Prostitution Marketing 101

[Thorn]

I hope this may find favor because it has always been an interesting topic to me.

I have found, through personal experience and observation, that it is NOT the prettiest women or the most profound, or even the most clever that command the highest prices for their services.

It's the women who can take advantage of those age old marketing techniques of location, location, location, and creating an aurora of cache.

Men paying the long green for sexual services hope that their money purchases them a unique experience, several levels above what might be found for $250/hr on Back Page or any number of agencies and independent "webscorts". It might be argued that when this slice of the market is taken as a whole that could be true, but on an individual basis what is at play more than perception?

I think it has to be looked at, and perhaps given cr****ce, that what makes the difference, on average, between a $250/hr provider and a $1000/hr provider is how good she is at convincing her potential clients that she is a $1000/hr provider, and not much else.

I mean everything else being equal, looks at an acceptable level and the ability to converse in a way that doesn't make the client want to puncture his ear drums, what else is there other than standard or exceptional marketing that makes the difference?

Now this is NOT to turn into a discussion about whether its worth it to pay one level of money over the other... NOT, NOT, NOT... and I will moderate along those lines.

It is a discussion about how much marketing makes the difference on the supply side and how providers in the field find themselves situation on any given level, or move [as I find is frequently the case] between them. Sometimes even operating concurrently on multiple levels.

The floor is open.

 

[Thorn]

Ladies feel free to jump in as well, as who knows more about this stuff than you do.

 

[fairemily]

I know I am terrible at marketing myself, I keep it too simple, I'm too aware of sending the wrong message, it's not seductive enough. I am aware that if my words were more vague and alluring I would have more responses. On the up side I have very good experiences, quality over quantity but financially that is the desired approach. I think it's depends on expectations on how expressive you want your marketing to be, if you can handle any sort of client then all it takes is very sexy wording and a hot pic the bring them in. The problem is that if you do not deliver the goods you will be outed on the boards in due time.

 

[Monk]

I think I've mentioned this before. I had a long conversation once with a mid-market, Web savvy provider during which she told me this story: She had a photo shoot and some of the pix she felt were too upscale for her market. So, as an experiment, she put up a site under a new name, using those images. On the site she quoted what she thought were outrageous rates. To her great surprise, she started to get serious inquiries from potential clients.

So, to your point Thorn, marketing has a lot to do with setting individual prices. However, I'd also argue that the market itself ultimately sets prices, in a macro sense. (BTW, we've discussed this, and many other issues around the marketing of hobbying services, in the "Selling It" section, if any one is interested.)

 

[paperpusher]

There is a difference between those women that ask for and get the higher prices that end up being a one time event versus having a steady clientele that are willing to pay those prices.

 

[puffin]

I know I am terrible at marketing myself, I keep it too simple, I'm too aware of sending the wrong message, it's not seductive enough. I am aware that if my words were more vague and alluring I would have more responses. On the up side I have very good experiences, quality over quantity but financially that is the desired approach. I think it's depends on expectations on how expressive you want your marketing to be, if you can handle any sort of client then all it takes is very sexy wording and a hot pic the bring them in. The problem is that if you do not deliver the goods you will be outed on the boards in due time.

No, forgive my disagreement, but you are pretty good at marketing your services Emily. Any move further toward pure Marilyn Monroe sexpot would not be as genuine, and it would suggest services beyond those that you provide. A number of masseuses are distinctly less sexy than you are, and you return emails promptly. You could criticize yourself for not being "on" all the time; constantly trying to get guys riled up, but I think that type of sales pitch would be almost sociopathic in its disregard for the intelligence or self respect of others.

You successfully present a uniquely seductive persona, which is appealing because it relates to your genuine predilections as a person.

 

[fairemily]

No, forgive my disagreement, but you are pretty good at marketing your services Emily. Any move further toward pure Marilyn Monroe sexpot would not be as genuine, and it would suggest services beyond those that you provide. A number of masseuses are distinctly less sexy than you are, and you return emails promptly. You could criticize yourself for not being "on" all the time; constantly trying to get guys riled up, but I think that type of sales pitch would be almost sociopathic in its disregard for the intelligence or self respect of others.

