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I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
So as of present I am charging around $300 (175 pounds) for the hour-- however I want to increase my rate to 230 pounds which is around 400. I have done a bit of research on the websites that I have been marketing myself on-- Adultwork is the most popular one here it seems-- and no one is charging that who is offering my services. I won't do fetish things like watersports or hard sports, I don't do rimming on my clients, nor will I do anal sex or anything of the sort, I'm not judging those who do it just would make me uncomfortable. I would really like to start charging 300 pounds for the hour but I think that's a year off or so! Right now I am getting more booking requests than I can handle so I feel like taking the risk of increasing my rates isn't a HUGE risk to take.
What I know that I have going for me is that a) I am American which means if the guy wants an American girl, well, he doesn't have a lot of options b) I'm from California which makes me even more interesting to Londoners, they just love Cali over here c) I'm intelligent and can converse with my clients on a number of different subjects, five years of stripping has taught me how to keep someone entertained and d) I'm good in bed!
I was talking to one of my clients today who doesn't normally use independent escorts but goes with agencies and he told me that he thought my rates were low (he had booked for 1.5 hrs and ended up giving me more than it was in the beginning because he didn't have change and then extended an hour and once again gave me more than he was supposed to, one of the actually decent bankers I've dealt with) and was asking if I have ever thought of going with an agency. I told him I had in the beginning but agencies were charging less than what I was, around 120 pounds, and the girls don't even keep everything. I also said I want to raise my rates but I'm already charging more than most girls on AW. He said that I should try going with a more expensive agency (he gave me a few he's used) because he's paid 300 pounds at most of those agencies and usually the girls he's seen have told him to contact them outside the agency for a second booking. He also said I should try marketing myself on a different website and gave me the name of one (cherry girls).
So, would it be better for me to begin with an agency in the hopes of gathering up some wealthier clients and then returning to be independent, slowly raising my rates on AW, or drop AW and start marketing myself on other websites? And what do I need to change about the way I market myself to charge more?
What I love about AW is that is has a feedback system for clients-- I can ask for a booking request and then if they do something inappropriate or stand me up I can leave them bad feedback and it will hurt their chances of getting future bookings from escorts so it weeds out time wasters. I have used Vivastreet which is just me posting an ad, but I haven't had great experiences with clients on that website, I get a lot of no-shows and time-wasters.
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
Have you considered getting your own website? You can present yourself in a much more upscale way than you can when advertising among a bunch of other escorts -- not to mention your rates may not be compared as much since people will have to go elsewhere to see them.
That's not to say that you shouldn't keep posting ads or using AW for that feedback system, but a website would be another, different way for people to find you, especially if it's search engine optimized. It just reaches a different demographic, one that doesn't look for escorts via ads. Then you can really reach the men looking for the experience you offer without them having to wade through a bunch of other ads and hopefully come across yours.
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
I've thought about doing that, I just have no idea how to make my website come up in google searches or even be found on the internet... I also don't know anything about web design. I made one for myself using one of the escort pre-made ones but I mean it's not going to come in google or anything unless you specifically searched my name.
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
Google has a pretty decent SEO starter guide: http://static.googleusercontent.com/...rter-guide.pdf It's basically a matter of incorporating keywords that potential customers would be searching for in the content of your website, so that your website shows up when they search for it. The more descriptive you are, the better. So, for example, you could have an About Me section that details your education/intelligence/interests to highlight your conversation skills. You could also brand yourself as a Californian/American in London on every page, so if anyone happens to be searching for that, you'll pop up. Adding a blog will also make you more searchable since there will be a constant flow of new content -- not to mention potential customers will be able to better get to know you. Even just a Google+ page can go a long way since that's Google's baby.
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
^thanks! Do you think it would be worth investing in a web designer to make my website for me?
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
I think you should join one of the good agency's, My 2 friends who were both escorts both met really good rich foreign guys with Agency's, I think certain guys just find it easier, also get a professional website if you going to get one.
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
^Can you PM me the names of them babe?
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
I like answering these posts but I have a friend who was such a savvy escort and became very rich and is basically retired now and running her own business. I remember her doing this but what she called "grandfathering" her rate for existing clients as in you keep your regulars sweet by giving them the special original rate and then explain to new clients you chose to raise your rates because you were very busy and a quality over quantity kinda girl.
