Note: This article is part of our Complete Guide to E-Pal.

Cute profile. Great personality. Zero orders.

If that sounds familiar, don’t worry, every successful E-Pal started there.

You created your account, got approved to be an ePal service provider, and are ready to make money playing video games.

But what do you do now?

The biggest mistake new creators make is assuming customers will magically appear because they’re attractive, friendly, funny, or good at video games. Unfortunately, the internet is full of attractive, friendly, funny people.

The creators who win are the ones who understand one simple truth:

Customers don’t buy access. They buy experiences.

Whether you’re aiming to be the cozy gamer girl, the chaotic flirt, the supportive bestie, the elite carry, or the late-night voice chat addict, your job is to create an experience people can’t easily find elsewhere.

You might be a new ePal looking to get your first clients rolling in, and building your following from scratch.

You might have already established your ePal following, and are now ready to grow your fanbase.

Either way, this article will teach you some tricks to help you attract new customers, so you can start getting paid.

What all ePals are doing

These methods typically require minimal effort, so just about everyone does them.

Waiting Around

Often, customers will message you on their own.

They typically find ePals, rather than ePals finding them.

Because of this, many ePals just set themselves as online, and wait for customers to initiate the interaction.

This is a very passive method. One you have no control of.

Therefore, it’s not really optimal.

Reddit Self-Promo

Some new ePals will promote themselves on the E-Pal subreddit.

The subreddit mods allow this, with the following instructions listed in the sidebar:

To promote yourself on r/ePal you must use the “Self-Promo” tag, link your E-Pal profile in the post NOT the comments, and have at least 1 service available.

The problem with posting on Reddit is that /r/ePal really isn’t very active.

The majority of posters are other ePals rather than customers.

Other than message from the official E-Pal team, posts are just ePals promoting themselves, so you’ll get lost in the sea of other self-promos.

But it’s free, easy, and allows you to publish a permanent link to your profile.

Just don’t expect your self-promo post to be a significant source of clients.

Discord Self-Promo

Like Reddit, you can also promote yourself on the official E-Pal Discord, limited to within the “service-promotion” channel.

But like Reddit, your post will be lost in the sea of other ePals who are also self-promoting on Discord.

Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that a customer will actually browse the self-promo channel.

Even if they do, it’s even less likely they’ll pick you out of all the others.

Better ways to attract clients

The previous strategies might work if you’re lucky, but because everyone does them, you’re facing more competition.

Fortunately, you can do more to attract new business.

Step 1: Determine Your Services

Figure out what games you’ll play.

These could be the games that:

  • You know best
  • You find most fun
  • Have the most client demand
  • Are underserved by other ePals

Also think about other services you’ll provide, such as

  • Emotional Support
  • Watch Together
  • Hobbies Chat

For ideas, look at the services E-Pal officially supports, as well as what other ePals are offering.

Take this time to consider your rates.

Low prices could attract an initial audience, but you should make steady increases as your loyal audience grows.

Higher prices can help filter out younger users with limited income, as well as harassers and trolls.

Step 2: Pick a Character People Can Instantly Understand

Most new E-Pals have a profile that basically says:

Hi! I like games and meeting new people!

That’s not a brand.

That’s everyone.

When someone scrolls through hundreds of profiles, they should understand your vibe within seconds.

Examples:

  • The Playful Tease
  • The Golden Retriever Gamer
  • The Sweet Listener
  • The Competitive Carry Queen
  • The Chaos Goblin Duo Partner
  • The Cozy Late-Night Companion
  • The Nerdy Fantasy Princess
  • The Flirty Best Friend

You don’t have to become a fake character.

You simply need to highlight the most entertaining version of yourself.

If customers can describe you in one sentence, you’re doing it right.

Step 3: Make Your Profile Sell the Fantasy

I know I said you need to do more than just write some bio content, and wait around for someone to find you.

This has a different purpose.

Even if you have an interested customer, they still need to go to your profile to order your service.

Make it look appealing while they’re there.

People buy emotionally first.

Logic comes later.

Once you’ve decided on your brand, think about how you would describe yourself from the perspective of your branded identity.

Your profile should then answer:

  • What will spending time with me feel like?
  • Why am I different?
  • What kind of person would enjoy hanging out with me?

Instead of:

I play Valorant and League.

Try:

Your future duo partner, professional bad influence, and occasional source of terrible life advice.

Instead of listing features:

  • Voice Chat
  • Gaming
  • Calls

Describe experiences:

  • Late-night gaming sessions
  • Laughing until neither of us can focus
  • Victory celebrations that get way too loud
  • Cozy chats after a rough day

Sell outcomes.

Not services.

Step 4: Use Photos That Stop the Scroll

Most people decide whether to click your profile in seconds.

Your photos need personality.

The best images communicate:

  • Confidence
  • Energy
  • Approachability
  • Consistency

Avoid:

  • Dark blurry photos
  • Generic selfies
  • Generic anime pictures
  • Random filters everywhere
  • Obvious AI generated images

Instead:

  • Bright lighting
  • Genuine smiles
  • Distinct aesthetic
  • Consistent colors

Think:

“Would this image make someone curious enough to learn more?”

Curiosity is everything.

Step 5: Be active in the E-Pal Community

Regularly browse what’s being posted on the E-Pal website.

Keep up on the latest trends by making friends with your fellow ePals.

Answer client questions, they may lead to future orders.

Make full use of Discord.

The “help-each-other” channel can be used to provide helpful information to clients and ePals seeking assistance.

The “lfg-request” and “order-connection” channels are where customers directly list what they’re looking for.

Review this for clients looking for the services you offer.

