Hi guys and gals,

How do you feel about a provider having a personal assistant?  In my case, I would like to have another lady simply answer my phone and check my voice messages.  I would still be available directly via email.  She would then return the call and either obtain screening information and set up a date or get an email address or a good time for me to call him back so I can contact the gentleman that way if he prefers.

Due to personal reasons (and my bum phone-getting a new one), I am unable to answer my mobile most of the time and usually by the time I get the message it isn't an appropriate time to call the gentleman back.  I URGE on my voice mail, as well as my ads and websites, that I be contacted via email but I still get many calls and voice messages.

I feel terrible about not being available in a timely manner......mainly because I am being terribly impolite and that doesn't sit well with me.  I will admit that.  I would like to have someone help me take care of things and I would really appreciate any input you can give me.

Please let me know your thoughts.  I really need some advice.  Until then...

Yours truly,
Belle

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if you let a PA into your cabbage patch you risk your "data base" being stolen or
compromised if you and her ever have a dispute. why not just spend $39.00 and
get a phone that works

Hi hotsouthernbelle,

Just wanna be honest here and tell you I'd be turned off if I called and someone, ANYONE, answered *other than* the provider.  Even if your assistant gives full disclosure that she is not you right up front, it sorta reeks of agencies, management, CL/BP bait & switch cons, and possibly even Uncle Leo.  I totally understand why you'd like an assistant, but I'd just caution you that I'm probably not the only hobbyist who'd be a bit spooked by someone other than you answering your phone.  Unless I was TOTALLY jonesing to see you, I'd move on.

Sorry, probably not what you wanted to hear, but it's the reality of the situation for me.  Keep in mind, though, that I'm a hopeless romantic, who's looking for a feeling, a vibe, of a personal connection with a provider *before* booking the date.  Sometimes that can be accomplished through written correspondence, but hearing her voice on the phone is an even better test of chemistry.

Best of luck to you with whatever you decide.

Matt

ps~for the record, i have booked providers without speaking with them on the phone, but it was ONLY because i was totally jonesing to see them AND their protocol was email/PM/text only until the door opens...so i obliged.

the email route in any event. the phones and txt are not the the way to go in my view. don't at all get the point ( or I guess lack thereof of the prior MC poster- comments make no sense). So, to that end, ,encourage all contact via email. I know 2 providers that are in the top 20 ratied in the US that do no contact other that email and they obviously have done fine so maybe just forget about the PA, don't publish anything but your email, and in all adds just say email only. Screw the phone and txts and voicemails.

It all depends on the circumstances.

My primary has a personal assistant and it really helps her with managing her calendar and appointments and things like that.  

In my opinion, if you find someone trustworthy who can take all the weight off you in regard to scheduling and making proper contacts and appointments...you're set.  If the assistant is even "so-so" you're in a world of hurt.

Ultimately your time and performance are being judged by your clients.  If you're assistant is a doodoo-head and botches your appointments...it falls on your reviews and ultimately your repeat business.  So a QUALITY assistant is cool and worthwhile.

It would take alot of trust on my part for me to allow another lady to answer my phone.  I have someone in mind now so I have been entertaining this concept again.  Thanks again for the encouragement!  See you soon...

Truly,
Belle

Hi Belle,

For my two cents worth, what ever works best for you, do it. If having an assistant helps you in keeping track of your clients, there really is no down side. So long as that assistant doesn't burn you, why not try it out. Those of us who can master the use of a mobile device may not need outside help. Those of us who do need help (like me) will find a way. I know you will find your way too. And don't feel too bad about responding to guys who call and leave voice mail messages. If you put it out there that you would like to be contacted via e-mail and some guys ignore that, that's not being impolite on your part. So don't stress out about that.  I hope this message will help you out. Take care Belle.

J.A.

You are not the first man that I have heard the same from.  In an ideal hobby world many men, if not MOST, would prefer being able to call a provider and she pick up immediately.  Unfortunately, for me this is not possible.  Different hobbyists prefer different methods of communication as do different providers though it seems.  

My hope is that either my having an assistant or my going to email only for initial contact will be less of a turn off than not hearing my voice at all from the get go (i.e. any lack of communication) .  I am also hoping most gentlemen know me well enough by my websites, ads, and reviews that it is well known I am not affiliated with an agency or any other one of those yucky terms.  

First off, I need to get a new phone!  Thanks so much for your input again.

Yours truly,
Belle

Contact via email until all necessary screening has been completed.  It seems safest to me for all parties but I think MOST hobbyists, given my call to email ratio, prefer being able to reach a provider by phone immediately unfortunately.  You, I know from experience, are a planner like me though; we both put alot of thought and effort into planning our dates as a provider and hobbyist.  However, I do like to talk to the gentleman before we meet once my screening requirements are met.

Thanks for piping in.  I always appreciate your candid comments.  I LIKE THE WAY YOU THINK love...