PS website is a huge game changer then you can write lots of witty blog material about yourself and seem more expensive because you are just so awesome
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
audrey_k
^thanks! Do you think it would be worth investing in a web designer to make my website for me?
If you don't know anything about web design, yes, definitely. If you know a bit and don't mind taking up some of your free time learning/perfecting it, you can buy a Wordpress theme and tweak it as needed to practice until you can put something original together for yourself -- though if you find a theme you like a lot, that solves that problem!
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
So, an update--
I applied to the agency my client recommended and got a call back. We talked for about an hour and she wants me to come for an interview on Thursday.
Everything sounds good, she said that she picked my application up because I seem educated and from an upper-class background and that's what her clients expect. We went through services/rates/client types and we seem to be on the same page.
The only thing that worries me is that she said I can keep advertising independently in the beginning if that makes me feel more comfortable, but that I need to change my rate on the websites I use so otherwise she can't represent me. That's a HUGE price increase, going from £175 to £300! I'm worried I'm going to get no calls with that price jump and what if I don't get enough interest at the agency?
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
I have to say one of the reasons I'm dying to go with an agency is I just can't deal with booking my clients. Besides the ENORMOUS amount of time it takes up, I just can't deal with the effort it takes to screen and schedule and still end up with no-shows.
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
Oh and American conversion... $300 to $500. I'll basically be going from mid-level to high end overnight.
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
audrey_k
... <snip> I'm worried I'm going to get no calls with that price jump and what if I don't get enough interest at the agency?
Maybe just put your own site on temporary 'vacation'? Since the agency is OK with you getting business on your own, is it ok for you to maintain contact with existing clients and grandfather them at the old rates? Some of them might be happy to hear that while you've gone up market, you will still see them at the previous rate... If you want to do that...
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
Audrey, the agency wants you cause you are fookin gorgeous.
Judging from your comments, your clientele is not very price sensitive. If they want you they are going to have to pay for you, not someone lesser..............and lets face it, everyone else is lesser now aren't they?
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
audrey_k
Oh and American conversion... $300 to $500. I'll basically be going from mid-level to high end overnight.
I am not an expert on pricing levels for Escorts.....but based on a couple of pictures I saw that you posted here...you should without a doubt consider yourself "high end"....absolutely gorgeous!
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
audrey_k
I've thought about doing that, I just have no idea how to make my website come up in google searches or even be found on the internet... I also don't know anything about web design. I made one for myself using one of the escort pre-made ones but I mean it's not going to come in google or anything unless you specifically searched my name.
Hiring a web designer who specializes in escort websites is actually pretty easy there are lot of design firms out there. most common ones I've seen are Orchid Designs, High Heel Designs, Cutie-tools but I think cutie-tools is way too much money for what they offer and Veda Design. and you can also hire a ghost writer to help with marketing yourself as upscale and have content for your site.
Once you have a solid place on the internet that is your own domain, and your own hosting or rented hosting from the design firm you choose, it gives you options, where you can add a blog a regular active blog on your site will increase traffic and your authorship for being on the internet. then with some banner exhcanges and being listed in more directories that also expands your pressence on the internet.
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
audrey_k
I've thought about doing that, I just have no idea how to make my website come up in google searches or even be found on the internet... I also don't know anything about web design. I made one for myself using one of the escort pre-made ones but I mean it's not going to come in google or anything unless you specifically searched my name.
Hiring a web designer who specializes in escort websites is actually pretty easy there are lot of design firms out there. most common ones I've seen are Orchid Designs, High Heel Designs, Cutie-tools but I think cutie-tools is way too much money for what they offer and Veda Design. and you can also hire a ghost writer to help with marketing yourself as upscale and have content for your site.
Once you have a solid place on the internet that is your own domain, and your own hosting or rented hosting from the design firm you choose, it gives you options, where you can add a blog a regular active blog on your site will increase traffic and your authorship for being on the internet. then with some banner exhcanges and being listed in more directories that also expands your pressence on the internet.
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
^thanks guys ;)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CFMNH44
Maybe just put your own site on temporary 'vacation'? Since the agency is OK with you getting business on your own, is it ok for you to maintain contact with existing clients and grandfather them at the old rates? Some of them might be happy to hear that while you've gone up market, you will still see them at the previous rate... If you want to do that...
