Abandonment

Lately I feel very abandoned in this profession that I love so much. Is it a bad review, bad economy, the change of new boards? I am very established but feel like I have been abandoned on a desert island sending my posts out like a message in a bottle. Ok....I need a box of tissues and a phone that rings with intrigue...I fear a forced retirement is in the horizon. Blah...Blah...Blah... Sorry, I'm British and moaning is in my nature...but in most cases for pleasure....not for lack of!!! I miss all of you out there. Phoebe xxxxxx

Shin up BB, I am sure things will pick up.........trust me I have seen your site.

and showcase

Phoebe, I can't speak for all, but I know that for myself I tend to hobby on the spur of the moment. I have considered calling you on several occasions, but your stated 90 minute advance notice usually gets in the way. I rarely plan that far ahead.

babe. this is just one of the reasons why I am retiring. When aspd went down and moved here... biz dropped A LOT!!! I mean I had my regulars but it was pretty hit and miss. (had a lot of time to reflect) which made me come to other conclusions in my life. lol.
But imho... biz is just too slow from what all providers are used to, unless u advertise on many other sites as well.

licks and kisses and hope things pick up for u.

Lately I feel very abandoned in this profession that I love so much. Is it a bad review, bad economy, the change of new boards? I am very established but feel like I have been abandoned on a desert island sending my posts out like a message in a bottle. Ok....I need a box of tissues and a phone that rings with intrigue...I fear a forced retirement is in the horizon. Blah...Blah...Blah... Sorry, I'm British and moaning is in my nature...but in most cases for pleasure....not for lack of!!! I miss all of you out there. Phoebe xxxxxx Originally Posted by BritishBabe

This tough economy has impacted all of us and seeped into all sectors of business, nationwide. Just look at the unemployment rate. This is not to sound negative but perhaps we can all find some solace in knowing that we're not alone.

You might view the outcome of whether or not you choose to stay in your profession as the silver lining of a new beginning. By staying positive, maybe look for new ways to re-invent yourself, whether it's your current business or a new one. Could be that you go all out, enhance your website, advertise more, get new photos, market yourself, etc. Or could be that you look into new ventures. Or both!

Keep your chin up, girlfriend, stay positive and good things will come!

Hugs,
Meeshee

And the messages here are so welcomed....but my phone is still silent.

Sweetie, nothing lasts forever. Good/bad economy, up/down business, tires on your car. That is just life. This is a very good reason to try to broaden your horizons. The hobby will work for a full time , dependable living for a few ladies, but the smart ones do branch out. Find a second job, even a temporary one. When times are good, make an emergency fund account. Get some more education to open a few doors for you. This lifestyle is pretty aptly called the "hobby". as it is NOT the major portion of most folks lives. When cuts need to be made, this is one place that is often the first to let go.

Go on and do what youwould do if you " retire", but keep your finger in the business if you are so inclined. Drop expenses you can do without ( permanent incall and such). Run some specials ( extended time or lower rates to see if you can generate interest. You can still post and run ads to keep your name out there, but find a REAL LIFE form of security.

The business will turn up again, but no one knows just when or to what extent. So, move on with your life.

I hope it will have an upturn for you soon, but time is wasting while you sit and worry over it. Proceed ahead and remember to not keep all of your eggs in one basket.

Bestof luck!

All Good Sound Advice but she has stayed twice that her phone remains silent! Phoebe did you forget to pay your phone bill? Jk it will pick up after Easter so be ready to her that Sweet Ringing of your Phone once again!

BB....excellent competition from all directions..can easily make you feel abandoned...

Well Phoebe,

I am sorry that you are feeling this way, but I thought as another provider I can offer you something more than a pat on your back and the old cliche "it will get better".

We all go through slow times, but you have to think about this as a business. Period. I checked out your website to see what your rates were. Maybe running a special or lowering your rates would be a temporary solution. Another tip may be to add a Half hour session to your menu. There are some guys in this world that don't make it an hour.... everyone is different, so why would they want to pay 200 for a half hour.

