When you know you can do better, but can't locally.

[Mocha]

One thing I can't stand: Being in a home base location, and for whatever reason...there's not only no appointments in town, but all surrounding areas as well.

 

That's been the case in my current market. I've been advertising in my local and nearby areas on all the sites (except massurfinder, which I'm contemplating each month), and nothing locally. Yet, I also have my ad in other cities as I'm ready to get touring ASAP. Weeks like this mess up my budget, and motivates me to just stay on the tour and avoid stagnating in one market. I'm getting requests in other cities I am advertising in, but yet can't get much out here since last week.

 

I'm just like how is it humanly possible that I can't find a single booking client for a whole week or 2 in 3 local cities with fairly large populations and tourist influx, yet my phone is ringing off the hook in the other states I put my ad up in? If I were visiting this area, I would have left the Monday before last (after I met a lovely forum member and had the bestest Saturday night all summer), and got the hell on to the next market. But I'm forced to stay because I've been having car maintenance issues to tend to, and have to pay for new insurance/registration. All of which has me pressed for cash, which is not happening.

 

Fortunately I've not made a permanent home in the area yet. At this rate, I have serious reservations about doing so. In the past...Florida has too many of these dead weeks. I just feel like this place has too many options. There's lots of escorts, lots of free sex, bath houses, I just don't feel anyone can realistically get a steady hold on business here. It's fun, and yes there's tons of hot guys everytime you turn your head. But that's not always good when it comes to relationships and trying to sell "product".

 

Then, the rates are all over the place. The tourists are willing to pay more, but most of the locals don't like to pay jack SHIT. There's also a lot more Puerto Ricans here since the hurricane, and even though my dream man used to be a Puerto Rican guy, when it comes to sex, they don't like to pay for diddly squat either...And it's discouraging knowing that there's an entire ethnicity of people here who, generally won't use my service. It's like an intermittent hell here. Some weeks business is okay, other days no matter what I do, nobody comes through.

 

I'm thinking about moving to a smaller western town where I can actually stand out, and keep a regular flow of clients. I just fantasize a western where I am like the town "provider", versus competing with dozens of guys of all backgrounds, where the clients are quick to drop you for the next piece of penis. This here is horrendous.

Edited July 26, 2018 by Mocha

[marylander1940]

One thing I can't stand: Being in a home base location, and for whatever reason...there's not only no appointments in town, but all surrounding areas as well.

 

That's been the case in my current market. I've been advertising in my local and nearby areas on all the sites (except massurfinder, which I'm contemplating each month), and nothing locally. Yet, I also have my ad in other cities as I'm ready to get touring ASAP. Weeks like this mess up my budget, and motivates me to just stay on the tour and avoid stagnating in one market. I'm getting requests in other cities I am advertising in, but yet can't get much out here since last week.

 

I'm just like how is it humanly possible that I can't find a single booking client for a whole week or 2 in 3 local cities with fairly large populations and tourist influx, yet my phone is ringing off the hook in the other states I put my ad up in? If I were visiting this area, I would have left the Monday before last, and got the hell on to the next market. But I'm forced to stay because I've been having car maintenance issues to tend to, and have to pay for new insurance/registration. All of which has me pressed for cash, which is not happening.

 

Fortunately I've not made a permanent home in the area yet. At this rate, I have serious reservations about doing so. In the past...Florida has too many of these dead weeks. I just feel like this place has too many options. There's lots of escorts, lots of free sex, bath houses, I just don't feel anyone can realistically get a steady hold on business here. It's fun, and yes there's tons of hot guys everytime you turn your head. But that's not always good when it comes to relationships and trying to sell "product".

 

Then, the rates are all over the place. The tourists are willing to pay more, but most of the locals don't like to pay jack SHIT. There's also a lot more Puerto Ricans here since the hurricane, and even though my dream man used to be a Puerto Rican guy, when it comes to sex, they don't like to pay for diddly squat either...And it's discouraging knowing that there's an entire ethnicity of people here who, generally won't use my service. It's like an intermittent hell here. Some weeks business is okay, other days no matter what I do, nobody comes through.

