yourself in the same places as them? What about this person makes you think that you could meet them, have a wonderful time in their hometown with them, and potentially make a lifelong friend?

When and Where

• Its really important to state the exact dates of your travel and how long you wish to stay with a person. An open ended statement like "I'd like to stay for a few days" can lead to missunderstandings and so its much better to be specific about when you are coming and when you are leaving.
• Also put the time that you think that it would be best to meet after so that they can let you know if thats realistic.

Who are you with

• If you are travelling with someone then give some info about them as well. Maybe similar to your intro of yourself.
• Include a link to their profile. There's no quicker way to let a potential host know that your boy/girlfriend/mate is a cool person too than to go to your travel buddy's profile page and highlight the address in the address bar and press "ctrl c" then go back to the CS request and press "ctrl v". Its that simple to include a link.

What about them

• Let someone know that you've read their profile by putting a few lines or questions in about them like "I see that you travelled to my county. Awesome When were you there and what did you get up to? I hope tht you enjoyed yourself there."

Don't Be Dull

• Try to throw a joke or some funny comment into the email. It'll make them feel more at home with you and get a happy feel and dialogue going. Well it does depend on your sense of humour but give it a go without being crass and see the results.

Timing of a request

• Don't wait until 2 days before you arrive to send off all your CS requests. Most people will be busy and it doesn't give them much time to plan for your visit.
• Also don't send your request off 2 months early. Most people can't even begin to imagine planning that far ahead so give then a break.
• Send your request between 4 and 1.5 weeks before you arrive and most people will know if they'll be able to put you up.

How Many Requests to Send

• Never send just one and don't send 20. Send between 3 and 4 and wait 2 days. If nothing then send another 3 or 4. Repeat if necessary. Some big cities like London can be hard to find a host but persever and eventually it'll pay off. If you send too many then you are either not picky enough, have too much energy or a cutting and pasting and that shouldn't be the way to do it.