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To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
What do you think? Is it worth it dealing with reviews? Get more business? Build a "honest" reputation? Thing is, I do want to stay low profile, and not deal with always thinking oh, if I don't do what he says he'll "leave a bad review" and ruin my rep etc etc..so what are your experiences and thoughts on reviews? And which sites you're on that are generally ok? TER?
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
I have one review out in the world, tastefully done btw. Who knows; maybe if I had 4 more reviews, my inbox would be blowing up more. It's a big what if, though I only do this part- time for now. Only a small few of the clients I met actually seen or participate on a review board - the ones who did were on TER but only one was an active member. The majority just saw my ad in a regular escort listing. I prefer any review site where there is no-pressure to write an over zealous review - naughty-reviews is good. My reviewer left reviews on multiple sites. If you are an honest business person, and happy, then I wouldn't be worry about a bad review, even if it's a typical hobbyist
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
I know from lurking on my local message boards that a lot of guys will see one bad review in a sea of good ones and just assume that you were either having an off day, the guy was a jerk or you just didn't click with him for some reason. And there are a fair number of of guys who refuse to see an unreviewed provider.
I have 3, all positive and that's just fine with me. Enough to prove that I'm not a babe in the woods but not enough to look high-traffic - which I'm so not. So I would say that a couple positive reviews can certainly help you.
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
Just an FYI that the minute you open yourself up on a public area for review, it means you will also have to deal with fake reviews. You might be better off just posting the reviews on your personal website along with the reviewer's username on the other websites in-case anyone wants to make sure the review is real.
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
I do want to stay low profile too but in the end I want the business. I didn't want to be reviewed for a while, but just recently decided to just do it. Plus, it's hard to get on better sites that have more traffic to promote yourself without a reviews.
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kylea2
Just an FYI that the minute you open yourself up on a public area for review, it means you will also have to deal with fake reviews. You might be better off just posting the reviews on your personal website along with the reviewer's username on the other websites in-case anyone wants to make sure the review is real.
Very true. The clients Ive seen weren't on any boards anyhow, but unfortunately I think that's why I"m not getting much business (and also..holiday weekend ).
I don't have a site up yet- that also could be it. I invested in an eros ad, but that hasn't given me business yet (which i know takes a while). Do you recommend doing your own site or just paying someone to do it for you?
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
Even though I just dealt with a review fiasco, I still look at reviews as a form of advertising that I want to take advantage of. Im not too worried about a bad review at this point, I have a handful of glowing ones, and like someone said, one bad review says more about the guy and a possible off day for me, than that it would be the norm.
Also, with the fake reviews...someone from the forum it was on pointed out two things to me...that one, the guy who wrote it is known for writing very embelleshed crazy reviews, so people tend to take it with a grain of salt...and two...his review of me was so 180 different description of me than my other reviews, that even if someone didnt know his reputation, would really think he got his date with me confused with someone else.
That does make sense, and I do feel way better now.. But for sure reviews help business.
On another note...I do also believe, its totally up to us how we market, present and advertise ourselves. If someone wants to be low key and under the radar, they can definitely do that and not get reviews. But something to keep in mind...its not realistic to be low key, but advertising in public places like local forums or review sites and expect not to get a review.
Sort of like a girl posting in the forum on Naughty Reviews, all upset cause she doesnt want anyone writing reviews on her. I didnt want to come off patronizing, but...I couldnt help but think, did she think the name of the site was a misnomer or what?!
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
^Can I ask how you got started, and how you grew your business (or anyone that escorts/massage girls/etc) I very recently started, and still not totally sure what I'm doing. I've had 3 appointments so far, none of them were on any boards though to even give a review, if I had wanted one. I don't want me not being involved in reviews to hurt business, but I really do want to stay UTR and not deal with the drama and fake reviews should they happen. I know I need to get a website up, but I"m not sure if it's better to pay someone to do it for you, or to do it yourself (I have limited funds right now, but also limited time with classes starting now). Any tips for growing business would be much appreciated! Right now I'm doing body rubs if that makes a difference with marketing etc. Also on the eros ad that I just put up a few days ago, I'm not getting a whole ton of business from, does it take a while when you're on eros? I have both massage and escort checked, because I do have dinner packages etc for escorting but do body rubs, if that makes sense- or should I just keep the massage catagory? Doesn't seem that it gets much traffic, which is why I added the extra money for the escorts catagory. Thank you girls!
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
I promise Ill reply more in detail when I get back in tonight...!! Ive been busy trying to make things happen lol! so kinda quiet lately, but Ill give you some info. :)
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
I did body rubs and escorting for a while. I still post an ad on BP when it is slow for body rubs, but don't primarily do them now. I took them off my website because once my escorting side picked up I didn't want someone booking an appointment with me for 200 when someone else was wanting escorting at the same time for 500.
