Platform-by-Platform Setup Guide — Provider Guide

The platform landscape for sex workers changes constantly. Sites launch, get seized, change policies, or fall out of favour. What doesn't change is the fundamental principle: you need to be visible where your ideal clients are looking. This guide walks through every major platform, explains how to optimise your presence on each, and helps you decide where to focus your energy. The key is not being on every platform — it's being excellent on the right ones.

We've organised this guide from the most established platforms to more niche options, finishing with your own website and social media. Each section covers setup, optimisation tips, and the practical knowledge that experienced providers accumulate over time. The platform comparison matrix at the end helps you map out your own multi-platform strategy based on your location, price point, and goals. For broader marketing strategy including branding, photo tips, and social media tactics, see our Marketing Guide.

Platform risk is real. Never put all your eggs in one basket. Sites get shut down, accounts get banned, and policies change overnight. Always maintain at least two advertising channels plus your own website. Diversification isn't optional — it's survival strategy.

AdultWork

AdultWork is the dominant platform in the UK and has significant reach across parts of Europe. If you work in the UK, you almost certainly need to be on AdultWork. It's also the most feature-rich platform available, which means it rewards providers who take the time to optimise.

Profile Optimisation

Your AdultWork profile has several sections, and each one matters. Your headline should be specific and personality-driven, not generic. Your description should be written in your own voice and include your location, the type of experience you offer, and your booking process. Use all available fields — services offered, rates, availability, languages spoken. Blank fields look lazy and make clients wonder what you're hiding. The platform's search algorithm favours complete profiles, so filling everything out also improves your visibility in search results.

Gallery Tips

AdultWork allows both free and premium gallery images. Your free gallery should contain your best shots — these are what appear in search results and first impressions. Include a face shot (if you show face), a clear full-body image, and one or two personality shots. Your premium gallery can contain more suggestive or explicit content. Don't put all your best photos behind the paywall; the free gallery needs to be compelling enough to generate clicks. Update your gallery regularly — the platform highlights recently updated profiles.

Field Reports and Reviews

AdultWork's field report system is one of its strongest features. Encourage satisfied clients to leave reports. Respond to field reports professionally and warmly — potential clients read these exchanges. A provider who thanks reviewers and engages with feedback appears approachable and genuine. The number and quality of your field reports directly correlates with booking volume on this platform.

Verification

Complete AdultWork's verification process immediately. Verified profiles receive a badge that significantly increases client trust. The process typically involves submitting identification documents and completing a video verification call. Yes, this means sharing your real identity with the platform — weigh this against the significant boost in credibility and visibility that verification provides. If privacy is a primary concern, research the platform's data handling policies thoroughly before submitting identification.

AdultWork's Webcam and Phone Features

Beyond escort advertising, AdultWork offers webcam and phone chat features that can generate additional income and serve as marketing for your in-person services. Clients who've interacted with you via webcam are significantly more likely to book an in-person session because they've already established a connection. These features have their own commission structure — familiarise yourself with the fee schedule before investing time.

Tryst

Tryst has become the go-to platform for independent providers in the US and has growing international adoption. It positions itself as a modern, provider-friendly alternative to the directories that dominated before FOSTA-SESTA disrupted the American market.

Profile Structure

Tryst profiles are cleaner and more visual than AdultWork. Your photos are the centrepiece, so lead with your absolute best. The platform allows a detailed bio, service tags, and rate information. Write your bio in first person and focus on personality and experience — Tryst's user base tends to be younger and more digitally savvy, so a polished, genuine voice resonates well.

Take advantage of Tryst's tag system. Clients filter by tags (services offered, body type, personality traits), so accurate, complete tagging ensures you appear in relevant searches. Don't tag services you don't actually offer — this leads to disappointed clients and negative reviews. Instead, use tags strategically to highlight what makes you unique and attract clients who specifically want what you provide.

Key Features

Tryst offers built-in screening tools, availability calendars, and the ability to list multiple locations (essential for touring providers). Use the availability calendar religiously — it reduces back-and-forth messaging and signals professionalism. The platform also allows you to link your personal website and social media, creating a connected web of your online presence.

Pricing and Reach

Tryst operates on a subscription model with different tiers. The premium tier offers significantly better visibility and features. If you're US-based and Tryst is your primary platform, the premium subscription typically pays for itself within the first additional booking it generates. Internationally, Tryst's reach varies — it's strong in Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe, but weaker in the UK (where AdultWork dominates) and Asia.

