NY Press

[PistlPete]

Monk
I've notice that the NY Press no longer runs provider's pictures with their ads (although there are still pictures that accompany Massage ads). The adult section now look like those found in alternative papers published in other cities. In a way, it is kind of refreshing because 90% of the pics were phony anyway and when one is bombarded by them (especially those from the asian places) you actually see nothing at all. Any thoughts?

[humsuplo]

Since being brought out, the NYPress is on a campaign to rid itself of "explicit advertising."

http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2007/08/ny-press-escort.html
http://www.observer.com/2007/new-york-press-layoffs-circulation-drop-and-no-more-hooker-ads
http://nopornnorthampton.org/2007/08/13/new-york-press-no-longer-marketing-arm-for-prostitution-trafficking.aspx
http://www.nysun.com/article/60598?page_no=1

[jwills500]

Well, it looks like venues like Craigslist will multiply, you will have to find sex on the internet, some small publications will spring up to run ads.

[Monk]

Clearly, providers still generate traffic from advertising in print, or they wouldn't bother (and the smarter providers track responses from ads -- or, at least, they used to. I remember I used to get asked "where did you see my ad" when calling). So who is reading these publications and responding to the ads, as opposed to who is reading and responding to Internet ads? Not sure. I haven't discussed this with a provider for a long time. Years ago, a provider told me that she got a more educated and more serious clients from Internet ads -- serious in the sense that her Internet clients were usually ready to book an appointment when they called. But a lot has changed since then.

As for the owners of NY Press foregoing $12K a year by banning these ads -- I don't know much about them, but I do know that Our Town, one of the other newsweeklies that they own, is a fairly conservative publication. So it wouldn't surprise me if similarly conservative politics were behind this decision. In addition, these newsweeklies constantly struggle for legitimacy in the media world. They may feel that by eliminating provider ads they'll be seen as more "serious" publications in the eyes of other advertisers and the rest of the New York news media.

I do find it somewhat amusing that NOW is claiming victory over this news. It's kind of amazing how conservative and out of touch NOW really is. If they had a clue about where most provider traffic is being generated, they wouldn't waste time with the newsweeklies, but target Internet sites instead. (Not that they'd have much luck, but at least they would come off as knowing more or less what they were talking about.)

[popeye]

This is an interesting topic. Over the years I have encountered a couple of independent ladies that advertise in print and on the web. Typically I found they would have two price structures, which is why they would first ask where I saw their ad whenever I called. I’d get quoted a higher fee whenever I’d say I was responding to the web ad.

What I learned is that on a per customer basis, they made more via the web referrals. Also, web referrals tended to be richer clients on average. Whereas, they would get more volume in terms of responses from print ads, and did not necessarily attract the same quality of clientele. Furthermore, some ladies had the perception that they are more exposed by web ads, which they felt attracted the attention of LE more readily than the print ads. Overall, based on my anecdotal experience, it seemed the vast majority of providers seemed more comfortable with print ads, and felt it was more anonymous. Even though it seemed less profitable than the web ads.

Now that print ads are posted on the web, I would be interested to know what the opinion of these women would be at the moment. The ones I knew were very concerned about maintaining a certain degree of anonymity, while being able to advertise their services without attracting too much undue attention by LE.

Just my thoughts on the matter…

Regards,

Pops

[billyS]

Where have you been Pops? Good to see you posting again.

[sunraider7]

Since being brought out, the NYPress is on a campaign to rid itself of "explicit advertising."

http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2007/08/ny-press-escort.html
http://www.observer.com/2007/new-york-press-layoffs-circulation-drop-and-no-more-hooker-ads
http://nopornnorthampton.org/2007/08/13/new-york-press-no-longer-marketing-arm-for-prostitution-trafficking.aspx
http://www.nysun.com/article/60598?page_no=1

“We’re probably kissing away about a million dollars a year in revenue,” he added. “We’re not making a moral or puritanical decision. We just believe in the long-term, it’s not best for the publication.”

"Of course, it’s all about synergy these days, and publishing such adult ads in Our Town probably wouldn’t fly.

And then there’s The Press’s circulation, which Mr. Allon (Tom Allon, president and C.E.O. of Manhattan Media) estimates at between 80,000 to 103,000. Next week, that gets slashed to 50,000."

- New York Observer/August 2. 2007

[Waru]

is to look at "Adult" Ads. They're in for a rude awakening.

[Samuking]

Well I guess we can just use the Village Voice instead. They have some interesting articles to read atleast..

[Monk]

Well I guess we can just use the Village Voice instead. They have some interesting articles to read atleast..

If you're gay. :)

[ken9ball]

New York Times recently covers the topic fairly well.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/05/nyregion/05craigslist.html?em&ex=1189137600&en=26481f62d7092e5b&ei=5087%0A

[Waru]

yeah, it took the NYT only about 4 years to figure it out....

