Let me begin by saying I don’t particularly care for the use of aliases but in this case I felt it prudent.
Currently I am an independent provider and I was recently approached by an agency (NY Tens).  Basically I would retain the ability to work as in independent but would be added to their stable, as it were.  At first glace it seems like a good business move, with little to lose and much to gain, but I realize I may not be looking at all angles.
With that said, I am wondering is there an inherent negative connotation to a girl that straddles the fence between agency and independent.  
Would that agency’s reputation reflect (for better or worse) upon my already established reputation?
As hobbyists would it deter you from seeing an independent provider that also worked with an agency?  If so, why?

Thank you!

I worked for an agency for years, and only just went Indie... I plan to still work for a [different/better] agency as well, because it really makes a difference when traveling, as I do frequently. I have found that many of my well-established clients from the agency were more than willing to follow me when I went Indie, and feel better about giving me their $$$ because they know I'm keeping all of it now, instead of paying a % and tip to my boss.

I don't know if this helps at all, since it is the exact opposite of your situation... Best Of Luck!!

-- Modified on 9/25/2007 10:40:47 PM

I just prefer indies.

Maybe I have a jaunticed view, but I feel indies are much more in control of their business.
They are able to "give a little extra" if they feel like it.
Dealing with an agency would make me feel like I'm just "doing business", and that's not what I look for.

This is not a condemnation of agencies, or any of the wonderful ladies who work with them. It's just my own prejudices and bias's.
I may be wrong, but, I'm not sure I will ever want to take the step to find out.

Just my opinion...
B



-- Modified on 9/25/2007 5:43:10 PM

It wouldn't matter to me if you were independent or with an agency. I base my decisions of who to visit on TER reviews and have had all good and great visits with indies and agency girls.

-- Modified on 9/25/2007 5:13:41 PM

I have two favorite ladies-one indie girl and one agency girl. If the indie girl decided to go with an agency tomorrow I would still see her. If the agency girl started doing both tomorrow I would immediately start seeing her as an indie. I have a great time with her during our appointments but my loyalty is to her, not the agency. If her indie booking was putting more of my money in her pocket that's the way I would book.
I certainly wouldn't hold anything against a lady who does both.

When I first turned pro and biz was slow, I had an opportunity to be represented by two agencies. One agency was less than professional - late, brought son, spoke loudly at the fast food restaurant and son was running around, listening in to our conversation. Anyway in the end I ended up not getting a single assignment from either. The whole exercise was a waste of time.

I can understand how working with an agency can help supplement your income. You may wish to be honest with your agency about also being an indep, use a different working name for the agency and be prepared to address this should any of your clients find out/ ask. Obviously you have to make sure with the agency that you are not being sent to an existing client.

I have found that a well run agency works very well for some provider in one stage of their life and when they grow out of that stage they then turn indie, then when it suits them again they can go back again to the agency..

If you are very organized,patient,not easily flustered,and very disciplined, then being an independent can work very well for you.  If you can post your ads, run a website, screen your clients,book your rooms, take some financial risks,and not have much of a life, then you can make some real money.

On the other hand, if you do not want to hassle with the bookings, screenings, and all that blah, blah..and you want to only do this from 11 am to 7 pm four days a week, then go with a well run agency.

I just had a date with a very organized, very well reviewed indie provider who spent a lot of time talking about the head aches of booking rooms, dealing with no-show clients and worrying about LE.  I had a good time but there was litle room left for some fantasy.

Know who you are and go with your strengths.

In my short hobbying adventure I've used an Agency once- in Salt Lake City.  The lady was attractive BUT she "up sold me" and she was rushing to see me and rushing to get out.    I certainly wouldn't use them again, although I'm rarely in SLC.

I've had excellent luck with the Indie's here.

I don't think it will hurt you as long as the agencyalso has a good rep. I have known a couple of providers that have done this without any problems that I am aware of. The only downside from a perception point of view is, if you use different names to book your appointments, some hobbyists, not all, but some will think that you are trying to hide something with the multiple names. I'm sure good reviews will more than make up for this.   Good Luck

by going with an agency, who has priority on each hour of your working day?  Example, your favorite dude comes along and books 2 hours with you as an indy... then the agency calls.... and wants the same 2 hours for their "special client"!  who gets the nod...  (Reverse the times)....

As an Agency gal, will you have control over the pictures that they use to promote you... or do you loose that control....????

How are the fees split and are you responsible for the facilities or does the agency provide a place...

Somewhere in these questions is an answer.


-- Modified on 9/25/2007 7:45:53 PM

Make darned sure that the agency will screen clients to the same standards that you have as an indy.  Most of the agencies with whom I have dealt didn't do any screening.  And the ladies thought that the agency was screening for them...

You will be placing your livelihood and safety in the hands of the agency unless you do your own screening.  Make sure you know what they are or are not doing for screening.

-- Modified on 9/25/2007 11:48:47 PM

-- Modified on 9/26/2007 2:13:34 PM

I forget this is a national board.   All you have to do is review and track your regional board and you will quickly find out which agencies have a good reputation and which ones are lousy.  In my discussions with providers that do both indie and agency work, most agencies require solid blocks of their time be dedicated to them.  How else can the agency book clients without worrying that they might not able to deliver.  The agencies that does not require dedicated time slots will quickly find themselves branded as being unreliable.  

Most hobbyist use agencies to cut through the bull.  If more BS is what you get, then that agency will soon be on the out list.
In our board, hobbyist do not show much patience with these agencies.  They enter a downward spiral and the only ladies that sign up with them are the ones who were not good enough to sign with the better run agencies.  Round and round to the bottom they go.

Successful indies are a huge cut above anything at an agency. My experiences;(and they are in the hundreds over a 20 year span) have shown me that 90% of indies are true GFEs, while 100% of the agency providers that say they are GFE maybe 20% truly are. I also believe in the proverb "you get what you pay for". I will pick an indie who is asking double over a agency provider.