And this is the bottom line.

When someone is good at something and knows their value they tend to create a business that reflects this. Some have us have figured out that we don't have to put up with nonsense from men who don't respect us. And, personally, this is the kind of Domme I'd want to see.

This is a topic that really piqued my interest. It is a conversation I have been having with colleagues from all over the world. It was a common observation that post-pandemic, year on year, the quality of session applications is in decline.

It is an idea I've been toying with for a while. So I started charging a 50€ application fee on top of a premium tribute in April of last year.

I grew tired of applicants not reading or adhering to my terms. My minimum session duration is two hours, I require 48 hours minimum notice and a 50% deposit. Yet I continued to get requests for one hour bookings, same day bookings, "I'm an important business man and cannot pay a deposit".

Negotiating any of my terms for me is an instant block and addition to my blacklist. The amount of time I have wasted in applicatiions that didn't convert into a session is staggering. I don't think I'm alone.

So I consider this more of a screening requirement. Once they have paid an application fee and followed through on deposit after the session, I tell them they don't have to pay it again. It is like an initiation fee. I don't ask them to pay it for subsequent meetings.

Additionally, my focus is mostly online now days. So as and when I do session, I consider it a luxury. I understand that my rates and requirement of an application fee is not for everyone. But for those who definitely want to see me (as opposed to those who are just shopping around) they have no problem paying it.

While this means less sessions for me now, I am totally fine with that. But what this has led to is a higher quality of slaves who serve me on a more lifestyle basis.

So, like it or not, I do definitely see this as a trend that is gaining traction. Eight to ten years ago, deposits weren't common and now they're the norm. The market changes and adapts for good reason.

There’s definitely situations I’d be fine paying an application fee. If it was someone I knew I wanted to see and had a good chance of scheduling with I would definitely pay the fee. However many of my sessions started with an email inquiry with someone who’s ad I’d seen or with someone I just wanted some information about a possible session with. In cases like that I would not have paid an application fee just for an initial inquiry. I can definitely see the Domme point of view where it’s probably limiting inquiries to serious ones. Everyone has a different model of what works for them.

Interesting reply. Point taken. This confirms my decision for necessitating an application fee.

Every Domme I know, including myself has an abundance of information on their websites. What additional information would a potential applicant possibly need?

A "possible session" sounds like window shopping to me and someone looking for a bit of free banter. Putting an application fee in place gives me the incentive to reply to these types of emails.

A vast majority of us have fan clubs or other premium platforms now days. Chit chat is chargeable. So sending an email to "get to know" the Domme before committing to a session just isn't going to fly in this day and age

Not at all as far as my inquiries went. The last thing I was looking for was free chit chat. I wanted a session. Sometimes I had a very narrow windows when I could session and just wanted to know if they were available. Unless you are keeping a very updated schedule on your website how could I know you could see me at a CV particular time. There are just other reasons to make an email inquiry than looking for free interaction.

Thank you for the clarification. From your previous post when you said you wanted a bit more information, I see now you were referring to availability.

Unfortunately now days, even having a complicated form as an initial point of contact still results in too many exchanges that never come to fruition.

Now that I've put an application fee in place, a majority of interested first time clients contact me on a premium rate platform to inquire (obviously behind a paywall). If compatabilty is established, the next step is the application fee.

I realise this is probably off putting for slaves of a particular era. But times change. So do business models. And that is why this trend is becoming more common...

If I go on Tryst, set location to anywhere, service type BDSM, I get 76 pages of results, with about 24 ads per page, that’s roughly 1,800 Dommes and that’s just Tryst. I guarantee you they don’t all have web pages. You can argue well don’t see a Domme without a webpage but in my experience you will miss out on some terrific Dommes. I saw a Domme last year that only communicates by DM on Twitter/X. Crazy if you ask me, but to each their own.

I’m glad I started this thread, I’ve learned a lot. I’ve gone from “I won’t pay an application fee” to “I would pay a fee, but it would depend a lot on the circumstances “. Personally I’m trying to stop seeing new Dommes and focus on the ones I know I truly enjoy but that’s been a challenge for me. I tend to have a “let’s try something new” approach. But I appreciate the new perspective on fees.

I’m sure I will still reach out to some “non application fee” Dommes, but I will certainly consider “application fee” Dommes if well established with informative web pages.

Lol previous era. That’s me. There are a number of Dommes I would love to see here in the USA and in Europe. If I ever find myself in their city with the freedom and opportunity to session I’d have no problem paying an application fee if required. Whatever works for any Domme or SWer is fine with me. If I don’t want to follow their process I won’t and will have to see someone else. I don’t want to name names but there are Dommes I would definitely jump through more hoops for then others and that’s not meant as a dis to anyone. Just some I’d love to see given the opportunity. I’d imagine there’s a sweet spot for every Domme as far as procedures and rates and social media interactions go that works in their life. Probably the same for other vanilla businesses too.

Exactly. I could have written this almost word for word. I’ve been doing sessions for probably 40 years There’s alot I’ve forgotten but I’m sure some sessions started out as a sincere email inquiry about something and the Domme was encouraging and the next thing I’m saying is I am going to make this happen and I did. I’ve shocked myself at times that I was able to pull it off. Now I am in a position where it is very difficult for me to session for a number of reasons so I rarely reach out to anyone but I guess I am straying from the original topic.

This really is a fascinating topic!

It's so interesting to see such a range of opinions.

I suppose now days there are more and more Dommes cropping up (pun intended haha) so you slaves/subbies must be spoilt for choice! Interesting to know the different booking proceedures out there.

Another topic I am fascinated with right now is AI. The more advanced that becomes, the more scam artists will come of it. So I can understand from the client side why they'd want to be more prudent in their choices and why they'd want to avoid an application fee.

From my side, I am predominantly online these days. That is my main focus and I'm very comfortable with that. So I can afford to be more selective. But I understand this business model doesn't work for everyone.

C'est la vie