When a market explodes: Can A City Handle It?

[Mocha]

Re: the Denver market. It seems now that the city is being recognized nationally and abroad, (mainly for recreational usage) there has been a surge in the amount of escorts either moving or visiting the area. However, one has to wonder if the client base has caught up to the rising number. It also appears theres a lot of "try outs", and not very recognized names, so from an established escort perspective, it's hard to tell what this new market is offering. From what I've heard though, it's been dubious.

 

I've seen this trend in places like Dallas. It doubled and tripled. Escorts and dancers outnumbered clientele. A once easy market became so immensely saturated, to where now I rarely get any calls when I visit (family/friends). On the other hand, I've also noticed the Seattle market has dropped by half on rentboy. 4 years ago it was like 40+. Now it's like barely over 20. Being Seattle and Denver are equal in size, I wonder if some cities reach a max threshold to where there's not enough business to go around, and the bubble pops. Then ads start disappearing, I def. see Denver heading in that direction, if not there already. Unfortunetly, the bubble seems to be steady expanding. And I can attest, The Denver scene is rather conservative, and there's only so much business to go around for so long.

[Nvr2Thick]

I'd say the city can handle it just fine. For the client base it's mostly a good thing. The market itself will endure. It's a question of whether it affects individual escorts adversely.

 

The market may surge and then reduce as supply and demand stabilize. This brings some trade-offs:

 

• Long-term customers get the opportunity for some diversity which can be rare in smaller markets; however they may eventually lose their favorite regular escorts if those escorts can't survive under increased competition.
  
• I personally like "try outs". You can get some fresh faces, and sometimes the experience I get from a non-pro can seem more natural; as if I've met a guy for a passionate hookup rather than hiring a man with an established repertoire. Many of these men who are new to escorting will eventually burn out because they are giving too much of themselves. As you've noted, however, fresh faces are unknown entities, and these men can be unprofessional flakes but with no reputation for clients to depend upon. And while some new escorts are amazing from the start others may take a while to develop a their skills and style, especially with clients that they don't find attractive.
  

I think that increased competition is a good thing overall because smaller markets can become stagnant. The escorts best able to survive when supply exceeds demand will be the best-looking, best-performing in the mainstream. That usually means the best of the classic young-looking bottoms, the sturdier more masculine hung tops, and the top versatile performers whose looks have universal appeal.

 

Escorts in the niches can have a harder time. If you're the only kink daddy, hung black jock top, tattooed punk, etc. all it takes in one solid competitor to draw a meaningful portion of your client base away.

[marylander1940]

Re: the Denver market. It seems now that the city is being recognized nationally and abroad, (mainly for recreational usage) there has been a surge in the amount of escorts either moving or visiting the area. However, one has to wonder if the client base has caught up to the rising number. It also appears theres a lot of "try outs", and not very recognized names, so from an established escort perspective, it's hard to tell what this new market is offering. From what I've heard though, it's been dubious.

 

I've seen this trend in places like Dallas. It doubled and tripled. Escorts and dancers outnumbered clientele. A once easy market became so immensely saturated, to where now I rarely get any calls when I visit (family/friends). On the other hand, I've also noticed the Seattle market has dropped by half on rentboy. 4 years ago it was like 40+. Now it's like barely over 20. Being Seattle and Denver are equal in size, I wonder if some cities reach a max threshold to where there's not enough business to go around, and the bubble pops. Then ads start disappearing, I def. see Denver heading in that direction, if not there already. Unfortunetly, the bubble seems to be steady expanding. And I can attest, The Denver scene is rather conservative, and there's only so much business to go around for so long.

 

I think market will adapt itself... There's a reason why Honolulu and so many other cities pretty much don't have any escorts.

 

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[+ Chris Eisenhower]

Re: the Denver market... I've seen this trend in places like Dallas. It doubled and tripled. Escorts and dancers outnumbered clientele. A once easy market became so immensely saturated, to where now I rarely get any calls when I visit (family/friends). On the other hand, I've also noticed the Seattle market has dropped by half on rentboy. 4 years ago it was like 40+. Now it's like barely over 20. Being Seattle and Denver are equal in size, I wonder if some cities reach a max threshold to where there's not enough business to go around, and the bubble pops. Then ads start disappearing...

