What do you look for in an ad?

[Zapped]

Thanks

 

Thanks to jackcali for the welcome and the beautiful story about the hard-assed mentor who took your memo apart and showed you how to put it back together, as well as for your good wishes. Most of my teaching is applied music, and I do that a lot in lessons (not with writing, of course, but with their playing). Every student has to be approached differently; the trick is to be challenging but not to such an extent that the student is overwhelmed and depressed. Each one has a different threshold, and differing needs for encouragement, and it takes a while to find the right mix.

 

It is hard to find the time to do that sort of thing with the writing of a fairly large class. The college where I teach is looking at restructuring the undergraduate core curriculum so that the first and second years incdo lude more seminar-style courses in which writing is emphasized. When I teach writing-intensive courses, I find it much more effective to meet with a student and go through things line by line, as you so eloquently illustrated, than to simply mark something to pieces and give it back.

 

Zipperzone, the adorable, the hot, and the adorable-and-hot boys do create fantasies and temptations. In one-on-one conferences, I can find myself feeling very affectionate and drawn to a student. The prospect of getting fired for sexual harassment is an very effective check on my instincts, much like the likelihood of getting beaten up kept my dick from getting hard in middle and high school locker rooms when I was a teenager. As I've gone from being a 29-year old new professor to a 51-year old curmudgeon, I feel more and more paternal towards them, and that helps, too.

 

Teaching is rewarding and satisfying in many ways and I love it. Unfortunately it does not pay enough to be able to afford escorts very often! Both my children are in college themselves, and that leaves very little in the way of disposable income. For now, anyway.

[raife]

My ad reading guidelines...

 

Pics are lovely, I would rather see a face pic than a body pic given the choice, but I do parse the wording to a huge degree, trying to read between the lines. The more descriptive, the better I get to know the guy.

 

Having the price in the ad is a big plus but an ad without is not a showstopper. Big multi-hour discounts go way up my list. I don't like to negotiate much (it feels invasive on my part), but I have a few fixed price points acceptable for different activities.

 

I really look for words like friendly, affectionate (love my BFE!), open-minded, enthusiastic (big plus). And indications that he is open to fantasy/fetish activities (important to my happiness), creative and verbal and kind of likes what he does, not renting it out just to "pay the bills" (ugh!). "Personal entertainer" is my favorite angle on the profession! Liberal use of the word "play(ful)" gets me smiling.

 

A huge minus is the use of negative words, even "won't answer blocked calls" will cause me to skip the ad even though I never call from a blocked number. My favorites are usually ads that are positive, affirming, new-agey feeling and have a light-hearted sweetness, hopefully he cares that I have a good time when we're together. Tough and assertive take charge dom ads sometimes work well too. Either "masculine" or "straight acting" is just fine with me, I'm not PC, need my studliness and unfortunately my cock is not too receptive to fem guys so I need to sort them out somehow.

 

I guess I've been doing this a while and have gotten highly particular about great ads... they really leap out at me. I've really enjoyed your eloquence both in your ads and in your forum posts!

[Guest zipperzone]

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.

 

Ain't got no time to read - too busy conversating

[HoseMaster]

The first thing I look for is pictures. Secondly, I look through the pictures to see if they could all be the same guy (if the face isn't showing). I've seen several ads with pictures which look stolen from somewhere else, or pictures which never could be the same person. For example, do the same tattoos or birthmarks appear where they should, do the nipple spacing (LOL), abdominals, belly button, and any other physical trait match from shot to shot? Some of this sounds silly I know, but it helps me clue in on whether the guy is real or not, and helps me in my decision-making. I look for lots of body shots, and not just a dick or ass shot either. A face might be nice sometimes too, but its not a requirement for me. Also one picture doesn't do it either, as that could mean "fake" in my eyes.

 

Along with that, a nice description of you, what you get into or don't get into is nice too.

