This is a subject near and dear to me. Advertising & the Client you attract.
I am asked all the time about advertising on BP......I think all venues of advertising have their draw backs...
EROS cost quiet a bit (although in Houston it is the same as BP almost these days) but I get excellent quality clients, you get true customer service and your ad is first class.
P411 is great for for both provider & hobbyist but the ads are small and the site is boring looking, but the price is right for providers and OKs make quick work of verification.
Datecheck is hard to navigate, busy/chaotic and not used in many parts of the country. But there is a high level of warm & fuzzy about the clients
ECCIE can be hard to navigate for beginners, it is not so under the radar (like ASPD was) and it can feel of a men's locker room on occasion because it was designed for the Hobbyist. It's important on ECCIE to pay attention to both the Hobbyist and the Provider status too.
AND FINALLY BP......I think someone pointed out something that is very true. BP is used by hobbyist who are lazy...
but BP is also used by newbies and BP is used by the seasoned hobbyist who does do his homework but goes looking for new providers,traveling providers and sometime just curiosity.BP is in every city which makes it easy for the traveling hobbyist.
In any case I have found this little device works best to weed out any time wasters, keep me safe and LE for the most part on BP.
My Contact Form ( but the most important thing is to use the info you get and verify it)
Yes I advertise on BP. In Houston it is almost a given that you must. I also have found some of my most loyal clients from there. I also find in addition to the form, it's important how you word your ads, it truly makes a difference. I know in my case because I have used BP for so many years and I am grandfathered in on the ability to write more than 500 characters.( Hell I write a book practically). I attract a more suitable clientele.
But even still I occasionally get the "Hey Baby" , "what Do I get for my money" and the "what do you charge" calls. Because some men just don't, can't or won't read and call anyway.
But all and all I am polite and send to my website and the
"Contact Form"
I always explain ... If they answer these questions ( or at least most of them) then I have something to work with. Otherwise I politely decline by explaining I am inviting them into my life however brief it is and there has to be a level of trust otherwise they can go with the Drive thru versions of companionship and take their chances.
Every question on that form has a purpose and even if they don't have all the answers I can generally get enough info to get a warm and fuzzy about them. It always come back to the form... I also use that form for marketing . I let clients know my specials,contact regulars when I am slow, etc...
Finally I explain that if they don't wish to give me most of the info on the form then I will need and ECCIE premium access handle, a P411, a Datecheck or Room Service handle.
If they say they are on any of those sites then I require they write me thru that site
( just to make sure they actually have access to that site)
Yes this may sound like alot of work for the provider but I have found that BP is used by the lazy provider too. They only want the hobbyist to make it easy...give me ref and half don't even call the ref. I find for this business to be a joy to work in and profitable it takes due diligence on both parts.
In my other business I teach providers how to attract the right client and what to do after you have. I teach them varied methods of screening, marketing and how to treat this business AS A BUSINESS... I have discovered the hobbyist that has to do a few things to see you is the one more likely to show up...PLAIN & SIMPLE
Lastly as for BP what I hate about advertising on BP most is how BP treats us providers. In Houston we pay the same as EROS and end up every 15 seconds in a pile of sponsor ads on the bottom of the page. There is no one to talk to as for as customer service is concerned and they keep limiting what we can do and it ads to putting our safety at risk. I wish the hobbyist didn't go there but they do so we advertise there.
I have discovered that most seasoned hobbyist look for us in a couple places to make sure we are legit, they like to see we have a website (helps them to know we are serious) and if they are new to the hobby I feel compelled to educate them as well.
Ladies it is our job to train the hobbyist as to what WE must have in order for them to see us. I know in some areas of the country hobbyist are so well versed at what they are expected to have that they don't even dial the phone unless they have all they info expected. In other areas ( LIKE HOUSTON) there are too many who don't treat this like a business, to many revolving door providers who don't expect anything to get to see them and too many worried they are not going to make enough money so they cave.
It isn't always an easy task to stand your ground. But If the hobbyist isn't comfy with what I need then they can move on.
Remember:
all business before they grace your door so it can be all play after they have.