In this day and age, if you want to even be taken seriously as a 'part-time'-something, you need to show that you've put some serious effort in. I wouldn't hire a part-time plumber who hadn't actually done any plumbing training - it'd be cheaper, but so much more likely to be a disaster?

Someone above has already mentioned 'refining' your business - possibly you yourself, massageman, and it seems to me that as you've just said that the sex/sensual side is 100% NOT guaranteed, you should work the angle of An Excellent Massage Available To All Women much harder.

Point taken. It's that old problem of not knowing if there's actually a market for what ever it is you're providing.
The 'Sex Work' business is well established for working girls, but there is an undercurrent of something yet undefined which leaves a potential expanding market in 'Sex Work' for working guys offering services to women. At the moment, that seems to consist of bullshitters and men who seem to approach it with a less than professional attitude. I realise I'm no expert yet, but the groundwork and research should all help me to be in a position to take advantage of what I see as a change in attitude toward this subject. As I consider myself to be an excellent masseur who offers 'extras' as opposed to a 'sex worker' who gives a good massage, you are probably right about the qualification part, it does become more important for new and potential clients to know they are getting a 'professional massage'.

Being able to write on your site that you've got qualifications and proof of your skills would make it look better than a bit of a vague massage+possibly something else if you're attractive offer.

It's not exactly like that. It's really only intercourse that's at my discretion, I have no problem with any other sexual contact with people who I don't find physically attractive, but finding diplomatic ways to put these things on a website is not easy and I really didn't want the website to be explicit in any way... more erotic and with maybe a little intentional ambiguity. The people who have found the site have commented that it is good and that it helped them to make their minds up to come and see me instead of any of the other dozens of men who advertise online, with the exception of Amy above who has taken a dislike to my animated rings (which I will remove today).

Have you really spent time thinking about your potential clients? I'm not sure why a woman would want a cheap massage from a random man. On the other hand, a good value excellent massage would be appealing, especially with perhaps a little sexual play from a fit, personable, skilled man would be something you couldn't necessarily get for free by just standing in a public place and asking the first guy who walks past.

For a massage, it's not a cheap massage, it is intentionally comparable to what someone would expect to pay for a normal aromatherapy massage. The Tantric massage part is a recent development in the sex industry and the one where the most opportunities seem to be for me.
I already know that women can get a one night stand if they want one (and I believe most don't) with probably really bad unsatisfying sex, what they can't get is a real satisfying sensual/sexual pampering where there is no pressure to reciprocate. I genuinely believe that human touch is important to people and that even a 'normal' massage done covered with a towel is or can be a sensual and very pleasing experience. The clients who I have at the moment come to me because they want some gentle pampering attention and it really is a 'time out' for them where they can relax and fully lower their inhibitions.

I haven't looked at your site and I think it must be hard to write as a man offering to touch women without sounding vaguely sleazy and offputting. But I'm sure you can do it and it would be easier if you play the professional massage angle and maybe just put it out there that if they want, they can have an orgasm, too. Woo. In fact, if you can guarantee that, I might make a booking. Ta.

Hahaha - Guaranteeing an orgasm would be great... if only
Actually the only thing I guarantee is my complete attention and I strive to offer an experience that is uniquely pleasurable.

Thanks again to everyone for your guidance - I really appreciate all this help

Looking into massage courses, I found one in my area (well close enough in Sheffield or Leeds).
2 day course in Swedish Massage (accredited by Guild of Holistic Therapists) ?240
and then you need to do a home study course in Anatomy & Physiology ?125

But this then leaves you in a position to advertise yourself as 'Qualified'

http://www.akashatraining.com

Mmmmmm... ?365 may be money well spent, I think I'll do that if the word 'qualified' is going to have a better response than the word 'experienced'

In other news - I've removed the animated ringy thingies and made some of the slight type amends to the website too.

I'm not sure it is tax deductible, I looked into it and I think you can only claim for training in quite specific circumstances.

Steve, I'm afraid I have another visual quibble. I have a large screen so I get to see loads of your stripy background and it makes my eyes go funny.

