JB_Studio38

Because it’s RentMen. They want to be on the escorts side (we’re paying them every month). They want to also be on the client’s side (hence why you get to leave reviews). Issue is, it leaves a midground of, who’s looking out for who? That said, the only way you’ll get an appropriate answer is to contact RentM directly. An escort being rude in an email to you, isn’t going to compel RentMen to get a review published (and who knows, maybe you came off rude so…how fair would it be for RentMen to take sides or play mediator?). But getting actually ripped off might.

There’s many factors that could be involved. Cost of living is just one of them. I am at the disadvantage and inconvenience of being about an hour away from everywhere my clients usually are, when I’m in one of my locations part of the month. But that’s due to the distance, not the traffic. It’s about 60 miles. In L.A., an hour away could be from one neighborhood to the next. Traffic is the limiting factor. Maybe after awhile some guys get tired of the hustle and bustle and having to do the commute and go elsewhere.

I’m not an L.A. based provider, but to answer your question: yes, there is definitely a good Client base in Los Angeles. But as to the other half of your question, reaching that base isn’t as simple as it seems. I just checked and it appears to be 432 active “pornstars” on RentMen. Of course you can subtract the fake ads, duplicate ads, only fans ads, scam ads, and probably end up with just 50 “legitimate” escorts instead. But regardless, that’s still a lot of viewing material and a lot of overall choices for clients to choose from. That said: in my opinion, the L.A. market is not for beginners or high hopes. It’s a treacherous playing field, and whenever I go (which is usually never, except once every 2-4 years) my booking assistant is screening my clients and/or having visits confirmed before I even arrive. L.A. is one of the most cutthroat locations in the country. However if going for other business matters and what not, or including it as a tour…it can be a great time. I’ve always had a great time when I’ve gone. It’s just not my kinda market tho. San Francisco and Palm Springs are more of my vibe.

All valid reasoning. Hadn't quite thought of it that way. But idk, it's always a little uncomfortable being "sussed out". Not that I'm ashamed in any way, but I prefer to offer it when I'm ready. At the same time, it doesn't seem like it's a big deal in the scheme of things. But I've already had, as been mentioned: some people can seem open minded to what I do, but can be a dick about shit when the going gets rough. I would definitely remain discreet, because last thing I need is some gossipy person stepping out of their lane. That said: today and this week as a whole, I'm not at all feeling discouraged. It may not necessarily be the volume I desire, but I figure it'll happen. I'm just going to keep putting myself out there, adjusting my ads, pics, etc. Posting new videos when I can. May not be studio material yet, but definitely something to keep things interesting. I just had a new client the other day and he texted me a great review. So I know I'm doing everything right, I just have to keep on it and not get discouraged. I also am putting together an extensive tour schedule, I expect to end up more busy.

Superb 👌🏾 input. I will say: you’re in San Francisco so you have a bit of an edge being in one of my favorite markets. The money, the (wealthy/open-minded/older) gays and the big businesses are all out there. One could argue that’s the case in Kansas City, albeit on a much smaller scale. However there’s been trips I’ve done to SF where all my clients were outcalls…despite me hosting (though I often hosted in Alameda or SFO to save on costs and have easier access to parking). I may have another way to get an incall place that doesn’t directly involve starting a job (also idk how that would really pull off unless it’s a night shift job because many incall clients want to meet right during the daytime between 12 and 5, I would be at work if they wanted to meet). I had a former client/fuck Buddy with benefits who was letting me move into his place for incalls while he was away out of state for work. But then he started becoming a bitch when I was changing some things to make it more neat and decorative (he was among the younger ones, only a couple years older than me). He thought I should be content with the way he had it decorated (which was more like a old bachelor pad versus the temporary makeshift vintage boudoir look I was going for ). I was so disgusted and annoyed because I had finally started getting more biz, and he didn’t even come down to see the place before doing something very nasty and trivial that ruined the whole flow. Exactly why many gay men can’t be trusted until proven innocent. And true story, I actually did pick up a dead end part time office job years ago in Dallas/Fort Worth. I had needed some money and biz was slow. I eventually quit within a month before they fired me, because I had met 2 clients who paid me more than what they were paying me for 2 weeks of working. Obviously if I look for a job, it will definitely be something more interactive and higher end. I used to not like the idea of retail/clothing, but since many of the gay guys work/shop in those stores…it could be an additional way to get laid/visibility (off clock of course) Speaking of visibility: what would I do if a co-worker or boss sees my ad with face and nudity? Would someone have to revert to faceless pics due to the chance of termination if found out?

