What Is A Companion? According to Webster’s Dictionary, a companion is a person who associates with or accompanies another or others. This could be accompaniment to a meeting, an industry event, a social function, or simply to a restaurant. As a result, a companion should have excellent social skills and be comfortable in the spotlight.

Keep It Legal. While the definition of a companion is broad, the accompaniment services you provide should always comply with the local laws in your area. If a client or agency attempts to coerce you into illegal activity, don’t take that risk. No amount of money is worth the possibility of ending up in jail.

Practice Active Listening. So often, what people want more than anything else is simply to be heard. It may not seem like much, but in today’s world, with so much competing stimuli, it can make all the difference between providing a so-so time for your clients or giving them a truly memorable experience. Set yourself apart from others by engaging in active listening. In active listening, you listen very carefully to what the other person is saying, paraphrase back to them what they’ve said, and add your feedback or ask them a question about it. For instance, if somebody says, “I had a wonderful shrimp tempura when I was in Maui last year,” an active listening response might be, “Wow. You had a great shrimp tempura in Maui…was that your first trip to the islands?”

Be a Good Conversationalist. In order to keep the conversation flowing between you and your client, it helps to be well-informed about current events, sports, news, and cultural activities in your area. You might also want to spend some time learning a little bit about your client’s business and background. Avoid using obscenities or slang unless your client has made it clear that he or she is comfortable with it.

Know Your Table Manners. The hallmark of a successful companion is good etiquette. This might sound old-fashioned, but there is a lot to be learned from Emily Post’s Etiquette book. You certainly should know which utensil to use first at the dinner table, how to properly taste wine, what to do with your napkin, and so on.

Be Flexible and Adaptable. As a companion, you are likely to find yourself in a wide variety of different situations. You should be able to seamlessly switch gears from a stodgy boardroom meeting to a stroll along the beach in record time. After all, the job of an companion is really to be like a chameleon…you are striving to be for someone precisely what they need you to be at any given moment.

'Hold Yourself in High Esteem. Your value as a companion is largely determined by how much you value yourself. People are not going to want to pay you big money if they can tell that you don’t think you are worth it. Therefore, you need to project an air of confidence and self-assurance. This will make your clients feel that they are getting their money’s worth.

Always Stay in Control. Since you are the one providing the accompaniment service, it is up to you to set clear boundaries. You should never do anything you are not comfortable doing. If a client continues to pressure you or refuses to respect your boundaries, don’t hesitate to cancel the assignment.