the guide to posting ads.  Talk to other providers in your area, get some idea on how to screen clients.  Look at the profiles of local providers to get an idea of what your rates should be.  A caution on that, don't set your rates too high to start with, you can always raise them later after you have established yourself as a provider.

Good luck,
Swim

Make your safety of paramount importance.

Be sure to screen well and avoid any situations that your gut tells you to stay away from.

Never be lured by an offer to good to be true because all too often it will lead to arrest or worse.

Best wishes to you as you start out.

That's a cute handle, by the way.

I've been thinking of becoming a provider.  Can anyone give me some tips, what to look out for, etc?
Thanks!

I think it's better to start out with higher rates and then lower them if you need to versus the other way around.  If you start off too low, it will be hard to raise your rates later, even if you are established.  All your regulars will want to continue paying the lower rate, and if new guys look at your older reviews and see lower rates, they will want to pay that too.  Don't let the guys tell you what to charge!  It seems to me that a lot of the guys band together to pressure a girl and make her feel like she charges too much.  I get emails and calls all the time saying I'm too expensive, and I'm pretty sure my rates are average.  Guys will always try to get a better deal, just stand your ground!

Research ...Research...Research...

Listen to swim, he's been around a long time and knows what he's talking about.  Start your rates either in the middle of what your area charges or a little lower. Do NOT go high. And here's why. You need to get reviews to build your business, and if your rates are a little less than average you will get someone to TOFTT quicker, than if your rates are high. Remember there is a recession going on, and guys don't have $ they used have to hobby.   Hopeful, you'll service the first few clients satisfactorly. Once there is a little bit of buz about you in the TER community and you have 8 to 10 reviews on your profile, you can raise your rates.  Consider GRANDFATHERING in at your starting rate,  the original group of clients that wrote your initial reviews. Tell these guys it's for a year, but then you'll need to raise them as well.  As you raise your rates, fill out a problem report on your ter profile so the $ charged per hour matches your current  advertising or web site.  There will be NO record of your old donation amounts on TER.  And btw guys will try to get a better deal whether you charge $150 an hour or $500, it's just the way certain guys are.  I continue to see one of the top 10 providers where I hobby the most, at her original rate, her new rate 14 months since she started has increased by $100 an hour.   Good luck!

you should research what the going rate is for your area...  both high & low.  You do not want to be under priced...  you can always run a "Special"...  but you don't want to price yourself out of the market either.  I'd suggest that you want to be a bit above the "low range" so hopefully you get better clients but it can be a tough business.  
If you ask a premium price, you've got to be a knockout looker & provide services at the highest level.  

Now some are perfectly happy working less...  supplementing a day job or just a few sessions a week.  This IS a business & you need to be a good manager.  Trying to do it all yourself...  you keep all the profits...  but you must learn every area of the business.  Contacts.  Advertizing.  Web sites.  Photo shoots.  Screening.  Actually meeting the client.  Health concerns.  A cushion for illness or days off.  Taxes (entertainer or ??)  Transportation.  Hotel costs.  A retirement plan.  Education.  A carreer after providing.

Best Wishes,
skb

A lot of the gals I have met have mentioned someone helping them getting to learn the business.

It pays to have friends in the business.

Been in the business 7 years, please pm me for info, I'd love to help