i all, this is my very first post on TER. As a new provider, I wanted to know which method of contact providers & hobbyist prefer? Phone, email or both? Currently, on my website, email is the only form of contact.  

My situation - I sometimes travel quite a distance, and need to schedule work around the hobby, so email works the best for initial contact & set-up. I need to plan a few days in advance, and setting up the whole transaction works well thru 2 or 3 emails lining up the business details, and getting to know with who I am meeting.  Then transitions to phone communications with tx preferred as needed.

definitely E-mail..it will give you time to screen and allow any leeway if the appointment is set up..phone only when arriving at actual incall..works out best for both client and provider..

Exactly what they said.  Combo of a few emails exchanged first then the phone call the day of or when arriving  
to the desired locale.

As someone who is always on the go and without a lot of control of my schedule, I often find myself trying to arrange a visit on relatively short notice (day or two in advance), so e-mail and voice mail becomes a game tag usually leading to frustrating results. I've found text to be the best.  Hope this helps.

Oh okay. I've been receiving email request for my number. The emails would say how other providers have their number listed, and I should too. I'm also told I should speak with them, and that should be sufficient enough screening. I always politely refer to my websites screening form to start the screening process. Next comes the emails with "what other providers do", and how I'm being difficult. I didn't think things would be like this. Wow.

When we communicate solely by text/email, we are creating a digital imprint of our every move.  Perhaps I am "old school" but I find texting and emailing very impersonal.  Also, I will not email or text location of incall.  Remember, if you are visiting a girl at a Hotel and for some reason LE is watching her or just watching the hotel in general and they happen to grab you because you "suspiciously" arrived and are leaving after a "1-hour" stay and they start looking through your texts, "your goose is cooked"!  This almost never happens.  The key words in that sentence is "almost never".

In my brief time in this business, those are usually the clients who will waste your time or refuse to be screened. "Speaking to them" is never sufficient enough. Be safe!

all fluff..never give your number out until he is verified and the appointment is set..not unless you want these " lookers" bugging you all day and night on the phone..guys will tell you anything to get you to bend your rules..stick to your screening..you are not being difficult..just safe..

.......just because others are doing it. Peer pressure is so fuggin' lame. You are your own boss...not any of them.

txting s very back and forth.. so I prefer email after all is verified

I prefer e-mail, especially for initial contact because you can include all your info/references in one shot. Texting is ok. I hate talking on the phone. It makes me nervous (I probably have an undiagnosed phobia). Plus I can't tell you how many times I've tried talking to someone through a bad connection, which completely sucks. The worst is when someone is giving me directions to get someplace on the phone and I have to try and remember them all... my short term memory is bad.

Those guys are called creeps and/or idiots. You're not advertising on BP are you? If so then that would explain the "quality" of suitors you're attracting.

Your response made me laugh. Today went well, but I did get a little nervous finally speaking with the clients I verified. I couldn't even imagine having to speak through a bad connection.  

I agree that email and text can be impersonal at times. I guess my real fear is having some creep calling me. How can you tell if a guy is more serious to book an appointment by phone vs email? I haven't scheduled a booking by phone, only email.  

....in order to speed things up and make sure things are straight to the point (while still being friendly). And IF I think it's taking to long I let them know what they need to get to me in the next txt msg (i've gotten good at getting the feel of if they're trying to beat around the bush).