Touring on Tryst

Tryst's location-based search makes it excellent for touring providers. When you change your location setting, you immediately appear in search results for that city. Update your location a few days before you arrive so potential clients in your destination city can see you in advance and book ahead. Use the platform's tour announcement feature if available, and coordinate your Tryst location changes with announcements on your other platforms for maximum visibility in your touring city.

Slixa

Slixa positions itself as the luxury end of escort advertising. It's curated — not every application is accepted — and it deliberately maintains a smaller, more exclusive roster. This positioning has advantages and limitations.

Premium Positioning

If your rates are at the higher end of the market and your branding is polished, Slixa can be an excellent fit. The client base tends to be wealthier, more experienced, and more respectful. The platform's aesthetic standards mean your photos need to be genuinely professional — phone selfies won't cut it here. Think of Slixa as the boutique hotel of escort directories: smaller audience, but higher conversion rates and better-quality clients.

Application Process

Slixa reviews applications and may reject profiles that don't meet their aesthetic or quality standards. Submit your best professional photos, a well-written bio, and ensure your rates align with the platform's premium positioning. If you're rejected, don't take it personally — it may simply mean the platform isn't the right fit for your current branding, and you can reapply later.

Geographic Focus

Slixa has its strongest presence in major US cities — New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, and Las Vegas. Its international presence is limited. If you primarily work outside the US, Slixa may not deliver enough traffic to justify the investment.

Maximising Your Slixa Profile

Slixa's editorial-style layout means your written content matters more here than on most platforms. Write a bio that reads like a magazine profile, not an ad. Use the full range of their profile features — interests, travel schedule, blog posts. The platform rewards providers who contribute content regularly. If you write well, Slixa can become a showcase for your personality that justifies premium rates to clients who are used to paying for quality.

Regional Escort Directories

Beyond the major platforms, every region has local directories that can be significant traffic sources. These are often less polished than the big platforms but can deliver strong results because they're where local clients search first.

UK and Ireland

Beyond AdultWork, consider Vivastreet (despite its mixed reputation, it still generates traffic), UKPunting-adjacent directories, and local classified sites. Regional city-specific forums and directories can also be valuable if you work primarily in one area. Some UK providers also list on Smooci, which allows clients to book sessions directly through the platform with built-in verification.

Europe

Each European country has its dominant platforms. Erobella and Kaufmich serve the German market, Sexjobs covers the Netherlands and Belgium, and Escortreal and similar sites operate across Southern and Eastern Europe. If you tour in Europe, maintaining profiles on country-specific directories for each city you visit is worth the effort. Language matters — having your profile translated into the local language of each directory significantly increases engagement. Even a machine translation that you've reviewed and corrected is better than English-only on a German or Dutch platform.

Australia and New Zealand

Scarlet Blue is the premium Australian directory, with a strong review culture. Punter Planet has an active forum and review community. New Zealand's regulated market has its own set of directories and platforms tied to managed premises.

Asia and Other Regions

Smooci has gained traction in Southeast Asia. In other Asian markets, local platforms and agency sites dominate. Do thorough research on region-specific platforms before expanding into new markets — the landscape varies dramatically.

Personal Websites

We covered this in the marketing guide, but it bears repeating here because a personal website is not optional — it's the foundation of your entire platform strategy. Every other platform is borrowed space. Your website is yours.

WordPress

WordPress is the most flexible option. You need a sex-work-friendly hosting provider (several exist — research current options as the landscape changes), a domain, and a theme. The learning curve is moderate, but the control and customisation possibilities are unmatched. You can add a blog, integrate booking systems, build a gallery, and optimise for search engines. Many WordPress themes designed for the adult industry are available.

Squarespace

Squarespace offers beautiful templates and is much easier to set up than WordPress. The trade-off is less flexibility and the risk that Squarespace may enforce their terms of service against adult content. Many providers have used Squarespace successfully for years without issues, but have a migration plan ready. Keep your site tasteful and avoid explicitly sexual imagery — Squarespace is more likely to act against overtly pornographic content than against escort sites with professional, suggestive imagery.

