The business side of escorting

[Tiffani Jameson]

Of course, I agree. This is such a necessary thread. Please watch the advice you take about your business.

[Diamond Black]

I new to the industry about a year off and on. I've been more consistent this year. I need a little help. Recently I've been contacted by members on this website and other sites to provide a travel package. How do you estimate your travel , dinner date and overnight package? I'm a little nervous. I love to travel, but I never have done so in this industry. I may go down to Tampa for a few days and post or maybe even Gainsville. Now it's the southern FL and out of state hobbyists that are interested.

[Alina Lili]

Great post and I will add more later but for now, one issue is business. You can take this or leave this but I've found it's helped me immensely...

Get a DBA (Doing Business As) and consider an LLC from Delaware.
1) Do you have a License in anything or a College Degree? If not, that's okay too.
2) Your a sole propeirtor (owner) of a business where you do not employ others, only yourself.
3) Think of what you've done in the past or something you would like to do.
4) Examples: Computer Repair, Makeup Artist, Wardrobe Stylist, Personal Assistant, Photographer, Photoshop Pro, DJ, Model, etc.... Others feel free to add careers. The objective is to have a business where you get paid cash and can have others vouch for you if needed for future employment. This can be a friend who knows, etc.
5) DBA name could be "John Doe Computer Repair", you can get some business cards, an email address, make a free website, etc.
6) Get a bank account for your business.

Now, I've done this and this was recommended to me by professionals and some companions. I'm open opinions since I do want to offer good advice.

The point of this is to stay legit with the April paperwork and to help with your future.

[Diamond Black]

I do have a A.A.S in communications (just a 2 year degree) LOL. I never thought about it in that matter. Thank you for your insight and I do appreciate your suggestions also ideas. I do have my own website. To be honest, I need to do my research on being a NEWBIE in the industry plus understand the business as a whole. I've seen other companions websites and there "fly me" packages or travel packages. Definitely not sure if I should charge as much as they do, especially since considering I'm a newbie. My best bet is to continue to seek information on this matter.

[Katy Alexander]

@ Tiffani and Derotica, Thank you I really appreciate the support and bump.

@ Champagne, I have never toured, so my advice on this is pretty limited. I am hoping that others can comment, or if this thread does not help you may want to try asking the question in the general forum where it will reach more people.One thing that I did do alot of when I was new was read the websites of the more established escorts to get a feel for how things are done. Oops I just read your above post it looks like you already know to do that lol

@Alina, great advice. I think many women do not understand how important it can be to have a way to prove income. Especially if we ever want to buy anything large like a home, or even qualify for a refi if we already own. It is also a great way to account for lost time if we want to apply for a more traditional job at some point.

[Alina Lili]

Some good books to help if your a new companion or have never read these. I've found them to instrumental:

The Business Side of Escorting by J.D. Roberts
Veronica Monet's Sex Secrets of Escorts: Tips From a Pro by Veronica Monet

Anything by Amanda Brooks

[Tiffani Jameson]

Originally Posted by Diamond Black

I do have a A.A.S in communications (just a 2 year degree) LOL. I never thought about it in that matter. Thank you for your insight and I do appreciate your suggestions also ideas. I do have my own website. To be honest, I need to do my research on being a NEWBIE in the industry plus understand the business as a whole. I've seen other companions websites and there "fly me" packages or travel packages. Definitely not sure if I should charge as much as they do, especially since considering I'm a newbie. My best bet is to continue to seek information on this matter.

Darling Diamond, you said a mouthful right there. Do your research honey, and everything will come to you.

[Zabrina Sarafina]

Originally Posted by Alina Lili

The Business Side of Escorting by J.D. Roberts

Isn't that the book that costs 500 on amazon?

Save your money. The only path to success and true knowledge is personal experience

[Katy Alexander]

Originally Posted by Zabrina Sarafina

Isn't that the book that costs 500 on amazon?

Save your money. The only path to success and true knowledge is personal experience

Somewhere buried in my closet is a three dollar copy of that same book. I am happy to sell it for the bargain basement price of $450 if you are an eccie member.

