Escort Marketing

[gtx1]

Hey Escorts,

 

Before you read my comments below let me establish my bona fides! I have an advanced business degree and have served as VP of marketing in an uber-exclusive multibillion dollar company, so I know a lot about the marketing of products AND services to an elite clientele.

 

Now that being said, I have observed a great deal about how you guys market, price, schedule, communicate and ultimately serve the client. This is a "personal service" business and it's response to a professional approach to marketing will be identical to other service business models. Some of you do a great job on your ads but then fall short on communication, some of you are great communicators but your ad's don't do you justice, some of you have a great scheduling system but don't follow-up on inquires.

 

I can help all of you with that. Why you ask? I don't know, I just like to use my skills when I see the opportunity.

 

In the short time I've been involved with this market, I have seen the ways the individual escorts can improve their overall effectiveness and business practices, after all guys, let's face it - for you this is a business.

 

If you are a "high service" guy and would like some input on how to "up your game" send me a PM and I'll send you and email address we can communciate through.

 

If you're happy where your are then best of luck to you and maybe I'll be hiring you soon.

 

Best of luck to you all!

 

GTX

[Guest Merlin]

I would say honesty is the best policy.

[gtx1]

That's a given - but you have to still put your best foot forward. I've been with guys who are so much better in real life than their pictures that I wonder "What are they thinking?"

[bcohen7719]

I'm not an escort, but out of curiosity, is this a pro bono offer?

 

BC

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

That's a given - but you have to still put your best foot forward. I've been with guys who are so much better in real life than their pictures that I wonder "What are they thinking?"

 

Always put your best foot forward. Two years ago as I was contemplating a job change, a former boss had me rewrite my resume. He felt I was selling myself short. When I expressed concern about it sounding over-confident, his response that if it was truthful there was nothing to worry about. The next day I submitted my updated resume to three companies and heard back within 24 hours from each company requesting an interview.

 

I don't know GTX's work, but the style of his posts tells me he is the real thing based on my work with marketing experts throughout my career. If after reading his post you thought it might be worth contacting him, trust your own instinct that your ad could be improved. Send him the PM now.

[gtx1]

Absolutely - consultancy only - I've got a full time job - this is a hobby!

[gtx1]

Thanks Sam and you had a smart boss. If you don't have confidence in yourself your employer never will. You are the living example of what I'm talking about.

[bcohen7719]

Absolutely - consultancy only - I've got a full time job - this is a hobby!

 

Could you share publicly on this forum, say, 5 key marketing points that you've observed might be of practical use?

 

BC

[gtx1]

Could you share publicly on this forum, say, 5 key marketing points that you've observed might be of practical use?

 

BC

 

Let me think about the public posting. I've ready started what you've asked about as a primer for the escorts who ask.

[bcohen7719]

Terrific!

 

BC

[gtx1]

BC -

 

Wow, this is a lot more work than I anticipated.

 

I'm working with several guys who have expressed an interest in upping their game.

 

Here's the topics I'm going to address with my guys.

 

1. Market segmentation and Targeting

2. Pricing strategy

3. Listings and advertising

4. Communications

5. The appointment

6. Social Networking

 

Between writing the articles, it's taking me a couple of hours each, and then spending time with each of the guys talking about how it applies to thier specific situation and I'm actually doing some market research for one of the guys - this is taking a lot of time. I'm just finishing Pricing Strategy.

 

I can tell you that if my guys follow through on the things we talk about, the game will change for them.

[jackcali]

gtx, I am not an escort but I would be very interested in reading your thoughts on marketing both from the perspective of a consumer of escort services and for the purpose of thinking about marketing in my own line of work. What would you think about starting a blog somewhere to collect your articles and maybe comments and questions? Your advice is too valuable not to share it with the world.

[ChiTown]

gtx, I am not an escort but I would be very interested in reading your thoughts on marketing both from the perspective of a consumer of escort services and for the purpose of thinking about marketing in my own line of work. What would you think about starting a blog somewhere to collect your articles and maybe comments and questions? Your advice is too valuable not to share it with the world.

 

Great idea, gtx, and a very generous offer on your part!

[+ glutes]

Quid pro quo?

 

I would say honesty is the best policy.

 

Well said Merlin, you are on target.

 

GTX, escorts should concentrate the energies and efforts in being honest, providing good service, and returning contacts.

 

Your pro bono efforts to 'market' male escorts will probably backfire. We have seen it all before...

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

GTX, escorts should concentrate the energies and efforts in being honest, providing good service, and returning contacts.

 

Your pro bono efforts to 'market' male escorts will probably backfire. We have seen it all before...

 

Glutes, GTX is not suggesting escorts' marketing efforts be anything contrary to honest and there is no reason to assume those efforts will backfire.

 

Example: I recently contacted an escort whose ad photos were all of his ass. After exchanging messages I was surprised to learn that he was only a top. If the ad had mentioned TOP ONLY or the photos were frontal, it would not have caused confusion.

