RR needs your help - again! Guide For Agency Escorts - Client Feedback?

[Rebecca Richardson]

Hi guys,

I left saying I would be back needing your help, and now... I'm back needing your help. I worked with a handful of agencies over the past four years: some great, some good and some I refuse to comment on. I met a whole ton of girls who were struggling to get their bearings in the industry and even more clients that mentioned they knew of similar issues. I also made a LOT of mistakes.

With that in mind I've taken a stab at writing a guide for escorts who are working with agencies. Its a summary of what I've learned in the industry and what the 'mom' in me has been dying to tell every new girl I encounter.

I have some questions:
What would you change?
Do you disagree with anything?
Would you refer a girl you booked to a site like this?
Do you have any suggestions for publicizing that this information is available?

In advance, its not done and the format sucks. I need to finish the 'Client Encounters' section and polish the grammar and wording in several others. I really should finish it before I post but some parts of it aren't sitting right, don't feel complete or aren't exactly how I wanted it to come off.

The sex industry did so many positive things for me and I really think something like this is missing. I'm good at taking constructive criticism: please help me


If you read nothing else please let me know what you think about the 'Rights' section.

I'd like to take this live by November 1st. The domain name will be
Thanks guys!
Becky

 

[Bubba]

Nice website Becky. If anything pops to mind I will add on. Are you still with select?.

 

[Rebecca Richardson]

Nice website Becky. If anything pops to mind I will add on. Are you still with select?.

Select was amazing to work with (and even gave me feedback for the site). You missed my retirement thread.

 

[a 1 player]

Damn good read. I think you've covered all the bases. I have a couple of suggestions I'll forward when I get a few minutes, but off the top, damn good info.

 

[dreamblade]

The guide is very concise and very useful, IMO. I like the non-judgmental tone you use to describe what to expect. The news section needs updating. I'd love to see your commentary on the stay lasting to February.

 

[mystiqueladies.com]

Excellent process definition!

I don't necessarily agree with your opinion on who works for whom, I see it more as a partnership between an SP and agency, if both partners don't do their jobs, both lose, but overall, a great resource. Thanks for taking the time to compile it and for sharing.

 

[lagavulin]

On the home page the first paragraph should be about the site and its content. It should seduce and entice people to read further. The second paragraph should be about you (that is your current first paragraph).

I had a comment about getting you own domain and then re-read your post that you are doing that, so never mind. Never let another party have the potential to control or delete the content of your site.

“Agency Sex Worker Rights” on the left but the title is “A Feminist Approach to Escorting”. Which ever one you chose they should match. At first I thought I had clicked the wrong section and went back and trying again to see what I had done wrong.

“right to a reasonable assurance of physical safety” remove the word reasonable. It is a right to an assurance of physical safety. period

“right to mental health support”, I do not understand this point. Is it that the agency owner should pay, or just that a lady has time, perhaps I am missing something obvious, could you explain this?

You may also want to mention a right to anonymity. It seems to be the one trump card that getting played more often and can have devastating and unforeseen consequences.

Section on Escorting and the Law. There are other laws regarding prostitution, for example children and slavery in the criminal code, and local by-laws if you are working in a strip club or “holistic” centre. While there is nothing wrong with your opinion, and many people would agree with you, if the site is to be a resource then perhaps there could be a simple explanation of what the current law really is, with some examples, and free of debate.

The stuff below was written before I saw your section labeled Resource Guide (Agency) and I am too lazy to re-write it, so yes, you have covered a lot of it and I initially missed it.

The section on necessary lies should be given greater prominence.

If this is to be a resource then you may want to consider a section on money management. I am thinking about what the ways a lady in the industry can obtain credit, or a mortgage when all the business is in cash and most likely the income is not being declared to the Canada Revenue Agency.

Another thought would be for a section on life after escorting. I think it is fair to say that many ladies (but certainly not all) leave escorting after a few years and need to consider what the next phase of their life will be and the challenges that may arise. This could be a relationship, explaining the a significant gap in time on a resume, retirement planning (the real old age version).

A section on resources with telephone numbers and links. You have a lot of this information already in your content, but I was thinking of a single page of just resources separate from the section that has the narratives.

