7 common mistakes sex workers make when starting out

Ever tried a new hobby and totally embarrassed yourself? Beginner blunders are super normal. Everyone you see as successful has made them before – even in the sex work industry. That’s right. Your idols have also made silly mistakes before!

Today, we’re looking at the common mistakes newbie sex workers make and how to avoid them. These tips work for all niches, whether you’re escorting, camming, dancing, or anything else.

Let’s dive in and see what’s on the list.

Navigating sex work as a beginner

Starting off in the sex work industry is easier than ever. Yet at the same time, it’s also no easy feat. You need to do your research, practise your skills, prepare your mind and body, and brush up on customer etiquette before you get 5-star reviews.

Don’t let this long list scare you, though. The real trick to flourishing in any career is knowing what to avoid.

Whether you’re curious or trying to optimise your business, we’re on hand to help. Check out the main mistakes sex workers make below and use them to inform your action plan.

1. Having no confidence

We get it. It’s tough to muster up confidence when you’re new to a job. However, this is where the saying fake it until you make it really comes in.

If you’re shaky or nervous, clients are likely to notice. Most clients want to book with a provider who’s confident and self-assured—these qualities tell them they’re working with an expert and they’re more likely to have a good time.

Being nervous can also attract clients who are looking to take advantage of inexperienced sex workers. These are rare but worth knowing about, as you don’t want to have an unpleasant experience or deal with someone asking you to lower your rate.

How to appear more confident

Feeling nervous? Here’s a quick science-backed cheat sheet to help you be more confident as a sex worker:

• Take care of your physical health (e.g., through sleep, exercise, and diet)
• Practice self-care and self-compassion
• Avoid comparing yourself to others
• Stick to your boundaries when you say no
• Hold eye contact with clients

2. Trying to cover all niches

The sex industry covers a beautiful rainbow of kinks and fetishes. From hardcore BDSM to MILFs, it’s all about diversity. While we don’t usually recommend anyone to box themselves in, it can actually be helpful as a sex worker.

“Niching down” means picking a category and tailoring your services to that community.

It can help you make a name for yourself and is often a better strategy than trying to appeal to everyone. Trying to do every service can lead to lower-quality offerings since you won’t have the time to really hone your skills in each area.

Newbies should take some time to figure out their niche before diving in. If you’re into kink, use that to your advantage. If you prefer more vanilla services, maybe focus on providing Girlfriend Experiences. There are plenty of paths to explore, so don’t skip the research.

3. Investing in expensive equipment

Yes, you read that right. It’s not always a good idea to spend lots of cash on new lingerie, cameras, and top-of-the-line sex toys.

Often, beginners want to rival the top sex workers in the industry. However, these professionals have premium equipment that costs a bomb, and it’s not wise to invest so much money until you know the career is right for you.

So, before you spend hundreds on real leather harnesses or crystal dildos, use some affordable products and see if the career works for you.

Informed business purchases are key, even for sex workers.

4. Setting your rates too low

Rates and fees are a hot topic for sex workers – and rightly so. More transparency should be around the topic so all professionals can command a living wage.

Because there’s a lack of information, many beginner sex workers start off charging way too little. Low rates can lead to burnout and stress and are just unpleasant in general.

Luckily, you can avoid this trap. Rates differ depending on services and niche, so spend a few hours scoping out what other professionals charge. Don’t price yourself lower. Though this may seem like a cheeky way to attract clients, it will leave you working more for less money.

Get a headstart today. Read Vivastreet’s complete guide to setting competitive rates here.

5. Skipping client background checks

This tip is more important for escorts than cammers or OnlyFans creators. But it’s worth knowing when working with the public.

Background checks (also known as screening processes) are a vital part of escort safety. They help you check if the client is legitimate and not harmful.

You can do a background check by:

• Seeing the client’s ID
• Looking at their social media
• Using client blacklist apps (e.g., ClientEye)
• Asking other escorts

Reputable clients are familiar and okay with background checks. Not-so-nice ones might ask to skip them.

New sex workers are often so excited to book clients and gain experience that they forget or skip this step. Don’t overlook it. It’s critical to be strict with background checks.

6. Feeling embarrassed about boundaries

We all have things we’re not willing to do — it’s a healthy part of life. These are called boundaries, and it’s vital to enforce them and not let anyone guilt you or push you into doing things you don’t want to do.

If you’re new to boundary setting, you might feel embarrassed about saying no. But this is an attitude you need to lose ASAP. Strong boundaries are a sign of a confident and experienced sex worker.

Read the full guide to boundaries for sex workers now to practise your skills.

7. Not taking time off when needed

At the start of any career, it’s normal to want to keep grinding to establish yourself. However, working without breaks is a sure ticket to a burnout town.

Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to breathe. With consistent effort and professionalism, you will make it.

If you feel tired or frustrated, it’s a sign that you might need an evening with friends or a good movie.

Keep learning about sex work in the modern world. Read the Vivastreet blog here.