2018: Will this be the year of raising or lowering rates for you?

[FTM Zachary Prince]

I’m happy with my rates and won’t be changing them for full service escorting.

 

Now that I’m based in SF (temporarily) and it’s a lot more convenient for me to get to clients within a smaller ratio, I’ve been thinking about adding a more affordable massage option, since I’m good with my hands. Doubt I would offer this service outside of SF tho.

 

I agree with a lot of the ideas in this thread, but I don’t think the same clients are the ones paying $50 and $500 rates, 99% of the time. That’s pretty rare for a client to agree to pay such widely varying amounts. Most clients have a price range they’re comfortable with, and they stick to it. You’ll find guys who pay $40-80, guys who pay $80-150, guys who pay $150-250, guys who pay $200-300, guys who pay $300-500, guys who pay $500-1000, and so on and so on.

 

Most (but not all) of the guys who frequent this board and RM are going to be price shoppers, but I bet a lot of them would hesitate to agree to an offer for a $20 hookup too. They might wonder what’s wrong with the situation that it’s so much cheaper than what they’re used to. Most of the guys who exclusively stroll the streets and hookup apps/sites for escorts are gonna have the lowest budgets and would balk at the idea of paying even $150. The guys who prefer to pay $250-500 might skip over an ad that lists an hourly rate of $150, assuming (perhaps falsely) that since the price is so low, the experience won’t be up to their standards. You can literally NEVER make everyone happy or choose a price that appeals to everyone.

 

Most of the types of clients who pay my rates ($1000+) don’t post on these types of boards, so one might think from reading here that they don’t exist. But Mocha, your story about changing your rate to $500 and then getting new clients doesn’t surprise me at all. Those clients are out there, and a lot of them don’t even pay attention to your ad until there is a high rate attached to it.

 

At the end of the day you should choose your rate based on what YOU need to earn, based on your opportunity costs, travel time, income needs, volume preferences, etc. If there is more resistance than you’d like, you’re simply marketing to the wrong crowd. Figure out where the guys who are happy to pay your rate are looking, which marketing tactics speak to them, what type of photos they respond to, how much advance notice and what type of Incall location they require. In my opinion, don’t change your rate- change your advertising and find the clients who are willing to pay the rates you want in order to give you the income you need.

 

Advertising the same way that $150 escorts advertise, on the same venues they advertise, using the same quality of photos, and operating under the same business model, is always gonna result in clients who WANT to pay $150 telling you that at $250, you’re charging too much. Likewise if you start advertising on grindr, you’re gonna get guys telling you that even $150 is “too much”. When I raised my rates from $200 to $500 (gradually over time), I always experienced comments about my rates being ridiculously high (even at $225 I used to get those comments). But as I changed my advertising to seek out my target audience more and more effectively, the naysayers ceased to contact me and the guys who were ready to pay my asking price found me.

 

This experience/advice I’m sharing isn’t necessarily an encouragement to raise rates even higher. Everyone should literally sit down with their business model and income needs and then decide how much they need to charge. If you’re happy with your rate then keep it! But don’t let the “going rate” control your business model. You control your rate. You can’t control how the market responds. But you can LEARN from negative market responses and adjust your advertising accordingly. You don’t have to appeal to everyone, or even most. You just have to find your people and keep them coming back.

Edited June 9, 2018 by FTM Zachary Prince

[Guest]

I’m happy with my rates and won’t be changing them for full service escorting.

 

Now that I’m based in SF (temporarily) and it’s a lot more convenient for me to get to clients within a smaller ratio, I’ve been thinking about adding a more affordable massage option, since I’m good with my hands. Doubt I would offer this service outside of SF tho.

 

I agree with a lot of the ideas in this thread, but I don’t think the same clients are the ones paying $50 and $500 rates, 99% of the time. That’s pretty rare for a client to agree to pay such widely varying amounts. Most clients have a price range they’re comfortable with, and they stick to it. You’ll find guys who pay $40-80, guys who pay $80-150, guys who pay $150-250, guys who pay $200-300, guys who pay $300-500, guys who pay $500-1000, and so on and so on.

 

Most (but not all) of the guys who frequent this board and RM are going to be price shoppers, but I bet a lot of them would hesitate to agree to an offer for a $20 hookup too. They might wonder what’s wrong with the situation that it’s so much cheaper than what they’re used to. Most of the guys who exclusively stroll the streets and hookup apps/sites for escorts are gonna have the lowest budgets and would balk at the idea of paying even $150. The guys who prefer to pay $250-500 might skip over an ad that lists an hourly rate of $150, assuming (perhaps falsely) that since the price is so low, the experience won’t be up to their standards. You can literally NEVER make everyone happy or choose a price that appeals to everyone.