Make a wordpress website. I can help you out a little bit with it.
Reviews are important. You have no reputation with out a good or bad review. If you have bad reviews you are doing something wrong and just do it better next time! I relied solely on my TER reviews for advertising for about two months. They help a lot. Post on TER. NaughtyReviews isn't so popular up in NNJ/NY, but BestGFE is.
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
Thanks girls! Blksharpie feel free to PM me if/when you have a chance! Any advice appreciated :).
Strippername, do I REALLY need to go on the boards? I really didn't want to start with that..it makes me feel like the club- like they're in control. And controlling our money/business.
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
Not sure what you mean about them being in control of money/business...they are just a form of advertising...and boards tend to have a community vibe where everyone knows everyone, they seem to look out for each other more..guys and ladies alike. But its not an agency type vibe or anything..the Indi laides are still very much indi and in control of their own business.
For how I got started and (still growing!!) my business....it really is just a matter of getting established, having pics, a site, ad listings, an my biggest form of advertising has come through boards so I join as many of those as I can, and also list my ad everywhere I can.
I was just shooting in the dark til TG suggested something so freaking simple I cant believe I missed it...just google "(your city) escort" and see what comes up...thats the search guys are going to do to find us....those are the sites they will see and the ones you want to be on.
At first I bought advertising everywhere, but I watched the stats on my site to see who was actually sending me traffic and then cut out the ones that werent worth paying for....Eros was one of them. I didnt get a single booking out of my $150/mth ad. *argh!* But for some people, and in some areas Eros is a must have...
I stay involved....at least 3 times a day, I check all the forums to post ads and get into discussions, check all my ad sites to see if I have new messages and also to keep my ad on top since many of them either show your online status or keep those who log in regularly showing first, and I check my emails. That takes me a little over an hour each time.
Photos are important too..I know that when I get pro photos done, that will turn my world around...but right now just doing DIY and taking a lot of time and care in how they look (no bathoom/phone camera/etc...) Once I get those done, Ill try Eros and other paid advertising again...I think it made a difference considering my ad was competing with more polished looking ones.
I feel like until I really am established I have to stay on top of my advertising and exposure....my personal goal is 3-4 dates a week. Ive gone from about 1 every other week, to 1-2 a week. Getting there :) Thats really all its about...hustling your ass off!! lol
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
^Thanks for that info. I guess I have to suck it up and try it. Oh, and having professional pictures on eros doesn't help! I do and I havent had any appointments from them either! Backpage gives me the most business lol so far! I want like, 8 appointments a week haha, aim high right!
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
Here's something else to consider, since you mentioned photos:
I've gotten the most response out of a bathroom camera-phone picture, and I think that's because it's not crude (I'm dressed in a tank top and pants but it's all tight fitting), and shows my body well. I've actually had clients say that's the picture that got the appointment set.
I have noticed a slight decline now that I've posted new, glossy, photographer black and whites-- this may be the black and white aspect, or this may be the glossiness to it. So I keep my casual photos still floating around and will add some amateur shots back in when I update my profile pictures.
Don't have things be TOO glossy. The impression I get from the menfolk is that they don't know if those pictures were taken ages ago and don't reflect who you are, or if they're pictures of someone else, or if they're just "too perfect" and therefore questionable in some way.
So having an obvious amateur shot (even if slightly imperfect) I think is not only a good ice breaker, and shows confidence, but I think it makes it more believable that that person in the picture really IS us. So mix it up, or just play around and see what works best for you.
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
Fiendish, I have read multiple times that black and whites are in the same category as the eye or mouth close ups. Clients just don't like them. I am sure your photos will look great in color, too. Just switch a few over. Put a glow on them in Picasa. That is the only editing I have used in my professional photos and they look great.
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sunshine16
I don't have a site up yet- that also could be it. I invested in an eros ad, but that hasn't given me business yet (which i know takes a while). Do you recommend doing your own site or just paying someone to do it for you?
If you have the skills to do the website yourself, I'd suggest going that route. It's good to be in control of things & get them done the way you like the first time around versus paying someone for a result you don't like. Plus, if you have someone else do it then you may find yourself at their mercy, which means you have to wait for them to do things like upload photos & you won't know fully how the site is set-up.
Also, on the photo issue, color photos that are professionally done (& edited) tend to look the best. People generally don't photograph as well as they really look, which is because when we move the brain doesn't have time to process every little detail, so our minds are more forgiving about "perfection". If you want your photos to be as forgiving as what the mind is then the photos should be lightly edited. In other words remove any minor blemishes, shine on the nose from camera flash, etc... but if for example you have an attribute that you know people notice on you, don't edit that out. Examples of things you wouldn't want to edit, extreme weight differences, large noses, larger moles, etc.Your photos should be nice, but realistic.
