Working safely as an escort

Before starting out in business as an escort, there are a lot of things to think about, among them the laws that apply to your work, (see Chapter 1), and your health. Read the health capsules in this magazine. There are many ways to work. One is doing in-calls: receiving clients at your place, in an apartment, a hotel room, or any other fixed location. Under the present Canadian criminal laws, this is considered as working in a “bawdy house”. So, if a neighbor complains there are too many people coming and going, there is a minor in the place, or people are using drugs, it is possible that the police will raid. Another way to work is offering outcall services. If you meet your client in his hotel room, home, or other location, and you are careful in the way you advertise and communicate, you have less risk of being criminalized. If you choose either of these options, you can work as an independent, or for an agency. No matter what option you choose, there are many things you should consider to stay in control, and to work safely. To be aware of the challenges escorts face: you should develop links with other sex workers: follow the discussions in forums; and get to know more about the industry, and services offered. Try reading the glossary in this section. This can help you determine personal limits, concerning what services to offer, and what kind of working conditions you want.

The Girl Friend Experience (GFE)
Before exploring working safely as an escort, it is necessary to define the term GFE (the “girlfriend experience”, “pretending” to be a real girlfriend, or spouse). The meaning of this expression can vary from one agency to another, and can entail risks for your health.

Certain agencies and independent escorts offer GFE. If you shop for an agency, ask what they mean by GFE. Sometimes it means not wearing a condom for a blowjob; offering anal sex; kissing deeply with the tongue; in addition to offering a more sensual and warm service. It can also mean; kissing the client when he arrives, offering to share a bath with him, giving him a massage after the sexual service, or bringing different kinds of lingerie, and letting him choose what you wear. Choose an agency or a way to work, that respects your limits and where you will be at ease.

Working in an agency
If you like working in a structured environment, and don’t want to deal with work before or after your appointments, this is ideal. You don’t have to answer the clients’ calls, or organize your schedule. You have to pay for this service. From one agency to another, prices vary, so it is your responsibility to shop carefully and decide how much you want to pay. Another thing you should look into with the boss is the agency’s rules. These tend to vary from one agency to another:
• How many hours am I required to work each week? How many days? 6 hours per day? 12 hours? Can I decide the number of clients per week? Do I pay a fine for arriving late? Am I obliged to work during my period? How much do I have to give the chauffeur for each ride; and to the owner for each appointment?
• If I do outcalls, are they in an apartment, or hotel rooms?
• If I do in-calls, are they at the agency, or a hotel? Does the agency supply the condoms? At the agency are the sheets clean? Are showers available? Fresh towels? Not all agencies are well maintained. Do I have to clean the place (wash the sheets, towels, floor)? If it is in a hotel, for how long has the agency been receiving in that hotel? Is there an understanding with the receptionists and the other workers at the hotel?
• Between calls, can I go home, to the office, or do I need to spend the night in a car?
• What are the services I want to offer? Do I have restrictions? Will this agency respect my limits?
For example: blowjob without condom, anal sex, double penetration.
• Can I use a condom for blowjobs? You should know that a lot of sex workers don’t use condoms for blowjobs. If you work in an environment like that, you may lose a lot of calls if you insist on a condom. You need to have the option and not feel pressured to offer certain services: low or high risk, and think first about your health. If you don’t, shop for another agency that will meet your needs.

There are agencies that advertise in the newspapers
Like the Journal de Montréal, Voir, Hour, neighborhood papers, the Yellow Pages.
• These agencies have mostly local clients. This could be useful if you don’t speak much English.
• As prices are very competitive, these agencies tend to be less expensive. This means you can offer a half hour service, if you don’t want to spend too much time with clients.
• All agencies take a cut, (from 40% to 60%), from each call. Know what percentage the agency takes, before making a decision. It’s worth it to take the time to shop around for your agency!

There are agencies that advertise on the net.
• These agencies may attract tourists or Americans, so speaking English can help. However, many francophone clients visit the web, so you can have lots of clients, if you only speak French.
• You should ask these agencies the same questions that you asked the agencies advertising in the newspaper: so you can find the best possible working conditions.
• These agencies may offer you travel in Canada or the United States. If you are not sure, or the agency is new to you, ask the other sex workers, and consult with the clients via the review sites. (see below)

Working as an independent
To work as an independent escort, you need to be well organized. Whether you choose to advertise in the newspapers, or on the Internet, you will answer many calls, or e-mails before booking an appointment. Clients want to know your physical description, your availability, the services you offer and your limits, if you do outcalls or in-calls, your prices by the hour, if you travel, etc. They will ask about all the issues you should resolve, before starting to work on your own.

For your security, let clients think you are not working alone. Call a person you trust, or even your answering machine when you get to the room. Once you have the money in hand, leave a message with the address of the hotel, and the room number. Tell the client your chauffeur will pick you up after your moment together.

