from your Point of View (providers) a good agency can be very helpful for a provider who is starting out. They can teach you the basics of the trade. The "DOs" and "Don'ts" and how to present yourself. But the operative word is "good agency". Some agencies, as I have seen in these big cities, are run like meat factories. Some of the girls are made to see 8-10 guys a day.... If you do choose agency make sure that their business practices are something that you are comfortable with.

Going independent from the get go will give you lot of freedom, but the other side of that is weeding out assholes. You need to learn how to screen thoroughly and you will certainly need help doing that.

Final decision is going to be yours, but if you choose latter option, see if you can get someone to mentor you, If you decide to go with first option make sure you talk with some ladies to see what is their impression of the agencies.

-- Modified on 3/18/2013 4:53:34 PM

Besides reading the self help section (link by the lifesaver) and reading back on these pages.  Yes, mostly for the clients but there's tidbits for the provider.  
I'll just throw out a few things you'll need to think about:

You need to understand the 2 call system.

A separate business email (free service) separate from your personal email, a business phone separate from your personal phone.

You'll need pictures.  Guys are very visual.  With modern digital cameras, you don't necessarily need a pro photographer.  Pictures NEED to be HIGH quality, open large enough for clear viewing.  Pictures need not be totally explicit but should be pretty revealing.  A variety of dress & undress, variety of poses.  I avoid providers who use the same pictures over & over...  often they are old or fake, that's all the pictures they have you see!  You'll probably want to hide or blur your face, of course & this is generally acceptable.   Seldom can 8 pictures be enough...  often 12-15...   Pros take a lot of pictures (of anything, kids, weddings, etc) use the best & disguard the lesser.  

You'll need a location(s) to work, separate & away from your residence.  Some gals rent condos to work out of for a year at a time (the lease) but there's more risk in a fixed location there should be a common entrance, a lot of coming & going...  and neighbors who mind their own business.  More often hotels are used...  and move or change rooms every couple of days.  

There's more to learn about the behind closed doors part too.  
Best wishes,
HV