Questions about initial contact

[soloyo215]

I searched for this particular topic and didn't find anything specifically about this, which is why I am posting. A little context first.

I went to a conference in Orlando last week, and I managed to talk my employer into letting me stay in the hotel where it happened for an additional night. I planned to treat myself with a provider for that night and return home happy. Went to RM and identified three prospects. I texted them with provider 1 being my preferred of the three.

I sent the exact same initial text to reach out to each one of them (something along the lines of "I saw your profile, liked what I read, I am interested. Are you available?")

Their initial responses were quite different.

• Provider number 1: "Aww thanks!! I'm just not available this weekend. How long are you in town?"
• Provider number 2: "$XXX for one hour $XXX per hour for 2 or more".
• Provider number 3: "Hey there, thanks for checking out my profile. I can be available. What part of town are staying in? Typically my rate is $XXX for the hour. I'm located in the xxxx area."

I went with provider 3 because provider 1 wasn't available, and provider 2 didn't entice me much to further the communication. I dissed provider 2 because it didn't show much people skills.

Questions to providers: Do you craft your initial reply, do you just answer based on the initial text, or combination of both? Do you think that how you reply matters (of course, aside from being polite and basic communication manners) and makes a difference in your business?

Questions to clients: do you care about how the provider replies, or does it impact your decision of going further (of course, based on the premise that it's not rejection or unavailability).

BTW, Provider 3 was excellent. I ended up extending my stay.

 

Edited 2 hours ago by soloyo215

[Mark_fl]

As a client,  100% the reply matters.  When I reach out, I state what I'm looking for, ask them to read my profile and let me know if they think I would be a good client for them.

If I get a response like your #2, that is not the provider for me 

[+ KensingtonHomo]

Yes, a provider's reply definitely makes a difference. Do they reply in a reasonable amount of time? Is their response friendly? Does it answer my initial questions? Of the responses you received, I would agree with how you ranked them. 

[Nue2thegame]

Perhaps my expectations are lower but Response # 2 seems to be the norm for me. My initial message is generic, non-specific. Most providers seem to be very guarded in their initial responses and I have not found that to be consistently predictive of what they’re really like. 

[SecretProvider]

Clients that do this are really fucking annoying and it's a BIG reason why you get labeled with the 'time waster' tag. 

We get 'hey I like you are you available text'. we reply back with 'yeah I can be, what part of town are you in my rate is *insert standard rate* etc etc' then silence from the client, or even better 'great, let me get back to you'. 

Because we might be preference number 3 or 4 or 5 and they are waiting to hear back from number preferred provider 1.  

Which then leads to us just putting little effort into the reply sometimes because the volume of messages we are getting from people  only messaging us as they just want us to  'audition'.  The volume of people messaging providers for these interactions ONLY while they jerk off looking at our pics and imagining what it would be like. the text messaging back and forth completely satisfies them is ASTOUNDING. It's vampirish and exhausting. I assume every single person that reaches out is one of these people until they prove me otherwise. And even though you ARE hiring, reaching out to three people adds to it. 

There are other reasons for a quick short response - it could also be a quick reply because we are already talking to someone else, we are at the gym, on the subway, on a airplane, in the library, sitting at a barber chair, eating at a restaurant: we are not sitting at an office desk when we are fielding enquiries. 

I get that sometimes waiting for a reply can be frustrating, especially when you are horny and excited. I wish clients would keep this in mind when reaching out.

I also get that it goes both ways - I get really fucking annoyed with short messages like 'rates? available?' and giving full replies 'yes I am available, how are you? when are you looking for?' to then only get one word reply back.  but that happens A LOT. People treat Rentmen conversations a lot like grindr in terms of communications styles.

It's hard not to get offended sometimes when you are not getting back what you are putting out. I'm with you on this! 

 

To answer your question - 

1 hour ago, soloyo215 said:

Do you craft your initial reply, do you just answer based on the initial text, or combination of both?

I have a standard reply that I edit around the initial text. 

1 hour ago, soloyo215 said:

Do you think that how you reply matters (of course, aside from being polite and basic communication manners) and makes a difference in your business?

I think it matters and I always try to be professional.

But there is a line of giving a lot of myself out there (FOR FREE)  for people who are already talking advantage of it, people who are messaging multiple people that are not THAT interested in me - which can be really draining. Versus holding back and protecting myself and mental health from these interactions so I can be my BEST self when I do show up for bookings. It's a tough balance that we don't always get right but try to. 

 

 

[Mark_fl]

28 minutes ago, SecretProvider said:

Clients that do this are really fucking annoying and it's a BIG reason why you get labeled with the 'time waster' tag. 

Which then leads to us just putting little effort into the reply sometimes because the volume of messages we are getting from people  only messaging us as they just want us to  'audition'.  The volume of people messaging providers for these interactions ONLY while they jerk off looking at our pics and imagining what it would be like. the text messaging back and forth completely satisfies them is ASTOUNDING. It's vampirish and exhausting. I assume every single person that reaches out is one of these people until they prove me otherwise. 

I realize you don't care, but this assumption is offensive. I have no interest in getting off via conversations in text or on the phone. My interactions are a means to an in-person end...with the right providor. You've made this accusation before, and your contempt for your clients is evident. I can see why you insist on a deposit in advance.

Edited 10 minutes ago by Mark_fl