Is to keep the review process honest, and unaffected by things like kickbacks. (Which is pretty much impossible, it will go on under the table whether TER officially allows it, or not.)
Sure you can say that a girl can give a discount for anything - and *in theory* a discount for reviewers doesn't mean that the guy is obligated to review, or review any more highly than he would have otherwise. However, that's really not the way it plays out. IMO, it contributes to a culture in which reviewers have come to expect incentives, extra time, favors, outright bribes, or even freebies in exchange for writing a good review. (One of my reviewers even took it upon himself to help himself to a little TER-member discount. He shorted me $200. Another one who I didn't see wanted an overnight for the price of a 3-hour date). Also, I do believe that kickbacks/favors affect a review's outcome. I'm guilty... a few Christmases ago, a restaurant gave me a $25 gift card, "just for being such a great customer." Then, they asked me to write a Yelp review. I gave this restaurant the maximum number of stars, and mentioned only those things I liked. I did not mention the things I didn't like. (It's really not a 5-star place and I would've rated it one star less if I'd reviewed w/o the gift). I mean, they were nice enough to give me a gift card that covered a full meal... they'd always been nice to me... why am I going to complain about the steak I really didn't like, or give anything less than a top score? What benefit would that give me? ZERO. In fact, I'm sure that free drinks/special sides, etc. I was used to getting would have stopped. I certainly wouldn't have gotten surprised w/any more gift cards.Hi everyone i been out the scene married the last 3yrs an now returning now. Obvisouly things changed. Im lookng for where i can advertise i need 2 reviews to get back on my sites. That bp is not hood business an noone knows what a review is ugg frustrated inn milw
Advertise on your local TER Ad board and explain your situation and offer a discount for the first two reviewers. Just don't say "good reviews"! Be sure to check the review history for responders (pay for TER VIP for at least a month, it's worth it) to make sure they have a history of giving fair reviews.
Another idea is to proactively seek out potential reviewers by reading posts on your local board, reading reviews, and find a couple of experienced reviewers with whom you think you'd hit it off based on their posts and reviews. Then reach out to them via PMs and ask if they'd be willing to review you, for a discount. (This approach assumes you have full VIP.)
Finally, if you know any providers in your area, ask them if they would refer a couple of trusted clients to you--ones that have a solid review history. That reduces the risk for them and for you.
Offering discounts for reviews is against TER rules and she can get banned. Pretty bad way to start.
She can offer discounts to TER members assuming that TER members write reviews, but she can't offer discounts for reviews.
I'm surprised I have to say this to you of all people, but you need to review the rules on this point. Offering a discount for a REVIEW is not against the rules. Offering a discount for a GOOD review IS against the rules; specifically:
"13. TER has a policy against exchanging good reviews for favors (free or discounted meetings, etc.) or anything of value."
That's why I told her to NOT offer a discount for a GOOD review, just for a review.
She can offer discounts to TER members assuming that TER members write reviews, but she can't offer discounts for reviews.
Just "reviews," not "good reviews." I know your post was clear about not offering discounts for GOOD reviews, but it is safer not to offer a discount for a review at all. It is ok to offer discounts to "reviewers" or members.
-- Modified on 4/30/2017 8:11:09 AM
Ok. It is when all is said and done not what the rule says but how it's enforced, isn't it.
It is wise to follow the unwritten rules just like the written rules if you want to stay in good standing here.
PS is one of our resident experts on the rules, both written and unwritten, which is what makes him such a good host here, AND someone who's advice should be heeded.
It would be really easy to remove all ambiguity from this particular rule by removing "good" from the rule. Then it's crystal clear that it's a no-no to give anything of value for a review, period, and avoid misunderstandings like the cases PS mentioned.
Or make it clearer that it's OK to give something of value for a review, as long as there's no demand that it be a good review. The rule says that, but obviously it's not clear enough to the folks who enforce it. But then, there's some rules that couldn't be stated more clearly and sometimes there's misinterpretations on enforcement.
And some people wonder why many get frustrated with TER, to the point of moving on. 
and it would be helpful if others would do the same.
Yes, some of TER's policies, both written and ESPECIALLY the unwritten ones, can be quite confusing which is why it's helpful to resist "guessing" about the advice you give.
and yes, "selective enforcement" is something else that can be VERY confusing, but it is what it is. We don't set policy here, the vets like xyz, BPS, myself and our fearless host Perfect Storm of course simply try to put the newbies on the best possible path possible. That's why I hate it when the likes of Fancy simply spouts off flippish bursts of inanity, because whenever she, or someone else gives out bad advice, one of us who knows better has to take the time to set the record straight. So please, don't shoot the messenger when we correct you for not understanding that running afoul of the unwritten rules here can cause as many problems as breaking the written rules.