[KMEM]

Z-

 

Curmudgeons are among my favorite folks.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[Guest RianB]

A huge minus is the use of negative words, even "won't answer blocked calls" will cause me to skip the ad even though I never call from a blocked number. I've really enjoyed your eloquence both in your ads and in your forum posts!

 

well thanks!

 

As for the 'huge minus' I couldn't have agreed with you more. However, sometimes I am tempted to put something rigid on my profile if I've had a bout of timewasters. The thing that holds me back from doing so is Im not advertising for timewasters, nor people who call me private, nor people who just want phone sex; so I don't even bother acknowledging them in my advertisement!

 

My only beef is when one shows him a clean shaven blond and the next as a scruffy faced brunette

 

In that case, they may have mistaken their escorting profile as a modeling portfoilio LOL.

 

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.

 

Thats great that you are into photography. I model (independently and mostly for fun) and I would love to check out your portfolio...

[Guest RianB]

For example, do the same tattoos or birthmarks appear where they should, do the nipple spacing (LOL), abdominals, belly button, and any other physical trait match from shot to shot?

 

My God, you are precise arent you LOL...

 

Im kidding, but you know what thats a good thing because its much better to know before you meet in person. However...however; there are some people out there with photos you just may not be able to tell apart.

 

With me for example, I have so many photos from different photographers, cameras and time periods that its near impossible to compare. I've been told my photos look different from each other (although in person I do resemble them).

 

Any photographers here who can emphasize that LOL?

 

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.

 

Yeah that would be unfortunent...then I would have to deduct a portion of my rate to pay him for catching errors on my ad

[Bart]

Rian

This is an excellent thread that should be required reading for all escorts.

I cannot tell how often I am amazed when I see ads for escorts that are just so lacking in information or almost worse too many words, repetitive to make it unreadable.

JackCali outstanding response.

Some other responses that I did not realize but are important, negativity in the ad is a turn-off. The ad should accentuate the positive.

Pictures and text should tell a story. I am encouraged Rian that you are willing to update the ad, pictures and text because as an escort I think you change in activities, approach and offerings as you develop in the industry along with your look. You have figured out the type of client you wish to attract.

I find I am not in need of face and dick shots provided there are other descriptive photos. But I love shots showing a good set of teeth so half head shots please. Love seeing a smile.

Body shots, if you have definition show it off.

A nice tight pair of jeans or leather can do wonders, but dont forget the upscale look too.

[Bart]

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.

 

I am not sure this is really turn-off. I dont negotiate either. I usually hire for more than hour, after the initial contact I usually finish with be sure to give a donation level. If I am not happy with the fee I just simply decline and appologize for wasting his time. Although 75% of the time I get a counter, I just pass. Even when rates are posted the one hour rate may be high but three hr rate is perfect but have been blown away by guys who simply charge by the hour with no multi hour discount. So that a gentleman may charge 250 an hour and another may state 300, but the 300 gentleman for 3 hours is 700 and the 250 gentleman is 750. I think the discounted multi-hour makes the most sense because the gentleman is only preparing for one and you can develop a better outing with the client given more time. But each gentleman is an independent contractor and run his business as he sees fit.

[Kevin Slater]

sometimes I am tempted to put something rigid on my profile if I've had a bout of timewasters. The thing that holds me back from doing so is Im not advertising for timewasters, nor people who call me private, nor people who just want phone sex; so I don't even bother acknowledging them in my advertisement!

 

Exactly. First, I doubt any time waster is going to refrain from calling simply because your ad asks him not to. And sending a "no message" does present negative energy to those folk to whom your ad is targeted.

 

Kevin Slater

[Bart]

I remember when a poster, I believe FFF, use to post ridiculous ads for critical comments. Now to be fair not looking to slam the writer so wont post a link. The following is the text from a current ad running in NY:

 

"Hey fellas, Ya horny? I'm here. What ya into? I like all sorts. Ya wanna touch me? What do ya get into. Call me, its fun. Lets do it. "

 

In addition, he also made an error with his phone number and has two different exchanges. Now most NY residents would know the right one but an out of towner may not.