You successfully present a uniquely seductive persona, which is appealing because it relates to your genuine predilections as a person.

Thank you Puffin, I still think I am a marketing failure, there is a difference between success and longevity. I have friends who do BR only and they always had more inquires and charged more because they knew how to market themselves to make money. They have loads of self respect but they also knew how to portray the fantasy better. That is what marketing is, you are inserting a fantasy in someone mind driving them to seek it out. I offer a realistic experience which differs from a fantasy, more guys would rather gamble and hope for the fantasy. It's not about service limitations, it's about how far from yourself do you want to go while providing any service. I am so fearful of misleading anyone that I tend to be overly matter of fact in case I encounter someone who takes everything literary. I would rather someone be pleasantly surprised then spent the whole session in confrontation.

 

[lowell]

In marketing if you want repeat customers you must never over promise. If the customer leaves feeling that you delivered more than expected they are likely to come back. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Monk]

There is a difference between those women that ask for and get the higher prices that end up being a one time event versus having a steady clientele that are willing to pay those prices.

True, but I'm continually surprised at the lack of agreement among hobbyists as to what constitutes a $300/hour provider versus, say, a $600/hour provider. (And I'm talking about girls with established reputations and clientelle.) I can say that, in certain instances, I've experienced very little difference in service or quality between the two. The only difference is that one understood how to ask for, and get, more money for her services than the other. And that's mostly marketing.

 

[puffin]

Thank you Puffin, I still think I am a marketing failure...

Thems strong words: "marketing failure"... well as time goes by and we each re-assess the arc of our lives I suppose such self criticism is pretty common. I do know that last night my friend bent my ear for 20 minutes raving about how sexy you were on the phone. He had better make good on his promises to set up an appointment with you.

 

[puffin]

True, but I'm continually surprised at the lack of agreement among hobbyists as to what constitutes a $300/hour provider versus, say, a $600/hour provider. (And I'm talking about girls with established reputations and clientelle.) I can say that, in certain instances, I've experienced very little difference in service or quality between the two. The only difference is that one understood how to ask for, and get, more money for her services than the other. And that's mostly marketing.

In one afternoon I set up a system at work that performs better than something that was purchased for tens of thousands of dollars. The advertising is better on the expensive software, so everyone will continue to use it.

 

[Monk]

Thorn, since you started this thread, I'm curious as to your opinion.

 

[chancie_lang]

I'm visiting NYC

Hi I was wondering where can I post my visiting ad?

 

[fairemily]

Thems strong words: "marketing failure"... well as time goes by and we each re-assess the arc of our lives I suppose such self criticism is pretty common. I do know that last night my friend bent my ear for 20 minutes raving about how sexy you were on the phone. He had better make good on his promises to set up an appointment with you.

Thank you again for that, whatever happens I am really grateful that you thought of me. I think failure is too strong of a word but buisness wise it is my weakest area. I was just reading a thread about a provider who did not post her rate, that is one of the more savvy market strategies that brings the inquiries but I just cannot deal with the negotiating back and forth. My failure comes from my inability to negotiate, I will not pitch or persuade because it will put me in a comprised position of promising things that might not be able to deliver. If I have to convince someone to see me that means I will have to prove my worth above and beyond, it is just too much pressure. The providers who can effortlessly negotiate with confidence are sucessful, it is the difference between getting by and getting all you can. The more vaugue and sexy the ad the more intrigue it will bring to the potential customer, whatever happens once the session is booked is irrelevant.

