View Full Version : My current thoughts on webcamming
neliana
11-05-2010, 07:21 PM
I don't want to take sides necessarily, but I'm going to agree with everyone that said it's about switching it up and trying new things, not complaining. When my biz slows down, I do what Kayla was talking about, change my hair/pics/try offering something new.
Any entertainer, mainstream or adult needs to switch it up now and then to keep the public interested. So all the energy used on venting could really be used in a better way.
Not saying it's wrong to vent (after all isn't that what this forum is kinda for? lol), but to act like everything is totally hopeless isn't helping anyone. Things change. Adapt or "die" out.
roast
11-05-2010, 09:20 PM
Free tube sites do take away work from porn stars and they do also redirect traffic from cam models (some will come and see you but not all sites post your stage name)- Nina Hartley said it best on twitter: every time you view porn for free you're taking away a job from a porn actor. Its not necessarily true in the moment, but longer term it rings a bit true, no? Unfortunately the sex industry (customers, actors, performers, providers) are more short-term focused - which is why the business culture seems to shift so rapidly.
Most major cam sites have contracts with the tube sites, so this business shift does impact cam models as well.
I am usually a fan of a "suck it up" mentality, but the impact that free streaming sites have had on porn especially is very real... and itll continue to leak into the camming world. Its harder for an individual cam performer to singlehandedly suck up this shift though when the whole drive behind it are agreements between stream sites, cam sites, and porn distributors.
If cam performers weren't so scattered all over the world, in it briefly (for various valid reasons), anonymous, isolated, etc. general working conditions and fuzzy contractual agreements would be the fodder for calls to organize, hire lawyers, etc. The risk is too high unfortunately for an already financially hungry working force with unstable income
I get we all have an every sister for herself mentality but we wouldn't be participating in this forum regularly if that was a value we held through and through. In any other industry - your employer keeping ~60-70% of your earnings is fairly ridiculous. There are things about this lifestyle that are attractive to many of us to make this percentage feel negligible (your own hours, if you don't want to work you don't have to, you can ban customers, etc) but that doesn't mean its any less absurd... which seems to be why a number of us are invested in independent camming, our own payment processors, wishlists, sites, etc.
I halfheartedly agree with 'adapt or die' as a life philosophy but that doesn't mean what we're choosing to adapt to is any less bogus, we're just resilient businesswomen.... the people who question what the conditions are just reminding those of us who are new about the way things use to be or ways that they *could* be. That's cool.
we work for shitty bosses in a lucrative industry run pretty much exclusively by very wealthy men who focus more on short term cash bonanzas & contract agreements (aka stream sites). We should overthrow them all, take their money & servers, and own our capital! Just kidding. Well, maybe not but, most of us are probably in sex work for money, time flexibility, and possibly fame - I think its OK to peer critically at the industry we're in that is also benefiting from our image. The downsides can be blared as loudly as the upsides, no? No harm in it.
If I were less of an armchair wanker, I'd feel empowered enough to figure out a way to organize, inspire, maybe sue or start my own site..... but not all problems need an answer, right? Just something to consider and a way to remain informed and let it guide your own decisionmaking.
Basically, MonicaF, I think your blog post has merit.
I think its great we try to keep each other uplifted and offer advice/tips, but hey sometimes people just need to vent. Sex work is such an odd horsebeast already, might as well remain informed of various perspectives.
ShellyConnors
11-05-2010, 11:45 PM
I don't really see tube sites and even sites like MFC as being a threat to my personal camming income, simply because I feel like the Pareto Principle (80-20) rule applies to camming. 80% of your income will come from 20% of your customers.
A) That 20% is not spending money on you because you have a hot pair of tits or because of the giant dildo you stick in your pussy. That 20% is spending money on you because there is something unique that you offer, that no other girl offers, because she's not YOU!
