I didn't know you could make a living from this. I guess that it must take years for that to happen--one must first establish herself and build a client base. That must take a long time. ...
I know it's not easy breaking into the business, but it sounds like a fun endeavor.
Originally Posted by surfergirl
You are very correct: like any entrepreneurial endeavor, it can take a while to make a living! Patience is a good thing to have before you start.
I'd say it took me a good six months at least before I had the income that I'd wanted, and I started out at much (much!) lower rates than I have now. Even though with lower rates I had a larger market available to me, without an established presence and people to vouch that I was on the up-and-up, it was difficult to find gentlemen willing to risk seeing me. Don't blame 'em.
I can't say if it's any more or less difficult to start out with a high end marketing strategy than a more mainstream approach. Your target market would be limited by the greater financial hurdle of meeting, but I've found that a higher proportion of gentlemen in that high end market are okay with seeing a mostly-unknown if she presents herself well. YMMV, of course. Other than in rare circumstances (you can build your own professional-quality website and can get great photos taken for free/cheap, for example), it is more of an initial financial investment, though.
I recommend to any lady regardless of being new, established, high end, aligned with the typical market -- anyone -- to have a traditional job too. Not only is the income a good safety net, it can help keep you grounded; we're like sexy superheroes, and as any Spiderman fan knows, living a double life can become straining. As Lauren said, it also gives you another topic to talk about with gentlemen if you're comfortable sharing that, and/or with relatives if you need a "cover story".
But, yeah, as difficult and rollercoastery as it can be, it has been fun!