Right on. Also too I have Justforfans (JarrodBrandonXX if any interested/collabs). I have a fair amount of videos. Though I think I may go thru and revamp. I’ve always got extra unreleased content and some clients have even been willing participants lol). However, I’ll say a 9 to 5 was not very secure for me. Hence why I left. I always felt like I was living on the edge hoping I didn’t do something to get “laid off” (ironically some people think doing this is living on the edge). I’m not downing the structure of a 9 to 5, and eventually I think I’ll pick up something part time just to fill “space”, but every year when I think about doing it, I get too busy with other stuff (clients, home projects, traveling, model shoots, etc). I spent a couple of nights with a long time friend and his partner. They were both tense about work issues. But for some people, jumping from a 9 to 5 into freelance culture is foreign concept. As long as they don’t judge and support me, I won’t judge and will support them.

By the way: not to discredit your advice. But I am curious: how long were you in the biz and what made you decide to leave?

Curious to ask: how many bags do other traveling escorts carry on a 2-4 week “tour” or just a week? The consensus seems to be many people carry about 1 big bag with everything in it, or 2 bags. Me on the other hand, I’m crazy when it comes to packing lol. I have a separate bag for clothes, shoes, toiletries (I can’t get used to travel-sized anything), and then another bag for “bedroom/entertainment (extra sheet, towels, electronics, candles, tripod stand), and then a dedicated quickie outcall client bag. I wish I could just carry 2 bags, but most luggage doesn’t have enough compartments. Things have a way of spilling and poking and damaging items. And using just 1 bag for everything, it’s easy to end up with a grossly overweight lug pushing 60 pounds (I don’t fly much anymore, but I know anything over 50 pounds it’s going to be $75).

It sounds like an easy solution, but similar to some people who are stuck in demanding careers, I can't just take a a long break. I may be putting out the wrong impression that I only have negative feelings about the biz, but reality is a good part of my being and finances revolve around it. It's not something I can just drop and walk away from. I need a few G's 💵 and several months, to take a break and make a transition lol. I am not ashamed to say I am reliant on my client base, even if some think I don't appreciate them. I do regularly take mini breaks from the biz. Each month, I Covid freeze my ads on RentMen and RentMasseur (So glad they introduced that last year). Sometimes it's just for a weekend, other times it's been for 2 weeks. That said, I do think about other jobs I can do that align with my interests. But it's hard to understand that I really don't have a lot of time to do that. If i need $500, I know how to get $500. But finding the right job, going on interviews, etc etc...that can take months even year or 2. Meanwhile, there's bills and obligations to be paid today. Otherwise, I'm not too much looking for advice on how to get out of the business, moreso what ways others pass the time or stay productive when their escort spirit is not at its best. But thanks though.

Yup, stuff like you mentioned tends to occur throughout my week. Thanks for sharing. Except in my case, when I’m on tour it can be fairly easy to replace lost bookings. In a hotel, hosting, or just ready to go. And usually always centrally located. My situation at home is a bit different, 1 cancelled booking may be all I get that day, or in a case like this week: the whole week. Thank lucky 🏳️‍🌈 🌈 stars for my trusted reliable regulars. That said, I don’t like when someone minimize these things to mere complaints and negativity. Before someone tries to judge, they should at least try to better get an understanding. Some people out in this world don’t believe that there’s a such thing as a disadvantaged market. A person can have all the right things going, looks, personality, marketing. But if they live in an area where not enough people support it…shit out of luck. Not to mention, I live in a heavily a Trump supported state. I still see Trump stuff despite the election is over and done. And outside of the select few closed knit enclaves of wealth In the 2 big cities and recreational/lake goer types in the country, Missouri is a relatively “tight” state when it comes to money. The only business’s I see out here really getting lots of customers are auto repair shops, Walmart, and BBQ restaurants. But speciality shops, and sex workers ain’t making big hits out here. The guys I’ve come across: they do this for “fun” or extra money. So that’s what’s important. People are quick to pop off and point the finger, but they don’t have a real insight into what someone may be up against. Not that I expect it though. At this point, I’m just going to get thru this by marketing my ass off in other markets. I’ve already came up with a tour schedule today, I know that’s just the formula I need to get out of this rut.