Why You Need One

Your website serves as your digital home base. It's where you send clients when platforms go down. It's where Google indexes your name. It's where you control the narrative about who you are and what you offer without any platform's editorial policies constraining you. It's also a credibility signal — clients view providers with professional websites as more established and trustworthy. Even a simple one-page site with your photos, bio, rates, and contact information is infinitely better than having no web presence you control.

Website Essentials

Your website should include, at minimum: a gallery of current photos, a written bio or about page, your rates (or a statement directing clients to inquire), your screening requirements, your current location and touring schedule, a contact method (form, email, or phone — ideally not your personal number), and a FAQ section answering common questions about deposits, cancellation policies, and what to expect. Optional but valuable additions: a blog (boosts SEO), testimonials or review excerpts (builds social proof), and a mailing list signup (captures leads for future marketing). Every additional page gives search engines more content to index and gives potential clients more reasons to choose you.

Website Security

Use HTTPS (an SSL certificate, which most hosts provide free). Password-protect any admin areas. Use a privacy-focused domain registrar that shields your personal details from WHOIS lookups. Don't put your real name, address, or personal email anywhere on the site or in the site's metadata. If you use analytics (Google Analytics or a privacy-respecting alternative like Plausible), make sure the tracking code doesn't reveal personal information. Your website should enhance your professional presence without compromising your personal security.

Social Media as a Platform

Twitter / X

Twitter functions as both a marketing channel and a quasi-platform. Many providers receive direct bookings through Twitter DMs, especially during touring. Maintain an active presence, engage authentically, and include your booking link in your bio. Twitter's search function means new clients can discover you through hashtags and engagement with other providers.

Reddit can drive significant traffic if used correctly. Subreddits specific to your city, service type, or niche can be valuable. Post genuine content — Reddit users are hostile to overt self-promotion but receptive to providers who participate authentically in discussions. Verification on relevant subreddits adds credibility. Be aware that Reddit's content policies are inconsistent and change periodically.

OnlyFans and Fansly

Content platforms serve a dual purpose: direct revenue from subscriptions and content sales, plus marketing funnel for in-person bookings. If you create content, these platforms let subscribers develop familiarity and attachment that converts to bookings. The key is consistency — irregular posting kills subscriber retention. Even two to three posts per week maintains engagement. Price your subscription to attract genuine fans, not bargain hunters.

Telegram and Signal

Some providers use Telegram channels or Signal groups as broadcast tools for tour announcements, availability updates, and promotions. These bypass the algorithmic visibility issues of social media and deliver messages directly to subscribers. Telegram channels are particularly useful because subscribers can't see each other or message you publicly — they receive your broadcasts in a private, one-directional feed. This is a simple but effective tool for client retention and touring marketing.

Platform Comparison Matrix

Here's how the major platforms compare across the factors that matter most to your business.

Fees

AdultWork: Free to join with commission on bookings made through the platform (typically around 10%). Premium features available for additional fees. Tryst: Monthly subscription model, ranging from basic (free with limited features) to premium tiers. Slixa: Monthly listing fee, varies by city and placement. Personal website: Annual hosting and domain costs, typically fifty to two hundred pounds or dollars per year. Twitter/Reddit: Free, but time investment is the cost.

Reach and Audience

AdultWork: Massive UK reach, moderate European reach. Broad client demographic. Tryst: Strong US and Canadian reach, growing internationally. Tends toward younger, tech-savvy clients. Slixa: Smaller but more affluent audience, concentrated in major US cities. Regional directories: Vary enormously by location — essential for local markets. Social media: Organic reach requires consistent effort but can build a loyal following over time.

Safety Features

AdultWork: Verification system, field reports, flagging mechanisms. Tryst: Built-in screening tools, identity verification. Slixa: Curated listings provide implicit quality control. Personal website: No built-in safety features — you control everything but also bear full responsibility. Social media: Limited safety features; rely on blocking and reporting tools.

Control

Your website: Full control — you own everything. Social media: High creative control, but the platform can ban you at any time. Tryst and Slixa: Moderate control within their templates. AdultWork: Structured profiles with less creative freedom but strong infrastructure.

Recommended Strategy

For most providers, the optimal approach is: one major platform (AdultWork in the UK, Tryst in the US/Canada), one or two supporting directories (regional sites, Slixa if you're premium), your own website, and active Twitter presence. This gives you reach, redundancy, and control. As your business grows, expand to additional platforms strategically — but never at the expense of quality on your core channels. A mediocre presence on six platforms is far less effective than an excellent presence on three.

