Anyone noticing the number of advertisers seems to be going down a bit? Good, bad or?

[JoeyBryant]

I've checked around a few cities I've visited in the past and have noticed that the number of guys (based on data from Rentboy and Men4rent) seem to have gone done by 30%-50% in some cases. For example, one place on rentboy couple years ago had around 40 guys on RB and is now down to 19. Another area on Men4rent used to have like 130+ if I'm correct to now less than 100 which I haven't seen in 4 years. Seems many of the most popular places along the coast seem to be holding steady.

 

I'm wondering if things are headed back to a more balanced market now that the past couple years have seen more escorts than clients in many places. Or if perhaps guys have began dropping out due to increase in guys in these places and subsequent lack of 'making a fortune' as an escort. Also wondering if maybe it's just the time of year, now that everyone has made their Christmas money and moved on?

[+ poolboy48220]

Detroit's been steady for years. About 40 guys on m4rn, about 10 on Rentboy.

[jawjateck]

My subjective feeling is that there seem to be fewer choices, but I dunno. I do know that m4rn has finally tossed away alot of dead ads. About 2 years ago, over half their ads were inactive; now it's around a third or so, at least in the city markets I routinely peruse.

[bigvalboy]

A few years ago I noticed an unusual number of new escorts and masseurs on the market. I think it had a lot to do with the economy. It had really tanked, and I think most of these newbies were just looking to 'make ends meet' If you are seeing fewer guys advertising, perhaps it is because the economy is starting to rebound. I do know of two masseur and one escort in the LA area that are now actively pursuing careers, whereas a couple of years ago there wasn't talk of going to school or seeking other employment. Just a thought...

[seeker630]

The number of postings on M4RN & Rentboy are down in my area in NC) by 20-25% - especially M4RN. I thought it might be due to the more restrictive policies on M4RN, but it might be as jawjateck says - cleaning out more of the dead ads.

[+ Chris Eisenhower]

I know not of these dead ads on M4RN that people have talked about. When I've removed an ad before, it's been gone almost immediately.

[Kevin Slater]

I know not of these dead ads on M4RN that people have talked about. When I've removed an ad before, it's been gone almost immediately.

 

I believe if you actively delete your profile, it disappears, but if you simply stop paying and let it expire, that horrid little site leaves the ad up with no contact information, just to confuse and disservice all involved.

 

Kevin Slater

[JoeyBryant]

I believe if you actively delete your profile, it disappears, but if you simply stop paying and let it expire, that horrid little site leaves the ad up with no contact information, just to confuse and disservice all involved.

 

Kevin Slater

 

Although it's confusing, I can see where the benefit would lie. You still get 'exposure' while you're not paying for the time. So if you want to take 2 weeks off, you may come back with some emails to read.

[+ deej]

I do know that m4rn has finally tossed away alot of dead ads.

 

Let's hope this is a new operating policy and not a one-off thing!

 

I just visited M4RN to check this out. On the home page, they have three "Premium" listings across the top. One in three was dead. Believe it or not, that's an improvement!

[+ Chris Eisenhower]

I just visited M4RN to check this out. On the home page, they have three "Premium" listings across the top. One in three was dead. Believe it or not, that's an improvement!

 

Actually I stand corrected, since I have noticed this before. I don't search much on the site so I never really thought about it.

[Kevin Slater]

I just visited M4RN to check this out. On the home page, they have three "Premium" listings across the top. One in three was dead. Believe it or not, that's an improvement!

 

http://www.hark.com/clips/kndyzmkbrj-i-want-the-people-to-know-that-they-still-have-two-out-of-three-branches-of-the-government-working-for-them-and-that-aint-bad

 

Kevin Slater

[JoeyBryant]

Let's hope this is a new operating policy and not a one-off thing!

 

I just visited M4RN to check this out. On the home page, they have three "Premium" listings across the top. One in three was dead. Believe it or not, that's an improvement!

 

I just noticed you said 1 in 3 was dead. How about 'expired'? Just sounds safer.

[rvwnsd]

I just noticed you said 1 in 3 was dead. How about 'expired'? Just sounds safer.

 

Not to mention more accurate.

 

M4RN allows an ad to remain dormant until the advertiser either re-activates it by paying the renewal fee or takes the initiative to remove it, correct? Sounds like the issue lies with advertisers who don't manage their ads.

[Xander]

Not to mention more accurate.

 

M4RN allows an ad to remain dormant until the advertiser either re-activates it by paying the renewal fee or takes the initiative to remove it, correct? Sounds like the issue lies with advertisers who don't manage their ads.

 

There is no incentive to take the ad down. I quit paying my M4RN ad a while ago -- clients who see me there but can't find my number can pretty easily google my username and find all of my other ads online. As mentioned in this thread before: its free exposure, and it can't hurt.

[+ dupontversDC]

There is no incentive to take the ad down. I quit paying my M4RN ad a while ago -- clients who see me there but can't find my number can pretty easily google my username and find all of my other ads online. As mentioned in this thread before: its free exposure, and it can't hurt.

 

Well, if the potential client doesn't know how M4RN works, and they try and e-mail you there, then they will think you didn't reply. Not a good impression to leave.

 

Also, for those of us who do know how that site works, I usually take it that the escort has moved on from escorting or isn't as professional because they leave a dead ad up, so .... to your point, there is a price to pay for leaving it up like that.

[Guest countryboywny]

isn't as professional because they leave a dead ad up, so .... to your point, there is a price to pay for leaving it up like that.

 

I place a high value on professionalism and notice when the guys dot their I's and cross their tees, so to speak. To me, it kind of separates the escorts who are committed to their profession and put time in to keep their professional image and the guys who want to make a fast buck and are too lazy to keep their ads current.

[Mark Gordon]

The downside for the escort of cancelling your M4RN ad, rather than leaving it dormant for awhile, is that you'd lose all of your existing star ratings & have to start from scratch again. I wish M4RN would just put inactive ads on ice like Rentboy does.

[Toulouse]

From a client's perspective, it seems the number of resident escorts in New Orleans has dropped considerably in the past year. On Rentboy, there are only five escorts listed and on M4RN there are only five "active" ads of guys who are based here. That's very slim pickings in the Big Easy!

[socalboy2283]

Ever fathomed that some escorts have accumulated a good income of a regular client base and don't necessarily need to advertise to see new clients? : ) It's common place for a few guys I know, especially when they have a handful of dedicated and generous clients.

[JoeyBryant]

Ever fathomed that some escorts have accumulated a good income of a regular client base and don't necessarily need to advertise to see new clients? : ) It's common place for a few guys I know, especially when they have a handful of dedicated and generous clients.

 

In some areas I have clients and don't need to advertise when visiting. But whether or not someone is happy with their current regulars and it's sufficient to meet whatever goals they need...is a different story. Pardon if I am misunderstanding, but it's almost coming off as making it seem like advertising is 'beneath' those with regular clients. I believe is advertising even when things are going well. I read somewhere that it can take about 3 months to see the benefits of advertising. So the current state of things can be traced back to how much one advertised 3+ months ago. Things probably happen at a bit accelerated rate in our profession, but it certainly holds true.

 

If someone has ceased advertising, I'd think they either likely have a main source of income outside of escorting or they don't advertise locally and only do it when traveling. Even guys like Mike V who's been in it for 10 years still advertises.