That was the other option she gave me-- she said if I want to do a new photoshoot, then I can advertise at whatever prices I want, but that would take weeks to set up and she wants me to start now. She said I can either raise my prices or put my site on hold-- but that she can't be advertising me at a high rate and then have clients possibly come across a website where I'm half that.
The problem is I don't really have any regs to sustain myself-- I just have one at the moment and he does do long sessions but he isn't going to pay my bills alone if things are super slow. I have other guys who I've seen that I assume will be coming back and if they do I would just leave the rate the same, possibly raise it a bit, but I can't count on them. I'm brand new so my business is pretty much sustained by continued new booking requests, I get tons everyday at the moment, more than I can possibly book, and for the last week I've been booked in advance 2-3 days at a time. But doubling my rates? Doubt that's going to continue.
I'm going to list myself on a couple other sites as well just to get more exposure than relying simply on AW... I know this is the way I want to go, I want to market myself as high-end and move into a higher social circle of clientele, it's not even just about money but about wanting to be lower-volume and interacting with clients that are wealthier, more intelligent, more educated, and more polite, and I can't get those unless I increase my rates. That's definitely the clientele this agency attracts-- that describes my reg to a T and he's the one that turned me onto the agency. I'm just worried and nervous about it being slow in the beginning... We worked out how many appointments I would need to do to make what I want every week ($4,500) and with her cut it's around 15 appointments, which she says she thinks I can definitely get, and she definitely wasn't just telling me what I wanted to hear because I said I wanted to do a 2 hour minimum and she said I won't get any clients doing that because no one is going to know me and want to invest that much time, as her clients are more protective of their time than their money.
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
Could you just take the rates off your ads (just include a vague statement about being a high-end escort so that the clients that call will assume you're expensive) but continue to charge your current price? It'll add another layer of work on your end since you have to give the price over the phone so they don't pre-screen themselves out if it's out of their price range, and it's a bit sneaky since you can still charge less than the agency does, but you've also gotta look out for yourself, and if you're worried about not getting enough bookings to get by in the beginning, this could be a way to get yourself through until the agency proves its worth.
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
^I thought about doing that as well actually, I'm gonna ask her if she would be OK with that. I guess I'm just not sure what kind of clients I'll get doing that, if I'll get a bunch of low-ballers who are going to try and talk me into charging 100 pounds or if I will get the high-end guys? I don't want to end up spending hours everyday dealing with guys who can't afford my prices. I'm also not sure what would be a good rate to charge them, if I should go with what I charge now or up it?
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
When you are independent you set the market for yourself. something that has taken me a long time to learn. Agencies are there if you are unable to advertise, handle business admin and take half or more of your earnings.
If you are able to be independent do it all yourself then you should be. choosing your own rates is the beauty of being independent just like handling your advertising. if you have your ads out there and no website then that gives you more work in putting your current rates in all your ads. if you have your old rates out but links to your website then your website does the talking for you.
I've seen some websites who are high-end escorts not list rates but I think it gives you more work in screening clients. if your rates are on your website then there is no guess work for the client and you can expect the clients who are serious in seeing you are able to pay your rates.
Your website and marketing sets the tone for your whole image and business.
Basically if you want to charge more there is a grace period in marketing yourself at that price point and getting clients who are interested and able to pay those rates. but it still boils down you set the rules and the guys will follow .
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
When you are independent you set the market for yourself. something that has taken me a long time to learn. Agencies are there if you are unable to advertise, handle business admin and take half or more of your earnings.
If you are able to be independent do it all yourself then you should be. choosing your own rates is the beauty of being independent just like handling your advertising. if you have your ads out there and no website then that gives you more work in putting your current rates in all your ads. if you have your old rates out but links to your website then your website does the talking for you.
I've seen some websites who are high-end escorts not list rates but I think it gives you more work in screening clients. if your rates are on your website then there is no guess work for the client and you can expect the clients who are serious in seeing you are able to pay your rates.
Your website and marketing sets the tone for your whole image and business.
Basically if you want to charge more there is a grace period in marketing yourself at that price point and getting clients who are interested and able to pay those rates. but it still boils down you set the rules and the guys will follow .
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
I'm so torn as to whether or not I should go with this agency guys!