[Lascivious]

I took a press today and it was quite bland to leaf through. Long live the VV with the fake pics.

[fairemily]

I never cared for publications. It is so permanent, my doctor has magazines from 2000 in his waiting room that have ad's of agencies that have since shut down. Also if you don't want to post a number you can forget about any buisness. Years ago before the Internet NYM was king, they can make or break your buisness. The guy in charge of ad's was a real asshole and you had to kiss his ass to get a spot in thier super expensive ad section. Since the Internet the day of the publications are over. There are also a few free but little known Internet sites other then CL an Indy can advertise in as long as expectations are low. In my opionion UG is the best, according to my records I have had 8-10 times the success here than Eros and pretty much equal to CL (plus not having the hassle explaining what I am all about).

[tomjohnson]

I took a press today and it was quite bland to leaf through. Long live the VV with the fake pics.



LOL so true mate. The Queens ledger used to have these flimsy fake pics I remember

[fairemily]

I am not sure if this is an ISO question but what publications do you guys gravitate towards? My BR friend used to advertise in the press but doesn't know where to go now. I am out of the loop and suggested UG but she is intimated by an interactive board. Thanks in advance for any input.

[Lascivious]

What is to be feared here? We're a friendly community :) Personally, I goto a lot of providers based on reviews on these boards. If she was interested in the Press, then place an ad in the Village Voice. Now and then, late at night I use CL.

[fairemily]

What is to be feared here? We're a friendly community :) Personally, I goto a lot of providers based on reviews on these boards. If she was interested in the Press, then place an ad in the Village Voice. Now and then, late at night I use CL.


You would be surprised how intimidating it can be to put yourself out there to be judged, rated, reviewed. If you wonder why she is weary of advertising here go to my very first response on my thread to understand. Many providers do not want to be reviewed whether it's good or bad. Every time I see a new review my heart is in my throat, it's not easy to handle for alot of people. I still prefer that than going in a publication.

[Monk]

Everyone adopts a different marketing strategy based on a variety of considerations, some of them personal/psychological (as FE describes), some business-related. Certainly, flirting on the boards is an inexpensive way to attract attention, screen clients and build up a clientele. But it takes lots of time and a tough constitution. For others, it's easier to simply take out an ad in a publication, whether a classified NY Mag-style ad, or a display ad in the back of the Village Voice (and, yes, I know both pubs accept both types of ads -- this was just shorthand for illustrative purposes), or an online ad in Eros, CityVibe, etc. It also depends on what type of market you're targeting. Others, still, prefer to remain entirely UTR, relying strictly on word of mouth to build their business.

There are pros and cons to each approach. If you want an appointment every hour, eight hours a day, word of mouth might not fulfill your business plan fast enough. On the other hand, if you're a high-end independent provider, word of mouth might be just the ticket.

This industry is diverse and multifaceted. There's no "one-size-fits-all" answer.

[justlooking]

I just have to interject that Emily's last post is exactly why I think public reviews on coed boards are inhumane. I don't think I'd have the stomach to do one.

[desilove]

or an online ad in Eros, CityVibe, etc. .

ok ive been meaning to ask a question..i have an ad on cityvibe BUT i did NOTplace it...it is a very oldpost from CL that someone apparently cut and paste and advert for me..i hv *****ed repeatedly to the site to hv it removed explaining i never placed it and i get NO reply..i get atleast 10 *****s from this ad a day and never take or reply to an app request to this ad..so can someone pls explain to me what is this city vibe and how did my ad get on it?

[fairemily]

ok ive been meaning to ask a question..i have an ad on cityvibe BUT i did NOTplace it...it is a very oldpost from CL that someone apparently cut and paste and advert for me..i hv *****ed repeatedly to the site to hv it removed explaining i never placed it and i get NO reply..i get atleast 10 *****s from this ad a day and never take or reply to an app request to this ad..so can someone pls explain to me what is this city vibe and how did my ad get on it?

I am also on cityvibe and I never placed an ad. What is the deal?

[desilove]

I am also on cityvibe and I never placed an ad. What is the deal?

wish i knew...i know its been up for a good 5 months..i startedgetting replies to it back in may i think but never new what people meant when they said they found me on cityvibe but since it was in my cl inbox i figured it was some new name for craigslist until recently...they sure arent helpful to having it taken donw...from what i found so far city vibe has some connection to TERs but i never placed an ad on aters either...xox

[UG Staff]

Cityvibe has done that for a long time. They also have a cross posting deal with TER. At least they stopped doing it and then extortting the girls when they wouldn't pay for the ad. One girl apparently got pissed off about it, so they posted her ad as a TS. Read back issues here about it.