Guess what? If that person reads it…great. What does it matter anyway? I’m not calling anyone out by name, number and address. People on here talk about providers all the time. And maybe then that person could be aware of how ‘not’ to book a provider. Matter of fact, I would tell him that myself…and will if I see him again. Nothing wrong with communication. My thing with what you’re saying is: it’s not making much better of the discussion. Question is: are you really vested in sharing and coming up with a solution, understanding the topic at hand and getting an idea of what can be done to improve. or are you just talking shit out of your ass? Because if it’s the latter, you can’t be disconcerted if I don’t eagerly take your advice.

I already have a full life and schedule. I get the jist of your suggestion, but the way it comes off is as if I have nothing else going on. You say volunteer like I have too much time on my hands. And that’s not representative of me. As I type this, I’m busy and in the middle of something. I’m making phone calls on one ear, talking to a clerk with the other, and typing this up. That’s why sometimes I go on random breaks from the forum because I end up too busy. And it’s not just chasing clients that keeps me busy either. But I get it. Whenever I have these discussions, it’s always going to re-direct to me and what I’m doing/not doing versus finding ways to improve the culture. That’s why things are slow to change.

That is true too. But also too, one shouldn’t gaslight the matter and pretend like clients don’t bring negativity and drama into our lives as well. It may not be direct, but I can’t tell you how often I may have been having a fairly okay day, just going with the flow, when a client contacts me to arrange a session and then becomes dismissive or unreliable in the process. Next thing I know, I’m in a not so great mood. That said, I am getting better with it. Like I said about the one strike rule (and others can call it negative or dramatic all they want, but for me I call it a solution to a reoccurring issue). Instead of allowing these guys to push me day by day, I’m not wavering from deposits and I’m taking great pride in blocking and cutting off certain clients. One the other day, a repeat client…called my phone over and over first thing in morning like he’s lost his mind. I called him back, no answer. Then text him. He wanted a session. But he was pushy about scheduling. I told him he needs to be patient as I was in the middle of something and couldn’t drive to him until after a certain time that afternoon. He goes back and forth between doing it or not doing it, then tries rebook and asks if I have meth and he’ll want to meet. But I’m the one with the drama? Right.

No offense taken (and if you have to start off with “no offense”, you automatically know that what you’re about to say has the potential to offend, so why even defend yourself 🤷🏾‍♂️ That said, you’re entitled to your opinion. But if having a discussion about certain things in the business on a discussion forum is unpleasant to you, then perhaps YOU want to change your perspective on it. That’s what it’s all about. Who you hire is who you hire, but I don’t have these discussions in my ad…so that part you’re saying is irrelevant. It’s like saying tourists will avoid going to a state just because a city council meeting got heated. Ummm, no. That’s a city council meeting, and this is a message board. I would hope one would not make decisions solely off what’s posted here.

I can concur with that. I don’t think there’s anything necessarily to be ashamed about if it does comes down to counseling or therapy. I’ve known clients to have done it, and I have even consulted into it myself. However, I think at times one can have a right to feel discouraged or discontent with the state of things, especially as it surrounds their profession or professional circumstances. Hell, when I hear my friends voice gripes about their work…I usually say that’s why I’ve left the workforce and haven’t looked back. I think it’s good to understand where someone is coming from though, before defaulting to it being the fault of the person. Let’s take this real life scenario for example: I’ve been back home from tour since Sunday. Other than my trusted regular “sponsor”, I’ve had 0 bookings. And now it’s Friday. 0. And this week alone I’ve had a handful of obligations/bills/repair stuff to meet. Meanwhile, my RentMen ad that SHOULD be generating prospects, for one reason or another either can’t align at the same time or just don’t follow thru. And don’t even get me started on RentMasseur. Even though I do meet a lot of clients from it, 3/5 of the calls from it are a joke. I didn’t even bother renewing my ad yet because I know mentally I’m not ready to deal with it. Many of my blacklisted clients come from RentMasseur, but being that RentMen doesn’t get as much bookings in this region, I pretty much have to rely on RentMasseur as a co-producer to my RentMen ad, because my RentMen ad alone won’t generate enough business. If it were 5 years ago, I would not do RentMasseur, I’d be doing Men4Rent and Rentboy and the occasional posting on backpage if neither site was particularly busy in the specified area.

