I am not a fan of the form. Most all of the reasons are stated here by others. E-mail is a better option. Let your site tell me what you need to screen and I'll e-mail to you. I for one have no problem with a phone assistant. I'd much rather speak to someone than leave a message and wait/hope/wonder.
I'm coming out of retirement & building a new website. When I had one previously (5 years ago) I just took calls through an assistant, who booked appointments. I realize that's a turn-off to a lot of gentlemen, but I am no good on the phone. (i.e. not in a good spot to take messages, or scared to return calls because of time that's lapsed between vm & call-back)
I was looking into a booking form on a webpage & wanted some feedback before I went through with it. In your own opinion: are you okay with email forms or no? And please provide details if your answer is the latter.
and just will not book. I have only done it once or twice, when it was a really hot and famous provider I just had to see. But most gals don't do it. An assistant/booker/screener is a better way to go.
Amy, from what I have read, a large portion of the guys here do not like filling out forms on websites. I am one of those. If you feel that it is the way for you to go, keep it as simple as possible.
If you do not like using the phone, use your email address for contact. You can always screen clients thru verification sites, or asking other providers that have seen the client. You can find that out by reading his reviews. So you need to be a VIP member here. You can get limited VIP once you have, I think, 3 reviews on this site.
Hope this helps,
Swim
Online forms are too impersonal, disrespectful and often require inappropriate confidential info. We're customers, not cattle. Better to describe the info you'll need and provide your email address.
Screen by phone, some will want to e-mail. Screen by e-mail some will want to call.
Best choice bight be to allow both: they can call or fill out the form or e-mail.
I was looking into a booking form on a webpage & wanted some feedback before I went through with it. In your own opinion: are you okay with email forms or no? And please provide details if your answer is the latter.
Many guys feel that those forms are a security risk. Also, I have heard stories of filling forms out and never getting a reply. What happened to the guy's personal info? Did it disappear? Did it get intercepted? Or did she get it and not reply? These are the kind of questions guys don't want to have to worry about.
Phone or email are better routes to go, IMO.
exactly what information you need for screening.
I think the best is to just ask for an email from us with what you want and let it go at that.
Forms are a bit of a turn off.
I am not a fan of the form. Most all of the reasons are stated here by others. E-mail is a better option. Let your site tell me what you need to screen and I'll e-mail to you. I for one have no problem with a phone assistant. I'd much rather speak to someone than leave a message and wait/hope/wonder.
But still stating what I need for screening in a list format on my site, like a form without the input boxes. The gentleman just needs to copy and paste into an email, and fill in his answers. I had so many guys doing this anyway I eventually just did away with the form I used to have!
I hate the phone too, so I don't give out my number until I've finished screening and we've firmly scheduled a date. There are a few gentlemen who aren't okay with this and would prefer to be screened over the phone. They're a minority that contact me, though, and you can't please everyone, so I chalk it up to incompatibility and don't lose sleep over it.
Since the form sounds like it is not a good option for most hobbyists, which do you prefer then - Phone or Email. I am in the process of designing a new website and was thinking about adding phone number but it is unrealistic to think I can answer all calls 24/7 depending on where I am and what I am doing. And, a booker seems rather impersonal? Do you all like having the option of both or phoning and maybe following up with an e-mail. I rather prefer the idea of email contact first and then giving out the phone later?
Summer
I still get nervous talking on the phone with a provider the first time. I would think that emails would be easier for providers to look at, as compared to listening to a bunch of voicemails. Listening to the messages I think would take a lot longer than reading emails.
I don't really like dealing with a booker either, just too impersonal, as you said, Summer.
Swim
Phone # can be given out after screening. The day before the meeting is early enough unless there are special circumstances. You have better things to do with your time than be on the phone all day.
Thank you all - I do agree e-mail is the best way first. I have had to weed out offers just based on their emails and am pretty glad they didn't have my phone number too! I think it "breaks the ice" better as well gives each party a moment to collect their thoughts either in the initial contact or the follow ups therefore leading to an end result of better communication and scheduling.
As for the spam folder, even with the filters low I continually check it if it shows any type of activity. I can't trust an email program to really know what I do or don't want to receive!
Have fun & Stay Safe!
Summer
Definitely email first. First I have seen what can happen when you put a phone number out, even a hobby phone and the stolen number on ads that then say exactly the opposite of the providers original explain some of the weird calls they get. Secondly as you have said you can't answer 24/7 and a phone will get the calls from guys trying to get a rush appointment in or time wasters. With email you don't have to worry about the time you read it and answer back. Then when you do give your phone out you know the calls are from guys you have screened or seen before. Lastly if you search on these boards you will see the guys who are upset because they can't get a hold of a provider by phone if you are not right there or call back within the hour. Email gives you the luxury of 24 hour as a reasonable response time. Yes you can lose a few customers who have short timelines, but you might lose them anyway if you used a phone.
If your ad includes height, weight, a body photo, a recent face photo, price and general incall location, then you will get fewer inquiry calls and more decisive decisions to book.
I prefer Email, but for same day (decisive) appointments I prefer texting if provider's response is fast, otherwise phone.
I personally prefer e-mail. If there is a form I will just put the information requested into an e-mail and send it that way.
Twice now, I have had my e-mails go into the lady's Spam Folder and it took some extra effort on my part to get noticed. Please make sure the filters on your hobby e-mail account are disabled and the spam folder is checked every day.
I also request that if the lady is not interested she let me know so that I can move on. Just a common courtesy that takes 15 seconds and it lets me know she received my request.
the same information, or at least the important stuff can be handled via email. Give out your phone only to those who pass initial screening.
I like email... though you have to tend it regularly... because it can be delt with on both ends when time permits. On your site, be sure to specify that you will respond to requests but that the sender must be sure the account is private.
I meant the QUESTION, not you!
This comes up fairly often in Newbie and General boards. See the recent: "Booking forms" (7/26/2011) on General here:
http://www.theeroticreview.com/discussion_boards/viewmsg.asp?MessageID=459134&boardID=12
And: "contact / screening form" (3/29/2011) on Newbie:
http://www.theeroticreview.com/discussion_boards/viewmsg.asp?MessageID=83735&boardID=33
Security is my major concern. "Forms" are not subject to the same privacy protections as email. Look what happened to Murdoch and WW News for violating email privacy. (It happens but it's big time illegal with major penalties ... Oops! So is hobbying!)
Welcome back!
If the provider is well reviewed and has a good reputation, then I generally don't have a problem with filling out the screening form.
I know the screening forms make setting up appointments a lot easier since all the client's information is neatly presented to the provider in one organized form. If the provider just uses email it probably sometimes takes several email exchanges back and forth with the guy to just get the same information out of him that could have been in the form.
My suggestion would be to use the form but also include your email address on the page. You can state something like "Please fill out my appointment request form. If you're more comfortable emailing, please include all requested information." or something like that.