 

I'm thinking about moving to a smaller western town where I can actually stand out, and keep a regular flow of clients. This shit here is horrendous.

 

Which cities are you contemplating?

 

I would recommend you to go to a place where you're more exotic.

[nynakedtop]

Which cities are you contemplating?

 

I would recommend you to go to a place where you're more exotic.

ooohhh... the "E-word".... is there an emoji for a "forever fond but gentle admonishing face"?

[marylander1940]

ooohhh... the "E-word".... is there an emoji for a "forever fond but gentle admonishing face"?

 

exotic as in different from the majority of the population...

 

Would you @Mocha consider Minneapolis? Is also a big Delta hub.

[nynakedtop]

exotic as in different from the majority of the population...

 

Would you @Mocha consider Minneapolis? Is also a big Delta hub.

it's the cultural anthropologist/marxist in me that can't resist making such statements, and i'm happy you did not take it as being adversarial - i know the spirit in which it was used

 

but, truly "exotic" (for whatever motives) does sell - even in NYC a significant portion of the white male population that hires definitely craves that pesky social construct of exotic - i think @Mocha would do well even in this crowded market - he is reputable and serious which would definitely stand him apart from many others here!

[Mocha]

exotic as in different from the majority of the population...

 

Would you @Mocha consider Minneapolis? Is also a big Delta hub.

 

I did at one point, but similar to other northern Lake states...those places can be good during the summer. But business can really hit their plateau in the winter. I also follow weather and climate in various cities, those areas get some killer temperatures for days on end. Having dealt with 100+ Arizona heat and -0 Colorado freeze, I know for a fact the cold weather is much harsher on everything, even though heat feels worse. It only feels worse because of the industrial materials all around us.

 

but, truly "exotic" (for whatever motives) does sell - even in NYC a significant portion of the white male population that hires definitely craves that pesky social construct of exotic - i think @Mocha would do well even in this crowded market - he is reputable and serious which would definitely stand him apart from many others here!

 

Thankyou. I would probably love to live in NYC if I had the right startup for it. Unfortunately, I just don't think it's something I could put into action with the finances I currently have to work with. High cost of living is something I'm stealthily trying to avoid.

Edited July 26, 2018 by Mocha

[marylander1940]

I did at one point, but similar to Wisconsin...those places can be good during the summer. But they can really hit their plateau in the winter. I also follow weather and climate in various cities, those areas get some killer temperatures for days on end. Having dealt with 100+ Arizona heat and -0 Colorado freeze, I know for a fact the cold weather is much harsher on everything, even though heat feels worse. It only feels worse because of the industrial materials all around us.

 

What if you rent a place for 1 month in one city and you move to another one next month? The Midwest has a lot of small cities you could try. You can also go South in the winter and why not back to Florida.

[marylander1940]

it's the cultural anthropologist/marxist in me that can't resist making such statements, and i'm happy you did not take it as being adversarial - i know the spirit in which it was used

 

but, truly "exotic" (for whatever motives) does sell - even in NYC a significant portion of the white male population that hires definitely craves that pesky social construct of exotic - i think @Mocha would do well even in this crowded market - he is reputable and serious which would definitely stand him apart from many others here!

 

Out of curiosity which expression would you have used instead of exotic?

 

I simply assumed most Puerto Ricans of black and white ancestry look similar to @Mocha and I assumed that's what he meant. To the best of my knowledge Latinos enjoyo sex with men of all backgrounds but when they hire the tend to go for what we called in a racist way All American or as I call them Abercrombie & Fitch guys.

[nynakedtop]

Out of curiosity which expression would you have used instead of exotic?

 

I simply assumed most Puerto Ricans of black and white ancestry look similar to @Mocha and I assumed that's what he meant. To the best of my knowledge Latinos enjoyo sex with men of all backgrounds but when they hire the tend to go for what we called in a racist way All American or as I call them Abercrombie & Fitch guys.

great question....