If you are pregnant …
If you have an STD …
If you are thinking of harming yourself …
If you want to invest your money …
If you want a mortgage …
If you want help with drugs or alcohol …

You may want to change the phrase “he can help you manipulate your taxes” to something like, “he can show you how to structure your finances”, the first phrase has a tone of something be shady.

I’ll stop here rather than prattling on and on.

Congratulations and well done, it is a great start and obviously a enormous amount of time and effort went into the site. If I have said anything that has offended you that is purely inadvertent. Your focus on high quality content is to be applauded.

 

[RedLight]

I think what you are putting together is important Becky. Although I am still vague on the exact direction you want to go in, I can see this web site evolving into an important resource for many and a voice that articulates the views of those who have their fingers on the pulse of this much maligned industry. I think that this site can provide excellent perspective and direction for participants on both sides of the bed. Damn, I already learned a few things myself just skimming through the articles. I can think of several ladies that i would like to direct to this site right now.

Visually I find the sight to have a dark and foreboding feel. There is a lot of heavy topic matter to read so I don't know if this is the atmosphere that you want. Just my 2cents Beck and i will be a regular reader.

 

[thetank]

This is quality work that you should be proud of. It is a generous contribution to the industry. I will pm you with my specific feedback.

thetank

 

[Auggie]

I like it, wish there was a better network to get good information distributed among the escorts.

Is it true that an agency girl can say no to seeing a client without repercussion? It sounds idealistic to me, but I'm not an insider.

 

[brooklynlove]

I know im not a client, but I like butting in on things

I think it may be helpful to add the following items to "Supply List": Baby wipes (perfect for makeup removal, and quick clean ups!), and Hand Sanitizer.

Unless I missed it, (my speed reading isnt always thorough) you should insert a section about photos used on the site, whether they are property of the ladies and whether or not you can expect them returned to you once you have finished working at the agency in question. I know some agencies retain the photos are their property and girls have been surprised to see their likeness used in advertising even after they have quit working there.

xo!

 

[GenevieveLajoie]

Great resource Becky. I'll give you my feedback if you meet me for drinks.

 

[tristansangels]

WOW lady, this site is awesome and VERY generous work for you to do. I've written a manual for the ladies who worl for me, I can send it to you if you like? I will for sure add your site to my manual so they have access to it. VERY impressive honey!! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for what you did. GREAT job, you should be very proud. If you're interested in seeing my guide for my escorts, PM me and I'll send it off to you

 

[mistermello]

Hi guys,

I left saying I would be back needing your help, and now... I'm back needing your help.

Rebecca, you have been very generous with your time and intellect. I have given it a first read and it is an excellent piece of work. I will read it more carefully and possibly suggest refinements in an e-mail to you within a few days. MM

 

[mystiqueladies.com]

Unless I missed it, (my speed reading isnt always thorough) you should insert a section about photos used on the site, whether they are property of the ladies and whether or not you can expect them returned to you once you have finished working at the agency in question. I know some agencies retain the photos are their property and girls have been surprised to see their likeness used in advertising even after they have quit working there.xo!

Wouldn't this be dictated by who paid for the pictures? We only ask this as we want to be fair with any SPs who work with Mystique, but to spend money on pictures only to have the SP leave the next day and take her pics with her is not really fair to the agency. If the SP provides her own pictures, then there's no question they belong to her and should never be used without her consent. However, if an SP leaves, I'm not really sure why an agency would continue to use them, that's kind of false advertising.

 

[dreamblade]

Wouldn't this be dictated by who paid for the pictures? We only ask this as we want to be fair with any SPs who work with Mystique, but to spend money on pictures only to have the SP leave the next day and take her pics with her is not really fair to the agency. If the SP provides her own pictures, then there's no question they belong to her and should never be used without her consent. However, if an SP leaves, I'm not really sure why an agency would continue to use them, that's kind of false advertising.

Yes, it would be false advertising, but it has been done in the past. However, I do see your point. One suggestion would be for the girl to "work off" the price for her pictures over time. So if she leaves the next day, she has to comp the agency full price for the photoshoot.

 

[Rebecca Richardson]

You guys rule.

Quickly...

Mystique: Yes everyone needs to do their job - all IC jobs are partnerships. I think the onus is on the woman to know her rights and enforce them. I wish all agencies would educate but unfortunately most do not. I'd love to hear that once the guide is 'done' (more polished) that you'd be happy to pass it on.