 

Sometimes the marketing isn't only about creating an image, but it is also about identifying what you are selling. Nothing wrong with making sure an escorts' ad is clear.

[gtx1]

Glutes,

 

I have never said that I intend or have tried to "market" escorts. What I offered to do was provides some of my knowledge and advice in helping some guys who are doing their best to make a living but may not have had the education or experience I have had.

 

I am providing information available in any business school in the country in a condensed version and using my experience of 30 years in the high end luxury market to apply those business school 101 concepts to a non-traditional service industry. I am walking the guys I'm talking to through 1. thinking about which customers they appeal to, 2. clarifying their message, 3. being responsive and clear with their communications and 4. providing good service. I don't see how you could have a problem with any of that.

 

I am in complete agreement Merlin that honesty is the best policy and one of my key messages in the upcoming section on listings and advertising is exactly that - complete honesty and integrity in everything they post and publish.

 

Sorry, but I don't see how any of that will "backfire" but maybe I am naive - after all I haven't been a member of this forum for 9 years, nor do I have over 5000 posts.

 

GTX

[+ glutes]

Brother GTX, I welcome you to the M-F, and wish you well dispensing some your knowledge and advice to the bois...

[gtx1]

What Message are YOU sending?

 

Glutes, GTX is not suggesting escorts' marketing efforts be anything contrary to honest and there is no reason to assume those efforts will backfire.

 

Example: I recently contacted an escort whose ad photos were all of his ass. After exchanging messages I was surprised to learn that he was only a top. If the ad had mentioned TOP ONLY or the photos were frontal, it would not have caused confusion.

 

Sometimes the marketing isn't only about creating an image, but it is also about identifying what you are selling. Nothing wrong with making sure an escorts' ad is clear.

 

Sam,

 

This is an excellent example of the escort not understanding how his pictures were sending a message. Sound's simple but sometimes the simple things are hard. And you are right - about the honesty and integrity thing. One of my suggestions to the guys I'm talking to is going to be the put a date stamp on every posted picture! Then the client can avoid that embarrasing question about "current" photos or even worse have something completely different show up at the door.

 

Thanks for your insight - even this example will help our service providers do better.

 

GTX

[Guest GQ Pro]

Well said Merlin, you are on target.

 

GTX, escorts should concentrate the energies and efforts in being honest, providing good service, and returning contacts.

 

Your pro bono efforts to 'market' male escorts will probably backfire. We have seen it all before...

 

Of course escorts should be honest, provide good services, and return contacts. I don't think GTX is steering away from those basics. It seems as if he is trying to add a little more and to get escorts to think of themselves more like a business. We provide services we there is nothing wrong with marketing our services to increase our client base.

"Secret Escapades of a Gay Gigolo" My blog that focusses on my insights as an escort

http://gqpro.tumblr.com/

[bcohen7719]

Guys:

 

GTX should be encouraged. Hopefully nobody here should really intend to criticize before anything is stated. That can be too akin to a "heckler's veto." Some people might also be confusing "marketing" with "advertising." They are different concepts.

 

GTX: you are doing a good thing. Keep going, and hopefully no one is going to making any snippy or cutesy negative remarks when you are trying to help.

 

BC

[whyamihere]

I think it's a wonderful offer you have made to help escorts in their marketing.

 

Very generous of you!

 

I'm VERY inexperienced in this escorting scene. But I look at escort ads a lot as I save up for my next blissful experience.

 

A suggestion to consider:

 

I am attracted to those ads that specifically mention "all ages and body types welcome". That tells me the escort has no hang-ups about a client's physical appearance. It SHOULDN'T be an issue with a "Professional" - but it is. And I see that statement as an indicator that helps me separate out the professional. The younger the escort the more important for them to indicate their professionalism to get my interest.

 

And a comment:

 

It is REALLY hard for an escort to get my attention if they don't have a face photo. If they don't they better have a VERY good written description.

[josephga]

I agree on the all ages and body types welcome statement iv put it in massage ads in the past and it does bring in extra clients

[gtx1]

Great suggestions and input. Thanks for the post.

[Guest allmale]

Hi gtx1

 

I too consider myself a marketing specialist but found that most guys do not have a clue about promoting their services, and to be honest, they don't care. I came to that conclusion because I've started my own Male Escort Directory, which is growing in popularity and search engine visibility and still escorts they don't want to advertise there, even if approached with a free advertising offer.

 

I can share my own experience with you so just drop me a line if you want.

[Kevin Slater]

I too consider myself a marketing specialist but found that most guys do not have a clue about promoting their services, and to be honest, they don't care. I came to that conclusion because I've started my own Male Escort Directory, which is growing in popularity and search engine visibility and still escorts they don't want to advertise there, even if approached with a free advertising offer.

 

I'm not sure that just because escorts don't want to play in your sandbox that makes them either clueless or apathetic.

 

Kevin Slater