If you're new to the industry, it's probably pretty easy to come up with a dozen reasons for why being an adult entertainment service provider is a bad career choice. However, there are immeasurable benefits associated with the job, too – you just have to think out of the box and get rid of the negative self talk. Consider the positive changes the career can bring to your life, before you rule it out as a impossibility. Here are just a few of the advantages:

1. The pay: Many adult entertainers make hundreds (or thousands) of dollars in a single day/night. It's relatively common for a sex worker to only work a few days per week, instead of the usual five days (or more) that people in mainstream careers typically show up for. Even individuals who are educated for higher paying occupations often find that they can make more in the adult entertainment industry than they can doing what they went to school for. The fact is that adult entertainment is a niche industry that customers are willing to pay high dollars for. They are doling out money for your open-mindedness, discretion and skills. You may earn as much (or more!) than a doctor or lawyer in the same amount of time. And, it doesn't require the degrees, student loans or length of time to gain the level of expertise to qualify for the job. In many careers within the industry, you get to establish your own rates, which enables your potential to earn a very fulfilling income.
2. Flexibility: Being able to create your own schedule is not often an attribute of a "traditional" career. But, when you work in the adult entertainment business, it's definitely an option. Blocking out time that you can't work is totally doable, as long as you leave opportunities for clients to hook up with you during their peak times. Additionally, many careers in the adult entertainment industry work less traditional schedules. Your shifts may rotate during hours that are easier for you to work around your daily life and obligations. For instance, if you have children, you may be able to stay home with them during the day and leave at night to go work, after they are already in bed. Or, you may find yourself only having to work a few shifts per week. Additionally, when you work in the adult entertainment field, it's very possible to work an irregular schedule, which comes in handy if your life is a little crazy with friends' and family members' activities that don't occur on a regular basis.
3. Opportunity to help others: Many customers of the adult entertainment industry are in need of your help. Some have difficulties or challenges in establishing or maintaining a relationship with another person, so they require the company of an escort for some affection and socialization, along with intimacy. Some just need a friendly face and a distraction from other stressers in their lives, so they visit gentleman's clubs where exotic dancers provide eye candy and entertainment. And, others might need some "intimate" interactions, but can't and don't want to leave their homes for it. They may seek out that kind of stimulation from webcam performances. Whatever their reasons, clients and customers often have their own baggage they're trying to overcome. Adult entertainment providers help out these individuals by just being nice, looking good and having an open mind. Your smile, attention and understanding may go a long way for customers who are lacking that in their personal lives. Being able to help others through your career can be especially rewarding. And, though, you may not think of what you do as world-changing, it makes all the difference to your clients.
4. Chance to explore own sexuality: Regardless of what part of the industry you're in, it's likely that you've found yourself out of your personal comfort zone at least once. Unless you've racked up a lot of experience in alternative scenes prior to entering the industry, you've probably left a lot of your fantasies as just that. And, it's probable that you've limited your exploration to the boundaries of past partners. Once you become active as an adult entertainment services provider, you will get the chance to push your own limitations and look beyond your "norm." Requests from clients and employers may stretch you beyond your past experiences. And, as you observe others in the industry, you may be encouraged and intrigued by what you see, leading you to try new things. It's possible that you will find new things you like and that you're good at. At the same time, you may discover that something you wanted to try is just not for you. As a result of this trial and error on your part, you become a much more worldly sex worker, with a broader appeal to customers and clients. And, knowing what you like and don't want is a definite turn on for most of your clientele.
5. Opportunity to elevate your goals: To be successful in the adult entertainment business, you have to establish some goals. But, these goals are apt to be much higher than they would be if you didn't start your provider career. For instance, breaking even may be a standard goal that you would've made prior to entering the career field, because that seemed the most reasonable. However, because the means are available to you, your new goals will feature much more. Getting out of poverty, elevating your standard of living, obtaining an education or creating your own business may be goals that are easily accessible to you. In addition, you may see that you can completely change your socioeconomic status in just a few months, if you work hard and appeal to clients. You can establish a whole new lifestyle with your new career.
6. Chance to network: As a worker in the adult entertainment field, you get the opportunity to meet a variety of people, often in prestigious and powerful positions. And, while you should never take advantage of your relationships with those who lead impressive lives or earn massive wealth, it's definitely worth your while to learn from them and make the most of your connections with them. Sometimes, it might just be that they will refer their friends to you for good times. Other opportunities might include mentorships, job recommendations and insider information when appropriate. They might help you connect with the "right" person for a job interview. Or, they might get you tickets to that event you've been dying to go to. The old saying of "It's not what you know, but who you know" is certainly true. Often, knowing the right person through your connections may garner you lots of benefits. Additionally, it's possible to network within the industry. You may find new people to associate with who understand your lifestyle. And, you will encounter new outlets for work, just through your involvement in the field.