If I remember correctly the book at that time did offer some good advice on how to handle the financial end, but the rest of it ran the spectrum from harmless to far too limiting. That is the way I view most of the books related to companionship.Because it is written by one person's POV, and experience in this world you really need to
pick what makes sense to you, and discard what doesn't.

OTOH books that are current can be the lesser of evils for a newbie when it comes to seeking advice on how to screen, and ways to advertise. In my opinion it is far better to buy a few good books from an author you trust, than to get involved with the wrong "marketer" ?? who will take over your business and guide you for a price. With no gaurantee that the guidance will bring more good than harm..

I do agree with you, experience truly is the best teacher. I am no longer new to this, but I still learn the most from my own decisions both good, and bad.

PS your website is beautiful. you have a very elegant style.

[ElisabethWhispers]

Originally Posted by Diamond Black

I new to the industry about a year off and on. I've been more consistent this year. I need a little help. Recently I've been contacted by members on this website and other sites to provide a travel package. How do you estimate your travel , dinner date and overnight package? I'm a little nervous. I love to travel, but I never have done so in this industry. I may go down to Tampa for a few days and post or maybe even Gainsville. Now it's the southern FL and out of state hobbyists that are interested.

I would suggest starting a new topic asking others about helpful hints for travel. Probably the best area to get a good discussion going would be in the Infoshare area, which Florida has one.

The Infoshare areas are female only. Some male moderators are able to see the forums but it's only for female members of Eccie. It's a great place to share and ask questions.

Otherwise, this is a good topic! I've enjoyed the input!

Always,
Elisabeth

[HoneyChristine]

I own both of these books. The Business side of Escorting is a must have. Veronica Monet is a classic, I loved reading her book, many helpful hints .

[ElisabethWhispers]

Here is a link to the first 32 pages or so from the original book by JD Roberts. Who loves ya baby?

http://books.google.com/books?id=ppf...%20CPA&f=false

From the little that I've read of it, it's not worth spit. And I've heard this from others as well. Perhaps the second one, the one that supposedly costs so much, is a better read and more current.

Below is the link to Amanda's books. They're affordable and at least gives you an idea of what questions to ask yourself, there is a blog that's good reading as well, and some really good basic information.

http://www.theinternetescortshandbook.com

I'm always MORE inclined towards listening to advice from a woman who has actually participated in sex work than a man who thinks that he knows how it is, and what advice to give, than a woman herself.

I find men offering advice for sex workers to be on the insulting side with a few exceptions.

Guess that stems from men coming in out of the woodwork when I was new and telling what I needed to do to become successful (open beaver shots, chocolate syrup dripping down my ass, ads that read on a 5th grade educational level, lowering rates - they ALWAYS tell you to lower rates - if business is slow/new/old/anytime and the list goes on!).

Now asking men about the colors or style that he likes when viewing a website, that's worthwhile. Asking a man for helpful business tips as a sex worker is opening yourself up to a horrid can of proverbial worms unless it's tax advice or something more along those lines.

Just my opinion.

Elisabeth

[Diamond Black]

Thank you so much for the "free" 32 pages of the book..you love me baby

[Diamond Black]

Thanks so much for everyone's insight, suggestions and ideas. It was great information. One thing I did find out that is a immediate must; go on tour. I'm ready to leave N.FL, ECCIE and other well known sites are not popular in this area. Plus the clientele is awful, please forgive me for speaking my opinion on this matter. It's the darn truth though...I'm on Eccie and other top sites and I still have to post on that bs site. They have no knowledge of the other sites, reviews, or how to screen the right provider for there needs. To be honest, it's quite sad. Time to take the show on the road, till this area gains respect for the serious & legit companion.

[Katy Alexander]

Thank you for the links Elisabeth, I agree with what you said.When it comes to the more personal aspects of what we do, I find the advice coming from a non escort male, or female to be kind of insulting.What we do is just so intimate, and if they have no experience themselves they will never understand where we have come from, or where we are heading.

Edit to add....I just took a fast look at "The business side" book, and now remember why I threw it in the closet.I am rather amazed that I did not set fire to it lol.