What do you look for in an ad?

[Guest RianB]

So in the process of revamping my new website and ads, I wanted to ask some of you what do you look for in ads?

 

As far as wording goes, what gets your attention? Im good at writing and talking but for some reason coming up with words in my ads is a challenge. The hardest part for me is the headline. I know wording isnt everything, but obviously I have to write something LOL. I may put down an ad that sounded good last week but then down the line I think it sounds cheesy haha...

 

How many of you actually read the wording?

 

Or is it the photos which are the most important and you skip the wording all together?

[dcguy20]

Hey Rian,

 

For me, first and foremost are the photos. In terms of wording, I think people in general might respond to something different, but a couple of words that usually gets my attention are: friendly and affectionate. I prefer the use of the word "masculine" over "straight acting".

[jackcali]

Of course we read the wording

 

How many of you actually read the wording?

 

 

 

After all the postings on this forum about grammar and language, Rian, you know the answer to your question. YES, clients read the wording, and some of us read it very carefully, before making a hiring decision. The wording in your ad, in addition to your pictures, is what establishes the first impression that most potential clients have of you. You want their first impression to be positive.

 

It's through your pictures that you make the client's first cut in his hiring decision. The client decides from the pictures whether the escort is the client's type. Some clients have very narrow tastes, others more broad. But, as long as there's more than one escort on a website who is the client's type (and who is the right price and location, etc), then it's probably the text that helps him choose which one to hire.

 

While an ad's text isn't very long, and it's got to include some basic facts and figures, it should still convey some of the personality and style of the escort. (Businesses pay advertising agencies a lot of money to make the right impression in a few words.) I'll leave to you the choice of what words are right for you, but if you're having trouble coming up with them, go read other escorts' ads. Feel free to copy a phrase or steal a good word from ads that you like or think are effective, keeping in mind of course that what you write has to be an accurate expression of who RianB is. That's by far the most important thing.

 

When you've got something you're happy with but before you post it, show it to a good friend who knows your business or, better still, show it to a good client who knows you well. Ask him if he thinks it describes you accurately. Sometimes we get too close to our writing and we lose perspective, so another pair of eyes may see things and have insights that we miss.

 

AND -- you know I couldn't let this go -- proofread your ad copy and make sure the spelling and grammar are correct. Somewhere out there may be a potential client who wants to throw you thousands of dollars of business a month, and it would be awful if he were an English professor or an advertising agency executive who got turned off by a typo in your ad.

[KMEM]

As the guy who came home to find his significant other in bed with a local English professor said:

 

Guy: Professor, I am surprised.

 

Professor: No, you are astonished. I am surprised.

 

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

I think jackcali's post just about says it all. First the pictures get one's attention, then the words seal the deal.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[whipped guy]

Follow through...

 

I concur with jackcali regarding proper use of language in any advertising.

 

HOWEVER!!!! Be sure to follow through with the thoughtful use of language in any email correspondence. Nothing irritates me more than the now standard two word, acronym laced, and "smiley faced" email response. (Of course I have made an exception for at least one particularly hot guy... but still it aggravates me because he is capable of presenting himself in a much better light.)

[jackcali]

Thanks, whipped guy, for making that very important addition to my post. While the subsequent email traffic may not have to pass muster with the schoolmarms among us (everyone is accustomed to typos in quick emails), those emails percolate in the potential client's mind while he formulates an opinion of the escort, so think about what impression your subsequent communications are making.

 

And, thanks, KMEM, for telling one of my favorite grammar/language jokes.

[JT Brooklyn]

First the Hook- Pix's

 

Hey Rian,

 

For me, first and foremost are the photos. In terms of wording, I think people in general might respond to something different, but a couple of words that usually gets my attention are: friendly and affectionate. I prefer the use of the word "masculine" over "straight acting".

 

Totally Agree with dcguy! Pix's FIRST that's what the "Rate" allegedly gets ya!

 

As far as TEXT goes..."I ask the questions" either I like the guys manner in answering them in an email or No Deal!

[Zapped]

Ah, the joys of lurking in this forum. I find myself spending part of the morning looking up definitions of "astonished" and "surprised." And still don't entirely get the joke, since "astonish" and "surprise" are often cited as synonyms of each other.

 

Meanwhile, the larger grammar issue is a good one. I recently did not hire a reasonably-priced only-work-together duo after receiving an email which was ungrammatical and had four or five copies of the same set of photos (it was a forward of a forward of a forward, etc., a practice which always mystifies me).