Yours truly,
Belle

If you feel this would help you and give better service to you clients than I say go fot iy I see no problems with this.

Belle - I would assume with most it's only a matter of time. To keep up on all the VMs and emails and still see clients - that's a lot. It's only a turn off or confusing when it's not disclosed upfront. But if I'm aware that I'm dealing with an assistant ahead of time, I'd have no problem.

Belle, if that's the choice, I'd go with "email-only for initial contact".  At least that maintains the ostensible one-on-one dynamic between you and your prospective clients.  When you add a third party into the mix, no matter how innocent and pragmatic the reasons are behind your creation of this buffer between you and your prospective clients, it reeks of "business".  And I don't like it.  But then again, I have a lot of water in my chart...lol...and so I'm very sensitive to such perceived breakdowns in the illusion that many of us men value so highly.  I bet a lot of detached air signs wouldn't be turned off in the least.  Perhaps you should have gents email you their charts first, and then you can gauge how best to communicate with them on a case-by-case basis.  (j/k on that last suggestion. lol)

As for your second point above, I wouldn't assume that "most gents know" you don't have management.  The prevailing assumption most men hold, from what I understand, is that most providers *do* have management.  Even quite a few providers who, like you, based on your "websites, ads, and reviews", don't seem to fit that typical profile of a managed girl.  Many hobbyists have been *shocked* to find out that certain providers, even ones they'd seen many times, did in fact have management.  But, the point is, anything you can do to avoid creating questions in gents' minds about your independence will serve you well, IMO.  And having a personal assistant take your calls would raise questions for a lot of guys.  Not to mention, dampen the illusion--that it's just him and you, and he's asking you out on a date--as I discussed above.

Best of luck to you!

Matt

I used to visit a provider with a PA.  At first i was a little taken back, nervous about it since it was a guy and talking in 3rd person.  After several visits and and understanding of the process it was normal.  so, new guys may be scared off, repeat will be perfectly acceptable with the arrangement.  Jusy one mans opinion.....

Hi,

I had a male assistant in the beginning of my career as an escort. He taught me everything about the business. I got a kick start! I would never had got where I am today if I did not learn from him.

It did turn out to be a bad thing in the end. The guy broke in to my place and stole money and he had total control of my phone and my website.

I had to start over with new website and new phone. I had my knowledge to move further on my own though.

I found a woman that would take his place and she was referred by a friend. She was real nice and sweet on the phone and at the time I needed a break from the phone so I found this very helpful.

She got greedy and was not on the same page as me in respect of what direction I wanted my business to go. She pretty much did what she wanted to do and not what I wanted her to do. After all I was the one who hired her and not the other way around.

She ended our relationship very nicely and gave my phone back.

After 1 month she wanted the job back and asked me about three times. I found out the did not reply to all my text and emails so I definitely did not want her back.

For me customer service is very important.

Now I am handling all my phone calls, text, and e-mails my self. I have some one do some advertising and stuff like that instead.

It is very difficult to find some one who you can trust and get what you want from. That was my lesson.

I saved a lot of money handling things myself.

So I would NOT recommend getting some one to handle your calls.

If you are getting too much attention then you probably need to increase your pricing instead. That is what I would do.

That is my recommendation.

I understand it is very tiring with all the time wasters who wants attention. It is difficult to handle them efficiently. I made a booking ettiquette on my site and I keep people short so I dont have to txt or email much. I do not give people who wants to text for ever that much attention. They do not want to book anyway - just text. So after a while you get real good at sorting the good ones out.

I am sure you already know all of this and your pricing is very good. So you should have smooth bookings.

Good luck!



-- Modified on 9/7/2011 8:57:00 AM

perhaps a doubles session with you and chloe. I gotta figure out a way to get back down that way.

I am up for any opportunity to experience Chloe and the combination of the two of you sounds divine.  Let me know when I should start making plans for the three of us....

Truly,
Belle

I have someone in mind that is a personal friend I trust, but even so, responsibility would be minimum on her part until performance is proven.

Truly,
Belle

and taken to heart.  I am on the right track and not afraid to ask for help when I need it  (:  Thanks again...

Truly,
Belle

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It seems reasonable to me.  I would definitely announce it on my website.  Thanks again...

Truly,
Belle

especially if it was a man answering the phone but I hope with the right gal, with the right personality, and with the right attitude everyone comes out ahead.  Thank you again...

Truly,
Belle

especially if she's cute and has a sexy voice lmao. The only time I've found it awkward is when I get flirtatious only to find out I'm dealing with "Jeff.". AWKWARD!  But I never have a problem if it's clear on the site that your first contact is with an assistant.

Now, just make sure she cares as much about your clients and your business as you do. I've dealt with one recently that's been completely non responsive and I'm afraid the assistant has caused the provider to lose my business.