I'm sure this question has been asked a million times over and I've done a bit of research. I subscribed to VIP on TER but how does one actually get started? Do I need to start a website if I want to keep a low volume?

A website will really help, you can use one of the free sites - I use escort-site.com but there are others as well.

Just some basic info on a website - age, location, something about your personality, your stats, and a few pictures is a good start.  Plus once you get a website you can include it on any posts here on TER which will help you with guys being able to check you out since you dont' have any reviews yet.

I am sure others will have some suggestions for you as well but a website is a good start.

You got VIP, that is good.  After you get 3 reviews, you can ask for free limited VIP, that will let you read the juicy details on your reviews, but not other providers.  One thing you should do is read the self help center at the link under the life preserver.  This will give you a lot of helpful information.  

Another thing that will help is to start posting on your regional board, replying to other's posts and adding to the picture day threads if your regional board has them.  This will give you added exposure.  Also,you can post an ad on your regional ad board once every 7 days.

I am the host of the newbie board, so feel free to PM me with any questions you want to ask, just not in public.  I will be happy to answer you.

Good luck and welcome EveRose,
Swim

this business works. TER has a great resource for you to read called the Self Help Guide found upper right near the life presserver. You should also read several pages both here on the newbie board and also on your regional board. You will find the newbie board more friendly so feel free to ask any questions you have that the search function will not find answers for.

Get a TER review & your TER profile will have all the information they need to book a date!

You can update it too!

With newer digital cameras good quality is no longer a professional only area.   The pictures must open large enough to be easily viewed.  Blurred or hidden face is ok.  You will want a variety of pictures with different props, dress & undress.  Picts need not be totally explicit but before I arrive at your door, the totality of your pictures is that I'll know what you look like naked.   Watermark your pictures.  If you don't change appearance you don't need new pictures all the time, but if you do, get new pictures.  You will want to run ads in various venues...  for Pete's sake, rotate the pictures.  There are guys for every body type.  Don't be concerned.  Use your real pictures.

I am suspicious of ads with the same picts over & over.  I've found some who are using stolen or their own pictures (10 years, 2 kids, a dozen tats ago).  Rotating the pictures gives a lot more credibility in my eyes.  And go light on the butt pictures...   Yes, they don't show your face but they also give me no clue as to what you look like.
A word on the template sites...  by all means use them to get started...  but you do not have to use every feature.  I refer specifically to those with a list of acronyms.   It's not necessary.  You reviews will give enough information on your services.  
Do give a rough idea of your area, while not compromizing your safety.

The one thing I recommend is to find a mentor.  Admittedly, other providers will view you as competition...  but perhaps through TER you could find a mentor to teach you the basics of screening (every girl does it different) but this should not be posted to a public forumn nor should clients like me necessarily be aware of all of them.  

Simply put, if you want to be successful...  no matter how much or how little you want to work...  and many provide as a side line, part time...   Be an honest provider.   You know what is expected.  My Fav's are so because no matter what it takes we will finish what we start.  
Example:  a lot of guys consider a BJ to be "hands free" and that certainly is great...  Guys feel that using hands is cheating... initially to hurry them up (unless the hurrying is on purpose because a second round is planned)  but at a certain point, I just need to finish.  The very best providers will take me as far as possible...  and then seamlessly add hands a little at a time until it has the necessary effect.
Or we might have a great time with intercourse but no conclusion that day...  switch back to a BJ & add hands as necessary...  

Don't rush.  Leave enough time.  One of my Favs has extra clocks where she can see them (I noticed they moved when we used different rooms on subsequent dates.)  Some ladies can just tell.  Some use timed music tracks.   Never stack appoinments so close you don't have time to clean up & relax & recover.  

I have to say, the only bad sex I ever had was a mercy f****  by an ex as were breaking up & a provider who scammed me with a non-GFE rush job (even though I did finish) but was on the sidewalk outside in less than half the time I'd paid for.  

There are so many tips to be gleaned from reading these boards...  in your case, what not to do!
Best wishes,
HV

be an ad on an escort mall site, a cookie-cutter website, or a custom website. It is all about marketing yourself and why a hobbyist should pick YOU over other available choices.

Even to be low volumne, you need some way of getting your name out there in the beginning.

is no minimum for that.  Even one review linked to the username is enough for that.