 

So this is not a very interesting ad, as it tells me nothing about the gentleman. I am just not into slang for a professional ad, common acronyms okay but this ad makes the gentleman cheap and I may say comes off reading like a hustler off the street.

 

I would suggest that this be an example of what not to write. The pictures almost fit the style one is and in your face type body/cock shot, the other a bit more interesting on a motor cycle but to taken too far away to offer much in style points.

[Guest JayJohnsic62ic62]

I appreciate good photos and a reasonably accurate description, as well as a truthful listing of one's interests and inclinations. My first experience involved a "versatile" escort who doesn't bottom, so I tend to be skeptical if the escort is unreviewed. I don't respond to ads without pricing.

 

Mostly, I want enough information to decide whether an initial email or phone contact is worthwhile. As others have said, the email and phone contacts are more more important in the final decision. I think the goal of a good ad should be to get a follow-up contact.

[+ g56whiz]

I'm getting to this one quite late but I look at the pix first. The look has to attract me to consider the guy further. Then I look at the fee. I don't have unlimited resources nor the desire to self destruct. I never "ask me": I don't want to negotiate against myself. Only then do I look at the text. Because the brain is the largest sex organ, I look for some intelligence. But I'm not hiring an editor or paying an escort rate for a good conversationalist. I just want the text to reflect a slant that indicates the guy can think in whatever language and that makes me more interested in this particular stud rather any another.

[Guest PWIT]

Pictures are important, but everyone reads the wording.

 

Cover the 5W2H

• Who you are (country boy, surfer, jock, etc.)
  
  
• What you are offering (BFE, role play, massage, travel companion, etc., don't neglect the stats)
  
• When you are available (dates, times, etc.)
  
  
• Where (in call, out call, downtown hotel, etc.)
  
• Why choose you (guaranteed good time, best massage around, etc.)
  
• How to contact you
  
• How much it will cost
  

Do all of the above with a writing style that reflects your personality. Are you a jokester, a romantic, avid sports fan.....

 

Don't underestimate presentation. An ALL CAPS AD IS ANNOYING - NEVER DO IT.

[Kevin Slater]

Pictures are important, but everyone reads the wording.

 

Wish it were so. Amazing how many people will call (often at 3 am) without having read a word of the profile.

 

Kevin Slater

[Guest]

There are a lot of great answers here. There are occasional markets, when I visit a smaller town, where there are no escorts who show their faces or bodies. Other than that, I will very rarely call an escort who doesn't show his face and his body. A penis shot is nice, but not necessary. Also, I won't call ads which don't list a price. Not only do I not feel like guessing, but I simply don't trust someone who can't list a price. Is he going to re-negotiate during the session (I've actually heard of that happening)? I will also not hire an escort who doesn't kiss. That is the #1 most important part of sex for me. I'd rather hire a less handsome escort who kisses than a knock-out who doesn't. If anything, I can hardly think of anything in the world I find more frustrating that being in bed with someone I have the hots for who doesn't kiss. As a corollary to this rule, I don't hire straight guys, and am cautious about hiring those who claim to be bisexual. I don't want to get physical with someone and then have to deal with his hang-ups. If you're not gay, I personally would rather you'd shut up about it if you trying to get some gay guy to hire you.

For legal reasons, I prefer the escort simply list his sexual preferences. I don't want to have to answer an e-mail which says "What do you want me to do?" in case this is a sting, although I wouldn't be concerned if the escort ad is by a known porn star. Finally, I will usually only hire escorts who will do most of the communication by e-mail. Although I have an open relationship, I don't want to take calls at home, and I certainly don't want to take calls at work either. If the escort answers his phone right away, that's OK, too, but I'm not going to leave my phone number for the escort to call at some undetermined time in the future at the escort's sole convenience.

