I think your attempts to get guys to experience new, unreviewed providers have been largely unsuccesful (the "take one for team approach"). The recent "team" campaign rewarded getting taken - and was not positive in approach.
How about varying the reward. That is giving a hobbyist credit (perhaps 45 or 60 days worth) for providing the first 1 or 2 reviews of an unreviewed provider, and staying with 15 (or possibly even just 10 days) for adding the 123rd review for a heavily reviewed provider - something we hardly need. This would put a real premium on reaching out into the community - and you would not need to get screwed to get the credit; just gutty enough to go out and pick somebody really new.
i'm not too familiar with the credit system we have going on now, but i can say that just a few dates ago i was told that for the longest time (read a year) people here in Atl were not sure i was a true provider and wouldnt see me till more reviews got posted. however the incentive plan works best, taking one for the team works out for everyone,
just mho.
Nicole
Getting those first reviews is tough...especially if you are in a town where you primarily deal with "locals". I'm from Nevada where the girls deal almost exclusively with tourists. Tourist are in town for a few days...they have nothing to lose by writing a review for a girl.
I mostly dealt with locals...so my reviews were limited because locals say they want to remain anonymous (because they live in the same town and dont want their wife, boss, etc to find out)...and many of them choose not to give girls reviews.
I think they are also afraid that if the girl gets too popular, she may raise her rates and not be available as often as the gentleman would like and/or are used to. I had MANY local clients who just FLAT OUT REFUSED to give me reviews...even though some of them had been visiting me on a regular basis (2 to 3 times per month). Many gentlemen had been visiting me for as long as a year! Still...NO REVIEWS.
I think also that "ethnic" girls dont get that many reviews either (black, latina, asian)...Not too many gentleman who see the TOP Caucasian providers want to admit they have "Jungle Fever" and they tasted the forbidden fruit. I had one gentleman tell me he chose me (I'm black) over one of the TOP caucasian providers because he "could find a flat ass white girl anywhere". But still...NO REVIEW.
I had "THE" hardest time convincing gentleman that not only was I "reliable", "not a rip off" and a "true gfe" even though I only have a handful of reviews. From what I "heard" there is quite a bit of "back channeling" in my area, and my name comes up often. Apparently I am highly thought of...though you would never know it from looking at the review board.
My advice...ASK!:0) Perhaps you can say something like..."Because I'm just getting started in the biz,I was wondering if you would post a review for me since you are happy with the service I just provided."
ps. It's such a frustrating "problem". I dont want you gentleman to get ripped off...but what did you do BEFORE the internet and reviews? You took your chances and hoped for the best.
Taking one for the team may cost you $$$...but you may find a REAL GEM too! How many lumps of coal pile up before that perfect 4 carat diamond is finally found? If you find that gem PLEASE DONT BE STINGY and keep her all to yourself! :0) share and share alike!
my .02 cents!
sable
-- Modified on 5/24/2002 11:31:27 PM
Sable,
The points you make are probably all pretty valid. I'm not too sure about what you said regarding "ethnic" providers though. I happen to be one who doesn't care in the least about that, but I do know there are some guys in my area (LA) who specifically prefer gals of a certain ethnicity other than white. Perhaps that's something that varies with geography(?) But your point about finding a gem is certainly true. It happened to me a little over a year ago...have seen her many times since & will continue to do so. Still, the question of seeing a previously unreviewed provider is something that strictly depends on my whim of the moment. And whether or not I write a review is based on her desires in that regard. Rip-offs & poor service being obvious exceptions to the rule.
However, the original poster's question/suggestion had to do with TER providing some sort of extra credit incentive for new reviews. From what I've seen in the past every time something of this nature has been tried the result has been more suspicious reviews than usual, those normally from reviewers with little review history (or a dubious one). Even putting aside the question of honesty, it's amazing to think that any guy would take the time to write a phony review for extra membership time...but I guess there are all kinds of people in this world.
I am really hesitant to give more than 15 days for a review. 15 days= $10 of membership, your suggestion of up to 60 days would equal $40 of membership. Rembember, someone has to help pay to keep the site up.
I would like to hear some good ideas for a contest. Anyone have one?
-- Staff