Important Poll - Please take a few seconds to add your answers. Future of the site...

[mod 135640]

So as many of you are aware lyla.com is up for sale and we do have a few interested parties. The most serious offer so far is a company outside Canada who already owns a number of similar successful boards. They will probably change this to a full on review board if they purchase it. What are your thoughts on that (I know many of you have wanted that for a long time now and we never did it for a number of reasons, it was a BIG conflict of interest with EC and we always tried to stay positive for the industry but honestly when CL and BP took off we probably should have jumped ship ourselves but held to what we thought was right and here we are selling the site a few years later). None the less, the sale is not set in stone but to help any potential buyers how about we (as a community) tell prospective buyers what we want to see here? Not sure it will help or not but I am sure it wont hurt.

[spud271 47779]

I understand that you and many others on here would prefer for this site to remain as it is, but I personally would be ok with the owners selling to a rival "review" site. The owners should sell to whom they are comfortable with, but if this is the best offer then they should take it.

[mod 135640]

They will sell it no matter what if the deal can be done in a way that it makes sense business wise of course but maybe with a little insight and COMMENTS HERE from the members voicing options will help the new owners with what the majority members here would like to see.

 

I was really hoping someone here (a long term member) would want to buy the site and run it but most of the interest seams to be from the UK and SPAIN. I know the laws make it difficult to run from Canada but with the right set up it can be done (the other review sites are set up in a way that makes them work even run from canada)

 

We do have one very serious offer but it's not too late if someone wants to make an offer.

[Guest S****r]

If it becomes a review site, a lot of the women will leave. Including myself.

[waterat 20911]

I'm no business man, simply a hobbyist who really appreciates how lyla operates now. No doubt the future owners will need to follow their own business plan but I have to hope there's some benefit in carving out a unique market like lyla and not going head to head with BP and CL.

Hoping to get plenty of warning of significant impending changes in order to update my black book with all the contact info of the lovely lyla ladies I appreciate and respect.

This is a great community but I understand if the business model needs to change.

[blacklabdog 3049]

Having spent some time on Terb the last month, I hope Lyla stays about the same. If not thanks to all the Mods for all their hard work. I have been a Mid as well as running my own message board and I know it's often a thankless job

[jafo105 39057]

This is the only Canadian escort recommendation site I feel comfortable and safe on. That is both clean and respectful of everyone.

 

If the future owners change the current friendly atmosphere of the site, I will probably drop out completely from following and participating in the hobby.

 

This is the only social media type site I have ever stuck with --- that is saying a lot.

 

I am still hopeful that the liberal government will correct the last government's blunder regarding this profession.

[NotchJohnson 214136]

Exactly what jafo105 said, this is the only social media site I have ever stuck with.

I like the atmosphere here and I also like all the ladies that I communicate with on a regular basis.

[Mikeyboy 27134]

There are already many review sites out there, most of which I choose not to participate on, but that is my preference. Although I understand that from a business perspective, there may be some short term gains from opening up the rules in terms of attracting more advertisers, I think the loss of differentiation that you have built will be a detriment to the site in the long run. The site would become just one of many voices fighting for the exact same audience.

 

The few times I have checked out other sites, I have come across people badmouthing this site. (Normally from people who have been kicked off of this site I'm guessing.) I always shake my head at this. Why do you want this site to be exactly like the one you are on? You already have that site. What's wrong with a different option with different rules that attracts different people? Why does one format have to be 'better' than the other? What's wrong with being different?

 

I think a lot of the ladies would be the first to leave here. Why would they stay in a place that allows people to badmouth them? I wouldn't. Once they leave, most of the discussions will revert mainly to just that. Badmouthing others. Most of the regulars here will drift away next. (Those of us who enjoy the civility of the site.) Basically you are left with building a review site almost from the ground up, as you have lost most of the traffic you have built already.

 

In short, I think that there is room for both types of sites in this market, and this site has a leading position in 'recommendation only' segment. It would be a shame to see that thrown away to become one of the many, when it is a leader in its own segment.

