Hello fellow beta-members and welcome to the unofficial launch of Red Files!

I’ve said it a million times, but here’s once more with feeling, THANK YOU so much for contributing and uplifting Red Files. I understand how time-consuming and demanding it is filling in those long feedback forms (I know because I wrote them) and I’m forever appreciative to you for committing your energy.

Loosely speaking, the unofficial launch is planned to last for a month. We hope to have gathered all feedback by then, relayed it to the developer and have implemented changes as we can. I kindly and polity ask that you have your feedback forms completed by the 29th March 2017 to ensure things are moving along smoothly.

This is a probationary period for all of us. Our MOD and myself are just learning how to facilitate and maintain the website; you’re learning how to use the website; and we’re all wondering what will come from this. It’s exciting times.

Here’s a loose idea of what we hope to achieve for the probationary period.

- Feedback forms returned and the data analysed.
- Membership informed of the results of the feedback form.
- All viable changes implemented before official launch.
- Practise using the chat function between admin and members.
- Transfer of all reports from previous systems or personally collected.
- Practise in aftercare and communication with members after reporting.
- A monthly newsletter sent out after the probationary period.
- Official launch date decided and announced, alongside a strategy brief from the Director.

There's no need to be inviting your friends into Red Files just yet - I'll let you know as soon as we're done with the beta-phase. I'll make an announcement once there's more things for the membership to do. If there’s anything you’d to see on this list, please leave us a message and let us know!

If you’re wondering what mischief I’ll be up to in my capacity as Director, I’ve added a loose idea of what I should be doing for the next month. I’ll be touring as an escort to Adelaide and Perth soon, and I’ll use that time to…

• Meet up with local sex worker organisations, offer 6 months free trial advertising, tap into their network of sex workers and inform them on how to utilise Red Files to its greatest potential. I’ll also be writing articles for their newsletters and collecting further resources from them.
• Meet up with owners of online advertising directories, tap into their network of sex workers and inform them on how to utilise Red Files to its greatest potential. Hopefully I’ll be able to sell an ad-space as well.

When in Melbourne I will be:

• Connecting with sex worker organisation around the country, offering 6 months free trial advertising, tapping into their network of sex workers and inform them on how to utilise Red Files to its greatest potential. I’ll also be writing articles for their newsletters and collecting further resources from them.
• Design and post ads for positions in Red Files and this includes: MOD roles, Director roles, Committee position, donations, advertise here, volunteer positions.

I’ll update you all about what will happen once the probationary period is complete.

Lots of love,
Estelle Lucas