Picture this - It is the first day of work in a taboo industry; that is both an exciting and terrifying new leap all at once. So what do you do to ease your pre-shift jitters? Turn to Google, and type in ‘tips for new sex workers,’ only to discover there is barely any information to be found. Here at Venus Babes in Braeside, we remember our first days and wanted to provide an open and honest guide to getting started in the world of brothels and escorting.

You Only Need One Outfit

Often new workers believe they must buy the most extravagant lingerie sets and the highest pleasers they can find. Truth is - most clients really do not mind. This is not to say you should never spoil yourself with beautiful things; however please do not think that having a set every shift is essential to making money. I know some workers who have been rocking the same fit their whole career and they can supplement their whole lifestyle with sex work. At the end of the day, lingerie is nice, but confidence really is your best friend. Some of our favourite places to buy sets are Sexy Land and Club X (bonus points - mention you are in the sex work industry and get an industry discount). Our big beautiful women in Australia can check out the City Chic DFO and maybe ask them about their buy one get one free bra deals for members.

X (Twitter) is Your Best Friend

Many platforms are not nice to members of the sex work industry because for some reason they are very offended by the human body. Twitter, however, allows you to get away with quite a bit. If you have never heard of NSFW Twitter take a deep dive into the world and try to find a niche of your own. While you are at it, maybe give @venus_babes  a follow and say hello?! When you first start work you will quickly learn that clients do not just fall into your lap all the time. You have to help them get to know that you are around. Remember that you are an independent contractor and advertising yourself is essential. Find a niche about yourself, and take some sexy photos (you can hide your face). Ensure your brothel advertises you on their site and their Twitter as well. Follow them and tag them in all your posts. Having access to a venue's followers means they can retweet you and share your posts to a brand new market with ease. Walk-Ins will always be around but there are so many potential clients on NSFW Twitter. Just ensure that you follow the guidelines. The last thing you want is to build a following and lose your page and all your hard work.

Try and Discover Your Do’s and Do Not’s Beforehand

Every sex worker offers a different service. This is based on what you feel comfortable doing. What you enjoy, what turns you on and what you simply are uninterested in. This is not to say your kinks, interests and dislikes will not change over time, but to start, it is nice to know what you will be offering in an intro before you get in there. Please do not feel bad if you mess up in intros, we are all human. Workers who have been in the sex work industry for years still fumble their words from time to time. So what do you say? Truth be told - we could never tell you that. Are you someone who can not stand kissing, no matter who it’s with? Don’t do it. Are you someone whose fully trained in the world of kink and BDSM - how much extra will you charge? Are you going to be known for a sweet and intimate girlfriend experience? Will you rock the client's world with a wild and vivacious time that only a pornstar could deliver? Only interested in massage and no full-service work at all? Maybe you have different packages in which you offer all of the above. It is all up to you! If you are unaware of the lingo have a chat with your fellow workers, it is likely there’s a brothel mum or BFF who is happy to help.

Some Nights You May Make Hundreds, Some Nights You May Make Zero

Often times people come into the sex work industry and they believe they are going to make thousands of dollars every night. The truth is a sex worker's salary regularly fluctuates. Having unrealistic expectations is an easy way to disappoint yourself from the start. Try and work on building up regulars who can help you maintain a steady income and if you are up for it try and give just for.fans and other virtual services a shot. This will help encourage people to come into the brothel and experience it for themselves.

Boundaries. Boundaries. Boundaries

Your body is yours. Your business is your own and in this case, your body is your business. Do not EVER let a client, a brothel owner, or a fellow worker tell you otherwise. If you feel uncomfortable with something do not do it. It is an ugly truth of this industry that people will try and take advantage if they see the opportunity. You will quickly learn that failure to set boundaries is frankly how you get taken advantage of or even worse, end up hurt.

Mental Health Days are ESSENTIAL

At the end of the day, it is important to remember that you are spending your days giving energy to strangers in the most intimate of ways. It is unfair to yourself to not acknowledge just how draining the sex work industry can be if you let it. It is important to take mental health days before they become essential and you experience burnout. Self-care can be easy: not working seven days a week, having people to debrief about your day with, heading to the nail salon, doing a bit of shopping,  going on hikes, to the gym, or taking trips to the beach. Whatever that activity may be for you, do it whenever you can. Try and get as much rest as you can. Brothel shifts can come with late hours and lack of sleep is one of the worst things for your mental and physical well being. Remind yourself that your body is not invincible. If it comes to it never be afraid to seek help from your GP. Thank your body for all that it brings to you. Your body gets you around. It helps you to work and put food on your plate and a roof on your head. Your body is beautiful and strong and you should be grateful that you get to call it yours. We want to end this section by saying that the sex work industry is lucky to have so many resources. If you are ever in a tough situation you can reach out to programs like RHED, Scarlet Alliance, or Victoria Police for help and more detailed information.

You May Have to Work on Your Period

Any person knows that periods and all the things that come with them are trash. Cramps, PMS, bleeding… sex workers work through it all. Allow Venus Babes to introduce you to the world of sponges. A sponge is a soft and squishy device that acts kind of like a tampon, but can not be felt by your partner during sex. Personally, our favourite brand of sponges are ones with a perforated hole in the middle, so it is easier to take out. When it is time to put a sponge in, we find it is best to soak with water, rinse it out and then slather it in lube. Then stick it right up there, just like a tampon. In between bookings use a heat pack and make sure you have your panadol and your snacks ready. Remind yourself that you are human and try to be as nice to yourself as you can. P.S. in honour of keeping it real… sometimes sponges get stuck! Do not be afraid to ask for help, if it gets to that point.

A Brothel Mum is Your Best Friend

Brothel mums are the best. They have been a part of the sex work industry for decades in some cases. They have your back if anything goes awry, they will always tell it like it is and the best part is they have lived it too. Whether it is giving tips on conducting the perfect intro or helping you learn how to put a client in their place they will always be right there. If you are really lucky like the workers at Venus Babes you will have more than one.

It Does Not Matter What Race, Sex, Weight, or Gender You are. There Will be Places You are Welcome and People Who are Attracted to You.

Trust us when we say there is quite literally a kink for everything. Different people are attracted to different things. As long as you go into an intro with the confidence and belief that you are the most incredible thing they have laid their eyes on, you will get bookings. No other worker is you and no other worker offers the same service. That is what makes you special. For example, here at Venus Babes, we strive on offering different and unique. One of the only transgender brothels in Melbourne. We offer one of the only fully established dungeons in Melbourne. A range of men, women, it’s, they’s and thems who are nothing alike. Being different and yourself is our kink.

You Will Discover So Many Beautiful Things About Yourself

There is something about being in the sex work industry that gives you a certain ego boost. This is not meant to be seen as a negative, this is more focused on self-empowerment. Being surrounded by unique individuals from all walks of life who are one hundred percent themselves is a very special environment to be around. As weeks in the industry turn to months and then potentially years, you realise just how strong of a person you are. You begin to see just how much some of these clients worship the ground you walk on. You will learn how to run a business of your own and connect with your body because of how it provides for you. Sex work has a lot of serious sides to it, but some serious benefits that do not  get discussed and discovering your true and authentic self is a journey unlike any other.

We want to reiterate that no sex worker's journey is the same. Some of the things on this list may not apply to you. These tips for new sex workers are just basic guidelines, that a collection of workers; from all walks of life came to agree upon. Interested in taking that step and joining the industry? Give the team here at Venus Babes a call to have a chat at 03 9580 5456. We look forward to hearing from you!