How to Start an Escort Job the Smart and Safe Way
Starting an escort job isn’t like applying for a retail job or signing up for a delivery gig. It’s personal, it’s legal gray territory in many places, and if you don’t set boundaries early, you’ll regret it. You don’t need to be reckless to make money. You don’t need to take risks to feel empowered. You just need to be smart. And safe.
Know the Law Where You Live
In the UK, selling sexual services isn’t illegal-but many related activities are. Soliciting in a public place, running a brothel, or pimping are crimes. That means you can legally work alone, from your own home or a client’s place, as long as you’re not sharing space with others for the purpose of prostitution. This matters. If you’re in Brighton, you can advertise online and meet clients privately. But if you start working out of a flat with two other people, you’re crossing a line. The police don’t target individual sex workers unless there’s a complaint or exploitation involved. Your goal? Stay invisible to them. Not because you’re hiding, but because you’re operating cleanly.Use AdultWork-But Do It Right
AdultWork is the most trusted platform for independent escorts in the UK. It’s not the flashiest, but it’s the most reliable. Thousands of women use it daily. The site doesn’t allow photos with nudity, which keeps it out of the worst legal traps. You can list your services, rates, location, and availability without breaking rules. Don’t use social media to advertise. Instagram, TikTok, Facebook-they’ll ban you fast. AdultWork has filters, reporting tools, and a verified profile system. That’s your safety net.When you create your profile, be clear. Not vague. Say exactly what you offer: “Massage,” “Companionship,” “Evening Out,” “Overnight.” Avoid slang like “full service” or “everything.” Use plain language. Clients who know what they want will find you. Those who don’t? They’ll move on. You don’t need everyone. You need the right ones.
Screen Every Client-No Exceptions
Screening isn’t optional. It’s your first line of defense. Always ask for a full name, phone number, and a photo of them holding a handwritten note with today’s date. Use a reverse phone lookup tool. Check if their name shows up in any sex worker safety databases like Victims of Crime or Safe Sex Worker. If they refuse to provide any of this, say no. No matter how much they promise to pay. One bad experience can cost you more than money-it can cost you your safety.Never meet a client for the first time at your home. Always pick a neutral location: a hotel room, a serviced apartment, or a private room in a place you’ve booked in advance. Use Booking.com or Airbnb with a credit card under your name. That way, there’s a record. If something goes wrong, you have proof of where you were.
Set Your Boundaries-And Stick to Them
You are not here to please everyone. You’re here to earn money on your terms. Decide your limits before you even post your profile. What services are you willing to offer? What’s off-limits? Hard limits include anything involving drugs, violence, public acts, or anal without a condom. Write these down. Print them. Keep them on your phone and in your bag. If a client pushes you, you say: “That’s not part of my services.” Then you leave. No apologies. No explanations.Some clients will try to negotiate lower rates. Some will ask for extra time. Some will act like they’re doing you a favor. Don’t fall for it. You’re the professional. Your time is valuable. If they don’t respect your price, they don’t respect you. Walk away. There’s always another client waiting.
Use a Safety System
You need a safety system. Not a friend who says, “Call me if you’re okay.” That’s not enough. You need a structured check-in. Use an app like EscortSafe or SafeRide. These apps let you set a timer. When you arrive at a client’s place, you tap “Arrived.” When you leave, you tap “Left.” If you don’t tap within the time limit, the app sends an alert to three pre-set contacts with your location and last known client details. It’s automatic. It’s silent. It’s life-saving.Also, keep a burner phone. Not your personal one. Use it only for escort work. Pay cash for it. Don’t link it to your email or social media. Change the number every three months. That way, if someone tries to track you down later, they can’t.
Protect Your Identity
Use a pseudonym. Not “Lily” or “Jasmine.” Something neutral. Like “Claire M.” or “Ellie R.” Don’t use your real last name. Don’t use your face in photos unless you’re okay with it being on Google forever. Use a professional photographer if you can afford it. Avoid selfies. Avoid filters that make you look unrecognizable-clients want to know what they’re getting. But don’t give them your full identity.Never give out your home address. Even if you’re working from home, use a PO box or a virtual mailbox service. Mail from clients should go there, not to your house. If you’re meeting clients at hotels, use your first name only. Don’t let them call you by your real name. That’s your privacy shield.