B) Tube sites show porn but they do not offer the personalized, real-time human interaction that webcam shows offer. Sure, 80% of the customers probably look for free porn, and cruise the free sections of cam sites trying to get whatever they can for the least money possible, but the guys who spend money want more than that. They want some attention, or for a particular fetish to be fulfilled a specific way, or for someone to listen to them, or even someone to spoil and enjoy the gratification that comes from it *I like these guys the best lol*
There are several reasons why some girls thrive on cam sites and others flop... it's personality, promotion, looks, and attitude! You can be 32 and bank. Shit, look at Nemesis! But if you're generally upset about the state of the industry you work for, and no longer are enthusiastic about it, people can see that.
I'm willing to bet some of the top earning girls on many of these sites really, genuinely enjoy their job. They probably think the whole camming industry is fucking wonderful and are grateful for the opportunity to share their sexuality and personality with all of the wonderful, generous men out there.
I just think you have to enjoy what you do when you are working for 100% commission.
HustletteDiva
11-05-2010, 11:59 PM
@ Monica, Sorry about everything you are going through and I hope it gets better, sincerely. Don't let this adult-industry get you down. I read your blogs and always check out your blogTV, you are very beautiful, creative, and extremely intelligent, you will find your way, I am sure.
I think you just needed to vent, which we all need to do at times, and here is the best place as any to do it since we should really all be on the same team here. I do understand what you are saying about the industry in a more in-depth sense of how it really is but I think because there are different types of women in this industry it is hard to get every woman to want to take a stand too. It is not a bad thing but that is just what it is too. A lot of girls only get in the industry temporarily and their only goal is to make as much money as possible before leaving it, then some girls get in this industry as a long term goal and make a career out of it, and then you have the many variations in-between. Neither one is a bad thing. However you see where some of the "adapt or die " behavior comes from too. Everyone has their own agenda on why they are in the business.
I am all for making a stand and supporting something worth fighting for but also I like to know if there is a problem and if so, can it be fixed? Then what is the solution. But maybe you were just venting or maybe looking for us to come together and make a stance. If you have some ideas on bettering the adult industry especially for us , women, then I am all for it.
Alot of the ladies make great point about learning to adapt with the industry and especially Roast where she writes
"I halfheartedly agree with 'adapt or die' as a life philosophy but that doesn't mean what we're choosing to adapt to is any less bogus, we're just resilient businesswomen.... the people who question what the conditions are just reminding those of us who are new about the way things use to be or ways that they *could* be. That's cool." ~ Pefectly Stated by Roast
And also the whole idea of how many types of adult business in the past had to adapt to changes that once seemed to be hindering the industry at that particular time. Even if you read old StripperWeb threads from years back on here, I am talking old school post too ( LMAO) you will see that there were lots of complaints then too about the cam industry and it was considered a booming business back then.
* Read the old Threads for Proof***LOL
So it will always be struggle in this industry but at the same time I would say people who question unfairness or any type of improper injustice or practice do help improve the over-all conditions for us all. So I appreciate people like you looking out for us and what this industry is.
Regardless if you are in this industry short-term or long-term , you do it for 2 or 50 years, just know your plans and goals that are going to make you successful. ( and success is relative to that individual) Plan accordingly and Prepare yourself for lifes ups and downs in any BUSINESS, actually.
It is good to have back up plans in any type of business. It is hard work but that is what it takes to stay on top when and if something flops.
Even though I honeslty can work in the sex field for a long time, I really do love this type of work, my goals have always been to graduate college and start my own business ( not in adult-work). Plus I have a passion for creative writing so I tried to find a way to make money from doing what I already like to do and I did. It takes time and I am still trying to make BIG BANK with it, but it can be done.
You can make money from anything, it just takes hard work sometimes to reap the benefits.....
But I am just a person who tries to understand every point of view cause life is very interesting to say the least.......
