Nobody gets into escorting because they love spreadsheets. Say what you will about the thrill of a responsible budget but most male escorts would rather be out with a client than hammering away on a keyboard, trying to work out why their formula is broken.
That said, escorting is a business and, like any business, managing your finances isn’t optional. Good business sense isn’t always sexy but it can be the difference between smooth sailing success and an endless run of frustrating failures.
So let’s talk about the business side of escorting, how to manage multiple clients, and the financial skills you’ll need to keep yourself in the black.
How to Manage Multiple Clients
A wizard is never late and neither is an escort – not if they want to keep their clients.
Good time management is vital in any business, but particularly one where you’re paid by the hour. As a rule, it’s best to avoid booking two clients on the same day. Not only does this give you plenty of time to prepare, but it also gives them the option to extend their time with you if they choose to do so.
If you must book two clients on the same day make sure to thoroughly research your transport options ahead of time. If you can, avoid relying on public transport altogether, but if that’s your only option then don’t leave anything to chance. Give yourself plenty of extra time in case of delays.
And if you do end up running late, don’t keep it a secret. It’s always far better to communicate than to keep the client in the dark and risk them thinking you’re a no-show. The best thing you can do is give them the option to cancel for a refund if they choose to. While you may still lose the client, some will be willing to wait and others may be interested in rearranging.
While a client may be upset, they will always respect that kind of honesty and candour, and more likely to consider rebooking you if you tell them in advance.
Either way, it’s always a better look to be honest and take responsibility when things go wrong.
Business Budgeting as an Escort
When running any business you have to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Nobody plans for things to go wrong but if you’re in this for the long haul then sooner or later you’re bound to run into some bad luck. Maybe you’ll lose a long-term client at just the wrong time. Maybe a health incident will put you out of action for a few weeks.
These problems aren’t just commonplace for escorts – they affect anyone involved in freelancing – but they can be very serious for those who are unprepared. That’s why it’s vitally important to keep some buffer money to soak up any unexpected costs.
At the same time, make sure to stay on top of your taxes. As a self employed person, you need to track all your income over time and keep an eye on your country’s income tax thresholds. The last thing you want is to be hit with an unexpected tax burden at the end of the financial year.
Knowing Your Legal Rights
It’s no secret that escorting can be taboo. Often seen as little more than a synonym for sex work, there’s no shortage of people and services who will wrongly assume that you’re doing something illegal and may try to take advantage of you on that basis.
Much like taxes, the legal status of escorting can be quite complicated depending on where you live. That’s why it’s very important to make sure you’re always on the right side of the law. If people believe that you’re doing something illegal, they may try to exploit you on this basis. There’s no better defense against this than being well-informed. If you know you’ve done nothing wrong, then they’ve got nothing to hold over you.
Useful Resources
The business side of being an escort can feel a little daunting at first but you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Lots of other people have faced the same challenges as you when starting small businesses and there are loads of great resources online, some of which we’ve shared below.
US Income Tax Guide
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employed-individuals-tax-center
UK Income Tax Guide
https://www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns
Monkey Helper Budget Planner
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/budget-planner
SAAFE Forums
Although predominantly female, the SAAFE forums are an excellent place for escorts to ask questions and share information and experiences specific to the world of escorting.
https://saafe.info/main/index.php