and limit the amount of investment you have to make.

My suggestion would be to ask on the Dallas Board about agencies with good reputations and then contact those agencies and discuss the matter with them.

Hello all!  I'm newly registered here but I've been lurking and reading (and laughing) behind the scenes for awhile.  I'm ready to take the leap, but I'm not sure how I want to start.  I tend to think that I might want to start with a local agency to get my feet wet, but I don't know how to get in.  I've looked at BP ads but they feel pretty amateur.  How do I find an agency?  Here's the catch:  I'm 42 but look 10 years younger, I have tattoos, (very good ones) and I haven't seen many ladies who look like me out there.  I'm attractive, in good shape, but I wonder if by having tattoos, short hair and an alternative sort of look, if I'm not what an agency would want.  I'm also a little shy at first.

What I'd love is to make some friends in the business here in Dallas and connect with ladies who can offer a little guidance.  I want to do this smart.  I've read through the newbie threads and know I need a website and some photos.  Would an agency take care of that for me?  I don't have a lot of cash to invest in this yet, and I really want to get my foot in the door.  

Thanks in advance!

I am getting sick and tired of having to do what you just did, correct someone using flat mode and responding to the wrong person. Before NEW TER, the Classic version only had tree mode and people were able to follow who was talking to who in even the longest and most convoluted threads. Eliminating flat mode would go a long ways towards ending this type of confusion.

...it started when another ad site, began nickel and diming us for everything, and then started their own review system.

  If you look at the Sponsor Ads on BP, you will find top rated ladies from New York, DC, Miami, etc.  The trick to BP is keeping your ad as simple as possible, and implementing key words, such as mature, reviewed, incall, outcall, newbie friendly, etc.

   If you click on my "review page" you will find a link to my BackPage ad.  The gentlemen I meet through BP are no different than those I meet through here, or other ad/posting sites.

Good luck, and have fun!

Kelly

The other day you questioned a poster whether he was responding to your post when it was clear that he was responding to the OP. Now on this thread you are responding to mrfisher about BP, when fisher's post mentioned nothing about BP, and the OP's did. It is obvious to me by reading your post that it was directed to the OP, but by it's position in the thread yours is a reply to mrfisher.

In any case, I agree with you about BP and have been preaching that for years. BP is not an evil site or a cesspool or many of the other bad things it has been called on TER. It is simply an advertising site, and it is what you make of it. Whether you use BP or not is not important. It's how you use BP that is important. This goes for both the advertisers (provider) and the consumers (client/hobbyist). As you mentioned, how a provider words her ad does a lot to determine what type of client responds to it, and from the client's side, knowing how to read ads (and doing other research) easily identifies the real and good providers from the scams and robs on BP.

Aloha
PS -- Modified on 3/24/2015 1:57:53 PM

Thanks Kelly,  
I'm not able to see reviews (apparently I'm "basic!" I've never had a client so I figured with no reviews I'd be taking a risk by listing on BP.  Without verification or reviews, I guess I'm persona non grata, right?

I have even seen a few trainwrecks start because of that. Not that I don't enjoy a good trainwreck, lol, but it should be started for the "right" reason, not because someone replied "out of place."

Thank you Mr Fisher, I'll do that.

First off, getting started as an Independent provider isn't as hard as many people think. I started just where you are right now and after trials and tribulations am where I am by choice. There are tons of sites for 'escorts' that can swallow you whole if you don't know what to look for. As a woman once in your shoes, the sites that I found most appealing that found me the less questionable clients without as many safety concerns and hassles are p411 and TER. But please before you do anything, implement a screening policy for yourself if you do decide to jump off the agency thing and go independent. I personally would stay away from BP and the many other sites (I can't name them) that have so much advertising and wording on them you'll get lost in the mix and become just another face.  

As far as your look, there's a look for everyone, so don't worry about being alternative. There's every flavor of the rainbow here for all flavors of gentlemen. You will appeal to a certain clientele if you simply ask yourself what kind of provider you want to be first. Take a few photos to start if you can't afford a photographer, and market yourself well with photos that display that type. Your rates will also reflect the kind of provider you are. While this is quite the topic as to 'what to charge', come up with some numbers that you are comfortable with for your efforts and start there. Do not let anyone haggle you down to something you just aren't comfortable with. You are a target being new, and there are guys out there who specifically hit up women like yourself to get what 'they' want knowing you are new. It can be dangerous. So please with a big word of caution...be safe first and always and listen to your gut instinct.  

Also when you're comfortable, create a website that depicts the type of lady you'd like to be (escort design) is my recommendation and free to start. It is super simple to navigate and create a simple look for you. However I have found while it's nice to have, it's certainly not necessary. I pulled mine a few months ago only because I found it was redundant and I personally didn't need it anymore. Once you get all that squared away, simply advertise on here to start which is just as easy...and you are an Independent provider.  

With some patience, alot of perseverance, and love of what you do, the clients will come. And the reviews will follow. While I have never worked in Dallas (although one of my clients just moved there I know it is a high volume market or so it seems. There are a lot of ladies to choose from in Texas. So if you can find a way to be competitive with the other ladies there, it's a win win for you.  

I could go on and on but I won't. I've taken up enough of your time lol. Do what you are comfortable doing first and foremost. I have stated before, I would personally not ever go with an agency, but that's just my personal take. If you are more comfortable starting there, then by all means try it. Just be careful with who you go with and make sure they are legit. There is a different kind of danger there than in being an indy. As long as you play smart every single time, you should be just fine. Just don't do anything you aren't comfortable doing.  

