I disagree with the discussion in these types of threads because they are always so limited (and this is why I have ignored this for so long). IMO, quality of service and rates are not actually directly connected in the Pro Domination industry.

Professional Domination as a totally unregulated industry with almost zero barriers to entry but with great barriers to full-time employment is an example of pure capitalism within a service industry. As such, rate setting is completely arbitrary and driven by the goals/needs of a particular provider (which may be completely different from other providers) who manages a limited commodity (in this case, time) rather than some spevific formula.

Each Professional takes into account Her own needs, costs and process, as well as market forces, to make that pricing decision. Here are a couple of articles that explain general economic theory on price setting that are always partially referenced in each rate justification in this type of thread:

https://www.inc.com/guides/price-your-products.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2017/11/21/how-to-price-your-service/#72697cea29a9

Examples of factors to consider thst are specific to this service industry:

Economic Conditions - Today, we have had a long period of economic growth which allows for more potential clients based on having the wherewithall for discretionary spending. Ten years ago we were in the midst of a depression which had a very limiting effect on the number of available clients and thus what rates could be charged.

Local Market Forces - If rates within an area are "X" then attempting to charge "X + 100" will bring much fewer business opportunities than charging the same "X + 100" rate in an area where that is the standard.

Location costs - Dungeon space on an hourly basid vs a hotel (fixed cost on a daily basis) vs personally-owned dungeon space vs outcall (zero location cost) all have an effect on rate setting. This is especially true in relation to how many session hours they wish to have on any given day.

Advertising - Social Media may not cost money but it definitely costs time. Producing content for Social Media and other advertising platforms can cost time and money (although these may also offer alternative revenue streams that offset the costs). Actual advertising on platforms such as Eros, Hogspy and the banner ads above cost money. Attending events/conventions costs time and money. How much advertising a Pro Domme does translates into costs but it also translates into popularity and thus business.

Type of services offered - Sessions that are based on bodily functions (such as FTT or scent play) require much more physical prep than a spanking session. Elaborate roleplay takes a great deal more preparation than body worship. Bloodplay requires much more post-session cleanup than electrical. In some cases there are up-charges for these services, but for the most part rates are based on time rather than the particulars of a session.

Equipment - Buying a set of Victor Tella whips, a Leather by Danny sleep sack and a Venus 2000 is a hell of a lot more expensive than some ropes, cuffs, a paddle and a small tens unit off of eBay/Amazon. In the end, D/s and BDSM play are not about the equipment... But, it definitely makes a huge difference in the experience of certain types of play and what some clients are therefore willing to pay for that experience. Thus the type, quality and costs associated with a Professional's kit does have an effect on rate setting.

Costuming - Eleborate latex is much more expensive, takes much more care and requires more time than lingerie from Victoria's Secret. Other than more time, the same can be said for real leather boots vs shiny "Pleasers" and Loubiton heels vs ones from DSW. Higher end costuming may, or may not, translate into more/better clients but it is a specific provider choice that plays into their costs and thus rate setting.

Personal Process - Some Dommes need an extreme amount of time to plan, communicate, costume, get in the proper headspace, clean afterwards, etc... Others basically need an hour for prep/cleanup and about 15 minutes between clients. Process determines how many sessions are even available for a Professional to do, which again, should have an effect on rate setting.

Online/distance Domination and other income streams vs real-time sessions - This discussion is purely about real-time sessions, but how much a Professional enjoys, and how successful they are at, other parts of the industry determines where they put their time and effort. This has an effect on rate setting since they must determine what is "worth their time" since a lower real-time rate may translate into less time on these other facets.

Part-time vs Full-time - Those that do Professional Domination for supplemental income feel much less economic pressure to take sessions at a lower-rate (or sessions they don't enjoy) than those who have fully committed their lives to the Profession. For this reason, Part-Time Dommes tend to be less flexible in rate setting in my experience and usually this is reelected as a higher rate.

Lifestyle Domme vs Purely Professional - Some Professionals do it solely for the money. On a personal basis they may be a switch, a submissive or even vanilla but saw an economic opportunity and entered the market. Others are truly Dominant in every part of their life and see being a Pro Domme as an opportunity to make money at something they love to do (I even have one friend who does sessions as a means to find good personal submissives rather than being frustrated by the completely lifestyle process). In my experience, Pure Professionals tend to be more flexible in rate setting (and just about everything else), but that flexibility doesn't necessarily mean they charge less rather than more.

I am sure there are lots of other factors as well but one final, and critical, aspect we should understand is the emotional factor in rate setting. Rates can be viewed as how a Professional values Herself as a Domme rather than being a purely market or cost driven thing, so that leads to wanting to charge a higher rate regardless of whether it is what it actually best for that Professional. In addition, other Professionals may bully or put emotional pressure on a Pro Domme to charge a higher rate rather than "undercutting" the market (regardless of cost or other factors). In some cases, Dommes with much lower skillsets even charge much higher rates because they want to be "high-end" or "exclusive" (this is especially true of the Findommes who step over into sessions).

Asp