Step 6: Proactively find new customers

E-Pal has a marketing problem. Many potential clients don’t even know E-Pal exists.

You, as an ePal need to find and educate them.

If you’re finding your own new E-Pal users, your competition is non-existent.

You’re the only ePal they’ve ever heard of.

If they’re willing to sign up based on your recommendation of the platform, you’re their obvious first choice for service providers.

So go where potential clients are, not where other ePals are.

  • Online gaming forums
  • In person gaming communities
  • Twitch
  • Other social media platforms

This means really getting involved, not just shilling yourself.

Build connections, don’t just try to sell immediately.

Step 7: Become Ridiculously Easy to Message

Many new creators accidentally look intimidating.

Customers often worry:

  • Will she ignore me?
  • Will she be awkward?
  • Will she judge me?
  • Will she only talk to big spenders?

Remove friction.

Use profile copy that feels welcoming.

Examples:

  • “New here! Don’t be shy.”
  • “I love meeting first-time customers.”
  • “Send me your favorite game and let’s see if we’re compatible.”
  • “Come say hi. I promise I don’t bite. Usually.”

The easier it feels to start a conversation, the more conversations you’ll get.

Step 8: Respond Fast

There’s a lot of other E-Pals looking to get paid.

But you can get orders just by being available.

This is one of the biggest hidden advantages for new creators.

Large creators often receive too many messages.

You don’t. Use that.

Set yourself as online, and answer messages quickly.

Fast replies create momentum.

A customer who’s excited right now may not be excited six hours later.

Clients can easily find other service providers if you take too long to initiate an order.

Treat every new message like a warm lead. Because it is.

Step 9: Create a “First Purchase” Offer

Many customers are interested.

Few are committed.

Your goal is getting someone to try you once.

Examples:

  • Intro sessions
  • First-time discounts
  • Trial gaming sessions
  • New customer bundles

You’re not trying to maximize profit.

You’re trying to reduce hesitation.

A small first purchase can become a long-term customer later.

Step 10: Master Playful Conversation

Notice something important.

The best creators don’t sound like customer service representatives.

They create energy.

Instead of:

Hello, how are you?

Try:

Important question: Are we about to dominate this lobby or embarrass ourselves together?

Instead of:

What games do you play?

Try:

What’s the game you’ve spent an unreasonable amount of your life playing?

Playfulness creates emotional engagement.

Emotional engagement creates purchases.

Step 11: Be Active When Customers Are Active

You could be amazing.

It won’t matter if nobody sees you.

Figure out when your audience is online.

Often:

  • Evenings
  • Late nights
  • Weekends
  • After school
  • After work

Visibility creates opportunity.

Opportunity creates sales.

Being online at the right times can outperform having a better profile.

Step 12: Use Social Media as a Funnel

Many creators wait for customers to discover them.

Top creators go where customers already are.

Build small audiences on:

  • TikTok
  • X
  • Instagram
  • Discord
  • Twitch
  • YouTube Shorts

Post:

  • Funny gaming clips
  • Reactions
  • Voice highlights
  • Personality content
  • Memes

People often buy after they’ve seen you multiple times.

Familiarity builds trust.

Trust builds conversions.

Step 13: Sell Your Personality, Not Just Your Games

Thousands of people can play games.

Very few can be you.

Customers frequently remember:

  • The jokes
  • The energy
  • The chemistry
  • The conversations

More than the actual gameplay.

The biggest growth mistake is competing on skill alone.

The biggest growth advantage is becoming memorable.

Step 14: Create FOMO Without Being Pushy

People value things that seem in demand.

Examples:

  • Limited availability
  • Busy schedules
  • Event nights
  • Community activities

Good:

Only taking a few sessions tonight.

Bad:

Buy now or you’ll regret it.

The goal is excitement.

Not pressure.

Step 15: Collect Social Proof Early

People trust other customers.

Ask happy customers for:

  • Reviews
  • Testimonials
  • Ratings
  • Public feedback

A profile with social proof feels safer. Safer profiles convert better.

Especially for first-time buyers.

So make sure to follow up with customers after the order, and get that social proof.

Step 16: Make Every Interaction Worth Talking About

The fastest growth strategy isn’t advertising.

It’s creating stories.

You want customers saying:

You have to meet this creator.

Those recommendations happen when interactions feel unique.

Be memorable.

Be entertaining.

Be surprisingly attentive.

Make sure to provide excellent service to every customer you do get.

Give people experiences worth sharing, and get that word-of-mouth advertising going.

Not only will users refer their friends to you, this will encourage your new E-Pal clients to order from you again.

Why this works

Let’s imagine two ePals.

ePal A:

  • Their only post to the /r/ePal subreddit is a single self-promo
  • Not active on the E-Pal discord
  • The only thing on their profile is a list of games they play
  • Sits around doing unrelated stuff while waiting for an ePal notification

ePal B:

  • Gives a helpful answer to every client question on both Reddit and Discord
  • Active participant in gaming circles
  • Introduces new people to E-Pal, who have never heard of it

Which ePal do you think is able to choose which orders they accept, and which ePal do you think is desperate for any attention they can get?

The Real Secret

Most new creators think growth is about getting lucky.

It isn’t.

Growth comes from carefully stacking advantages:

  • Better profile
  • Better photos
  • Better conversations
  • Better response times
  • Better visibility
  • Better branding

None of these are magic individually.

Together, they’re powerful.

The creators who consistently attract new customers aren’t necessarily the most attractive, the most skilled, or the most famous.

They’re the ones who make strangers feel excited about clicking that first message.

And once that happens, you’ve got a chance to turn curiosity into a customer.

Next: You worked hard to get those new orders. Now, use our tips to make sure you can keep your E-Pal clients coming back.