Anyway, I am starting to ramble now, it is late, I have actually been on cam for like 4 hours consecutively, which is a first for me, and it was financially worth it. Now let me try to do it tomorrow.LOL;D
KaylaM
11-06-2010, 02:34 AM
I don't really see tube sites and even sites like MFC as being a threat to my personal camming income, simply because I feel like the Pareto Principle (80-20) rule applies to camming. 80% of your income will come from 20% of your customers.
A) That 20% is not spending money on you because you have a hot pair of tits or because of the giant dildo you stick in your pussy. That 20% is spending money on you because there is something unique that you offer, that no other girl offers, because she's not YOU!
B) Tube sites show porn but they do not offer the personalized, real-time human interaction that webcam shows offer. Sure, 80% of the customers probably look for free porn, and cruise the free sections of cam sites trying to get whatever they can for the least money possible, but the guys who spend money want more than that. They want some attention, or for a particular fetish to be fulfilled a specific way, or for someone to listen to them, or even someone to spoil and enjoy the gratification that comes from it *I like these guys the best lol*
There are several reasons why some girls thrive on cam sites and others flop... it's personality, promotion, looks, and attitude! You can be 32 and bank. Shit, look at Nemesis! But if you're generally upset about the state of the industry you work for, and no longer are enthusiastic about it, people can see that.
I'm willing to bet some of the top earning girls on many of these sites really, genuinely enjoy their job. They probably think the whole camming industry is fucking wonderful and are grateful for the opportunity to share their sexuality and personality with all of the wonderful, generous men out there.
I just think you have to enjoy what you do when you are working for 100% commission.
Well said!
MonicaF
11-06-2010, 07:11 AM
Again, thank you all for your feedback (positive or negative) and your thoughts. I really appreciate all the private messages and emails as well - I understand that many of you can't be public in regards to how you feel on this forum due to bullies.
My post could have been deemed as a "vent" , but it's also very truthful and often times the moment truth is brought to light, the powers that be want to push it back into the shadows.
I'll continue to be around in the adult entertainment sphere, for a very long time.
Be careful with consistently "adapting". If that mindset was 100% correct then World War II would not have taken place.
In the future I will probably bar myself from posting on here, primarily because I've noticed that certain "female" posters, aren't actually women in the adult industry at all (they are recruiters for escort rings, agencies, webcam sites, strip clubs, etc).
Be careful, if you can't find verification online who who someone CLAIMS to be, whether they're helpful or not - think twice.
KaylaM
11-06-2010, 05:13 PM
Again, thank you all for your feedback (positive or negative) and your thoughts. I really appreciate all the private messages and emails as well - I understand that many of you can't be public in regards to how you feel on this forum due to bullies.
Seriously how old are you again Monica? Bullies? Really? Ok.
My post could have been deemed as a "vent" , but it's also very truthful and often times the moment truth is brought to light, the powers that be want to push it back into the shadows.
So how should we fight against this "problem"? You still haven't answered our question?
I'll continue to be around in the adult entertainment sphere, for a very long time.
Good for you. Glad to hear it.
Be careful with consistently "adapting". If that mindset was 100% correct then World War II would not have taken place.
Sure.. but smart people think outside the box and don't let themselves become "slaves" to their work.
In the future I will probably bar myself from posting on here, primarily because I've noticed that certain "female" posters, aren't actually women in the adult industry at all (they are recruiters for escort rings, agencies, webcam sites, strip clubs, etc).
I would love to know who you are talking about. Since you care so much about the ladies on this board you should call out whoever the "recruiter" is. I have called out many recruiters in the past.
Oh and just FYI there are multiple interviews, TER reviews, BD reviews, Escort.com reviews on me (with my pictures attached and all) .. oh and let's not forget my darling sites (both of which I have shared on this board ..several times)
Be careful, if you can't find verification online who who someone CLAIMS to be, whether they're helpful or not - think twice.
Agree but just understand that YOU are not the ONLY "real" person on here.
minniesoporno
11-06-2010, 05:31 PM
I don't know what is going on with Monica, maybe LA has really got to her. but I didnt like her message about how she is claimining I am not loyal.