It does restrict business to a degree, but at the same time…the days I actually do book set aside a day or 2 to do incalls, only 1 person may show up. I thought about maybe doing something like, I host on a certain day each week (perhaps, “hump” day”), but it doesn’t ensure that I won’t just be posted up in a hotel if nobody can make it. I also have to ensure everyone isn’t trying to meet at the same time, or something like 1 pm if I can’t get in until 3 pm. I’ve had private incall space on more than a couple of occasions, but being I was traveling every month it was counterproductive. I liked being busy traveling, but since it was dead at home…I’d have to send back a chunk of what I made on the go back, AND pay for expenses while traveling. So I gave that up and stuck with the travel lifestyle, but the caveat is coming back home to a place I can’t host from…and in the Midwest, just about everybody wants the provider to host.

That’s facts. And I’m still doing my workout routine and stuff. Right now, the only reason I’m in afloat in my local area now is because I have a regular who gives me a sum every other week or 2. But right now, it’s just a deeper level of discouragement that exercise can’t assist lol. I need things to get better, and people to do better. I also think that I may be pushed to move out of the Kansas City/Saint Louis market this year if the deal for my private incall space doesn’t pan out. At the same time, state to state and city to city, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of difference except in a few select towns where I know is consistently solid for biz. But I’m also tempted to no longer offer incalls at all when in Kansas City or Saint Louis, and only deal with advanced or same day notice outcalls only. Like I say, I’m not like “starving” or doing “bad”, I just want to be on another level.

@CuriousByNature I’ve definitely done some reevaluating. But at the same time I do that periodically anyway. The issue in my market is I’m just limited. Like just today, someone contacts me the day of at noon asking if I can meet at 2:30 (over RentMen messenger at that). I don’t really host and when I do, it’s definitely not short notice. This happens without fail atleast once every week: Someone contacts for me to host or go to them without much notice, and when I try to arrange, it doesn’t workout. I wish I could just take clients anytime, like a barbershop and just be available…but there’s a difference between having 2 clients a week versus 2 clients per hour. Therefore, it’s just not workable to always be available. People expect us to have it all together: a place to host, a phone to be contacted on, and available right away. But they’re not doing their part to make it easy. I can easily host someone: if they contact with notice like a normal person. Who the fuck else do you just call out the blue and ask to come over? This is not a salon, this is someone’s home or hotel. It doesn’t take precision planning. A simple email/text: Hi I see you’re in town/available, I would like to visit you. What’s a DAY AND TIME OF DAY we can work out? And I just got an email today from my bank saying they aren’t going to refund the $93 that I spent on a hotel, after 2 clients failed to show up after I clicked “book” on Priceline, and I had no other reason to go to the hotel in May. But it’s things like that why I won’t double back, every client who wants me to host is going to need deposit until I get situated back into my private incall space. And on my last trip, I had a hotel for 3 nights and it was all just outcalls.