UGH! Let me begin by saying that my business is going super, super well right now-- I'm getting tons of advance bookings (I booked my entire week by Tuesday), I'm making the same amount every single week (around $4,000), I've gotten a good amount of great reviews and am now being talked about on clients review forums (and managed to get that hiccup straightened out by impressing the pants off, literally, of one of the senior members on that forum), and am frequently getting requests to travel, for longer bookings, and my tours are getting filled up before I even begin advertising in that location. There are hardly any independent American escorts in London, or the UK really, and I've become the most popular of the ones that are here as the other girls don't have anywhere near the amount of positive reviews I do or the professionalism.
That sounded really arrogant, but sorry, it's the truth! I've been working my ass off for the last two months to get my business set up so it certainly hasn't happened without a ton of effort, and I really go the extra mile with my clients, I've spent tons of money decorating my flat, finding a central place, having drinks available for them, giving them an extra ten minutes, reading up on sex techniques, familiarizing myself with British politics/social issues/geography...
I've raised my prices a little bit but I'm basically at the height of what I can charge independently before I'm going to start cutting out of a huge part of my possible clientele. I had a lunch date with a guy this week who is a major hobbyist, I'm the 252nd escort he's seen, he knows everyone and posts on all the escort boards, and he says that my prices are high and the only reason I am getting away with it is my reviews and the fact that I'm American but that if I raise them at all I'm going to become too expensive for all the clients he knows, as I'm about $100 above what they normally pay for escorts.
I've spoken to the woman at the agency and she's creating a profile for me and definitely wants to take me on, but I guess I don't know if it's worth it at this point. I'm doing so well independently and have really found my place on the market. The rates she will have me at is going to be such a minor increase in earnings-- when I first start I'm going to make exactly what I am now, and when she increases me in a few weeks I'll make like $50 more than I am now. I might be entering a more elite, prestigious clientele, but who knows if they'll actually treat me any better, since my gentlemanly- clients are not always my super elite ones!
While I love the idea of someone else taking care of my bookings and having access to more elite clientele, I'm really worried that my money is going to drop or become inconsistent when I move-- a 50% price increase and then a 75% increase is going to cut, possibly entirely, my ability to book independently for a while, and I have no clue what it's going to be like at the agency as far as bookings go. And if it goes badly, I don't know how people are going to respond to my prices drastically increasing and then decreasing?
She's completely unwilling to let me adverse at even 25 pounds below her asking rate and now she's saying that when I tour my prices have to be the same, which is ridiculous-- NO ONE outside of London can afford $500 an hour, they can't even afford my prices they just put up with it because there's no Americans there.
Anyway, just curious to hear you ladies thoughts!
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
>>>I've raised my prices a little bit but I'm basically at the height of what I can charge independently before I'm going to start cutting out of a huge part of my possible clientele. I had a lunch date with a guy this week who is a major hobbyist, I'm the 252nd escort he's seen, he knows everyone and posts on all the escort boards, and he says that my prices are high and the only reason I am getting away with it is my reviews and the fact that I'm American but that if I raise them at all I'm going to become too expensive for all the clients he knows, as I'm about $100 above what they normally pay for escorts.<<<
well, gee, and you are booked solid.
Audrey I know nothing about this business, but I have been in business for nearly as long as you have been alive and I will tell you that you are not overpriced. If they could get better for cheaper they would. That is business 101, my sweet beautiful girl, and do not forget it. You are doing what, listening to a customer on your pricing? Are you mad? One of these fuckwits made an account here just to berate you on how expensive[not to mention flat chested] you are and this is your business adviser? I have half a mind to hop on a plane and fly to London just to bonk you on the head.
OK, I will admit it, I cyberstalked you, and found some reviews, the phrases that stick in my mind sound like this "best I have ever had' 'so beautiful' " intelligent' 'real girlfriend' plus a lot about some mad skills we won't bother with in polite company. What, are you the best or are you just some cute chicky?
Risk and reward
Trust the woman at the agency, because if she is wrong, what is the worst case? You gotta do a 'mea culpa' and go back to the old way.
Not much is accomplished in the world without self confidence and the guts to go out and take what you want
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Re: I want to raise my rates, best way to go about it?
Sorry if I got a little wound up there..................