KaylaM
11-06-2010, 06:16 PM
I don't know what is going on with Monica, maybe LA has really got to her. but I didnt like her message about how she is claimining I am not loyal.
Just like she claimed I haven't contributed anything "useful" helpful" "positive" to this forum... ::)
She sounds bitter. Oh well.. sad.
minniesoporno
11-06-2010, 07:46 PM
Just like she claimed I haven't contributed anything "useful" helpful" "positive" to this forum... ::)
She sounds bitter. Oh well.. sad.
I don't know but damn LA has good rehab places.
LibraSnake
11-06-2010, 09:49 PM
This is a piece I wrote this morning from my Official Blog - I feel many of you ladies here need to read it.
----------------------------
"There's no such thing as free."</center>
That seemed to be the theme phrase of which consistently popped up at random times throughout my day yesterday - and I can see why. I not only needed to hear that message - I needed to understand it and relate it to all of you - my readers, fans and friends.
Many people who work within the porn arena seem to be consistently bitching and moaning about "free" tube sites making it more difficult for porn studios, producers and companies to make money. Well it's all a crock of shit - because the larger studios and companies are making MUCH more money than they EVER have due to all of the free content circulating - the only thing is that it's only a FEW key studios and companies making the money. They are giving away the product for free in order to squeeze out the competition, indoctrinate the upcoming generation of consumers to only like THEIR product, and to justify paying the talent, production crews and small scale content developers less. IT'S ALL A GREAT BIG SCAM.
How do I know this? Well it's begun to happen in MY primary market of porn - webcamming...and I am VERY upset and I'm not going to go down without sinking my venomous teeth into certain parties first, unless I get a payoff.
About a year or so ago - a little website popped up called www.MyFreeCams.com (http://www.MyFreeCams.com) - seemed harmless enough so of course I signed up as webcam girl and have logged on to work every now and then. I will not anymore though - want to know why? Because I can't make any money on their network - and neither can anyone else.
The site itself makes plenty and the audience LOVES it because it's "FREE". You can (and are encouraged to) get completely naked ("tastefully" of course) in free chat and then BEG for the viewers to donate "tokens". Now do the majority of viewers donate? No. And why should they? It's "free". A few nice guys here and there do though and most likely the actual website moderators do some donation "simulations" from behind the scenes to make it look like the money is flowing to the performers, but is it really? No. Also keep in mind that MyFreeCams.com keeps a large percentage of each performer's "donations".
MyFreeCams.com has fucked it up for other GOOD, fair, professional and hardworking webcam networks such as www.camworld.com (http://www.camworld.com) and www.cammodels.com (http://www.cammodels.com) - both of which feature free CLOTHED chat, but make the viewers pay in order to see more.
Look, I am all about change and progress but I am very ANTI-SLAVERY and www.MyFreeCams.com (http://www.MyFreeCams.com) business model is all about turning good webcam girls into essentially STREET BEGGARS and SLAVES.
It has gotten so bad for webcam girls at this stage, that even on the GOOD webcam network sites, the viewers have been so conditioned as to how www.MyFreeCams.com (http://www.MyFreeCams.com) works that they consistently berate and insult the cam models, because they are not getting to see whatever they want for "FREE".
Being a webcam girl used to give the model the power to name her price. Now, it has changed to where the viewer decides what he feels like "donating" AFTER he's received the product. I refuse to allow someone else to decide what I'm worth. I DECIDE WHAT I AM WORTH.
Seems to me that the porn industry started to notice that webcam girls were making a good living independently and though they have MILLIONS of dollars, it just was not enough so now through www.MyFreeCams.com (http://www.MyFreeCams.com) , large key porn companies have decided to roadblock me from being able to make just enough money to pay my rent and bills.
On many occasions I will be online doing webcam shows in the free chat section and I consistently have viewers say "hey, let's chat for FREE, but I don't need a live show because while we're chatting I'm watching you get fucked in a porn scene I found you in on a FREE TUBE site".