Take care of yourself and get ready for the ride of your life...literally

Taylor xx -- Modified on 3/24/2015 3:26:01 PM

PS,  
Thanks for your reply. Since I don't have a way to screen clients, is BP still a smart option?

You should always screen, no matter what. It's for your safety. Now you are in a catch 22 sonce you have no reviews and guys can't "screen" you, it will be harder to get clients to see you. Also one of the primary ways of screening are to ask for references from other providers a client has seen, but many providers won't give references to an unknown provider. Other good screening methods are the verification sites like p411, but you can't join them unless you can be verified as a provider, so yes there are a few roadblocks but you can get through them, and there are alternate methods of screening that you can use. Maybe some providers will be willing to help you out with that. They usually won't do it on the public boards. Since you can't get PMs here maybe you can use email.

You might consider paying for VIP here, even for just a month (30 bucks). That will give you PM privileges here on TER, as well as allow you to read reviews in their entirety. Once you get a review here, ask admin to link it to your username and you will automatically have limited provider VIP. It is not the same as full VIP, but it is free for providers and still allows you to PM and to read your own reviews.

Also as you first asked and mrf, pointed out, it may be smart to start with an agency since they can handle the screening and advertising. The key is finding a good one. I can't help you with that.  

Now to your actual question, is BP a good option for you? It definitely can be. As Kelly said, watch how you write your ad. Another suggestion is to not post your phone number. If you make clients email you, only the most serious ones will contact you, and that will eliminate the drunk horny 3 AM "are you available now?" calls.

If you haven't already, read the self help center here. Also, introduce yourself on the Dallas regional board. Once you have an ad posted somewhere (even BP) you can post an ad on TER on the Dallas ad board, and link to that other ad. The best way to get reviews on TER is to get yourself known on TER.

TER does not let us link or mention names of competing sites, but there is another site popular in Texas that you can easily find with some research.

Good luck and welcome to TER.

willing to help you out.  It appears she has been in your shoes and is willing to help.

Thank you, I so appreciate all the good advice.  I think I will sign up for a VIP account and see where that takes me.

...when in flat mode the only way to reply to someone is to quote them. There is no reply button only report this post and quote. Unless BwB took the time to delete the quote I don't think she was using flat mode.

I agree about getting rid of it.

But I forgot about it (probably because I never use flat mode. Lol)
I wonder why Kelly's posts are off then.

Dear Kelly:
I dare say that although they are the same, I would think more times than not they would have a much more rigorous time being verified than clients who would be from here.  Also I am wondering would men there have the same type of hobby history and associations to verification sites that men would have here.

...time I use "view all" is when all the replies are direct responses to the OP.  Otherwise, I use tree mode which is the default version in Classic TER.

The gentlemen I meet trhough BP are more willing with me to be screened than gentlemen from other sites; and yes, many have P411 and Date-Check profiles.

   Again, it depends on the person, and the content of the ad.  If you come across as low end, those are the gentlemen you will attract.  It's really not any different from any other site.

Hugs and Kisses,
Kelly

PS.  I was indeed flat!  Love the Newbie Board!  I just learned something new, without evening asking!

Many thanks.

Hugs and Kisses,
Kelly

...When you're in flat mode you have to hit the quote button in order to reply. That way readers know who/what you're replying to. I suppose it could also help the person replying (you in this case) be sure they are replying to the post they want to address.

Thank you all for your help and advice.  I did as suggested and created a website.  Can I post the link here?  I'd love some critiques.

Thank you Taylor for the warm welcome and words of wisdom.  You've eased some of my fears and gave me the little push I needed to create a website.

You can post a link to your website when you respond to a thread but not in the initial post if you started the thread. It's a good idea to link to your site when posting, before you get your first review, so we can find it but adding a link every time you post can look desperate.......

When you're ready, post the link here for feedback if you think you'd like some from other posters, but still do what is in your heart despite the varying opinions. Then when you're ready, place your first ad as a trial under your ad board for your area, but only after you've got everything else squared away and ready to go....screening, how you choose to communicate and your rates. When the emails start coming, you want to be prepared. The business side is equally if not just as important as the service side of this world, just like running any other business.  

Also, take advantage of the free exposure allowed here on TER first and foremost by posting a photo on the photo board daily with your location and name, so gents can at least start to get an idea of just who you are. If they are intrigued they will keep an eye on you and come back to you when you're ready to truly unveil yourself to the world. You can start this today if your photos are ready to get a teaser going. It's a great way to introduce yourself, easy and quick.  

There are many tools out there to help becoming a provider without a handbook. With a lil help, guidance and will to be successful, I have no doubt you will be wonderful.

Hope to see you soon on here...

T xx -- Modified on 3/26/2015 5:22:57 AM

I only vaguely remember ever seeing that option on Classic, and I don't even know how to find it, but don't bother telling me, it's not an option I ever care to use, as the tree mode in Classic, which as we both agree is the default setting, is by far the best way to view the discussion boards.

-- Modified on 3/26/2015 9:43:31 AM

I'm still muddling through with the website and deciding how to word things so I'm not quite ready to put it out there but you've been incredibly helpful and i want to give a heartfelt "thank you".

You've received great advice. Welcome and good luck!

-- Modified on 3/27/2015 8:57:12 PM

You're very welcome, it was my sincerest pleasure. Best of luck to you and please stay safe. You are stunning btw

Always,  
T xx

Thank you!