I am not by any means saying that you are not worth what you charge, but once again this is a business. Think about your competition.... do some research and find out what others are charging. Would you rather make 150 an hr or nothing because of the 200 you are asking .. Just a thought.

Don't get caught up in "what you are worth"! It's not about that. I have no doubt in my mind that me and my services are worth way more than my rates. But this isn't me selling me, this is business. I provide a service and I charge a "average" rate for the area. I get told all the time that I don't charge enough, that my rates should be higher.. blah blah blah.. But I stick with what works, and if it doesn't work I change it.

This is a tough financial time for EVERYONE... and not all the gentlemen that choose us can afford or get away with taking as much as they once did. Improvise, adapt and overcome.

When I slow down for a few days in a row, I run a special. Get some new clients, let them see how I can be a great experience for them. Because what makes any business work is REPEAT CUSTOMERS. Whether those customers are paying 200 or less... its still constant income coming in. And you can't beat that...

Also, this may come across as harsh but I would want someone to tell me:
Guys choose to have there meetings with us in there personal time because we happy, horny, and a positive experience. Appearing to be sad and depressed doesn't make your case any stronger. And you asked why you weren't getting any business.... I will tell you a lesson I learned long ago : Don't ask questions you really dont want to know the answer to. Just Try some new things.

REcap:
Research competition
Modify ads
revamp your menu

And Smile!

I have been hit hard by the economy. There are a few ladies I would LOVE to see on here but I simply cannot afford it. Also, like Dragon, I do this at the spur of the moment so When I can do it a lot of the providers I would like to see are not available or require more notice than I can give.

I am by no means saying you ladies arent worth the rate you ask for but it is really bad for some of us.

It sucks that some of you ladies out there are feeling neglected.

When I win the Lotto I am going to hobby like its 1999. LOL.

I agree with Jez every word every line very professional> Good job.

My recomendation is to hang in there. Recent news shows San Antonio lost 15,700 jobs in January 2010 alone compared to 9000 total in 2009. Supposedly a result of temp jobs during the Xmas shopping season being let go. The economy is in the pits, jobless rate in San Antonio is 7.7% which is the all time highest since the rate has been tracked (previous record was 7.5%) Companies are cutting back. People with jobs are afraid to spend money, companies are afraid to hire new people due to some of the policy recomendations of the current administration like new taxes on employers related to payroll and so forth. Things will change. A near revolution will occur in November. This downturn is temporary. No matter what happens, no matter who runs the show the economy is cyclic and it will improve and I believe soon.
Having met you (non BDC) I know you to be both charming (I love the British accent) and good looking. I have been tempted several times (and we almost connected once a couple of years back) to call. But unfortunately, you are located in NE SA and I tend to play closer to home, that is far NW or at home NW of SA and tend to utilize the same few (3 or 4 Providers) that I am comfortable with. A 90 minute advance notice is fine. I would consider that extremely reasonable. But an incall located more NW (where it seems a great many Providers play in the Medical Center area) may be of benefit. I don't know why this area seems to attract many Providers, but it must mean that many hobby guys play in that area also. Regardless, I would hate to see you give up and hope to meet you sometime. I am older, my libido ain't what it used to be and once a week, sometimes once every couple of weeks seems to be all I want My business has slowed down in the past year and to attempt to bring it up I have increased my business hours, extended to weekends, and tried to be more friendly and jovial. Over a period of several months I have now seen an increase in business. A positive attitude can go a long way. Chin up and smile. And guys....I have met the lady and although I have not been BCD with her, she is a keeper and on ASPD had stellar reviews with all the bells and whistles. Talk is cheap. I am full up on my play calender for the next week and a half with 3 sessions scheduled or I would call her myself. Guys, help the lady out, ring her up, be her knight in shining amour