[Guest zipperzone]

If the escort answers his phone right away, that's OK, too, but I'm not going to leave my phone number for the escort to call at some undetermined time in the future at the escort's sole convenience.

 

Very well said. It is surprising the number of escorts who don't understand the logic of this.

[Guest RianB]

For legal reasons, I prefer the escort simply list his sexual preferences. I don't want to have to answer an e-mail which says "What do you want me to do?" in case this is a sting, although I wouldn't be concerned if the escort ad is by a known porn star.

 

It was good to see your perspective on it. But now with this one I cant say we would all agree on that. Reason being is whenever someone emails or calls me and asks, "what are your services" or "what are your limitations" its kind of vague and could possibly be someone who just want to find out how far we would go...like a game.

 

Being that someone is calling a (service provider's) ad I think its only fair that they mention what it is they are looking for rather than having me go through an entire list of things I like to do. I also mention it in my ad as well so they already have an idea of what to expect.

 

Unfortunently, places like men4rent censor just about everything (including the word oral and kissing) so its hard to describe much of anything.

[Guest]

It was good to see your perspective on it. But now with this one I cant say we would all agree on that. Reason being is whenever someone emails or calls me and asks, "what are your services" or "what are your limitations" its kind of vague and could possibly be someone who just want to find out how far we would go...like a game.

 

Being that someone is calling a (service provider's) ad I think its only fair that they mention what it is they are looking for rather than having me go through an entire list of things I like to do. I also mention it in my ad as well so they already have an idea of what to expect.

 

Unfortunently, places like men4rent censor just about everything (including the word oral and kissing) so its hard to describe much of anything.

 

I understand that the escort may feel pressured to answer questions about his sexual preferences, but I, as a client, feel no such pressure. An escort can simply describe what he likes to do as a general matter, without stating explicitly that he will do ABC in exchange for X amount of dollars. If I say, however, that I'll hire someone if he does ABC, it's probably crossing some legal boundaries. I have asked in the past "Do you like to kiss?", but I'm not going to send an e-mail (or even discuss on the phone) that I'll only hire someone who will perform a specific sexual activity. I want to know that before I make the decision to contact the escort, and most sites let escorts list their sexual preferences (at least the ones I use).

[Guest RianB]

If I say, however, that I'll hire someone if he does ABC, it's probably crossing some legal boundaries. I have asked in the past "Do you like to kiss?", but I'm not going to send an e-mail (or even discuss on the phone) that I'll only hire someone who will perform a specific sexual activity. I want to know that before I make the decision to contact the escort, and most sites let escorts list their sexual preferences (at least the ones I use).

 

Ok I see what you mean...however, earlier you stated you would answer such questions if the person was a porn star rather than a random escort with an ad up? Now I do know there have been reverse stings involving the client, but I've only heard of it happening on the streets, maybe even CL.

 

I just cant imagine that happening on a paid advertisement site. I dont think your describing to an escort thru phone or email what you expect or would like to do during the booking would be a legal issue. Then again some prefer to mention nothing over phone/email and thats fine too.

[Guest greatness]

nice website

 

I've checked out your website. It is very nice.. Good luck with your business...

 

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?

[JoeyBryant]

I've checked out your website. It is very nice.. Good luck with your business...

 

Ah, thankyou....I just had to take some time and figure out exactly what I wanted my website to be and thats what I came up with.

[Lookin]

I've checked out your website. It is very nice.. Good luck with your business...

Ditto!

 

I like the simplicity, the pictures you've chosen, and the way they scroll by without a lot of clicking.

 

I guess you'll be adding another heading with contact info too. You don't want to tease the bears!

[JoeyBryant]

Ditto! I guess you'll be adding another heading with contact info too. You don't want to tease the bears!

 

LOL; thanks for pointing that out. I was so engrossed in working with the template that it slipped my mind to put the contact info back up.