 

I've been to Denver and some other smaller cities. Here's what's been up. Many hirers don't hire locals because there's a chance (much bigger than NYC) at one point or another you'll cross paths. That comes from the horses mouth from Denver to Phoenix.

 

Now, just because escorts stop advertising doesn't mean there isn't business, it means there might not have been enough for that particular escort. Sometimes its absolutely dead in NYC, there never really is an answer except that its just one of those times, and its out of your control. But who really knows why they stop. Maybe they tried it and didn't like it. One will just never know.

 

It's all a game of quality over quantity. If you do experience a lag in clients because there's a surge in available escorts, just wait it out—the vast majority of competitors will drop off due to an inability to market themselves properly or satisfy clients. Or they're transient. Look at the Atlanta reviews. Most escorts have one, and the ones who have multiples either tour a lot, have been there a while, or moved there from somewhere else.

 

I agree with Killian somewhat in that locals often don't want to run the risk of running into someone they've hired. For as many people who don't want to truck the light-year or two that I live from downtown DC, a lot of guys are glad they aren't likely to know anyone in my neighborhood.

[Mocha]

I'd say the city can handle it just fine. For the client base it's mostly a good thing. The market itself will endure. It's a question of whether it affects individual escorts adversely.

 

I think that increased competition is a good thing overall because smaller markets can become stagnant. Escorts in the niches can have a harder time. If you're the only kink daddy, hung black jock top, tattooed punk, etc. all it takes in one solid competitor to draw a meaningful portion of your client base away.

 

This makes a lot of sense. There are certainly some markets that have become stagnant. What ends up happening is some clients stop looking at the ads, and resort to the Craigslist, adam4adam, or backpage.

[Mocha]

I've been to Denver and some other smaller cities. Here's what's been up. Many hirers don't hire locals because there's a chance (much bigger than NYC) at one point or another you'll cross paths. That comes from the horses mouth from Denver to Phoenix.

 

I've heard that before, I even heard it here before when I used to travel to Denver. Once. but they also say, the local market offering is not great. Well, how can it be great if someone who lives here has to rely on touring or visiting clients?

 

That being said, that certainly files under not being under ones control. However, this has to be an Internet phenomenon. What's the chances of that happening to begin with? Besides in a gay bar...in which the clients I did run into were totally receptive. Like Chris, I live outside of town...although not quite as congested between the route of DC and Alexandria.

[Mocha]

I've heard the not hire local thing before. But they also say, the local market offering is not great. Well, how can it be great if someone who lives here has to rely on touring or visiting clients?

 

That being said, that certainly files under not being under ones control. However, this has to be an Internet phenomenon. What's the chances of that happening to begin with? Besides in a gay bar...in which the clients I did run into were totally receptive. Like Chris, I live outside of town...although not quite as congested between the route of DC and Alexandria.

 

I think market will adapt itself... There's a reason why Honolulu and so many other cities pretty much don't have any escorts.

 

Not sure I understand your reference. However, I have wondered why Honolulu has no escorts. But it's so least accessible, just like Alaska. You can't drive there, and flying/lodging would be expensive.

 

In the case example of Denver, while there in usually 8-12 escorts on rentboy, the number has gotten up to 30 over the last couple months. I think here's been 10 added in just the last 2 weeks.

[Nvr2Thick]

This makes a lot of sense. There are certainly some markets that have become stagnant. What ends up happening is some clients stop looking at the ads, and resort to the Craigslist, adam4adam, or backpage.

 

Many of us "resort to" Backpage or A4A regardless. You've made no secret of how you feel about these sources, however, I've found that they offer some excellent providers. You have to screen Rentboy using certain criteria, and screen Backpage using other methods. If anything, these less mainstream sites may be much better sources for smaller cities. If you have a Rentboy ad in New York you're a minor gay celebrity. If you have a Rentboy ad in Saint Louis you're notorious. Escorts in smaller cities are often not career escorts looking to establish public escort personas; they're looking to supplement a day job while flying slightly below the radar.