Lastly, please don't think I am accusing you of being like Fancy, by and large your advice is quite good. I was speaking in more general terms about giving bad advice, and Fancy is the poster child for bad advice, not you.
-- Modified on 5/1/2017 2:46:36 PM
Sometimes it is a matter of different admins interpreting the written rules differently, and sometimes it is all those unwritten rules as GaG mentioned.
Thanks for all your good advice on this board. In no way was I insinuating your advice in this case was bad. I just wanted to clarify and keep Torri out of trouble. Nobody wants to get delisted before they are even listed. 
They just don't make it against the rules to offer review-related kickbacks, period. I mean, offering "TER reviewers" a discount is pretty much the same thing as offering a discount for a review. Even if it's limited to whitelisted clients, or verified clients, or something.
I'm sure it will still happen behind the scenes, but at least having a policy against it might make it a bit more frowned upon for reviewers to use their status to try to push for bargains or even freebies, and/or for providers to try to buy/bribe their way to better scores.
I think if a Provider wants to attract a particular batch of clients that she can offer them an incentive to book with her: "If you are left handed and arrive in a Ferrari you get $100 discount." Or, "If you have published reviews on TER, you receive a $100 discount."
.
She can read the published reviews of those potential clients and anticipate how to make the session work to their mutual advantage. It's a win-win.
-
By limiting the discount to those with published reviews, she is also encouraging Newbies to see her, to write a review and get the discount at subsequent meetings. (She could IMPLY that she will give a discount retroactively if they write a review; full fee and then a double discount at the 2nd meeting.)
Is to keep the review process honest, and unaffected by things like kickbacks. (Which is pretty much impossible, it will go on under the table whether TER officially allows it, or not.)
Sure you can say that a girl can give a discount for anything - and *in theory* a discount for reviewers doesn't mean that the guy is obligated to review, or review any more highly than he would have otherwise. However, that's really not the way it plays out.
IMO, it contributes to a culture in which reviewers have come to expect incentives, extra time, favors, outright bribes, or even freebies in exchange for writing a good review. (One of my reviewers even took it upon himself to help himself to a little TER-member discount. He shorted me $200. Another one who I didn't see wanted an overnight for the price of a 3-hour date).
Also, I do believe that kickbacks/favors affect a review's outcome. I'm guilty... a few Christmases ago, a restaurant gave me a $25 gift card, "just for being such a great customer." Then, they asked me to write a Yelp review. I gave this restaurant the maximum number of stars, and mentioned only those things I liked. I did not mention the things I didn't like. (It's really not a 5-star place and I would've rated it one star less if I'd reviewed w/o the gift). I mean, they were nice enough to give me a gift card that covered a full meal... they'd always been nice to me... why am I going to complain about the steak I really didn't like, or give anything less than a top score? What benefit would that give me? ZERO. In fact, I'm sure that free drinks/special sides, etc. I was used to getting would have stopped. I certainly wouldn't have gotten surprised w/any more gift cards.
The guys who read TER ads are the ones who write the reviews, so it's only natural to put up ads on your local board.
Be sure to read the rules first.
of this board. You will find that whenever you respond to a post, you can add a link to your website which is a great way for hobbyists to find out more about you.
Also, as Mrfisher said, be sure to post your one ad every 7 days on your regional ad board.
Good luck getting back in the game.
Thank you sweetie
If you do and you can prove those were your reviews, (same email etc.) you should be be able to link those to your username, then you will have a headstart. Even though those will be older reviews, people will know you are established and not a newbie where they will have to TOFTT.
If not, then you will have to establish yourself as a new provider to TER. As the others have said, the best way to get TER reviews is to advertise on TER and get known here. Post your ad on the ad board. Post photos on the photo board. Join discussions on the discussion boards. Unfortunately I think Milwaukee is not big TER country, so that could be a bit of a problem too. There is a provider from there who posts here a lot. Maybe she I'll show up with some specific advice for your area.
Good luck.
You can also ask anyone that sees you to sign up for TER and do a review. Let them know at the end of the session that you would greatly appreciate one.
Milwaukee is not too big on reviews or TER guys. However you can always just ask the guys you see and give them the website address. A few will sign up and do it. Most do not know what TER is in our neck of the woods.
I know it doesn't overly help getting reviews from a guy who has no reviews but it is something. Do know those reviews may be delayed a little.
Post an ad on our local board and partake on the WI board when guys put up threads.
You can email me if you want and I will be helpful. I've been in Milwaukee a very long time. Over 10 years.
Thank you hun i got to pay for vip i will get in touch with you soon
The links are on my TER profile.
I knew you would show up
I'm glad I stumbled upon this post, although I'm new to this site I'm not new to the hobby. I'm used to offering "review specials" every now and then but it looks like that's against the rules here. Thanks!
Xoxo,
Bella