A quick 10 point starter guide to escorting

1. Read the various articles on SAAFE to get a more in depth view of the sort of decisions and considerations you need to make.
2. Decide on a working name for yourself – don’t use your real name unless you want everyone knowing your personal business – remember, you may feel happy with your new career choice but wider society tends to condemn it.
3. Buy a cheap pay-as-you-go phone so you don’t have to give your personal number out or be worried about answering work calls at inappropriate moments.
4. If you decide on a website, do not register your own domain name without adding a privacy option else your name and address will be available to all via a simple ‘whois’ search. If someone else registers it for you, then make sure you have proof that you actually own it.
5. Don’t hand over large sums of money to people seemingly offering you the earth or indeed small regular sums of money to the same sort of people. The adult business is seen as easy pickings for sleeze bags  - stick to established and recommended services providers (photographers, web designers, escort directories etc) and ask for references and quotes (for ongoing costs too) just as you would if having some building work done at home.
6. Think about your sexual health. Book an appointment at a local sexual health clinic and ask for a hepatitis jab which is given to people in personal services jobs such as paramedics etc.  The service should be confidential so do explain to them what you do for a living so they can advise you accordingly but don’t offer your real name if you don’t feel comfortable doing so – you will need to give correct contact details though in case of a problem. Just remember what name you use when you book your next appointment!
7. Think again about your sexual health. Decide on your boundaries and stick to them. If you don’t want to perform oral without a condom then don’t. Purchase branded condoms and make sure you don’t run out. Have a few small and extra large ones handy just in case you get a nipper or a donkey!
8. Think about what you really want from escorting and plan to review your objectives so you don’t end up bitter and twisted by doing and hating such a personal job - think of life beyond escorting.
9. Network with other ladies where possible - Penny runs a buddy scheme for ladies who want to link up – details at: Buddy Scheme - look at and talk to others about what they are doing and how they are doing it to help decide how and where you want to market yourself.
10. If you are unsure about anything, ask. No matter how basic or silly the question may seem. As they say, the only silly questions are those you don’t ask. The SAAFE forum is a safe environment to ask all sorts of questions which will be answered by ladies who have been there and done it. None of us are experts in everything, all advice should be tailored to your own circumstances and regarded as just that, advice, not gospel – its your body, your mind, your business and you should be the one in control of it.