One of the areas I work with my clients on is how to ensure employees give their discretionary effort at work. It's defined as the extra effort that employees will give beyond what they currently give. More money, perks etc won't make it happen. It turns out it's the intrinsic things. So I thought why not apply that to sugar babes to get that elusive extra effort from them. I chose the 5 love languages as a model, even though it is designed for vanilla relationships. It works, at least applying it to my current SB. The 5 love languages are:
Words of affirmation - I give her an abundance of positive descriptions of how great she is (authentically). I even write her poems which she adores
Gifts - when I hear she might need something I don't respond right away but later, maybe our next meeting I offer to get it for her. (These are not expensive things at all.)  It shows I listen to her and avoids falling into the simp trap.
Quality time - every time we meet I make it special, but more importantly I listen to her, validate her, listen to what she likes to do and make it happen. She happens to not especially like shopping but even if she did that would be off the table. A bridge too far for me.  In addition we take trips together.
Acts of Service - interestingly she is so independent and even though I have offered to help when she gets in a bind, she has never called on me to do so. (So I guess she scores low on that one.)
Physical Touch - apart from pleasing her BCD, I'll often give her a massage or tend to her in one way or another.

None of this costs me (much) money and the payoff has been amazing. She is way more caring and giving and more inventive in bed. In addition, and I thought this was funny, she said she has tried dating and she can't find anyone because I have spoiled her on what a relationship can be. No, that is NOT a humble brag. It actually shows how crummy other people are in the dating scene.

I know you gents do a lot of this one way or another, but I wanted to link it to what we know about human psychology and relationships. And to help us get more from sugaring without having to cough up more cash. Perhaps you'll share what you do.