So I've basically been totally roadblocked as a pornstar AND webcamgirl.
Unless a guy is a true fan, I can't make any money through my doing live webcam shows much anymore. I don't receive any residuals for any of the porn movies I've done. If I ever were to shoot a scene for another porn studio again, I doubt the rate I'd be offered for a scene would be over $700. I will never be a "contract girl" being that I'm almost 32 years old and black - and it's not likely that my investor will come through in the end for me to even start my own production company properly.
I need a regular job at this stage, and I'm not even certain where to begin to look being that I haven't had a non-adult industry related job since about 2002. I definitely am intelligent and embody a certain area of expertise - but it feels hopeless.
Fuck you MyFreeCams.com - Fuck you tube sites which are heavily supported by Brazzers and Jules Jordan (I have a strong inclination that MyFreeCams.com is SOMEHOW being backed by whoever backs Jules Jordan considering that Jenna Haze will be signing at THEIR BOOTH at Exxxotica in New Jersey this weekend) and FUCK YOU INDIVIDUALS who have attempted to break me (yet failed) and have attempted to tell me WHAT I AM WORTH.
ONLY I SET MY PRICE and though I'm poor I WILL NOT BE BROKEN.
Oh crap. I find all this out only after I applied for MFC. :P
cyberstripper
11-12-2010, 03:09 PM
I havent posted in a while and have kinda been lurking, but great post MONICA! I am sorry to hear you are having a difficult time making money, it amazes me when I see these tweaked out pornstars making decent incomes on streamate when they have thousands of hardcore videos out and they treat their customers like complete shit. Unfortunately videos really are forever online and for the rest of your camming career u will have the free wanking fuckos chatting with you about your videos.
I have thought alot about signing up for MFC, of course all of our clients will like the thought of it, and MFC is the camsite of the "future"
BUT If this is what the future of camming is going to be like, I don't want to be part of it at all I have decided.
***Returns hours later to finish the post that I started before my internet took a big shit on me***
If you really are unhappy though Monica, I'd look into other things. You are a very talented woman and have alot of potential. I have taken a long break from camming lately to work on something that I truly enjoy and it has been great! Oddly enough, I make more money faster on cam now not being as available to all of my clients who now flock to me in bunches when I am online!!!!
I will admit I have been unhappy with camming myself lately, not because of MONEY but I have felt that I have not been reaching my full potential as a person (not money wise) these past few years in porn/stripping/camming. The fast money is great, but that is all this industry IS...it is what you do with the money you make that can make your future brighter, not the industry itself.
Though there are very successful pornstars/cammers/strippers, etc out there with triple digit incomes but they are NOT the majority. I have been lucky and a damn hard working hustling bitch to be able to support myself from camming income alone for the past 5 years and not have to get into other avenues of sex work as I once did to make ends meet.
I have also been very saddened by the industry lately. Girls seem happy with incomes that mimic those of minimum wage jobs. Pornstars are doing scenes for HUNDREDS not THOUSANDS. Girls are offering tit/pussy/bodily fluids flashes for 5 cents. REALLY?!? Working on sites like this and supporting this type of site will hurt the future of this industry. MFC treats their performers more like street peddlers then webcam models. You are expected by their clients to put on a performance in hope of tips. The economy is partially to blame but it seems that the performers themselves are flocking to sites that offer less percentages and nudity in free chat. When I first got into camming, percentages were 50% minimum, now you are lucky to find a DECENT site that offers 50%. I have been as flexible as I can but too much bs is occuring on these sites lately for me to want to be a career camgirl. I am moving on slowly and making progress. I dont think I will ever get out of adult 100% but I dont want to rely on it 100% anymore. The thought of owning my own website design business (in the works) and camming for extra income has always been my dream and now it is coming true before my eyes.