 

and wow i do not have an answer.... i guess if someone asked me what kind of guys i am "into" i would just say "of color" - and avoid the issue entirely. if i were a person of color, i do not think i would take too kindly to being called "exotic" - it's a whole post-colonial power issue. for example, here now in Bangkok I am a definite minority but no one categorizes me as "an exotic".

 

make sense? kinda?

[marylander1940]

great question....

 

and wow i do not have an answer.... i guess if someone asked me what kind of guys i am "into" i would just say "of color" - and avoid the issue entirely. if i were a person of color, i do not think i would take too kindly to being called "exotic" - it's a whole post-colonial power issue. for example, here now in Bangkok I am a definite minority but no one categorizes me as "an exotic".

 

make sense? kinda?

 

You see, you're exotic too!

[P Gren]

ooohhh... the "E-word".... is there an emoji for a "forever fond but gentle admonishing face"?

I believe that emoji is an anime caricature of Rimbaud

[Mocha]

What if you rent a place for 1 month in one city and you move to another one next month? The Midwest has a lot of small cities you could try. You can also go South in the winter and why not back to Florida.

 

I’m considering that, but still not easy lol. Air bnb has exploded in many areas. And I’ve been looking at listings (the private whole home types) that are mostly booked weeks out in advance.

 

What gets me is, I’ll see those places going for $59 a night or something. But then, it’ll only be that rate for a couple of days or for a week. Then the other nights can be double that.It’s also a bit hard to find the month to month non air bnb property. Which isn’t practical if it isn’t furnished.

 

Personally I would not want to come back to Florida if I moved, unless I had something tying me here, like I do now. I will go out of business if I stayed here. It’s barely enough. With the exception of Orlando, in all these other Florida cities, 9 out of 10 when a client does book, it gets cancelled. I’m doubtful if the appointment I have tomorrow is even going to pan out. I really can’t see why there’s so many people advertising out here when there’s really not enough market for it here. It’s Horrendous.

Edited July 26, 2018 by Mocha

[Mocha]

Out of curiosity which expression would you have used instead of exotic?

 

I simply assumed most Puerto Ricans of black and white ancestry look similar to @Mocha and I assumed that's what he meant. To the best of my knowledge Latinos enjoyo sex with men of all backgrounds but when they hire the tend to go for what we called in a racist way All American or as I call them Abercrombie & Fitch guys.

 

I used to be very into Puerto Rican’s when I was high school, but now I kind of let them come to me first if they want me. Many of the ones in central Florida can be pretentious and dismissive. I’m talking to a guy now and he’s Columbian. He is much more humble than the Puerto Rican’s I’ve come across here.

 

Florida in general has “bias” tendencies, despite the many cultures. That’s why I believe you’ll find less in the hicks of Nebraska, than you will in the center of big cities. You hear about the examples in the news. As much as I can try to be positive and still do what I can to enjoy day by day, you have to be a strong person to deal with even the little things out here. And I’m not a 100% mentally strong person at all times and regularly come close to mental breakdowns being out here due to constantly having to encounter (whether it be calls coming from Rentmen, guys at the club, driving on the road, or standing in line at the store) inconsiderate, dismissive, impatient, entitled, phony, plastic, self-absorbed, rude, condescending, fake pretend people out here.

Edited July 26, 2018 by Mocha

[Cannon]

great question....

. if i were a person of color, i do not think i would take too kindly to being called "exotic" - it's a whole post-colonial power issue. for example, here now in Bangkok I am a definite minority but no one categorizes me as "an exotic".

 

make sense? kinda?

 

If one finds it absolutely necessary to highlight my ethnicity, I loathe the term "exotic", which indicates that Whites see themselves as the standard and anyone else as "exotic". (A bit narcissistic)

"Person of color" is also silly because everyone is of a color or hue,

"African-American" is also silly

My roots in the country go back a good 400 yrs (ever since there was an actual America). So I don't hyphenate being an American. Being Black White & Native American, you can't get more American than that. I didn't immigrate here nor did my parents, or theirs, or theirs or theirs

So if it's necessary, referring to me as Black or Mixed would suffice.