7. Gain confidence: Entering into the adult entertainment field can help you build confidence. Most women struggle with self esteem when associated with their own self images. They feel that their bodies are not quite right or dislike other aspects about themselves. When you become an escort, exotic dancer or webcam performer, it's a little unnerving the first time or two you bare it all for a client. However, after you get a few compliments from your clients, you feel like a million bucks. You get a new appreciation for your ample booty or your porcelain skin, things you may have cursed about yourself prior. Most clients are very generous with compliments and aren't afraid to lavish you with their own appreciation. They are drawn to you due to your beauty and charm. They regularly let you know how attracted to you they are, which makes you feel like the most admired woman in the world. This kind of attention can really boost your ego and give you the confidence that you can accomplish anything you set your sights on.
8. Obtain leadership skills: Gaining confidence from your complimentary clients may give you a boost that will help you take steps toward your own independence from others. And, as you embark on your professional career as an adult entertainment services provider, you will gain leadership skills you may not have even known you had. Many careers within the industry allow for entrepreneurship and being your own boss. This requires you to develop leadership qualities that will allow you to take risks, make tough decisions and strategize your business moves. Being your own boss requires you to set priorities needed to reach goals, in addition to establishing methods that will be most effective to reach those objectives. You will learn how to encourage yourself and gain insight to your own motivations. Truly becoming a leader as you run your own business will benefit you, not only in your professional endeavors, but in your personal life, as well.
9. Develop empathy: Without encountering others with difficult life situations or limitations, it's unlikely that you have any opportunity to gain considerable empathy for people who are battling issues beyond your experience. However, when you work within the adult entertainment services field, it's very probable that you will come across clients who battle obstacles everyday that make life hard for them. Whether it's health issues (mental or physical) or traumatic histories that make them unlike others, they require special assistance to feel "normal." After spending some time with these individuals you will gain empathy for the plight of anyone who struggles to fit in, in any way. They will give you an understanding of how discouraging it is never be like others or to find acceptance. And, you'll observe, firsthand, how hard they try to be like everyone else, at least on the outside. Even though you may think it's going to make you "soft," gaining empathy just makes you a much nicer person. Being able to identify with others with an open mind will create countless opportunities for happiness on your end, in addition to heartbreak for your clients. Learning to have compassion for others is essential in life. However, be sure to not let it take over your business smarts. You are a professional and must retain your business relationship with clients and customers, unaffected by whatever issues they face. But, it helps you to accept their differences and eccentricities.
10. Be more open-minded: Most people get in ruts and assume that "normal" is the same for everyone. If you learn nothing else from your experiences in the adult entertainment industry, the most important lesson is that "normal" is different for everyone. Just because you think you're right or feel your preferences are pretty standard, it doesn't mean that others will vary widely about what they like. For instance, escorts learn that clients have many sexual preferences that range from role playing, straight-up intercourse to bondage (and everything in between). Some clients prefer plus-sized exotic dancers, while others like thinner ones. Some viewers like fetish webcam performances, while others enjoy plain old self-pleasuring displays. You can't ever predict what a client will want, so pigeon holing someone into a box isn't going to get you anywhere. The same is true with life. You can't "judge a book by its cover," as the old saying goes. You will learn to accept that people are different and to appreciate that those differences make the world a more interesting and better place.
11. Stay in shape: The adult entertainment industry has room for in it for people of all sizes. However, whatever size you are, you still want to be in pretty good shape in order to perform for your clients. Whether porn or escorting is your deal, you need to have stamina, strength and endurance. Even if you're a plus-sized webcam model, get your legs in shape so they remain shapely and beautiful. Taking care of yourself physically is a requirement for the job, which is a great benefit personally. To perform at your best, get plenty of exercise, sneak in at least 8 to 9 hours of sleep each night, drink plenty of water and eat a balanced diet. This will keep you healthy, inside and out. Having an excuse to keep yourself in good shape is a great advantage to this career.
12. Getting to be someone you're not: One of the most fun elements of being an adult entertainment services provider is pretending to be someone you're not. One of the most important rules of this industry is to maintain your anonymity. Keep your personal details to yourself for a couple of different reasons: 1) Reduce the chances of a fan/customer/client stalking you or seeking you out in your personal life, and 2) Clients/customers/fans want the fantasy, not the reality. They don't want to know that you're a wife and mom with three kids, two still in diapers. They want to imagine you as a hot, dirty librarian, or some other fantasy they've got running around in their heads. And, because you shouldn't be who you really are when working professionally, it gives you the opportunity to recreate yourself in any manner you please. If you're normally a meek, milder sort, you get the chance to become a wild, rebellious type. You can develop any kind of persona you want, which is really kind of fun and empowering. Being unrestrained to establish your own identity allows you to have freedom and excitement as you become someone new for clients.