Ask for a "donation"
If you are uncomfortable with the idea of a contract for your business, use a donation method. Remember that most states define prostitution as accepting money as compensation for sexual services delivered to another person. To avoid the compensation debacle altogether, ask for a contribution or donation for your personal services as an escort "(YOUR TIME
. Do not refer to the charge as a fee or cost.
How to accept money
As an escort, you will be accepting money for your time. The best way to accept a donation is to have a small table near your apartment door, if you are working from your own apartment. As your client enters, ask him or her to leave the money in an envelope on the table. Ask them, "Do you have an envelope for me? Just leave it on the table there, please!" At that point, suggest that they "freshen up" in the washroom. As he or she is in the washroom, quickly examine what has been left for you. In this fashion, you have deniability about the direct transfer of money for your services.
A different situation arises if you are visiting a client in a hotel room or other location. Keep in mind that some clients will be very uncomfortable with going into the washroom and leaving an escort alone in their hotel room with their belongings. This is completely understandable, as you both are strangers. A strategy to avoid this awkward situation is to request the client to place the envelope in a location that's right next to the washroom. As you ask them to enter the washroom, say, "Feel free to keep the door cracked open so you can hear me right here. I'll be coming in 30 seconds; I just need to check something first." AND ADD IT TO ETIQUETTE ON YOUR POSTINGS/WEBSITE
Familiarize yourself with the law
Read up on state law concerning prostitution and other related violations. Knowledge is power, and the more you know the better you can protect yourself from legal trouble. As an escort, you should clearly understand what prostitution means in your state.
Become a masseuse
Instead of calling yourself an escort, become a masseuse. Massages are legal in all 50 states in the U.S. and are easy to advertise. It is generally very easy to become a masseuse in each state, with limited licensing formality. Being a masseuse also helps in regard to creating a contract.
However, read up on any laws that may concern contact with another individual. Your massage descriptions should avoid discussion of erotic massage or massages involving the genital or intimate areas on an individual.
Pay Uncle Sam
One of the easiest ways to attract legal attention to yourself and your business is to fail to file taxes and report income. The IRS can easily track everyone down, and by not paying taxes you may be waving a red flag in their eyes.
File taxes and report your income as compensation for rendering personal services. Personal assistants, housekeepers and cosmetologists report income for personal services for other people; and, you can, too.
The downside to this strategy is that you must pay taxes. However, every legitimate business is required to pay taxes, and as an escort, remember that you are running this type of business.
Avoid street walking
Never take your business to the street. By standing on a street corner, hovering around a bus station or hanging out at a truck stop, you might as well be telling a police officer that you are a prostitute. The message is very clear to law enforcement officers when they see someone loitering and stopping passers-by.
It is much safer and simpler to promote your escort business online, on a site like this.
Go big city
Move your business to a large city. It's much easier to fly under the radar and go unnoticed if you're working in a large, metropolitan city. With cities that have populations of 750,000 or more, you're less likely to attract attention.
Additionally, large population means a larger potential client base, plus you will be less likely to run into someone you know.
Don't proposition
Escorts should never start the conversation about business. Always allow the client to bring up requests, money offers and anything else that should be discussed prior to doing business. By making the offer or explaining the details, you may break prostitution solicitation laws, which can cause you problems.
Stay quiet
Keep your career choice quiet. There's no need to share what you do with everyone. The fewer people who know what you really do, the better. Even though people may not mean any harm, information can sometimes be incidentally shared with the wrong person or in the wrong company. By keeping mum about your career, you reduce the chances of any legal backlash.
Become a legitimate business
Register with your city or municipality and state for a small business license. After completely filling out all paperwork, you will receive a business ID number and the legitimacy of being a real business. Worries about your escort business being found to be illegal are lessened when the city and state both recognize your business as legal.
Of course, just because you have a legal license does not mean you are above the law. You should still operate your business cautiously.
No guarantees
There is no guarantee that following any of these strategies will shield you from all legal risks involved in working as an escort.
It is important to always be cautious, not reveal more than necessary, and to refuse service to anyone if something doesn't feel right.