 

I've never consciously made a decision based on grammar; reading this thread, however, I'm now aware that these things do influence me unconsciously.

 

If only I could come up with a way to share this with my own students. Although not an English professor, I do teach college freshmen, and most of them are sloppy writers. Obviously I could generalize it, but specific true-life examples are so much more effective.

[KMEM]

Zapped,

 

I am pleased that you have decided to post. Welcome. I also commend you for doing research for your own benefit. Some seem to only do it to prove a point to others.

 

If you have a birthday approaching and you are given a suprise party I hope you will be able to exhibit the proper amount of astonishment at the gesture whether they actually surprise you or not.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[whipped guy]

Interestingly, in one review I praised the escorts compositional skills almost as much as I did his other attributes. In fact it was his cogent writing style that quite consciously clinched the deal for me and gave me the confidence that I was hiring the right individual... an individual who cared enough to go above and beyond what is considered to be the norm.

[rvwnsd]

I would add one thing to jackcali's excellent advice: avoid using unnecessary capital letters and exclamation points.Text written in all caps is difficult to read, especially when printed in narrow columns. Exclamation points just look bad. While I agree that the pictures catch my eye, I move on if I can't read the ad.

[Kevin Slater]

I would add one thing to jackcali's excellent advice: avoid using unnecessary capital letters and exclamation points.Text written in all caps is difficult to read, especially when printed in narrow columns. Exclamation points just look bad. While I agree that the pictures catch my eye, I move on if I can't read the ad.

 

YES but "PLEASE" don't FORGET about "excessive" QUOTES also!!!!! Those can BE just "as" GRATING!!!!

 

Kevin Slater

[Guest zipperzone]

Interestingly, in one review I praised the escorts compositional skills almost as much as I did his other attributes. In fact it was his cogent writing style that quite consciously clinched the deal for me and gave me the confidence that I was hiring the right individual... an individual who cared enough to go above and beyond what is considered to be the norm.

 

This is what I was trying to convey in my earlier posts (in another thread) when I was bitching about the lack of concern some people have for the use of proper English grammar.

 

To some people, and I'm one of them, it is important that the impression one has of his companion de jour, is that of an educated, intelligent and well spoken individual. After all, if you are going to be "conversating" with them you should feel comfortable doing so.

[Guest HellYeahSF]

I look for:

 

(1) hole size, with pictures to verify the claims (I do NOT want an overstretched or unnaturally wide hole to use!);

 

(2) proof of proper nose hair and ear hair trimming, and thorough anal hygiene practices (either close ups or sworn statements from prior clients);

 

(3) indication that doctor's number and waiver of patient confidentiality is available to confirm absence of serious health issues;

 

(4) discount rates for more than two hours of use; and,

 

(5) subservient attitude/recognition that you are in a SERVICE business and the client's desires, needs, preferences and will always come FIRST.

[KMEM]

I am sure you are trying to be funny, but, I, for one, am not amused. Perhaps another session with your psychiatrist?

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[Epigonos]

I agree with just about everything posted regarding this thread thus far. The one thing I would add is be concise. One strong well written paragraph should do it. I loose interest when I see a rentboy ad that consists of five or six l-o-n-g paragraphs.

 

In the end the photographs are STILL the most important part of an ad for me. Part of the reason for this is that I taught photography for many years. I look for professional or semi-professional quality photos. Poor photographs indicates to me poor business practices. A huge turn off for me is a photo taken, with a cell phone, by the escort which show him taking the picture. Also I don't see the point of posting eight or nine photo when four or five will do the job -- again be concise. To my way a thinking all that is needed is a good face shot (if using), a good torso shot, a good ass shot, and a good hardon cock shot (if using). One thing I have never understood is why some guys who claim to be "total tops" post three or four ass shots -- what is the point?

[Guest HellYeahSF]

I am sure you are trying to be funny, but, I, for one, am not amused. Perhaps another session with your psychiatrist?

 

Not trying to be funny at all; they all reflect bad experiences I've had in the past with prostitutes I've hired and/or preferences which, I acknowledge, are unique to me.

[Kevin Slater]

Also I don't see the point of posting eight or nine photo when four or five will do the job -- again be concise.

 

I disagree. Four or five shots would be fine, but I don't mind seeing the extras. As opposed to those l-o-n-g paragraphs which we both dread, additional pics can be viewed in just seconds. My only beef is when one shows him a clean shaven blond and the next as a scruffy faced brunette, even if they're clearly of the same guy. I think the pics should tell the same story, preferably one that agrees with what's going to show up at the door.