Laguvalin: Some great points (but we disagree on a few). A 'reasonable assurance' is the most any agency can offer, unless they're going to come into the call with the woman. Right to mental health support should be re-written - I meant the right to access to mental health resource information. Right to anonymity is covered somewhat under 'Necessary Lies'. I like the Law section, I think its clear and debate-free until I say "It is my opinion that". Everything you suggested be covered is, in various sections of the guide, except addiction and pregnancy. Good idea to add them in, thanks

Redlight: You're right. I hate the template, it was just the first I selected. I'll change it. The direction is education of women. In relation to a client, that would mean you could give a girl the website address rather than forwarding her information to me/Gen/Nikki/whoever else you know in the industry that is vocal about this. I hope it makes access to information less intimidating than chatting directly with another SP (there's a lot of distrust).

Thethank: Thanks, its just stuff I wish I had known.

Auggie: Unfortunately not every agency girl can say no without repercussion. That makes the information that they have the right to do so even more crucial imho. From the client perspective there's a lot you can do to make sure every woman knows her rights: choose agencies that you have fair confidence in and pass the site on

Brooklyn: (Long time no talk!) You're so right about the materials, whoops! The photos are covered in Necessary Lies.

Thank you to everyone who PM-ed me. I'm swamped, but I *will* get back to you and make adjustments/post your comments for discussion accordingly.

I love HUBGFE, reading all your recommendations just made a very long day much lighter. Thank you for your help, if you think of anything else please don't hesitate to post. I'll post once its polished and ready on November 1.

Please, if you see the opportunity, pass the address on to hobbyists, girls, owners, whomever. The more people who are educated(ish, to the best of my abilities) the more women we can help have positive experiences. Happy sex workers = better sessions!

 

[Rebecca Richardson]

Wouldn't this be dictated by who paid for the pictures? We only ask this as we want to be fair with any SPs who work with Mystique, but to spend money on pictures only to have the SP leave the next day and take her pics with her is not really fair to the agency.

It is dictated by who paid for the pictures: that's the problem. Agencies can and have used photos after a woman leaves. I know women who have been blackmailed by agency owners with their escorting pics after they've left the industry and agencies who use photos of women who have left in their advertising (b&s yes, but there are several agencies doing it).

You're right, it is unfair for the agency to pay for the photos only to have the escort leave with her (free) pictures. A way to avoid this is for the woman to purchase them upfront (have her pay the photographer). If she cannot afford this right away perhaps repaying the agency at a mutually agreed upon later date. Mirage and Toronto141 did this.

As an agency I'd love to know you were letting women know what their rights were around their pictures and to give them the option to buy them either outright or eventually. Again, Mirage did a fantastic job with this.

 

[Nova5]

Becky, I want to personally thank you for providing me with additional insight into the Escort Industry. I found the whole tone of your website to be exceptionally helpful and caring.

 

[mystiqueladies.com]

It is dictated by who paid for the pictures: that's the problem. Agencies can and have used photos after a woman leaves. I know women who have been blackmailed by agency owners with their escorting pics after they've left the industry and agencies who use photos of women who have left in their advertising (b&s yes, but there are several agencies doing it).

You're right, it is unfair for the agency to pay for the photos only to have the escort leave with her (free) pictures. A way to avoid this is for the woman to purchase them upfront (have her pay the photographer). If she cannot afford this right away perhaps repaying the agency at a mutually agreed upon later date. Mirage and Toronto141 did this.

As an agency I'd love to know you were letting women know what their rights were around their pictures and to give them the option to buy them either outright or eventually. Again, Mirage did a fantastic job with this.

Being REALLY new to this industry, we're always looking to learn. We discussed this yesterday and came to a decision to give the SP the choice to pay for the pictures up front, in which case they are hers to do with as she chooses or have us pay for them and she can pay us back at her convenience, in which case if she leaves prior to paying for them, we'll stop using them, but she doesn't get the pictures without our watermark. That's about a fair a deal as anyone can ask for.

Either way, we fully support the women who work with us in whatever choices they make. We don't own the women who work with us and they don't run our business, so we all have to meet in the middle to make things work.