ok so i'm a full-time student (as full-time as it could possibly be, lol)
and putting myself through school. currently i'm weighed down by studying for
finals, writing more than one paper, and a daunting amount of homework every day.
it's really getting overwhelming.

it's been REALLY hard to manage things so that i have the time to see clients each day,
(for awhile i've been doing things so that i'm available certain hours every day and also
taking two days a week off to get things caught up with my schoolwork)
so far it's worked out really well, but lately even that's been hard.  
stopping working altogether isn't an option (unless i dont want to pay my rent, but i happen to  
enjoy having a place to live, lol.) there's just no way i could fit in a "normal" job, unless
one hour of sleep a night is enough (but im not one of those people that functions well- or at all- on  
little or no sleep either, lol.)

i guess i'm just wondering if anyone else is doing this, and if so, how they break things up
so they can be a little more available to their clients.
i have some really awesome regulars and lately i've been more neglectful and i guess i'm just wanting to figure out a way to balance things out better with my time so i can be more attentive.

truthfully it's easier if i schedule my sessions a day ahead of time, but not all clients
are able to do that :/
so i'm trying to be accommodating with the short notice requests, but it's not always possible.

so yeah, if anyone else is currently balancing work/school/etc, how the fuck do you do it???! LOL

ok thats all :

There are lots of providers who are open about being full-time students.
Usually, providing is just a side thing so that they don't have to work a full-time job to pay for school, rent, and other expenses.  
These part-time providers choose quality over quantity, since their schedule is tight and seeing multiple clients is not possible.
Multi-hour weekend dates can make up for the lack of providing during schooldays.

You said it would be easier if you could schedule clients ahead of time.
You'll just have to find clients who like to prebook.

You should raise your rates.  $200/hr is far from unreasonable.  A higher rate will weed out some of the, shall I say, less desirable clients.  As also noted, if you have fewer requests for your time, it will be easier to organize your time.  I would also try to keep short notice appointments to a minimum, maybe only allow them for your best regulars.

Remember, Alice, you can't please everyone, and your education is right now your number one priority.

Good luck,
Swim

I agree. Your rate seems to be to low. I hope your experiences have been better recently. Sucks that you got that guy a couple weeks ago that ripped you off. I still can't believe that. Next semester you might also consider a slightly lighter class load.

Alice, so that you enjoy school (you should and of course getting your degree/formal education is of prime importance) and also you can concentrate on getting the most out of the classes you take especially the ones you like or where the teachers are exceptional:

1) Agree with Swim and IT and the NY provider (her work smarter suggestion is a great point; put your rates at $200 an hour or so).  

Of course you're worth it, and you will cut the volume and still maintain your income that way.  It will help with the volume, and you're feeling squeezed to catch up with school,  and give you more of a time comfort zone. And you ***definitely need that***.  You don't want school to become something not fun hanging over your head and you  usually only get one swipe at being an undergrad or maybe a grad student.  

2) Eliminate short notice to the extent it's disruptive to your school schedule or just the time you need to breathe and do other things to maintain a comfort zone so you're  happy.  Hell yes school is stressful with the load of papers, exams, homework or keeping up, reading assignments etc. and you need to get in a zone where you control it and enjoy it while still bringing in money you need. Sure it's tempting when a short notice more $ booking comes in, but strike a balance so you aren't frenzied by an overloaded schedule and in control so that you can be happy with the balance.

If you check out a large number of ads, many providers ask for a certain amount of notice in their comfort zone, and you can work that out as well.
Good luck.

-- Modified on 4/3/2013 12:02:22 PM

Have someone ELSE book your calls, screen them, and make them go by your schedule. That will save you tons of time and money, and allow you to only have to get ready when you know a call is booked. Many experienced providers screen for other providers on the side...some for as low as 25 bucks a call. I am not talking about some pimp, but a PROVIDER who knows the ropes, and won't put you in harm's way. Also, one who does not LIVE in your area, so there is no need to steal your business.
.
I also agree, that your rates are scaring the crap out of upscale clients, and attracting the bottom of the barrel. If you can just have ONE rate for at least an hour, that will change what you attract. The national average is 300, so you could at least start at 250 and see if that gets you enough business. If you're getting too much, go up again. Not enough, drop to 200. It's called finding equilibrium.

Also, use a different venue for advertising other than backpage...it has a bad rap, and most guys have no clue what "screening" even means. If your area is TER dominated, use it. Also, get on Preferred411, because that site alone can garner you quality business, and consider Eros as well.




-- Modified on 4/3/2013 12:21:05 PM

You have to be direct about your limited time and should not include options for same day appointments , unless you can honestly accommodate the client. By doing this , men will know they have to work around your schedule which is not a crazy demand on your part at all.

London has a good suggestion about paying someone to help; but I think there are a few simple things you can do to make your life "easier. I assume your semester will be ending sometime mid-May so unless you go full time summer as well you should have some time.

1. Raise your price (e.g. 250 and say it is "non-negotiable"); put the new price in your BP Ad. This will cut down right away on "time-wasters" and "bottom of the barrel" guys that visit BP. This is probably what has been taking up most of your time.
2. Be more specific in your Ad about your availability - say you need 24 hrs notice.
3. Be specific in your ad about what screening you require (p411, Date-check, provide ref.)
4. Contact you current regulars - tell them you are raising your price but you will grandfather them (give them a deadline, "thru 2013", eg.) They will appreciate your gesture and it may prompt them to see you more often.)
5. Take some good quality (hi-res digital camera) photos; use a timer like London said or if you have a close trusted friend have her/him shoot you.
6. Start posting weekly ads on TER and other local sites in your area (try to get away from BP if possible)
7 Get yourself an inexpensive "cookie-cutter" website; check out some provider websites; usually on the bottom of home page it will have the name of the company that provided the website; check out their pricing/packages, start with something very basic and cheap.
8. Use your new website (and website email) as your primary portal in all your Ads.

Good luck with this and with your school.

An assistant saves a provider 20 HOURS a week, easily. I had one when I had a life lol.

ates up?  Gotta offer the services.  Reviews not good enough  for big increase.  

 
uote]ok so i'm a full-time student (as full-time as it could possibly be, lol)  
 and putting myself through school. currently i'm weighed down by studying for  
 finals, writing more than one paper, and a daunting amount of homework every day.  
 it's really getting overwhelming.  
   
 it's been REALLY hard to manage things so that i have the time to see clients each day,  
 (for awhile i've been doing things so that i'm available certain hours every day and also  
 taking two days a week off to get things caught up with my schoolwork)  
 so far it's worked out really well, but lately even that's been hard.  
 stopping working altogether isn't an option (unless i dont want to pay my rent, but i happen to  
 enjoy having a place to live, lol.) there's just no way i could fit in a "normal" job, unless  
 one hour of sleep a night is enough (but im not one of those people that functions well- or at all- on  
 little or no sleep either, lol.)  
   
 i guess i'm just wondering if anyone else is doing this, and if so, how they break things up  
 so they can be a little more available to their clients.  
 i have some really awesome regulars and lately i've been more neglectful and i guess i'm just wanting to figure out a way to balance things out better with my time so i can be more attentive.  
   
 truthfully it's easier if i schedule my sessions a day ahead of time, but not all clients  
 are able to do that :/  
 so i'm trying to be accommodating with the short notice requests, but it's not always possible.  
   
 so yeah, if anyone else is currently balancing work/school/etc, how the fuck do you do it???! LOL  
   
 ok thats all :p