I am all for exploring other aspects of the industry, but is it really moving forward or up the career ladder?....to me NO. A camgirl who becomes a stripper, who does porn, starts a website, then becomes an escort (not particularly in this order) is not really climbing up the career ladder imho, to me it seems more like digging a deeper hole that will be harder for you to climb out of once you do want to leave the biz. It is smart of all of the above industry workers to choose an industry that is so flexible and has a high income potential, but it is even smarter to use the money to invest and further yourself...get a college education, start a business, etc. You must use that fast money to your advantage. AT one point this reality will happen to all of us at various stages of our lives...at one point we will consider leaving the industry and moving on. How prey-tel do you move on when you have no work experience, have various videos online, have your face posted on escorting sites? YOU WORK IN OTHER FIELDS besides the adult industry while you are in the adult industry. I would suggest you start doing this Monica. You really do have alot of potential. You have a college education I believe I have read on your website. USE it and do not let it go to waste!!!! I know a normal job will not always pay the bills, but that is why the adult industry is such a wonderful thing, you can use it to fall back on because it is so flexible! You can always turn on that webcam and make money. You just do not have to rely on it 100%
OK I am done rambling now..I did not think of your OP as negative Monica but I really thought it was a heartfelt blog of you just explaining your feelings and thoughts on camming and as you could see I couldnt help but to share mine! :) and a bit of advice for you, which is something id much rather give then insults and arguements.
lilmisssunshine
11-12-2010, 10:04 PM
Monica I don't know if you are still posting. I am thirty three almost thirty four years old and have worked in the adult industry since before I was legal. Something alot of the younger generation here does not understand is how much the money has been disappearing in the adult industry. What these girls consider good nowadays was garbage in the '90's.
Through the years I have come to several places in my work where I felt I hit a wall. And yea, I had to find new ways through it all. The thing I like about Shelly Connors post is how she talks about the personality and the uniqueness of being you.
The truth is that we can be young or cute or have big boobs or be a different color or whatever, but no matter how cute you are, if you are dumb as a sack of rocks or lack personality, you will eventually fail.
It DOES take brains to be successful in this industry. Wisdom beats youth or cuteness any day, always has.
I agree with your post about the industry Monica. I don't see it as bitching. I often wonder what direction camming will go with all this bs going on. I was camming in the 90's. It was definitely different then.
But I have looked at your blog, etc, Monica. You are very intelligent and haven't made it this far for any other reason. You will find your niche.
That's what I did. I found something different that works for me and I do well at. I never post about it either, I don't find the negativity found here sometimes extremely welcoming either.
I signed up for MFC and worked 5 minutes. I got the f*ck off and never signed in again. Yuck.
cyberstripper
11-12-2010, 10:51 PM
Monica I don't know if you are still posting. I am thirty three almost thirty four years old and have worked in the adult industry since before I was legal. Something alot of the younger generation here does not understand is how much the money has been disappearing in the adult industry. What these girls consider good nowadays was garbage in the '90's.
Through the years I have come to several places in my work where I felt I hit a wall. And yea, I had to find new ways through it all. The thing I like about Shelly Connors post is how she talks about the personality and the uniqueness of being you.
The truth is that we can be young or cute or have big boobs or be a different color or whatever, but no matter how cute you are, if you are dumb as a sack of rocks or lack personality, you will eventually fail.
It DOES take brains to be successful in this industry. Wisdom beats youth or cuteness any day, always has.
I agree with your post about the industry Monica. I don't see it as bitching. I often wonder what direction camming will go with all this bs going on. I was camming in the 90's. It was definitely different then.
But I have looked at your blog, etc, Monica. You are very intelligent and haven't made it this far for any other reason. You will find your niche.
That's what I did. I found something different that works for me and I do well at. I never post about it either, I don't find the negativity found here sometimes extremely welcoming either.
I signed up for MFC and worked 5 minutes. I got the f*ck off and never signed in again. Yuck.