[Guest n*gu**6]

While I realize the business sense here, I for one will be leaving if this becomes like many of the boards I have seen where the ladies are openly marginalized, disrespected, categorized and graded like cattle at auction. I simply cannot condone, nor will I support SWs being treated as such. This board in its current format is a respectful "community" where in you can discuss and promote yourself, and do sufficient research that should advise if you choose to contact anyone. There is an avenue where warnings can be tactfully given of those on-the-con, and as always you can PM someone for further details that do not need to be made public domain. A "bad" experience for one may be more related to the client and false expectation than that of the SW. Things are subjective are they not? No need to berate someone openly or list checkboxes for menu items as though you you are comparing vehicle options. I hope the board will maintain much of the safeguards currently in play, and maintain the respectful community feel that is here. I would be be very sorry to see that lost, and would be sorry to have to leave.

 

Just my thoughts...

Best respects....

[Nicolette Vaughn 294340]

As others said, the board should remain unique as is it now. The only thing I've noticed is a decline in participation on lyla since end of 2014. A lot of people have left after the board changed because of the new laws.

 

I understand why the owners had to protect themselves but the laws have changed things with censorship of words. That was the feedback given back to me from the clients I had met from here. They wanted to read reviews that were positive but with more details given. I'm not sure how it could be done but I remember Lyla a few years ago and there was a great community spirit along with participation.

 

If this site were to become just like the others or an "us v.s. them type of mentality then it's goodbye for me. There are other boards out there like that already and we don't need another one. We need to keep Lyla a place where everyone feels welcome.

[Kubrickfan 12836]

Agree with Nicolette and others ... Each board has a somewhat unique "brand" and people are driven to the site based on the brand. I don't really hobby anymore, but I always checked out both.

 

You can probably, across those brands, do some cross marketing or whatever. And allow linking to other sites if that is shut down? But don't make them the same. And I don't see anything at issue with lyla/cerb that isn't addressed by the other main web site and others tools available.

[fortunateone 156618]

If it becomes a review site, a lot of the women will leave. Including myself.

 

 

 

And i have less interest in a site that allows full nudes, (some) uncensored words and CL style titles and spamming, as well as negative reviews. because all that gets pushed out into the discussion area, and turns it into another freak show like other review sites. I have no confidence in anyone other than mod here to control or deal with bullying, slander and fake reviews, all of which are right now controlled due to the 'don't say anything at all' policy.

[Guest st*****ens**ors]

I'd add my voice to the chorus of those who would like the rules and tone of the board to remain intact. Though I have browsed a few forums, I have only become a member of one, and that is entirely a consequence of the emphasis on courtesy and positive posting that I found here.

 

Should the rules shift to accommodate the negative reviews and the disrespectful, even degrading treatment of providers I have seen elsewhere, I'd close my account.

[Studio 110 by Sophia 150333]

I eco all that NSguy says. Where is the line drawn between a review and slander? I always strive to offer the best of me, but one off day and kaput goes my rep? If it becomes like this one bored I see....I will leave. It has language that to me is degrading and disgusting and thats why I have never joined that board.

[Phaedrus 209521]

Add me to the list of folks that believe the rules on this board about being positive and keeping things civilized are what makes it unique. Of course, the new owner can and will do what they like... but they're going to be taking over a board which, as far as I know, is pretty unique in the way it operates. Turning that into yet another trash-all-the-providers board seems to me to be a counter-intuitive thing to do... although it would create a gap in the Canadian market :) Some folks have already said they'd leave if the positivity went away; perhaps they'd be replaced by other people, if those people could be lured away from the boards they currently inhabit... but perhaps not. It's a shame nobody from this community felt able to bid, but... it's a lot of money for an individual. Maybe a consortium could have worked...

[Kathryn Bardot 99339]

Some of the options are all-or-nothing; for example, I don't want a free-for-all with ad titles (a la BP) but I would like to see the rules relaxed a bit.

[Tempted Monk 5057]

I returned to Lyla (CERB) after several years break (due to some circumstances).