Manage Your Money Like a Business
This isn’t side cash. This is income. Treat it like a business. Open a separate bank account. Don’t deposit cash directly. Use a cash-to-bank service like PayPoint or Post Office. Keep receipts. Track every payment. Save 30% for taxes. Even if you’re not officially registered, HMRC can still come after you if you earn over £1,000 a year. You don’t want to be caught off guard.Use apps like QuickBooks Self-Employed or Wave to log your income and expenses. Track things like transportation, phone bills, photography, and cleaning supplies. You can claim these as business costs. That reduces your taxable income. You’re not hiding money. You’re running a legitimate operation.
Build a Support Network
You don’t have to do this alone. Join online communities like the UK Sex Workers’ Advocacy Group or SWARM. These aren’t forums for gossip. They’re places to share safety tips, legal updates, and mental health resources. Talk to others who’ve been doing this for years. Learn from their mistakes. You’ll avoid the traps they fell into.Therapy is also a smart investment. Many sex workers see counselors who specialize in trauma or stigma. You’re not broken for doing this. But the world can be harsh. Having someone to talk to who doesn’t judge you? That’s worth more than any client’s tip.
Know When to Stop
This job isn’t forever. Most people do it for a year or two-until they save enough to move on. Maybe to start a business. Maybe to go back to school. Maybe just to breathe without looking over their shoulder. There’s no shame in leaving. If you feel tired, scared, or drained, it’s okay to walk away. You don’t need to prove anything. Your worth isn’t tied to how long you stay in this line of work.Plan your exit before you start. What’s your goal? £10,000 saved? A new skill? A fresh start? Write it down. Keep it visible. When the pressure builds, look at it. Remind yourself why you started-and why you’ll leave when the time is right.
Is it legal to be an escort in the UK?
Yes, selling sexual services is legal in the UK as long as you work alone and don’t manage or profit from others’ work. Advertising online is allowed on platforms like AdultWork, but soliciting in public or running a brothel is illegal. Always work independently and avoid shared spaces with other sex workers.
How do I stay safe when meeting clients?
Always screen clients using their full name, phone number, and a photo with today’s date. Never meet at your home for the first time. Use a pre-booked hotel room or serviced apartment. Use a safety app like EscortSafe to set check-in timers. Tell a trusted contact where you’re going and when you’ll return. Carry a personal alarm and keep your phone charged.
Should I use my real name on AdultWork?
No. Use a pseudonym-something simple and neutral like “Claire M.” Avoid your real last name, your hometown, or any identifying details. Never post photos with your face clearly visible unless you’re okay with them being searchable forever. Protect your identity as much as your safety.
How do I handle taxes as an escort?
If you earn more than £1,000 a year from escorting, you must declare it to HMRC. Open a separate bank account for income. Use accounting apps like Wave or QuickBooks to track payments and expenses. Claim legitimate business costs like transportation, phone bills, and photography. Save 30% for taxes. You don’t need to be registered as a business, but you do need to report your income.
What if a client becomes threatening?
Leave immediately. Don’t argue. Don’t try to reason. Get to your car, a public place, or call a friend. If you feel in danger, call 999. You don’t need to prove anything to the police-just say you felt unsafe. Many officers are trained to support sex workers. Your safety comes first. Afterward, report the client on AdultWork and warn others in private forums.
Can I work part-time as an escort?
Yes. Many people work evenings or weekends only. You control your schedule. You can take breaks, go on holiday, or pause for months. There’s no pressure to be available 24/7. Set your own hours and stick to them. This job works best when it fits your life-not the other way around.
Do I need to get tested for STIs?
Yes. Get tested every three months, even if you use condoms. Some STIs show no symptoms. Use free clinics like Brook or local sexual health services. Keep your results on file. If a client asks, you can show proof. It protects you and builds trust. Health isn’t optional-it’s part of your professionalism.
What should I do if I want to quit?
Plan ahead. Save money. Update your CV or portfolio. Reach out to organizations like The Lucy Project or SWARM-they help sex workers transition into other careers. You don’t have to disappear. You can leave with dignity. Your past work doesn’t define your future. You’ve earned the right to move on.