 

Most of the types of clients who pay my rates ($1000+) don’t post on these types of boards, so one might think from reading here that they don’t exist. But Mocha, your story about changing your rate to $500 and then getting new clients doesn’t surprise me at all. Those clients are out there, and a lot of them don’t even pay attention to your ad until there is a high rate attached to it.

 

At the end of the day you should choose your rate based on what YOU need to earn, based on your opportunity costs, travel time, income needs, volume preferences, etc. If there is more resistance than you’d like, you’re simply marketing to the wrong crowd. Figure out where the guys who are happy to pay your rate are looking, which marketing tactics speak to them, what type of photos they respond to, how much advance notice and what type of Incall location they require. In my opinion, don’t change your rate- change your advertising and find the clients who are willing to pay the rates you want in order to give you the income you need.

 

Advertising the same way that $150 escorts advertise, on the same venues they advertise, using the same quality of photos, and operating under the same business model, is always gonna result in clients who WANT to pay $150 telling you that at $250, you’re charging too much. Likewise if you start advertising on grindr, you’re gonna get guys telling you that even $150 is “too much”. When I raised my rates from $200 to $500 (gradually over time), I always experienced comments about my rates being ridiculously high (even at $225 I used to get those comments). But as I changed my advertising to seek out my target audience more and more effectively, the naysayers ceased to contact me and the guys who were ready to pay my asking price found me.

 

This experience/advice I’m sharing isn’t necessarily an encouragement to raise rates even higher. Everyone should literally sit down with their business model and income needs and then decide how much they need to charge. If you’re happy with your rate then keep it! But don’t let the “going rate” control your business model. You control your rate. You can’t control how the market responds. But you can LEARN from negative market responses and adjust your advertising accordingly. You don’t have to appeal to everyone, or even most. You just have to find your people and keep them coming back.

Well said, my man. Can I ask what new avenues you found for advertising to higher budget clients? If that's a trade secret, no worries...

[FTM Zachary Prince]

Well said, my man. Can I ask what new avenues you found for advertising to higher budget clients? If that's a trade secret, no worries...

 

Advertising to clients with a higher budget is all about putting yourself in places that aren’t traditional escort ad venues (which, if someone is in the habit of browsing, they are more likely to be more into paying an average rate). Social media is one way. Making a name for yourself as a porn star (even an indie/self-made one) is another. Drinking at bars that business executives frequent (during the times they actually go there) with a stack of business cards is another. SEO is another. Having your own brand/website that can stand on its own outside of escort ad venues is KEY for all these strategies except maybe the social media strategy, and even then it helps.

 

Clients willing to pay a higher rate tend to want to book you for YOU, not just because you’re an escort who fits X Y and Z parameters. Creating a presence in places where men with a high enough income to afford your rate can notice you, desire you, and realize that they can have you is the real game. Figuring out WHERE those places are that your potential clients can find you is the real challenge. But the above are some examples of strategies that WORK.

 

In my experience showing a lot of depth of personality is helpful. A handful of generic selfies and a couple generic ad paragraphs simply do not cut it, in the world of higher rates. Make them fall in love with who you are as an individual and what makes you special, and the rate becomes less of a determining factor.

Edited June 9, 2018 by FTM Zachary Prince

[Guest]

Advertising to clients with a higher budget is all about putting yourself in places that aren’t traditional escort ad venues (which, if someone is in the habit of browsing, they are more likely to be more into paying an average rate). Social media is one way. Making a name for yourself as a porn star (even an indie/self-made one) is another. Drinking at bars that business executives frequent (during the times they actually go there) with a stack of business cards is another. SEO is another. Having your own brand/website that can stand on its own outside of escort ad venues is KEY for all these strategies except maybe the social media strategy, and even then it helps.

 

Clients willing to pay a higher rate tend to want to book you for YOU, not just because you’re an escort who fits X Y and Z parameters. Creating a presence in places where men with a high enough income to afford your rate can notice you, desire you, and realize that they can have you is the real game. Figuring out WHERE those places are that your potential clients can find you is the real challenge. But the above are some examples of strategies that WORK.

 

In my experience showing a lot of depth of personality is helpful. A handful of generic selfies and a couple generic ad paragraphs simply do not cut it, in the world of higher rates. Make them fall in love with who you are as an individual and what makes you special, and the rate becomes less of a determining factor.

 

Awesome insights and advice! Thanks for sharing.

[+ Keith30309]

In my experience showing a lot of depth of personality is helpful. A handful of generic selfies and a couple generic ad paragraphs simply do not cut it, in the world of higher rates. Make them fall in love with who you are as an individual and what makes you special, and the rate becomes less of a determining factor.

 

A very astute conclusion and strategy Every escort should be mindful of your comments.