Edited July 27, 2018 by Cannon

[Cannon]

My modest suggestion would be to avoid shouldering a major fixed expense on a business that ebs and flows in an area that you aren't sure about. Because where you live is such a commitment, take your time, and travel a bit more until you find the area that is suitable for your lifestyle and business. You'll find it.

Edited July 27, 2018 by Cannon

[nynakedtop]

If one finds it absolutely necessary to highlight my ethnicity, I loathe the term "exotic", which indicates that Whites see themselves as the standard and anyone else as "exotic". (A bit narcissistic)

"Person of color" is also silly because everyone is of a color or hue,

"African-American" is also silly

My roots in the country go back a good 400 yrs (ever since there was an actual America). So I don't hyphenate being an American. Being Black White & Native American, you can't get more American than that. I didn't immigrate here nor did my parents, or theirs, or theirs or theirs

So if it's necessary, referring to me as Black or Mixed would suffice.

 

 

i think you are missing the very essence of taking possession of the power of "color" in a white supremacist society as being a tool to proclaim one's difference as a source of power, strength, and identity rather than devaluing notions of color as being "just like everyone else". persons of color can be of many shades, indeed... but a person's color is a social construct and if it can be turned on its head to be a source of power shared by people who are not-white, all power to it.

 

assimilation is not power. whiteness is bullshit.

[Cannon]

This isn't the forum for this but how much melanin someone has or doesn't have in their skin is not a social construct...it's biology. Race on the other hand is a social construct. So... I'm not missing anything, we just see it differently and I will always identify myself as Black or mixed :-) .....now spotlight back on Mocha and his quest to move.

Edited July 27, 2018 by Cannon

[BluDay]

If I may, and only because of my interest in words. "Exotic" just means unusual for an area or nation, and it's just for people, but anything, like food. If there is a lot of German food in your area, Chinese is exotic, only because it's not common there. It does have a Greek root.

 

As I'm not an escort, I don't have to make the decision of where best to travel for business, but it makes sense to go someplace where the local providers can't offer what you do. If there is a location with mostly twinks, a muscular escort could get some business from clients who would like muscles over twinks.

[Nvr2Thick]

When I lived outside NYC I had no problem hiring Manhattan, Jersey City, and Hoboken escorts. Back in the '90s I considered a move to Manhattan, and I knew I'd continue to pursue local escorts because the community is so huge. For the sake of discretion I'm unlikely to hire a local escort in Nashville. Everyone seems to know everyone. I have a very small circle of gay friends, and they all seem to know who the escorts are and which masseurs give handjobs, and who goes to see them. I know guys who will plan a trip to Atlanta or Chicago just to see an escort or two -- in order to avoid the gossip. In smaller cities you're dealing with an even smaller client pool because potential clients can be much more cautious regarding discretion.

 

On this board I've noticed that there are clients who love to develop a long-term relationship with a reliable escort. I've always liked to play the field. Even when I'd have an exceptional encounter, the excitement of someone new was often more tempting than a repeat.

 

My assessment of client-escort dynamics may be skewed by my preferences, but I believe that you'd have better luck in a larger market than a smaller one.

[+ JEC]

There are a few providers who seem to have mastered the "travel circuit" approach to the business, Victor Powers and Mike Gaite come to mind. You might start with a few cities closer to you (i.e. Chicago, Columbus, Cincinnati etc) where you might even be able to drive or take a bus to do so frugally and start to build some cash reserves and a client base. Chicago especially has large conventions - if you look at the convention schedule and schedule when there are large conventions in town you'll likely pick up some of that business. You can get hotel deals on sites like Hotwire. I'm sure there are economic formulas which apply - i.e. cancel the trip if you don't have a certain number of bookings before you go. Others have figured out the "secret sauce" and are probably willing to share some trade secrets with you. Good luck.

[Mocha]

My latest best client turned out to be from India. So either @FTM Zachary Prince referred me to someone. Or its true that there's something to be said about the fact that despite majority of our clients are "American", we can't underestimate the fact that most gay Americans just aren't supporting the bulk of the escort business.