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
A lot of girls use Wix.com for websites and they actually come out looking nice. It takes time. Don't expect your website to just unfold in your lap. What Kylea said about photos is spot on. If you don't show your face it makes photo taking soooo much easier. You can make shit faces all you want and just cut off your head or blur blur blur! :)
I'll email you soon.
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
^hahahaha I LOVE it "cut off your head and blur!" lol! I'm going the cutting off my head route :) I do modeling also so I have plenty professional pictures that I can use- problem is- my hair was a different color at that time, and looking to update my portfolio now, everything else is the same except my hair- so chopping my head off is necessary anyhow lol.
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
I do the cut head off route..Ive heard guys dont like it but cant risk it... any part of my face showing will be obvious to anyone its me... I have thought about doing some pics with my face completely turned so all you see is my hair or something like that, but until I figure out how to do it that way, off with her head!
I do see the logistics of having amatuer shots in the mix..I want to keep my pics as updated as possible so Ill probably still have the DIY pics once a month, and then pro pics once every 3 months or something like that...so that theres a mix of the two.
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
I dont like reviews. They reveal too much personal information and "cheapen" who they write about.
Unfortunately, reviews rule some cities, so asking the customer to write tastefully can be a happy medium.
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
Speaking as a guy...... Like I have any other choice...... reviews count...... And what was said about postitive reviews is very true..... If most of the reviews are poor...... You are doing something wrong.
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
This may be the dumbest question ever but how do you stop someone from reviewing you, other than politely asking them not too?
Also wondering if reviews are as important if your're with an agency rather than independent...
xE
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
I was a non-reviewed provider for the last 3 years and did fine. You just have tell everyone before they see you that you prefer not to be reviewed.
As an agency girl it doesn't matter. The turnaround is so high that the information becomes outdated.
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
xeden
This may be the dumbest question ever but how do you stop someone from reviewing you, other than politely asking them not too?
Also wondering if reviews are as important if your're with an agency rather than independent...
xE
There are some things you can do if you really don't want reviews.
If you get a review on TER you can request that you be "delisted" and the review might get removed. It seems sometimes they follow the request but sometimes they do not. The thing is once you are "delisted" it is usually permanent. So if later you decide you want reviews on TER you could be out of luck. You can request to be listed again but usually they do not do it.
Some escort boards allow escorts to have a "no review" policy and they will not allow your reviews if you request it. Not all the boards have that policy, some will allow the reviews no matter what.
It is probably best to check out the various boards, see which ones are popular in your area and then spend time reading and researching those boards.
There are a couple escorts I know of that have a "no review" policy stated on their websites and they make clear in the statement that if a guy sees them and ever wants to repeat he should not post a review anywhere.
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Re: To be reviewed..or not deal with reviews..that is the question!
The right answer to this is to do whatever works for you. As a hobbyist, when I'm traveling I check TER, Cityvibe, Eros, Best GFE or whatever but my next move is always to check TER for reviews. I'm not necesarily looking for a bunch of guys saying that the lady is the best thing since sliced bread but I am looking for some sense of legitimacy. If she has no reviews I will look for a well done website. If all she has are ads I will look for a relatively stable advertising history. If none of these things exist I move on. I'm more worried about rip-offs and LE than I am about how "good" she is. I was hobbying long before the internet existed so I'm fine with the concept of paying my money and taking my chances...as long as I'm confident that I'm not going to get beaten, robbed or busted.
My current ATF is UTR now but when she was an agency girl she had three or four pages of TER reviews. They were all good but I remember how she would agonize about not getting 8's or 9's from a guy. She is much happier now not dealing with that crap and seeing her regulars.
Another fav of mine has never had a TER presence. She is in South Jersey so her name pops up on the forums of TER, Best GFE and USA sex guide but she is firm about the no-review policy and tells guys she will not repeat with them and black-list them if they write one. Funny thing is I met her from Craig's List (back when it was relatively cool). She sent me a very nice email in response to my inquiry and she had a very well done web site. I got a good vibe so I gave her a try. She turned out to be a fav for many years.
TER is a great tool but it's only one way to approach being a successful escort. The boards can, quite honestly, help you or hurt you. Posting a weekly ad is one thing but if you get too wrapped up in arguing topics on the boards some guys will assume that you are a PITA and avoid you. I've only seen one provider over the years who was active on my local board and it turned out to be a bit of a mess down the road. As a rule I avoid women who either (a) act holier than thou on the boards or (b) solicit me via pm's for appointments. It's important to strike a balance and even mre important to avoid drama.