Dear Crystal:
Consider the fact that you are in this business to attract a high grade of client? Where would you go so that you know that you are getting a good grade of client and what are ways that you can verify that?
The answer is that you advertise on sites that are reputable and where the potential hobbyist have reviews to where you can verify the interaction and experience with others within the adult companionship community. That is why we are trying to prevail upon you to stay away from backpage because on those sites the standards and stipulations to participate would be similar to a high school student being admitted to a college with open enrollment. With boards and venues of advertising that are more desirable,those who typically work in the capacity that you do, will require either two previous provider that are currently working or employment verification with what you won't get so easily from a hobbyist on backpage. So it is like you shopping for an item. You go places where you will get a good and safe return on your dollar. Also being a business women the guys that you meet on the better sites are ones that you would want to retain for the length of your activity within the hobby.

Is it a bad site? What are the better sites to go and advertise on or does it depend on the area? I'm in Portsmouth VA

Im in Portsmouth VA

because Backpage is the epitome of shit...

it really does depend on the area.  If you are lucky, you might find a gem anywhere on BP, but for every gem you find, you would probably fine a whole bunch of bad apples.   A good provider friend of mine uses BP with much success, but I think it depends on your area.  Have no idea how it is in your area.

Swim

owns the Village Voice owns it.     The bad rep comes mostly from hobbyist because BP has the most fake pics, Agencies posing as independent providers and pics that get you spam.  However, it get's you great exposure as a provider-take out a sponsor ad so your not putting up and ad once an hour.  In some places it's all you have.

This is all very valid but the fact is, there are a large percentage of TER members that see providers from BP---even though they criticize it.  I'm a FBSM provider and with the exception of some sensual massage advertising sites, most of my clients came from BP and I KNOW they are also long standing TER members.  I hate to say it but there is a fair amount of hypocrisy here in regards to the BP issue.  

Hi Crystal, I am on the other side of VA (Lynchburg). There is no TER board here, and very few highly reviewed providers come through here. As a result, I see BP providers on a regular basis. I have never been ripped off, and had nothing but average - to - very good experiences.

The people who "look down" on BP are mostly people who live and hobby in much higher traffic areas where plenty of well-reviewed providers are available. For many of the rest of us, BP is the only show in town.

Advertising on BP may make you look suspect to a few snobs, but as long as you keep your posts classy and your pics accurate, you should be fine. Maintaining a quality website, and getting reviewed on TER or other major board will help a great deal.

What is absolutely true is that, among the BP providers who are real, many screen very little or not at all. So if you require any level of serious screening, you will probably meet some resistance from the hobbyist who isn't used to it.

Backpage tends to be hit or miss, and the format allows for easy deception.
There are indeed good providers that advertise there, I've met some myself.  But the ratio of good to bad seems to be heavier on bad.  When so many ads use fake pictures, it sadly makes it hard to trust any of them.

One thing to be aware of for you personally Crystal, is the type of service you are looking to advertise/provide.  I recall your post the other day regarding legal Social Escorting.  Wondering which direction you decided to go towards.
If you were to advertise on Backpage - Escorts, it will be assumed by all that you are offering sexual services of some nature, no matter what your ad says to the contrary.  Any disclaimer or limitations you express will be seen as a smokescreen and readers will either assume you are preparing an up-sell or some other scam.

Just something to consider.

I'm looking towards the FBSM and legal social escorting but I assume more of my clients will be FBSM then social dates. Wondering how guys would feel about that tho. Ive been told that hobbyist that are into massages dont like to see girls that offer multiple services because it "cheapens" them or something like they're so desperate for money they'll do anything to make a buck. At least that's how one guy explained it to me.

I would be shocked to hear that you were booking ANY "social dates" from bp. Previous poster was correct in that you can say what you want in your ad but because of where the ad is (bp, bodyrubs, escorts, or wherever) FBSM is going to be assumed and wanted by 99.9%. As for the issue with guys having a problem with you being "cheapened" for providing multiple services, I can only see that being a problem if the other service was full on escorting. Again most of us couldn't care less what you do with your other time so long as you seem (acting skills?? lol) to enjoy your session with us. Good luck and be safe!!

So to provide FS/GFE and FBSM would be looked down on?

Only if your are selective about who you provide services to. Meaning if I book a massage and ask for GFE and you say no or don't offer that, then I find out you do to others then you might lose a customer. Otherwise we will pay for what we want (most of us). If I want want GFE as long as you are clear there is a different rate then you have no problem.

Meaning as in it would be frowned on to be selective with my GFE clients? If I was to give them more then a message only after I had seen them a few times or was comfortable with him I would offer. The way you worded kind of means to me like if I do offer it I have to say yes or I could lose him as a client.

It's the bottom rung and one step above standing in front of a line of motels next to the highway.

But in other parts of the country which are smaller markets, it might be the only way to advertise.  I have no idea about your market, so I couldn't comment.

I think what Ram was saying (forgive me Ram if I'm wrong) was that if you were to only offer FS to certain clients the first time around, it it would offend the ones you didn't offer it to.
What you describe is (IMHO) a perfectly legitimate practice for a provider that is primarily FBSM.

Say for instance you see all NEW clients for FBSM only. As they become regulars you offer increasingly more options for them to take advantage of.  Some may want to remain FBSM, some may decide to go FS.  That's a normal progression for some FBSM providers.  If the available service is based on familiarity, that's justified.

BUT...
If you provide some clients services that you deny to others that you know just as well, that's when someone would take it personally and be offended.

You could also be selective, but request that your FS clients just keep it to themselves.  This should involve you being able to trust them, so likely regulars, which brings you back to building the level of service based on familiarity and repeat business.

As for Social escorting, those clients could feel the same rejection, but if they were hiring you for social, they may not be interested in a FS provider.  You could either use the same formula of familiarity builds service options, or try to isolate your social persona from your FBSM/FS persona by not advertising where the two may cross paths.  Use Different name, photos, phone number, ad venues, etc. for each service.

It's a mess is it?

Backpage is a haven for scamming, liars, fakes, and down right bad providers. Unless you are an experienced hobbyist, finding a gem in backpage is like finding a needle in a haystack. Most are not exactly "cream of the crop".
With that being said I do advertise on backpage from time to time. I like to do this BECAUSE this is where newbies look. They don't know about the other websites and local forums, but they know backpage. I don't hold much stock in it and most guys who reply to my ad are just time wasters but every once in awhile I snag a good client. I like to cater to newbies and offer them a good experience FIRST before they discover the other ladies of BP.