So im just going to give my 2 cents in regards to the OP and clear up some misconceptions about the Hobbyist Community..
So, I happen to be a "Newer Provider" aka less than 1 year.. I advertise here and a few other places.
I have been working in the Adult Entertainment Industry for 3+ years as support..
PA, Screener, Scheduler, Verifying, Business and Marketing Development, Online Safety Consult, as well as Screening and Security Consults..
So ive had exposure to a vast demographics and regions in regards to rates, markets, types, etc...
I figured I'd give you an example of what I considered when I chose to start and how I decided to set my rates.. and there were a few factors that went into it...
1) Compared rates of providers who were in my category, Curvy, BBW...
2) Checked major cities and rates of providers in my category compared to Minneapolis,, which by the way is considered a 3rd tier market..
3)I dont want to see more than one client per day, I wanted to stay low volume, so I factored that in when I set my rates.
4) I dont want to be reviewed. For myself, I dont want the intimate details of my encounters put on the internet, its a matter of preference. I believe what goes on between two people in the privacy of an intimate setting is between them. The only thing I think a review board should be used for is to identify con artists, rip offs and potential threats. I fully accepted that because I do not want to be reviewed that I may run into hardships establishing clientele. And I can say confidently, I haven't had that issue.
As a matter of fact, I have had the opportunity to meet some wonderful providers, and have gotten great word of mouth referral clientele because of them.
5) I like the fact that my clientele doesnt know alot about me ahead of time, because I believe it encourages open conversation and getting to know one another, much like how you would anticipate a first date.. I like to take the time, through how I speak and my tone, to have the client warm up to me.
This isnt to be insidious or hide anything, its my preference on how I wish to run my business, and I have my slow weeks and my good weeks, like any of the other lovely ladies.
Now to give my opinion from a marketing and business development consult point of view.
And please understand that this is not to insight an argument or discredit the hobby community.
In the great pie graph of the Adult Entertainment Service Industry, The Hobby community is a small piece of the pie. It may look huge because you are present in it, but when compared on a whole its not that big. There are an have been thousands of high profile ladies who have successful business outside of the hobby and review community, and many that operate UTR. Providers out there, who do not use the boards to attract more business and are at a 6 figure incomes. Review boards are at best 20 or less years old and there are successful women who operated well before the age of the review board process. Just like everything in this world, there are upsides and there downsides.
The Sex Industry does not operate as an apprenticeship program, there is no "having to pay your dues" to get ahead, nor does there have to be a commitment to the hobby community. There are those that fly-by-night and get in and get out and there are those who are in the sex industry to long term.
But our first commitments is not to a community or a hobby, but to our business and how we chose to operate it, whether that be in the hobby community or outside of it. Our top priority commitment above anything is to ourselves as providers. And there are several who are successful operating outside of it, and ask top dollar for their services.
Provider does not just denote what we do for our clients, but also how we provide for ourselves.
And yes, there are bad apples out there like there are in any industry, but they do not determine my value, nor do my clients..
Only I get to be the one that determines my value...
If you chose to pay it or not is entirely up to you, but I can say confidently that there are quite a few who will and I am very happy with my little piece of this pie...
I hope that didnt come across harshly as it was not meant to.. as it was just my thoughts on the matter.
~Cat xoxo
Posted By: Purple777
As much as like to see well reviewed, veteran providers. I will scan the various sites and call new, non-reviewed providers based upon looks and personal desire. Many new providers with no reviews and questionable info, want top $$$. Many do not know or have ever heard of TER and seem to not understand what the importance is of reviews? They are the are the same ones, with no reviews who want 100 roses or more for a quick CBJ, no GFE, no DATY, no Kissing, etc., session! One needs to explain to them that they need pay their dues and commit to the hobby for long-term like those well reviewed providers like Deja, Alex, Jody, Anastasia, etc. Many new/fly-by-night providers do not understand that this is a 2-way street agreement. One (provider) actually has to work at it, be honest, give good service and build up a client base, etc... If not, move along and don't waste our time!