How to write a CouchRequest

CouchSurfing is more than a free couch - it is about the experience of meeting and spending time with people. Some hosts in popular cities get too many Couchrequests and have to select whom to host. They are busy people and have their own lives. But they are happy to encourage people who are passionate about the project and who want to engage in the community. So how to get your Couchrequest accepted? Read on.

Hello...is it me you're looking for?

• Look for a host with similar interests. If you only like museums and your host only likes drinking, there could be a personality clash :)
• Read their profiles to see if you are compatible. Also read to see if they have special rules/requirements. (eg. bring a sleeping bag, no smoking, etc)
• Try to contact newer & less busy hosts to increase your chances. Busy hosts can get up to 10 requests a day or even more.
• If you're travelling with friends, make sure they all have profiles, and be sure to link to their profiles in your CouchRequest, this makes it easier for hosts to look at all your profiles. Also remember to add your friends to your list of friends on your profile.

Say my name...

• Start with a good impression and say the person's name. Don't go "hey man/hi there/hello you/hi" unless you already know them. Sometimes people have a username on CS but their real name is used in their references - why not use that and show that you've read that section of their profile at least. People of Asian background might be uncomfortable with addressing someone by their name the first time they write to you, since, in many cultures, addressing a person by first name is considered rude and too forward. You can work around this by specifically referring to something from their profile to communicate that you read it. A "Hello Mr. Lastname" will most likely not offend anyone.

• Introduce yourself. Don't tell your whole life story but it should be longer than just "Hi I want to surf your couch". Don't copy/paste emails to try to get a couch. Hosts have already caught on to this and your chances of being successful are much greater if you make it clear that you've actually read someone's profile and want to stay with THEM.

Timing is everything

• Be as precise as possible about arrival and departure dates/times. If you are hitch-hiking, let your host know and tell them not to wait for you at home because it's impossible to know when you will exactly be there.
• Don't rush. If you need a couch by tomorrow, you are making it hard for yourself. Try to send requests 1-4 weeks before.

Are you for real?

• Make sure you have a complete profile. It takes some time, but it is worthwhile.
• Write about what you want to do in the place you are wanting to visit.
• Don't make any demands. In principle as a surfer you should adjust to the environment of your host, instead of the other way around.
• Get verified! Being a level 3 fully verified member might help increase your chance of the host accepting you because you have verified that you are who you say you are. This is an important safety feature of CouchSurfing.

Traveling with friends

• If you are surfing together with other people: mention them, introduce them, try to make them sign up on CS. Most people will not host you if your travel partner is not a member as well.

Conclusion

No couch? If you have been a member for a while but don't host now (and have never hosted), then your chances are much lower. Hosts are good at smelling out freeloaders. No references? Try to go to a meeting with people from your area before you start your trip to learn more about CouchSurfing and get friends that know you in person.

If you are completely new or your current living situation prevents you from hosting, you can still meet some local/visiting Couchsurfers for a coffee & drink before you look for a couch. There are frequent gatherings happening is so many cities. More at Couchsurfing Cheat Sheet. If you can't host, try and explain why in your Couch Information instead of having a blank no.

It's OK if you contact several hosts to "increase your chances" but please don't spam everyone in a particular city. CouchSurfing has several spam filters in place and when you send a certain number of messages within a small amount of time you may be automatically identified as a possible spammer and NONE of your messages might go out until they are reviewed by a volunteer to make sure you are not spamming people.

Also be aware that if you send out copy pasted requests, some active members in a city might know each other and tell each other about requests, comparing them, if they find out you just copy pasted a request, chances are slim they'll host you.

Also, it's only polite to reply to everyone who replies to you to thank them and say you already have a couch if you have already found one. They are doing you the favour. Even if they say "no", say thanks anyway - they will remember your politeness and who knows, one of their friends may be able to host you.

Remember, Couchsurfing request emails that are clearly mass-produced and without effort, will usually be ignored or declined.