 

[puffin]

Thank you again for that, whatever happens I am really grateful that you thought of me. I think failure is too strong of a word but buisness wise it is my weakest area. I was just reading a thread about a provider who did not post her rate, that is one of the more savvy market strategies that brings the inquiries but I just cannot deal with the negotiating back and forth. My failure comes from my inability to negotiate, I will not pitch or persuade because it will put me in a comprised position of promising things that might not be able to deliver. If I have to convince someone to see me that means I will have to prove my worth above and beyond, it is just too much pressure. The providers who can effortlessly negotiate with confidence are sucessful, it is the difference between getting by and getting all you can. The more vaugue and sexy the ad the more intrigue it will bring to the potential customer, whatever happens once the session is booked is irrelevant.

As you know, sales/marketing is an entire skill unto itself. It's not really fair to expect a masseuse/carpenter/musician to excel within their specialty as well as at negotiating the best gigs. There is a reason that actors have agents, callgirls have pim.. I mean "drivers", and (ahem) charter boats rely on brokers.

 

[fairemily]

As you know, sales/marketing is an entire skill unto itself. It's not really fair to expect a masseuse/carpenter/musician to excel within their specialty as well as at negotiating the best gigs. There is a reason that actors have agents, callgirls have pim.. I mean "drivers", and (ahem) charter boats rely on brokers.

I have experienced working for someone and having a phone person book my appointments (this lasted one day) and it made me feel lke a lamb waiting for the slaughter, I was not comfortable with it at all. I did have a lot of appointments but was so emotionally exhausted from worry it was not worth it.

 

[Ines_Arnaud]

A savvy escort will work on all levels if escorting her primary income. I had a conversation with a girl who saw $150 clients all the way up the $1,000 client. She said she saw her business like the Hilton chain: they come in all price points but its still Hilton. Because of this approach, she is busy all the time.

Understood, this doesnt work for everyone.

I am now starting to advertise on my own at $200/hr, but was once working for someone else at MUCH higher price points at $600-1200/hr. Some of the girls scoffed at the $600 jobs, but the madame said, "You have to accommidate everyone thats how i stayed in business for so long."

It all depends on what kind of client you want.

I saw the site of a girl who has a 2 hour minimum and offers to cook for the client for sigificantly more. Its safe to say she is aiming at the men who have the time to dedicate to seeing her.

The provider who charges 3-5k per day/week/month wants to build intimate relationships on a long term level. A mistress thing.

Ive seen ads of girls who have prices that start at 15 minutes. One could say she is attracting the clients who want to get in and out, not pay too much and move on to the next girl. Th provder could care less because there is always someone around the corner.

I hope this may find favor because it has always been an interesting topic to me.

I have found, through personal experience and observation, that it is NOT the prettiest women or the most profound, or even the most clever that command the highest prices for their services.

It's the women who can take advantage of those age old marketing techniques of location, location, location, and creating an aurora of cache.

It is a discussion about how much marketing makes the difference on the supply side and how providers in the field find themselves situation on any given level, or move [as I find is frequently the case] between them. Sometimes even operating concurrently on multiple levels.

The floor is open.

 

[Thorn]

In marketing if you want repeat customers you must never over promise. If the customer leaves feeling that you delivered more than expected they are likely to come back. Just my 2 cents.

Goes to my point about perception being more important than reality, although its nice of they meet and match.

 

[Thorn]

True, but I'm continually surprised at the lack of agreement among hobbyists as to what constitutes a $300/hour provider versus, say, a $600/hour provider.

Ah, but my original post is more about what a provider thinks constitutes the difference between a $300/hr provider and say, a $600/hour provider. How they decide which niche they fall into, or whether they limit themselves, and how they decide to market to those individual sections of the market for greatest effect?

 

[Thorn]

Thank you Puffin, I still think I am a marketing failure...

I wouldn't think so, because it is my perception [there's that word again] that you know where you want to be in the various different market slices of this "so call thing of ours" and your time is adequately full at your price point for the services you offer and your clients believe you to deliver value for the money they spend seeing you.

So by all standard measure I can apply it would appear to me that you are a success.

I am interest though as to how you came to know what services, what price, how to market... that is what my original post is about.

How do providers decide these things, and how to they effectively market themselves?

How much is successful marketing about reality, and how much is it simply perception?