to just post on the OP post when responding to someone's ad?  Or is it better to PM them?  Most seem to say they prefer PM however, I've learned that not every member can access their PM.  It seems like there is no way to not get lost in a mass list of messages anywhere lol

If you message a provider/agency via PM, and you have a good reputation(history of reviews+whitelists) some one will take/accept that as a verification - so this is a +PLUS of using PM. But if your goal is to find the best way to contact providers, use their email/online form/phone number.

It is a chance to give an update on availability, so someone who may have been lurking/waiting for me to come to a specific area can make their final decision. It has worked for me.

Any time I have PM'd an OP about an ISO, a date has not once turned out. (Maybe one, I can't remember lol) And most of the time a bidding process starts. Literally "Well, I got two girls down to 250. What's your bid?"  

Completely useless. But lurkers see it, and go "ding"! Wow, I've wanted to see Courtney for a while, and she just answered that OP's question, which was the same question I had... but I didn't want to annoy Courtney with a "when are you going to visit my area" email.

They pay full rate, screen thoroughly, and have been researching ME for a while, which is what I want. I want someone who wants Courtney specifically, so they can come back again and again.

That's my take on ISO's. Definitely a good thing if you're not answering every single ISO. I personally don't think being anything and everything is going to help business, unless you are looking to be someone available for anything and everything. Not necessarily a bad thing. But why not use the ISO that is something you specifically are available for as a chance to communicate to all who may already be interested?

Much better chance of it becoming lucrative IMO.

-- Modified on 9/23/2015 11:19:42 AM

Answering every ISO with a post makes you look desperate for business.

find out who's desperate, then tell all their friends lol.

Like "I just got so-and-so down to this amount of money, so everyone she's desperate!"  

Either way, if you're desperate, anyone you give a discount to has the potential to tell all his friends. The whole point is not to be desperate.

But - the ISO's do work if you use them properly, and make sure you're using the ones that are appropriate. Just my opinion and speculation

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Really, anything you do in a business transaction, or tell anyone, expect to be shouted from the rooftops.

Many are genuine, but you only need one not to be. It's basic knowledge about how the world works. If you run your own business, charge everyone the same, or word will get out, and everybody will be saying, "But you gave this person a discount - so I shouldn't have to pay it."

If you're not desperate, you won't give discounts. Hence, why I keep my expenses very low. So I never need to give a discount - only faithful VIP extended date rates, which I do after five dates.

-- Modified on 9/23/2015 2:01:11 PM

Send a detailed pm, and then leave a comment on the thread like "Hey I shot you a PM" that way if they don't have VIP they can let you know.