 

In smaller cities you're dealing with an even smaller client pool because potential clients can be much more cautious regarding discretion.

 

That's true. I had a client from a fairly mid sized Midwestern city south and west of Chicago, hire me the other week in Orlando while visiting a convention hotel. I asked if he would ever see me when I pass thru sometime. It was pretty much a no, not because the D wasnt good, but because he's partnered and it's a small market. Which stands to reason why some escorts like have stated that town hadnt been a good place to travel.

 

There are a few providers who seem to have mastered the "travel circuit" approach to the business, Victor Powers and Mike Gaite come to mind. You might start with a few cities closer to you (i.e. Chicago, Columbus, Cincinnati etc) where you might even be able to drive or take a bus to do so frugally and start to build some cash reserves and a client base. Chicago especially has large conventions - if you look at the convention schedule and schedule when there are large conventions in town you'll likely pick up some of that business. You can get hotel deals on sites like Hotwire. I'm sure there are economic formulas which apply - i.e. cancel the trip if you don't have a certain number of bookings before you go. Others have figured out the "secret sauce" and are probably willing to share some trade secrets with you. Good luck.

 

Ive been traveling for quite some time, and I'd think I have a pretty good idea of the "circuit". But to be clear, Chicago Columbus and Cincinatti are all 900+ miles from me. I may need to double check that I've updated my location, because I'm in Florida aka, "the bottom". the places nearby to travel to are all within Florida. And Florida has the same overall demographic throughout: White, Black and Latinos in a weird gumbo like melting pot. Some get along, others stick within their own, the rest are the R word on the DL....and being an ethnic gay male escort out here, there's intolerance and indifference all around. But there's also more acceptance than many other states to a degree, because of the differences and exposure. Florida is like NYC, just spread out over long distances.

 

In a place like SLC where @VictorPowers lives, that's easy. It's an ALL American city, and anyone not white is exotic. Very easy. I don't have to do much to turn heads and make a presence. In Florida, you can look good but there's still 1,000 other good looking people, who are probably the same race.

 

The other issue is, not all nearby cities have the potential to be worth travel to. I used to advertise in Cincinatti all the time, and it was never somewhere to stay for more than a day. Ditto with Columbus. Ditto with Chicago. I was working that region remotely from Milwaukee and had made 3 trips thru the area over a 2 week period. Didn't get shit but a whole bunch of traffic and tire kickers. But my friends did take me to a baseball game and some good food in oak park. And free sex is readily available in Chicago if you end up not getting any business.

 

But the reality is, there's simply some cities where a certain escort type just won't do good in. And in my experience, BBC's (big black cities) generally don't for me. Atlanta, Chicago, and even DC can fall into that category sometimes. It's not that I can't get laid in those places, just hard to get paid to get laid because there's so much of it going around. Sometimes being "exotic", even if that only means not being White, goes a long way. But if the majority a cities population is "exotic", you've just eliminated a big player in your selling point.

 

I am working on being more proactive in my approach though. I've gotten comfortable with waiting on people to hit me up first...which is always going to be the best results way, but now I'm stepping out to go thru my contacts and approach first.

[MattDaniel]

Care to share your ad? Perhaps we can crowdsource some marketing advice

[BabyBoomer]

Care to share your ad? Perhaps we can crowdsource some marketing advice

 

His RM ad is down at the moment.

 

~Boomer~

[Mocha]

Actually no, my ad is still up...Paid for theu Novembe. But I forget slight changes in screenname changes the entire link.

[Mocha]

Care to share your ad? Perhaps we can crowdsource some marketing advice

 

Mos Def...it's a quickly evolving market so new strategies always come in handy.

 

That said, seems like an update of my photos from a new photo set was all that was needed to boost my local area demand. Definitely is looking set to be improving going forward! At the same time, photo shoots can be mentally exhausting and time consuming, not to mention the differing personalities involved when working with a new photographer. I prefer to only do them 1 to 2 times per year. But when it's good, it's worth the stress lol.

 

To me, a new photo shoot is like Drake, Adele or Beyoncé dropping a new album!

Edited August 3, 2018 by Mocha