Hi everybody! I'm fairly new to the hobby, and have been fortunate to meet some really great providers, but have been frustrated by a lot of non-response to emails. Is it very common to receive no response (everyone's just too busy?), or is it possible that I'm unknowingly sending a message that I'm undesirable? I usually keep the email fairly short, avoid discussing rates or specific services, and generally simply express that I saw the provider's ad, found them interesting, and would like to make arrangements to book a session. Any suggestions or encouragement would be most appreciated.
D
You need to be more specific regarding the meeting. For example, "I would like to meet you for an hour on Wednesday at 1 pm at my hotel in CITY. Are you available?"
Well I haven't been quite that specific. The one that comes to mind was along the lines of, "I plan to be in the area the first couple weeks of September, and would like to meet you on a weekday AM. What times would you be available?" Do you think this type of inquiry is too vague? Also, would you normally include any other information in the email, or only the message as you posted it?
Providers get scores of e-mails a day ranging from straight to the point, "lets get together on the 5th of September, sometime after 5pm"; to guys looking for friggen pen pals. If you're too vague you'll be dumped as a wannabe pen pal.
State your intensions as to wanting to meet with a day and possible time included. A brief description of yourself (emphasis on brief) is a nice added touch as well as telling them your profession. This will give solace that you are not going to be problematic or resist cursory screening.
The less pertinent information they need to drag out of you in a time consuming volley of multiple e-mails the more likely you will receive an eager response.
Okay, that makes sense to me. I'll try adjusting my approach slightly and see if it helps. Is it safe to say that the same approach works best with voice mail as well? I also have been a little uncomfortable with giving out my name (I do give my first name, but would prefer not to give my last name unless the provider specifically requests it for screening purposes). Do most providers feel okay about getting a message from "Joe" or is it customary to give more information before it has been requested?
With voicemail, you need to leave specific instructions as to when the lady can call you back. Most will not return a phone call after about 2 hours unless they know it is "safe to do so."
Chances are if you GOOGLED your name you might find over 50 of them (and none of them you)
There is not much that can be garnered to use against you from your name on a voice mail recording. The forthright approach lends itself to the provider getting an impression of candor on your part rather than a practitioner of subterfuge.
an ex atf told me she received about 100 emails per day. She said if she didn't recognize the sender or subject matter she deleted it. I'm not saying that is right or wrong Just the way it is.
Well, you got my curiosity going, so I did the Google search, first and last names, and got a teenage online gamer, a consultant for a petroleum company, a freelance writer, and (yikes!) a Canadian counter-terrorism instructor! It's not me, girls, honest!! Guess it doesn't hurt to identify yourself (and maybe the profession suggestion isn't a bad idea, either). BTW, my name isn't the most common in the world (like John Smith or something). As far as the ladies returning emails, I'm sure they are busy, especially since I've been looking for highly rated providers... but I figure they must be advertising for a reason...
I'd say I've been fairly successful in the percentage of e-mail replies I get by saying a few things to pique their interest.
Explain where you heard about her, be polite, perhaps express what it was about her that drew your attention, say a little about yourself.
A good provider wants to know about you so give her something to remember you by.
Thanks everyone for all the input! I have been trying to incorporate some of the ideas, and was pleased to get a response from a provider I've really been wanting to see. In her case, I think it might have just been busyness but she commented that she appreciated some of my info & remarks.