 

 

One thing I have never understoon is why some guys who claim to be "total tops" post three or four ass shots -- what is the point?

 

I show one ass shot because (all together now) although I don't bottom, I like being licked everywhere.

 

Kevin Slater

[Guest HellYeahSF]

To some people, and I'm one of them, it is important that the impression one has of his companion de jour, is that of an educated, intelligent and well spoken individual. After all, if you are going to be "conversating" with them you should feel comfortable doing so.

 

It's "du jour" -- not "de jour".

 

One unforgiving rule of the Internet: anytime someone wants pompously to lecture others about the need for proper English, they always make a humiliating mistake.

 

Personally, I think dumbness can be hot. That's good news for you: it might mean I'd be interested in hiring you.

[jackcali]

Hey, Zapped. This relative newbie welcomes you to the forum. I'm sure there are a thousand ways to teach writing, but I can only tell you about how I learned to write.

 

I learned at my first job (and not during the 20 years I spent in school, including at some very prestigious places). I was a junior executive and wrote a draft memo that a senior executive was going to send on to the Board of Directors. The senior executive read my draft and called me into his office the next day. As I walked into his office, I could see on his desk my memo covered with his notes in red ink. I was scared to death that he was going to throw it at me and tell me it was a piece of shit and that if I couldn't write a better memo he would fire me. (He had a reputation for being a hard case.)

 

Instead, we sat side-by-side going line by line through the memo, while he asked "why did you choose this word?" or said "I think this is a clearer way to make that point," etc. It was a three-page memo, but I think we spent close an hour over it, talking some about the substance of the memo but more about whether the memo clearly conveyed that substance.

 

In that hour, my boss taught me how to write by teaching me how to read closely and how to edit my own work. The next time I wrote a memo for a superior I went through the same process by myself ("is this the right word? How should I clarify that confusing sentence?). I won't say the next memo I wrote was perfect, but it was a hell of a lot better than that first one.

 

Now your students may not give you the same amount of attention because they're not worried about getting fired, and you may have too many students to do this with, but if it's possible you should try to do the same thing with your students. Take their first writing assignments, or maybe just the first page of them, and rip them apart. If you can impart to your students the depth with which others might read their writing, they may start to think more deeply about it themselves.

 

Again, welcome. And good luck with your students. You're doing God's work, lol.

[Guest zipperzone]

It's "du jour" -- not "de jour".

 

One unforgiving rule of the Internet: anytime someone wants pompously to lecture others about the need for proper English, they always make a humiliating mistake.

 

Personally, I think dumbness can be hot. That's good news for you: it might mean I'd be interested in hiring you.

 

Thank you for pointing out that I should have said du and not de. Am I humiliated? Not in the least. However you might want to consider the pomposity of your reply as well.

 

As for you being interested in hiring me....... forget about it. I'd be too busy laughing at you to get hard and I would have no intention of allowing my doctor to let you see my medical records. But it might be interesting to see YOURS.

[Guest zipperzone]

Although not an English professor, I do teach college freshmen, and most of them are sloppy writers. Obviously I could generalize it, but specific true-life examples are so much more effective.

 

Welcome to the forum - aka Alice through the looking glass.

 

If I were you I would find it very difficult teaching college freshmen. Many of them are, I suspect, cute and cuddly, and it would be so tempting to "reward" them if they managed to correct their "sloppy" writing. However - that could possibly cost me my job.

[Guest HellYeahSF]

As for you being interested in hiring me.......

 

That should be: "As for YOUR being interested . . . "

 

The gerund form of verbs requires the possessive pronoun (as in: "as for your constant making of mistakes . . . ")

 

Schoolmarm: heal thyself.

 

The next time you want to demand that escorts have superior written skills, you might want to spend the time instead reading a basic English book.

[uwsman2]

Essential parts of an ad

 

I never respond to an ad that doesn't list a price. The ads that say "ask me" are a total turn-off, since I don't like to get into a bargaining game about this.

 

I also never respond to an ad that is full of typos and poor grammar.

[Zapped]

If you have a birthday approaching and you are given a suprise party I hope you will be able to exhibit the proper amount of astonishment at the gesture whether they actually surprise you or not.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

 

Ah, thanks for the clarification. And the welcome.

 

--Z