Platform Migration and Backup

When a platform changes its policies, raises fees, or shuts down entirely, you need to be ready to migrate. Preparation is everything.

Content Backups

Keep local copies of everything you upload to any platform: all photos (original, high-resolution files), your complete profile text, your rate card, and your review history (screenshot or download regularly). If a platform disappears tomorrow, you should be able to reconstruct your presence on a new platform within hours, not weeks. Store backups on an encrypted external drive or a secure cloud service — not just on your phone, which can be lost, broken, or seized.

Client Contact Portability

Never rely on a platform's internal messaging system as your sole point of contact with clients. When a relationship develops with a repeat client, move communication to a channel you control — a work email address, a work phone number, or an encrypted messaging app. If AdultWork's servers go down tomorrow, you should still be able to reach your regular clients. Similarly, maintain a private, encrypted list of your regular clients' contact information and preferences, so you're not starting from zero if you switch platforms.

Platform Shutdown Protocol

Have a written plan for what you'll do if your primary platform becomes unavailable. Which backup platform will you move to? How will you notify existing clients? Where will you redirect traffic? Having this plan ready — even if you never need it — means you can act immediately rather than scrambling while your income stops. Update this plan annually as the platform landscape changes.

Analytics and Performance Tracking

Most providers don't track their platform performance, which means they have no data to inform their marketing decisions. Even basic tracking can give you a significant advantage.

What to Track

At minimum, track: which platform each booking comes from, your booking conversion rate (inquiries received vs. sessions booked), which days and times generate the most inquiries, and which profile changes or photo updates correlate with booking increases. A simple spreadsheet updated after each booking is all you need. Over time, this data reveals patterns that no amount of guessing can match.

Using Data to Optimise

If 80% of your bookings come from one platform, that platform deserves the most attention and investment. If a specific photo update led to a noticeable increase in inquiries, that tells you something about what attracts your ideal client. If certain days are consistently slow, that's when you should focus your advertising spend rather than wasting it on days you're already fully booked. Data-driven decisions aren't glamorous, but they're what separates providers who are busy from providers who are strategically successful.

A/B Testing

On platforms that allow it, experiment with different headlines, descriptions, and lead photos. Run one version for two weeks, then switch to another, and compare the inquiry rates. This is how professional marketers optimise campaigns, and it works just as well for escort advertising. Small changes — a different headline, a different lead photo, a reorganised description — can produce surprisingly significant changes in inquiry volume and quality.

Managing Your Digital Footprint

Everything you post online contributes to your digital footprint. Being strategic about this footprint protects both your privacy and your brand.

Separation of Identities

Never mix your work identity and personal identity online. Use separate email addresses, separate phone numbers, separate social media accounts, and separate devices if possible. A single crossover — one photo posted to both a personal and work account, one email sent from the wrong address — can permanently link your identities in ways that are very difficult to undo. See our operational security resources for detailed guidance.

Content That Persists

Assume that everything you post online will exist forever. Photos you upload to a platform may be cached by search engines, scraped by aggregator sites, or downloaded by users. Before posting anything, ask yourself: would I be comfortable with this content existing indefinitely, potentially outside my control? This isn't about paranoia — it's about informed consent regarding your own image and information.

Watermark your photos consistently across all platforms — this both protects against theft and builds brand recognition. Use a semi-transparent mark that's visible but doesn't dominate the image. Place it where it can't be easily cropped out. Some providers add metadata to their image files (invisible to viewers but embedded in the file) that can help prove ownership in disputes.

Removing Unwanted Content

If your photos or information appear on sites you didn't authorise, many jurisdictions have legal frameworks for requesting removal. DMCA takedown notices (US), GDPR right-to-erasure requests (EU/UK), and similar mechanisms exist in other regions. Document the unauthorised use, send a formal removal request, and escalate to legal action if necessary. Many providers find that a firmly worded legal letter from a solicitor is sufficient to get content removed quickly.

Stay adaptable. The platform landscape changes constantly. Sites get shut down, new ones emerge, and policies shift. Check in with your provider community regularly to stay informed about platform changes. What works today may not work in six months. The providers who thrive long-term are the ones who diversify and adapt.