This isn’t to say I’m not grateful for the great clients and fun times I do have, and I know I probably have it fairly ok for the most part in the big scheme of things. But by discouraged, it’s just from a general feeling that I’m still not really getting “ahead” and the biz right now just feels so stagnant. I know part of it is my market and the other part being I haven’t had a “private” incall place in awhile. So it’s just been hotels and outcalls. I’d like to get those things done, but I’m not getting enough bookings each day to make any changes. On my last tour to a city, I had 3 regulars and 1 newbie during a week long visit at end of June. On paper that’s not bad, but over a course of 7 days, it’s really not enough to get anything “done”. It was enough for essentials, bills and entertainment, but nothing like, “hey I’m going to go rent a studio or office space for the next few months“ type of Money. Not to mention, the sites now are so restrictive to me. So much stuff is being censored out, feel like you can’t really be yourself. They’re also not doing much to build a network of dependability between us and clients. And with sites like Craigslist and backpage, there’s not enough hits coming out of the smaller towns. It seems a all the action is centered in the bigger cities. Add to the fact, hotels have now gone way up, and in some repressed markets, incalls is the only business you’re going to get. I’m fortunate that I’ve got a “network” of regulars now, but they aren’t necessarily “sugar daddies”. Plus I like to handle my own. But I wouldn’t mind building up more of a base. It just seems like there’s a shortage of clients especially with apps and more guys on the market. Also seemed like things were a little busier last summer than it is this summer. Are there any new reputable sites that have come up? What’s been the vibe in your city?

One thing I haven’t been able to find is a lobster buffet? However I know in Orlando there’s also a place near the main drag to the parks (Tourist hell lol) called Boston lobster feast. I haven’t been before but stayed at a hotel next door to it. Can’t say one way or the other how it is.

Wait a minute now! Lol. I will totally do buffets (the misconception that buffets are only for overweight/unhealthy people is misplaced…I think buffets are a body builders dream lol). Nothing like an all you can eat after a hardcore chest or leg workout. Thay said, no box wine for me unless a gay bar actually served “White wine busts” instead of these god awful “beer busts”. Considering the alcohol content of wine, it’s more masculine than beer IMO lol. That said: there’s a superb buffet in my home state down in the Florida keys between key west and key largo called Whale Harbor. I went last year pre-pandemic in February with a sponsor of mine. Idk if they had “king” crab but snow crab and stuffed lobster was plentiful, along with a variety of other items: I actually posted a pic of me digging in on my Instagram last year 😂

Right, and I was more referring to your last sentence: I know for a fact it’s happened atleast a couple of times, in one case the client flaked, hired another escort, and then later on seen he reviewed him. In your case, it sounds expected that the interaction doesn’t sound like any harm or foul done. Technically a provider shouldn’t be upset or jealous about a client contacting someone else. But as I’ve said before to others, it’s all about tact. Me personally though: I don’t really get too caught up in who reviewed who. I’m the same way with “products” and even hotels. Even though reviews may be true, I need to be able to get the experience for myself and tell. Likewise, I’m not necessarily eager to read a client’s review of another escort either. Though I do admit that I’ve on occasion gotten tempted enough to read some bad reviews and responses…and some of those BAD reviews of escorts by clients, have actually proven that it was the client who was misbehaving, not the provider ☝

Interesting. Curious to know if any others have used that and if it’s been useful. The challenge I can see with that is you could have people booking times and getting reminders, but that’s not always a guarantee that I can do the time frame. For example say someone last minute books for 1 p.m. and I don’t check into my hotel until 3 p.m. A big part of the schedule process challenge is the fact of some clients having limited windows to meet. I had a regular client reach out to me the Monday after Pride Sunday last weekend. He reached out to me around 1 p.m. But it wasn’t until about after 6 that evening that I was free. By then he couldn’t meet anymore that day, or apparently the whole rest of week I was there. Sometimes I want to 1 strike regulars like that as well. But some can be interested down the line. I had a chat with one the other day in person, that he can’t keep contacting me last minute expecting me to drop what I’m doing and see him. Even though that wasn’t his intention, I told him previously he had done that and then when I tried to arrange for the next day, he ignored me all day and then got back to me in the evening saying he was busy all day. I know I sound like an easily irritable person, which I’m not…but like I said before I don’t like the idea that if I don’t drop what I’m doing, or that if I don’t leave my friends or my “Wine and movie evening” that I could potentially end up losing that client until they decide to contact me or I’m in town again which could be months later.

And that’s why we are currently in the Sesta/Fosta (Google it if anyone isn’t aware of it) era. Many brothels translate to “human trafficking” which is just a legal term for pimping to some degree. Long story short, it’s the reason why Adam 4 Adam no longer offers escort as a pro choice and why RentMen doesn’t allow us to post rates, and markets us as “porn stars”. The brothel’s of today are online. It’s better for the provider and the client. The closest one can get to that nowadays is likely a bathhouse.