And I had a mixed feeling about it that time. It is like you return in several years to the neighborhood you grown up in. It is somehow familiar but very different: the other generation occupies it, landscape is changed, familiar faces are very rare. But this friendly and positive atmosphere was the same and that was the most important.

Lyla is unique virtual community where providers and hobbyists live together as Ladies and Gentlemen respecting and supporting each other. This community built around escorting but the best part is amazing people you can meet here. I enjoy reading threads, participating in the discussions, asking questions.

As escorting itself, this is virtual world, temporary escape from the reality, and this is a good place to come. If this atmosphere is changed there is no sense for me to stay here.

[Reddog01 30280]

I will add my nickle.

 

This is one of the only Canadian boards in which I remain active and have contributed recommendations. Sure I lurk the other boards for information occasionally and I have even registered, but I rarely post.

The difference here is the sense of community which encourages SP, MA and Stripper input without fear of retribution ( well most of the time anyway).

 

I think changes that might tend to mirror other review boards will break up the LYLA (CERB) community we have all enjoyed.

[Phaedrus 209521]

This is one of the only Canadian boards in which I remain active and have contributed recommendations. Sure I lurk the other boards for information occasionally and I have even registered, but I rarely post.

The difference here is the sense of community which encourages SP, MA and Stripper input without fear of retribution ( well most of the time anyway).

 

Absolutely. And as you've mentioned, the key to the sense of community is that this board isn't permitted to turn into a cesspit of bitching at people. If the ladies don't feel safe and welcome then they'll go away, and once clients realize that what's left is a sausage party they'll follow.

[mrgreen760 37785]

Change is inevitable and necessary to survive. All the boards seem to be stifled and losing relevance these days. Twitter is becoming a worthy option.

 

Clearly can't go back to the old days when participation and interaction was far greater. Lots left when Bill C-36 (corrected) came into effect and have moved on and won't be back.

 

Peace

MG

[mod 135640]

Cerb/lyla was always supported by escortscanada.com financially and the biggest issue is ec is no longer producing enough revenue to support the site here. This is also what is making the site hard to sell with the deal we are working on here. I am afraid (and you all probably see this too) that one of two things will probably happen with new owners.

 

1) they switch the format to full review board to drive up traffic and membership. Yes lyla is unique with the positive only rule but that makes limited membership and lower traffic. We all know that and unfortunately that does not pay the bills.

 

 

2) the other option (the one i am pitching) is to charge for advertising, a reasonable rate for everyone who wishes to post announcements or classified ads on the site (like the agencies do in ottawa and toronto) keeping the discussion area and the sponly area and all the other areas free for everyone. If the site could generate enough income to be profitable this way then it could remain positive... But would require the support of the ladies in the way of advertising dollars.

 

 

I cant see it working for anyone any other way... I guess if they covered the site with porn click banners and allowed the asian agencies to advertise here that could help too but lets face it, a recommendation board makes a nice friendly place but it does not pay the bills. I guess they could change the site to something completely different too if they wanted to. I cant get any info and its making me a little stir crazy.

[Reddog01 30280]

I don't know enough about the details regarding the advertising rules or revenue requirements of the review boards in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver but if LYLA becomes a review board what would attract members to it's site over the other three "biggies"? I fear the "free" sites already established in the largest cities would serve the pan-Canada community and LYLA might be lost in the shuffle. Hope not.

[canuckhooker 19203]

The poll unfortunately will not give you the right answer as you are really only asking the people who like the site and use it right now. I know a lot of people who used to participate here who have stopped coming here for a bunch of reasons. Most of those reasons are related to the "no-review" policy and the atmosphere it encourages. I don't think that policy makes it any more a nicer or welcoming place then the review sites. Just different. I have seen providers, clients etc ganged up on by others because they offer a different less popular viewpoint on issues. I have witnessed a lot of "group think" here and that is just as unhealthy an atmosphere as a free for all. There has to be a happy medium. I am not sure if you will find it.

[Kathryn Bardot 99339]

There is not enough of a return here for me to justify paying for advertising. I barely advertise here as it is. IMO, you would lose a number of independents if you changed this.