I have the same frame of thinking. I have been camming fulltime for 5 years, but started dabbling in it like 10 years ago now and boy have things changed. I can't say it is for the better either. I am not bitter, angry or regretful over my past or my cam career because it really helped me to find website design. If I did not get into camming, I would have never considered being a home based website designer, nor would I have the time to putz around online internet marketing or designing for hours on end. Anyone with experience in camming can get into many other avenues of ecommerce if they have the self discipline to work from home....from owning websites, to seo, internet marketing, affiliate sales, etc. Camming is not the *ONE AND ONLY* way to make great money online, but it does take time and patience and the money will not always come as quickly. I see so many girls signing up to camsites and posting here that they love the flexibility and the ability to work from home. Camming is not the only industry that allows one to work from home. BUT it is one of the few work from home jobs where you may have a problem owning a legitimite business (licensing is not easily attainable for adult industry workers) with health benefits, etc, and may have a problem finding future employment due to working in the industry.
Girls who work in camming/porn/escorting/stripping alone are totally wasting precious time...I have learned this the hard way but that is the only way I learn!!! I have slacked off but the money was so great that I felt that I did not need to look into other avenues, but I kept on designing websites as a hobby! While you are camming you can be working on sooo many other projects that can help, not harm your future. You have the freedom to work when you choose, and make decent money..do not let it go to waste! Do not lose sight of your goals and dreams. DO SOMETHING to accomplish them now while you have the freedom and easy money!
I am very curious to know what you do nowadays lilmiss..if you do not want to share I understand. You can also PM ME.
lilmisssunshine
11-12-2010, 11:02 PM
PM on the way cyberstipper :)
I absolutely love love love what I do for a living now and would never trade it for the world.
But I would have never traveled down this path if I had not gone down the road of adult businesses. It has made me what I am today.
MonicaF
11-13-2010, 02:09 PM
Thanks cyberstripper and lilmisssunshine for your thoughts.
To a clear a few things up though:
1)I'm not unhappy, just frustrated by some things I've observed in regards to the on and offline adult entertainment industry (which is what led me to finally completing my first book, and I've started on the 2nd - YAY! )
2)Upon reassessing, my financial situation, it isn't as bad as I ranted. I know I make more money than most, but I do need to save much more and in time I'll most likely move to a less expensive part of the country.
3)I don't have a college degree but I'm flattered that you think I do. I went to college for a bit but never finished.
I'm definitely transitioning at this stage from being an "on camera" person to more of a behind the scenes person (along with becoming more of an artist and author), but it DOES take time, and while I'm making that transition I do want to instigate some changes in regards to the adult entertainment world and create more awareness amongst performers (pornstars, webcamgirls, etc).
I think it's everyone's responsibility to make the road a bit smoother for who ever comes down the road next.
lilmisssunshine
11-13-2010, 06:59 PM
I like your quote, Monica -
"Getting in is the easy part. Surviving once you're in is what this business is all about."
For those of us who have been in this business for years, surviving, adapting and changing is something we have become accustomed to. We made it this far, there is no reason why learning from our experiences in the past won't push us further.
minniesoporno
11-13-2010, 07:19 PM
I like your quote, Monica -
"Getting in is the easy part. Surviving once you're in is what this business is all about."
For those of us who have been in this business for years, surviving, adapting and changing is something we have become accustomed to. We made it this far, there is no reason why learning from our experiences in the past won't push us further.
This is very true.
I had no idea I would be in this for 7 years.
cherryblossomsinspring
11-13-2010, 09:21 PM
Hiya ladies I will agree with the free cam named sites. I work on Ifriends or maybe I should say worked? It's dead on there now I mean horribly dead. I remember back in July I was killing it like crazy had grossed $3000 in 10 days and was thinking ok now this is what im talking about. Everyone was saying it gets even busier during the fall. Nope it's slow like crazy. I go into a feature called " invisible" to avoid the freebie beggers from FREE CAMS AND some other sites. Yeah I didn't really know how to do this when I started. Also disabled the record me function aswell. I think a guy maybe got about 2 vids out of me before I figured out that bottom. I immediately though wow my first cam experience and I'm going to be on some freebie porn tube. Not happening.