[fairemily]

Cityvibe has done that for a long time. They also have a cross posting deal with TER. At least they stopped doing it and then extortting the girls when they wouldn't pay for the ad. One girl apparently got pissed off about it, so they posted her ad as a TS. Read back issues here about it.

That's horrible. I was always told to stay away from cityvibe before I even advertised on the Internet. I never asked to to take it down in case I did put it up and forgot but I will now.

[desilove]

That's horrible. I was always told to stay away from cityvibe before I even advertised on the Internet. I never asked to to take it down in case I did put it up and forgot but I will now.

good luck emily..i hv been asking for it to be removed for over a month now and havent even goteen a reply...let me know if you hv better success then i am...xox

[PistlPete]

I took a press today and it was quite bland to leaf through. Long live the VV with the fake pics.

It's gotten even more bland now that they have also eliminated the written provider ads.

[LaylaSouth]

Since being brought out, the NYPress is on a campaign to rid itself of "explicit advertising."

http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2007/08/ny-press-escort.html
http://www.observer.com/2007/new-york-press-layoffs-circulation-drop-and-no-more-hooker-ads
http://nopornnorthampton.org/2007/08/13/new-york-press-no-longer-marketing-arm-for-prostitution-trafficking.aspx
http://www.nysun.com/article/60598?page_no=1



Some very imformative info .
No wonder CL gets so much traffic now days ...

[Monk]

Well, the fact is that CL has been getting a lot of traffic, regardless. A question that comes to mind is whether it's the same traffic. Are the same people who used to look for escort ads in NY Press migrating online. Or, are they two distinctly different markets? (Some people on this board have suggested that the online community actually represents a small portion of the total market, for example. And, often, the same people who read hardcopy newspapers aren't the same people who go online for their news.)

[Tall New Yorker]

Aside from the political pressure from NOW, this is a horrible business move for NYP. From my own experience, the publication's ads have a minimal response rate to the point where I terminated a contract for a "straight" business For his own sake, I hope the new owner has a reasonable plan to turn things around. The adult ads may be the most successful ones in his publication.

[PhoenixAdult]

Cityvibe has done that for a long time. They also have a cross posting deal with TER. At least they stopped doing it and then extortting the girls when they wouldn't pay for the ad. One girl apparently got pissed off about it, so they posted her ad as a TS. Read back issues here about it.

I'm bumping this old thread after being linked from it somewhere else. But this is definitely a common complaint I have heard from girls placing ads with me. They ask me if I know anything about CV because they are constantly getting calls asking for them to place an ad or from someone saying they saw them on there. I think the site is poorly designed and can't compete with others that are more organized.

And I love that these publications are admitting to losing all that money, but feel its best for them. Our paper has news, arts, and the adult section. Adult is a completely separate pull out section, yet some retail advertisers refuse to spend money with us using the excuse they don't want to be associated with adult content. Not once has the publisher ever considered dropping the adult content. These retail advertisers realize they need us more than we need them and advertise anyways. Not having adult would kill our circulation.

[Slinky Bender]

BTW The Village Voice is making a fucking mint off their Adult section, now mor than ever that the direct competitors (i.e. the other papers in those plastic boxes on every corner*).


* I think they are protecxted somehow by the First Amendment, but I personally think it's total bullshit that all these papers get free placement wherever they feel like. They should have to pay some City tax or som,ething for each box each year. Think of the revenue which the city sorely needs right now.

[PhoenixAdult]

I don't know if it is currently in effect, but Boston is pushing for the free newspapers to be charged $30 a box.

[Monk]

There has been a bunch of litigation over this in New York and, I think, the upshot is that free publications are allowed access to the streets on First Amendment grounds. However, you'll see in certain neighborhoods where the BIDs (Business Improvement Districts), which are semi-privately run organizations, have paid for specially constructed newspaper stands to cut down on the clutter.

[PhoenixAdult]

They tried changing the rules of what the stands could look like here, but nothing ever came of it. Our boxes are solid bright red plastic with a front window. For security they were going to require all boxes to be clear with certain measurement. It could only have one logo as well. We had the boxes made and used them as test boxes. They looked horrible and apparently the rule was never upheld as no other publication has followed through. There are so many free publications in Boston, reducing clutter would be nice, but I don't see it happening.

[Monk]

The boxes I'm referring to are about six or eight feet wide and divided up so that each publication has its own space. There's a door with a clear plastic window for each pub, and I think its name is stenciled in white above its window. Something like that, anyway. I think the boxes are painted dark green, and they are kept more or less neat by the BID's employees, who are out on the streets collecting garbage throughout the day.

[Slinky Bender]

And we know who their "employees" are.