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.