Masseur best practices...

[Mercury]

4 hours ago, 7829V said:

If you have the green light to text a client, do so every now and then. Not to solicit business, just to say HI and to say... "have a good good day/weekend!".

In my case, when masseurs text me out of the blue, just solicit business I find it off putting....I feel like an ATM.  It's all about the connection and rapport you have with your client. Build a relationship and you won't have to solicit business...

It’s been 4 years since you were seeking advice for your friend. Did he get into the business?  Any success?  Link? 

[+ 7829V]

1 hour ago, Mercury said:

It’s been 4 years since you were seeking advice for your friend. Did he get into the business?  Any success?  Link? 

We’ll, let’s say he made a lot of money from massage… then he tried a little bit of escorting but since he’s straight it was difficult for him and was charging a lot of money with a lot of restrictions… I guess he burnt out… went to school for software and now he’s working at Microsoft in Seattle. He says he’s making good money. We haven’t talked recently… I wish him well. I hope he’d be back to being a masseur. 

[+ 7829V]

Another one 

*** Never ask for a picture. This is not Grindr. We are paying clients. The service you are offering should never been based on appearance. 
 

I’m talking with this “masseur”  and he’s asking for a picture. Twice already. Like wtf 😂

[Capitano]

Many have objected to different kinds of music that the masseur picks without consulting them.

I actually LIKE to hear something new and unconventional. Plus, I think that there is a hidden benefit in that the massage will be better if the masseur is listening to something they are into. The masseur will likely be more relaxed as well.

[+ 7829V]

42 minutes ago, Capitano said:

Many have objected to different kinds of music that the masseur picks without consulting them.

I actually LIKE to hear something new and unconventional. Plus, I think that there is a hidden benefit in that the massage will be better if the masseur is listening to something they are into. The masseur will likely be more relaxed as well.

As long as there are no ads I’m ok with their selection. 

[+ 7829V]

Do not use AI to alter your pictures. We notice. And when we meet you in person and the pics are heavily edited, it’s honestly a letdown. At that point the forum comment will be: “He does NOT look like his pictures”. 🤷‍♂️

 

[+ 7829V]

AI Summary of ALL previous comments. 

This thread is honestly fascinating because it slowly evolved into an unofficial “client handbook” for sensual/erotic massage providers over several years. The overall vibe is less about technique and more about professionalism, authenticity, atmosphere, and emotional intelligence.

Overall Forum Consensus

The biggest takeaway from the entire thread:

The actual massage matters… but the experience matters even more.

Again and again people came back to:

• honesty,
• consistency,
• communication,
• hygiene,
• atmosphere,
• and making clients feel respected instead of processed like transactions.

A mediocre massage with warmth and professionalism often beats a technically great massage with awkwardness, ego, deception, or poor communication.

---

The Major Themes

1. False Advertising Is the #1 Sin

This was probably the strongest recurring complaint.

People HATE:

• heavily edited photos,
• old photos,
• misleading body pics,
• “therapeutic only” ads with erotic imagery,
• claiming training/certifications they clearly don’t have,
• promising amenities that don’t exist,
• charging for one thing then changing terms later.

The recent AI-photo comment fits perfectly into the thread’s long-running theme:

“Do not use AI to alter your pictures. We notice.”

That’s basically the modern version of:

• “show current body hair,”
• “look like your photos,”
• “don’t oversell yourself.”

The forum clearly values authenticity over perfection.

---

2. Professionalism = Huge Turn-On

People repeatedly said that simple professionalism creates loyalty:

• being on time,
• confirming appointments,
• not cancelling last minute,
• not rushing sessions,
• communicating delays,
• not checking phones constantly,
• respecting the booked duration.

One recurring emotional theme:
Clients hate feeling like:

• an ATM,
• a backup option,
• or cattle being processed.

That’s why your older quote about not soliciting constantly and instead building rapport resonated with people. The forum strongly agrees that:

connection creates repeat business more than aggressive marketing.

---

3. Atmosphere Matters WAY More Than Many Providers Think

A surprising amount of discussion focused on ambiance:

• music,
• lighting,
• cleanliness,
• sheets,
• scents,
• temperature,
• interruptions,
• pets,
• roommates,
• parking,
• ads playing on Spotify/YouTube.