Also, this thread really belongs in questions and answers now, and I like thread titles to give an idea of the topic of discussion. I can edit the title or you can do it, and I'll do the move in a bit.

Steve

A great website will really help you

[link deleted]

These guys are the best and very genuine people.  I know its an investment but we always get such good feedback on our site and its your shop window at the end of the day

hey just wanted to tell you that i have always fantasised about getting a massage from a hot guy who then takes liberties....but only if he's hot...if he's not then i wouldnt want his advances...its a bit difficult isnt it getting the advertising right and the look right....for eg seeing your naked bod is nice and all but when its in conjunct with the main thrust  of you offering massage, then i feel uneasy, i am thinking: 'man taking liberties' etc....i know i know i'm contradicting myself haha...i'm thinking maybe you shouldnt show yourself naked....maybe just your torso and have a pic of yourself with naked torso massaging a ladies back...sensuality without it being in your face....as there are many ladies who maybe have same fantasies as me, but arent as comfy with nudity in the initial stages...if you want to appeal to a broad expanse of women then i would say tone it down, take out the cock pics (sorry!), emphasise the 'sensuality' aspect and then on another separate page be explicit in coming out with it straight, rather than beating around our bushes...haha...say something like: if during the massage you would like to take things further in a sexual way then that is fine with me, just let me know....(or something)...as for advertising, i think newsagents is a great idea, or gyms, cafe's, places that ordinary people go is what i would suggest....xxx

well personally i am always looking for a massage as sometimes i need one and sometimes i just want one.  i  would never dream of looking thru a magazine for a masseuse....i would either pass an ad as i'm walking along, and think: ooo...or i would search online for masseuses.....that's why the thought just occurred to me that maybe you should change your 'name' to imply what you are offering....massageman doesnt tell us what you are about....also another thing, most women at some point in their life have had a guy say, oh let me give you a massage....which in their speak means, let me get in your pants in a seemingly legit way, but really its a sneaky way....so actually i was re-thinking what i said to you in prev msg....yes most people think of sex when getting a massage becuz its sensual, its naked flesh being manipulated, you cant help but think hot thoughts...and even if you were the most hot guy in universe, if you took liberties WITHOUT ASKING PERMISSION FIRST, then the woman would feel conned and resentful and violated.....so what i'm saying as far as your service goes...you need to have a very clear statement saying: if you want us to get sexual that is fine with me, but you need to give me the ok first.  i wont ask or expect anything from you.  Until and unless you give me permission to go that route.  remember that scene in sex and the city where samantha heard that a masseuse at the gym was going down on women so she booked an appt? haha....word of mouth is best -and if this is what you wanna do, you cant pick and choose what women you 'do' and which you 'dont'....as this is a massage with a diff, then that partic policy just wont wash me thinks.....anyway, just further thoughts that i thought i would share with you....if it was me, i would advertise in women only clinics etc....hee hee....xxx

haha....word of mouth is best -and if this is what you wanna do, you cant pick and choose what women you 'do' and which you 'dont'....as this is a massage with a diff, then that partic policy just wont wash me thinks...

I think you are rather complicating things, massageman, by offering services that are neither guaranteed nor have any qualifications backing them up.

If you're offering sexual services, I think that it's up to the woman who books you whether you provide them or not. You mustn't just wait for a fit bird to come in for a massage and then spring it on her that you also offer oral and boob-groping. As wowsers said, you really need to be upfront in order to avoid coming across as a creepy git. I personally dislike a website full of euphemistic crap - "sensual times" and all that. A bit is fine but frankly, I don't wanna look at a website that's just confusing and point-missing. Do you not want to write simply, "Sexual services are available" because then you might get someone ugly asking for them? You can always add, "at discretion" which is a failsafe charm, sort of.

On the other hand, if you can't guarantee sexual services to any woman that wants to book, then that's fine but does mean that you're not an escort and should head down the 'professional massage only' route by studying something relevant.

Hmm. Boyfriends are best for massages. Maybe you could try marketing yourself as a Professional Boyfriend rather than untrained masseuse? Then you could also talk about lovely days out and fun trips to the theatre before heading home for a foot rub and home-made dinner served... Ugh, or I may be still mad from the flu.