Even one of my regulars noticed it…

[Jarrod_Uncut]

Was talking to him the other day and he said he had browsed RentMen for the first time in awhile, and said he couldn’t believe how packed it was with guys advertising in town (and referring to a relatively medium sized/conservative city). 

Does anyone feel there’s more advertisers than available clients lately? Or can it be more of a speculative observation?

 

 

Edited December 14, 2023 by Jarrod_Uncut

[soloyo215]

It's a known fact that every city that has some kind of conservative convention or conference, all the sex venues become jammed packed during that time.

I think that overall, the industry seems to be growing. I don't know about availability of clients, but I notice more providers visiting and being based in my city.

[Guest]

I might be in the minority here, I don't know... maybe you guys tell me? I don't ever see who's in what city or how many are there. I don't know to what extent other escorts look at other escorts who are in their area or in a destination that they are planning to go to. What I do know is that about 65 to 70% of the people I see don't hire other people anymore... that's the best estimate I can provide from people that I have been seeing for a long time, that I know very well, and that I trust with my life.

Edited December 14, 2023 by Vin_Marco

[Guest]

43 minutes ago, soloyo215 said:

It's a known fact that every city that has some kind of conservative convention or conference, all the sex venues become jammed packed during that time.

"Family values" is great for business 😎😜

[Jarrod_Uncut]

50 minutes ago, Vin_Marco said:

I might be in the minority here, I don't know... maybe you guys tell me? I don't ever see who's in what city or how many are there. I don't know to what extent other escorts look at other escorts who are in their area or in a destination that they are planning to go to. What I do know is that about 65 to 70% of the people I see don't hire other people anymore. that's the best estimate I can provide from people that I have been seeing for a long time, that I know very well, and that I trust with my life.

Well for me, when I’m moving my ads in different areas…it’s almost hard not to notice the other ads. I don’t always go counting but, I can definitely differentiate between a place with 2-3 guys versus one with like 50 where my ad may or may not always show on the “featured porn star” page. I can occasionally note the difference in terms of getting bookings as well. 
 

For example, came to one small-ish town  the other day: reached out to a previous guy let him know I was coming, he booked me for the next day right away…confirmed and all was set. Most of the busier markets, many seem to already have their buffet of lays lol. But I also know how being the new guy visiting can make a big difference.

Did content with a guy the other day in my other home base where it’s been slow for weeks, and he apparently had bookings in/out of his room and he only stayed couple nights. I was like, ha…funny how things work. Of course, he had a lower entry rate of $150 and not sure what all he would do for that amount. He was also readily available for incalls, which is pretty much all that Kansas City area clients want to do (at least in St. Louis more clients are willing to host…or I can host from my friend’s guest room).

Edited December 14, 2023 by Jarrod_Uncut

[Jarrod_Uncut]

52 minutes ago, soloyo215 said:

It's a known fact that every city that has some kind of conservative convention or conference, all the sex venues become jammed packed during that time.

I think that overall, the industry seems to be growing. I don't know about availability of clients, but I notice more providers visiting and being based in my city.

Well in this case I was referring to a conservative City all together. Well, it’s “semi-conservative”. Basically St. Louis I’m referring to. It’s a weird dichotomy to me in some ways. I stay there part time but it’s weird how despite it often being a place with a higher level of crime, half the city is super conservative. Pretty much favors Chicago in that setup.

I was talking to a (Mid 30s Bottom guy) awhile back and he said something similar: The gay scene in St. Louis seems a bit judgy and conservative, whereas it seems the straight “urban” scene tends to advertise being more kinky and raunchy: at least on music.

And the gays in the area can be willing to buy but, only on Rent sites and occasionally Adam. I’ve gone to bars and the hookup apps and met people, non of it seems to exist at all. It all seems very backstage and hush hush. Whereas when I lived in Miami, you could often just stand outside a bar and get picked up. 

[+ DrownedBoy]

I've never classed St. Louis as "conservative." Backwater and backwards, yes, but never conservative.

I remember decades ago, young gays who were stuck in southern Illinois towns would travel there for fun. Sad.

[BuffaloKyle]

Buffalo had a pretty decent amount of visitors coming through this past summer. Most since before the pandemic. Not though now, virtually no one until April or so.

[soloyo215]

9 hours ago, Vin_Marco said:

I might be in the minority here, I don't know... maybe you guys tell me? I don't ever see who's in what city or how many are there. I don't know to what extent other escorts look at other escorts who are in their area or in a destination that they are planning to go to. What I do know is that about 65 to 70% of the people I see don't hire other people anymore... that's the best estimate I can provide from people that I have been seeing for a long time, that I know very well, and that I trust with my life.

I agree with you and you do make a good point. Focusing on your own clients and creating your own list (even a wait list) is the way to go. The only way where i believe knowing about numbers is when you are doing formal analytics, which I doubt many in this line of business do. Time spent in looking and/or worrying about others providers and clients is time that can be spent promoting your own self.

[Guest]

Just now, soloyo215 said:

I agree with you and you do make a good point. Focusing on your own clients and creating your own list (even a wait list) is the way to go. The only way where i believe knowing about numbers is when you are doing formal analytics, which I doubt many in this line of business do. Time spent in looking and/or worrying about others providers and clients is time that can be spent promoting your own self.

