Hi everyone,
I’m completely new to this so I’m hoping to soak up as much knowledge as possible from you lovely experts if I can!
I’m at square one and have a lot to learn, but don’t quite know where to start. I have a profile on AW and am planning on offering mild Domme kink-related sessions. This might change depending on how things go and evolve.

I have a few questions if that’s okay -

Is it a good idea to buy a second phone and have a pay as you go sim to arrange my bookings, rather than using my own number? Is that what everyone generally does?

How does everyone screen their booking requests? I read an article online that said to ask for a selfie with their driving licence or passport - is this too much to ask? I would have assumed it would put most clients off for fear of being outed or their identity used etc. What other ways I could screen potential clients?

Is it okay to work from my home address? If not, where/how do I work? I won’t be taking enough bookings to cover the cost of renting another property
I’ve considered the pros and cons of doing in calls and out calls
In call pros - no travelling, no risk of hidden cameras, I’m comfortable in my own home, I have a video intercom
In call cons - client knows my address and could turn up to cause issues, neighbours are sometimes nosy (I live in a block of flats and you have to walk past other people’s doors to get to mine) and I think they’d realise what I’m doing if I take more than a couple of bookings a week (does this/will this even matter.. how do other people deal with this?)
Out call pros - client doesn’t know my address
Out call cons - risk of hidden camera or additional people there, if I travel and they cancel it’s a waste of time and money, uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings

How do you try to keep yourself safe, for example if I have a client coming over, should I tell someone his name, number, what time the session is booked until and message them afterwards to let them know I’m okay? I’ve told one friend that I’m considering sex work and I’d be able to tell her, but she also has a life of her own and a job, so she may not see my messages instantly, and I can’t expect her to be my ‘look out’ forever.

If there are already guides and posts that cover these things, please could someone point me in the right direction, I really appreciate it. I’m sure I’ll have missed glaringly obvious things so please let me know absolutely anything and everything. Thank you for any advice and guidance!

Oh my word. I knew there'd be something somewhere! Thanks 

Still happy to receive any advice and recommendations! I'm off to read the main site..

Thanks for replying.
Definitely makes far more sense it being about HOW they are, not WHO they are thanks

One particular neighbour is retired, is a bit of a busy body and likes to be the unofficial spokesperson for the building. It's a small block of flats owned by one company, it's gated with a video intercom and there are security cameras on the building. This neighbour has a door cam, even though no strangers can walk into the gardens/building without a key or being buzzed in so I'm not sure why they have it. The only footage they'll ever have seen on their cam is myself and another neighbour when we walk past the camera going to and from our flats. I'm just concerned they might report me for some kind of suspicious activity. Though this is just a 'what if' worry at the moment. It may not be a problem in the end

I'll get myself a phone and SIM tomorrow! I'll look into the security buddy too
Thanks

Feel free to message me as I have a plethora of knowledge & never tire of questions.

Or post the questions here and then everybody can answer, since what works for one sex worker won't be appropriate for another

Well that's really what the main site is for, since it was written using contributions from many different sex workers (as is the forum, which is the offshoot). This is why the forum rules include

Please don't send or solicit PMs for general advice that would go just as well on the main board. We're concerned that some people may style themselves as experts and privately advise new members on subjects where it would be more useful for them to have input from other members as well - what works for them may not work or be appropriate for you.

because no one person can ever tell anybody else how to work (and which is why we have the 'I would... NOT you should...' rule on the board itself

Thanks for the replies! Still haven't taken the plunge but feel like I'm about ready to. Gunna see if I can get some advice on hotels in the area and start taking bookings