I'd love some advice from some of you that have been doing this awhile. I'm fairly new as a service provider (about a month and a half) and am in a somewhat rural area. In all my searching, I am one of only three providers within a couple hundred mile radius.

My advertising to the "general public" has been very vanilla... just something along the lines of "looking for someone to play with me" or something along those lines. Then when they contact me, I let them know I ask for a donation for my time, and whatever we do in that time is between two adults.

80% of the time, the guys are on board with this and ready to go. However, whenever I ask to verify, they get scared and back off. These are the locals... and my assumption is the vast majority of them are willing to pay, but this would be their first experience doing so.

Any tips on how to keep things on the down low, screen, and not manage to scare these guys away?? I pre-apologize if this isn't the appropriate spot to ask this. My main concern is getting popped by LE, it's a small enough area and I am well known enough as a community member.... it would not be good.

You say you are in a "small rural area" and then state, you "are a well known community member" & there are only TWO other providers within a couple hundred miles.

You MUST screen hard, and thoroughly, BUT in your situation it's only a matter of time 'til you get OUTTED/SHAMED in your small community or get Busted.

Either scenario is a nightmare in a small town environment. If you are close with family locally, or have kids, you will be ostracized. My advice is either proceed as a touring escort out of your area OR consider another line of work. You WILL get outted or busted in the environment you describe. All it takes is ONE guy to say "Mary Jo Smith , you know Bill's daughter, well she sucked a mean cock yesterday at the No Tell Motel, and she swallowed my cum". You will be TOAST!  It will happen.

I have to agree...word travels fast.  Its hard to propose a safe alternative without knowing the full story but I'd think travelling to the outskirts of the nearest big(er) city and doing in-call at a reasonable chain hotel would be the first step.  Likely to attract guys from the city instead of your area, more accepting of verification, easier to avoid LE, etc...just a thought.  Good luck but to overemphasize the point, you'll eventually spend all the money on something but the down side to your family, friends, and self will last forever.

By following these practices in a rural community you WILL get outed and arrested, it is just a matter of time. I grew up in a small rural community and everyone knew who the local lady was. If your ads are vanilla but you ask for a donation on the phone you will get arrested. You can call it donation, roses, whatever but the cops know what you are talking about and will use this to arrest you. They will also give you screening info that can be verified, including work info. References from well known and reviewed providers are the best way to go, IMHO.
It would also open the door, for some not so nice gents to take advantage of you because they  know how scared you will be about getting outed.
I'm not trying to bash you, just trying to help. Please be very careful, whatever you decide to do.  I'm sure there is a huge demand in that area but you have to decide if it is worth the consequences.

Never play close to home.  I'm also in a small community...  and only a handful of local tallent.  But I have not seen any of them...  WAY too much risk of having my car spotted somewhere I could not explain.   (Lesson one, get a boring anonymous car.)  Use a separate phone.  Go a couple of towns away...  & not always the same place.  
You have to get the guys used to some screening.
skb

You are treading on thin ice, sister!
If you are living in a rural area and are well known in your community, I HIGHLY recommend touring!

There is a website called travelzoo.com. I  think you might want to consider signing up for an noninvasive email once a week and see what travel deals they have going on for major cities semi close to you, within reason.
You may be able to tour for a few days for ~$250 if you play your cards right.
Stay away from the small communities.
I completely agree with the "Don't shit where you eat" theory.
Word spreads like wildfire.
Some people love to hear themselves talk and don't think about how what they say will effect the lives of those they talk about.
Be cautious and tour, tour, tour!
All the best,
SF