Advertising in the newspaper
To advertise in the escort section of the Journal de Montréal, you need to register at the de Montreal. This costs about 30$.

Palais de justice de Montréal
1, Notre-Dame East (between Metro Champ-de-Mars
and Place-d’Armes)
Montreal, Quebec
Phone: 514 393-2721

You need to get a Paget or a cell phone so the clients can reach you.

Advertising in a newspaper can cost from 25$ to 100$, depending on the paper. Choose one read by the clientele you want to attract (ex: if you speak French,
you should advertise in the Journal de Montréal; if you speak English, you want to advertise in the Mirror, or Hour). You can also advertise in neighborhood newspapers, the Yellow Pages.

For inspiration, check the escort sections in the papers.

On the Internet
There are many websites, both free and paid, for advertising, as an independent escort. Search on Google, or another search engine, with the words “escort, escorts, Montreal, independent” to find these sites. The normal procedure is to contact the site via e-mail or by phone; to fax them a copy of your identification. Some sites ask for it to protect themselves from advertising for minors. Then, you need to register on their website by creating your ad including a physical description, age, measurements, personal tastes, and whatever selling points you think will attract clients!! It is worthwhile to verify what the others have written in their ads and ensure that your ad has something a little different.

You may choose not to send your photos, but the majority of Indies (independent escorts) include their photos; the clients tend to favor them. If you want to be anonymous, you can find a sexy animated picture that represents you physically. Choose the photos according to the image you wish to inspire. They can be either a professional shoot, or by a friend.

It can cost from 30$ to 100$ each month to advertise on these sites. A lot of them have free trials for one to three months, so you can try them out, and see what clients each of them draws. Choose the one that best answers your needs.

Access to Internet is recommended so that you can put either an e-mail address, or a cell phone number. The e-mail address is more effective if you don’t want to receive calls all day…Without mentioning the crazy phone bills you may have to pay, if using a cell phone! You can, of course, book the clients you want, when you want.

Some Indies work in pairs. But if you work alone, you must be more vigilant. You can hire a private driver who will take you to your appointments, and pick you up. You can also create alliances with other Indies. When a new client wants to meet you, ask him for at least one escort reference. When contacting the escort referred, give her your e-mail address and cell number so she can verify clients with you.

You need to ask your client for his real name and phone number; plus the name of the hotel, or the address of the rendezvous. If he doesn’t want to provide this information, too bad for him! It is a normal procedure so you can call just before the appointment, and make sure you are not going somewhere for nothing. It will also give you the opportunity to put this information in your cell phone, and give it to a friend or your driver. No info, no candies!! If you work as an Indy and do in-calls, you can proceed in the same way asking for a phone number, letting someone you trust know about your appointment, when the client gets there and leaves. You need to be vigilant at all times.

There are also websites if you want to work outside Montreal. It is the same procedure as the Montreal independent websites: you need to register, submit a descriptive text, and attach a photo. It is better to advertise at least one month before traveling. This will allow you to verify the number of clients and to set up your working schedule.

Since customs and immigrations officers are strict, don’t bring your work schedule with you, if you are crossing the border. You should e-mail yourself and print it out once there. Buy them once you get there.

In this section you will find interviews with women who have worked outside Montreal and have experience crossing borders. Before traveling alone, try traveling with another Indy. Always know the laws that apply in the countries or cities you visit. You should be able to manage stress (especially at the border), be well organized, and plan everything in advance.

The famous review sites
Whether you advertise in newspapers or on the Internet, as an Indy or for an agency, you should be careful about review sites. Clients exchange a great deal of information between themselves; this can help you, or totally ruin your reputation. To find review sites from Montreal and other cities use a search engine (Google or Yahoo) and enter “escorts, discussion board, forum, review boards”. Some review sites are better than others. Ask women working in the industry which ones they prefer, and why.

If a client did not like your service, or wants to describe your encounter in detail, he can use these sites to give you a numerical evaluation (1 to 10). If the photo in your ad is not representative of your physique, the clients will tell each other. The same applies to your weight: don’t say you are 10 pounds lighter, because the clients will share this info. Remember that there are requests for all body types. Take advantage of the fact that you have curves and show them; you will draw clients that appreciate the body you have.

Whether you work for agency, or as an Indy, everything will be recorded on these sites. Everything. Example: if you offer extras that represent a risk for your health or if you steal clients from an agency.

If you are sure your encounter went well, and your client is satisfied, ask him to review you. It can be helpful, particularly if you are just starting. It can also be worthwhile to visit these sites to participate in the forums for visibility; and to develop links with other sex workers.

You can also advertise on some of these websites, by paying for an ad or by exchanging banners. (You send them a link to your website and include their links on your website).