Thank you 🙏🏽 for saying that. It's actually you that nailed it. There's a reason I'm fortunate to see so many that I've seen since the beginning. Staying in my own lane, focusing on cultivating what I have rather than focusing on what I don't have has kept my busy. Focusing on what I have and on myself has allowed me to rely on not having to constantly meet new people. Do I feel grateful when I do meet someone new and wonderful? Of course! As for other escorts, it's a complete waste of my time and energy to be thinking about how many are out there and or who's out there... what will that accomplish? Absolutely nothing, I have no control whatsoever over such things. My ad is hidden most of the time, I check RM probably twice a week ( people who have bookmarked me can still find my hidden ad ) to respond to messages and I see that A LOT of escorts view my profile and multiple times... oftentimes they send messages and I'm always polite but what I really want to tell them is' "focus" 

[marylander1940]

19 hours ago, Jarrod_Uncut said:

Was talking to him the other day and he said he had browsed RentMen for the first time in awhile, and said he couldn’t believe how packed it was with guys advertising in town (and referring to a relatively medium sized/conservative city). 

Does anyone feel there’s more advertisers than available clients lately? Or can it be more of a speculative observation?

 

 

No, there no more advertisers than potential clients but somehow since the closure of Rentboy more and more guys decided to take pictures and place and ad to try their luck. Obviously not all of them are cut off for escorting and some retire after a few months. 

[Jarrod_Uncut]

12 hours ago, DrownedBoy said:

I've never classed St. Louis as "conservative." Backwater and backwards, yes, but never conservative.

I remember decades ago, young gays who were stuck in southern Illinois towns would travel there for fun. Sad.

lol well, it’s either St. Louis or Chicago. Which is where I am currently. But most people who come to Chicago for fun, usually have to plan it out a bit.
 

And I also find St. Louis guys don’t make it up to Chicago much unless they are of the “wealthier” crowd. It’s definitely a little more expensive up here, but I feel St. Louis is an extension of Chicago, similar to places like Oklahoma City is Dallas/FortWorth’s smaller version and San Diego is the “smaller” alternative to Los Angeles (not assuming those cities want to be like those bigger areas but: it’s still the same spirit when you’re not from there.) 
 

11 hours ago, soloyo215 said:

I agree with you and you do make a good point. Focusing on your own clients and creating your own list (even a wait list) is the way to go. The only way where i believe knowing about numbers is when you are doing formal analytics, which I doubt many in this line of business do. Time spent in looking and/or worrying about others providers and clients is time that can be spent promoting your own self.

Well they say, “know your competition” right? it’s not that I’m worried about it but, it’s good to be aware of it and assess it every so often. I’ve learned some things just by looking at other guy’s ads without even contacting them at all.

For example, I didn’t realize I can advertise in up to 12 cities by using Rent.Men, until I seen one guy’s ad with multiple cities. Normally on old RentMen, you could only choose 6. The new version you can do 6 nearby and 6 travel cities.
 

9 hours ago, marylander1940 said:

No, there no more advertisers than potential clients but somehow since the closure of Rentboy more and more guys decided to take pictures and place and ad to try their luck. Obviously not all of them are cut off for escorting and some retire after a few months. 

I still feel (and no offense to anyone who uses them as some guys still look good doing it regardless) but…I just feel the vast camera phone usage on RentMen gives it too much of a hookup app-ish feel. I know it gives a personable and realistic feel but: I wonder if people can tell the difference between the amateurs and the legit long time professionals. 
 

And I do agree RentMen was able to take the market by storm after RentBoy went away but, I think the increase has catapulted ever since inflation jumped. I think there were fewer guys around Covid time. I also noticed some cities would be 20 guys, and then like 5 guys. And I’d notice business slowing down and they disappear, but then come back around. 
 

But I’m definitely noticing more guys posting during Christmas time. I hope most know that December is a relatively slower time for bookings!  That’s why I left home because I couldn’t stick around waiting any longer waiting for local clients to not come. Last week was dealing with one of my regulars not keeping dates he was telling me he was available, and another new client who sent me a large deposit but then had to call off couple weekends ago and wouldn’t give an idea when I was trying to figure out when he wanted to book. I’m like what the fuck? The craziness of some towns. I can’t be bothered with BS when there’s things I could be getting done. 
 

I don’t think I’ll even want to go back home until a day or 2 prior to Christmas. Schedule better off traveling but, I’m being careful because it’s still slow and a lot of bored guys requesting appointments and not following thru…I may take my number down again if it comes down to it.

Edited December 15, 2023 by Jarrod_Uncut

[DWnyc]

Participating in the hobby as either a provider or a client continues to get easier because of technology.

Very different today from my memories from when I first dabbled … taking down numbers from magazines procured from shops in sketchy parts of town; using pay phones so as to remain anonymous, invariably connecting to answering machines so providers I called couldn’t reach me even if I wanted them to, as I wouldn’t leave the only number I had and shared with roommates.  And on the rare occasion I got someone live, realizing I didn’t have enough change for the call … 

Now you can be up on a site in minutes, or surf the web in less than that if looking. and I think some young kids see it as just another potential gig to try their luck at.

However …

The same holds true for it getting easier to meet men for free (technology makes it easier) together with more social acceptance in much of the country / world.  So that can dilute some of the factors that might have otherwise just led to an increase in providers (and client interactions).

 

 

[ICTJOCK]

Somewhat here in Kansas,  but it can really vary between WIchita,  Kansas City and Oklahoma City,  Tulsa, etc.   I thought it was more the holiday timeframe.