The “Spotify ad suddenly playing during massage” topic became almost legendary in the thread 😂

People were basically saying:

the fantasy collapses instantly when an ad about debt consolidation or bail bonds suddenly starts blasting.

Also repeatedly mentioned:

• heated tables,
• warmed oils,
• quality lotion,
• clean linens,
• avoiding rancid smells,
• trimming nails,
• fresh breath,
• no cigarette smell.

Very “hospitality business” mindset.

---

4. Emotional Presence > Pure Technique

This may have been the deepest insight in the entire thread.

Several posters—including actual providers—said the best sessions happen when the client feels:

• desired,
• attended to,
• emotionally present with,
• and not judged.

One provider put it beautifully:

“Treat each client as if he is the most beautiful and sexy guy in the world for the time he is with you.”

That idea came up repeatedly in different forms:

• eye contact,
• reading body language,
• not seeming bored,
• adapting energy,
• not talking too much,
• making the client feel special.

The thread basically argues that sensual massage is partly:

• hospitality,
• performance,
• emotional intelligence,
• and energy management.

Not just rubbing muscles.

---

5. Boundaries Matter Too

Interesting nuance:
The thread is NOT “anything goes.”

A lot of experienced posters stressed:

• know your limits,
• communicate clearly,
• don’t get pressured,
• don’t promise what you can’t provide,
• don’t blur massage into escorting unless intentional.

There’s actually a strong undercurrent of:

“You can be erotic and still professional.”

---

6. Regulars Are the Real Business

Many providers emphasized:

• repeat clients are everything,
• consistency matters,
• regulars deserve flexibility,
• loyalty goes both ways.

The thread repeatedly frames this less as “quick cash” and more as:

relationship-based service work.

Some even compared it to building a long-term client book in other industries.

---

Funniest / Most Memorable Running Topics

The anti–Johnson’s Baby Oil campaign 😂

This came up MULTIPLE times.

People were passionately against it.

---

The music disasters

Examples included:

• YouTube ads,
• pop dance music,
• notification sounds,
• answering texts mid-session,
• cheap phone speakers.

Basically:

“Please don’t destroy the mood with a Subway commercial.”

---

Pets ruining the fantasy

Several horror stories:

• dogs staring during massages,
• cats on clothes,
• allergies,
• roommates unexpectedly appearing.

---

The Evolution of the Thread

One cool thing:
You can actually see the culture evolve over time.

2018:

• practical basics,
• setup,
• oils,
• timing,
• professionalism.

2019–2021:

• branding,
• communication,
• reviews,
• follow-up etiquette,
• emotional connection.

2024–2026:

• authenticity,
• photo editing,
• texting boundaries,
• image management,
• “don’t make this feel like Grindr.”

The newer posts feel more cynical and more focused on authenticity because people are burned out from over-filtered marketing and transactional behavior.

---

Bottom-Line Summary

The forum’s collective philosophy basically became:

The best masseurs:

• look like their photos,
• communicate clearly,
• create a relaxing environment,
• stay emotionally present,
• respect boundaries,
• avoid desperation,
• and make clients feel valued instead of processed.

And the fastest way to lose clients is:

• misleading advertising,
• bad communication,
• rushing,
• phone addiction,
• obvious thirst for money,
• or creating a disconnect between fantasy and reality.

Honestly, for a random internet forum thread, there’s a weird amount of solid business psychology in it.

 

 

 

[+ 7829V]

[+ Jamie21]

Someone is making heavy use of AI….😂But it does sum up everything nicely. 

[+ 7829V]

3 hours ago, Jamie21 said:

Someone is making heavy use of AI….😂But it does sum up everything nicely. 

Yeah. AI is getting better by the day… 😯

[Typical]

7 hours ago, 7829V said:

Yes, warm, dim lighting!  Bright, overhead lighting is perfect for surgical theaters, but appalling for massage studios. No fluorescent light ever. Never. Never. If it is daylight, have appropriate window covering. I’m amazed by this oversight. 100 watt bulbs coming on signal: HOLY SHIT, IT’S AN EMERGENCY - RUN!!!!!! 

Think 20-25 watts. Lamp. No overhead. (Then perhaps we won’t notice how your photos are manipulated.)

[StarQualityLuke]

Stay TRUE to WHO he is. 😁