When the site slowed to a screeching halt and yes you can go on there and check the chat host forums and see they are complaining about how slow it is and the site issues. I decided to do phone sex. To me i felt well what to do when your feminine cycle shows up and you can't get crazy on cam . So for a week or so I started taking calls. Then I said wait why even sign in I can take calls. I may not make as much money but atleast I'm not just sitting there for 6-12hrs straight with people walking in and out of my room not spending a dime.
I was never a top girl there and not really looking to be. I don't want my name in lights on the site. Just a steady weekly pay check which was ok til these last two weeks were there was no traffic at all. I heard a girl on there saying that the top hosts are hogging the traffic but i don't think that's the case. If guys like what they like then that girl deserves it. I mean if I worked at a site for 10yrs I would think I would have the right to command attention without much effort. So I applaud the ladies that are keeping their money going.
For the rest of us I really don't know what to do. I have checked out other sites and frankly no one has the payout that ifriends does. Also I see alot of these other sites give girls even less or make them start at a set .99 per min for the first 90 mins. I find that ridiculous but it's good business sense for the site. I think I signed up with Live Jasmin and kept trying to find out their rates but it was posted no where. When I finally got their email that I woudl be starting at 99 amin or so and that I would get 30% of that I almost choked. Like are you on crack? I have to show my body for um let's calculate that? .30 cents a minute? I can take calls with my hair torn out of my head and reading a book in 20year old clothing but I have to get dolled up looking sexy knowing I'm going to be making less than a 7-11 cup of coffee? btw I don't think this was exactly live Jasmin but a front door site to live jasmin as we all know there are a bunch of companies or studios posing as the site's themselves.
So I told them not happening close my account please.
Every other site seems to be the same. I even see signed up with adultcamswork. but when I was trying to read their terms and conditions the wording was really poor writing. I actually thought that It was some scam site so I think they actually closed the account because I never went through with completing the application process. Plus I don't like selling vids or pics. I kinda want to go in and pay 2 play and get on with my day. Even in fan clubs pics I don't have anything nude and nothing with toys. If I'm nude I'm behind something like a body pillow. The thought of something naked of me getting out I'd like to minimize.
I almost feel I started camming at the end of the cam world life when it's so over run and so everywhere that it seems hard to sift through a legitimate site vs the scam sites. I think doing calls is abit more lucrative for phone sex is a cheap consistent pay check and it seems to target the sickest of all creatures which is even better. They pay to say the sickest fantasies and would not be able to elsewhere. Also ifriend's site is doing a number on my laptop so usually I have to keep a fan on because for some reason with all of the heavy lifting of the site my comp will just shut off now.
I don't know why their traffic is so poor these days. I'm thinking they lost some great webmasters. Hopefully things will pick up because the site is a dazzling place with some really cool features.
Ohh signed up for MGF. Alittle so so for now but hoping this site does me some justice. I'm seeing alot a freebie desires there too and the guy that wants to pay $5.00 to ONE contest winner after getting loads and loads of pics and videos of girls doing all kinds of stuff. Not bad for the cheap skates . I do like that the site has reviews on the guys. But some of the guys sound angry. I got a new friend and his tagline is " HI HO!" How lovely is that? or you'll see a guy state send me 3 naked pics and maybe I'll be your friend. It's kind of a place where losers can feel more in control.
ChatGF
11-20-2010, 03:10 PM
Note: I run a cam site, I am not a model or studio or a customer, but I am not here to spy or intrude, just to give a "cam pimp" point of view for anyone who may have use of it.
I find many posts of this thread really good, both from veteran and new models, and it is being said already most of truth of how it all was before, it is now, and will be in future. The following sum it well:
Pornstars are doing scenes for HUNDREDS not THOUSANDS. Girls are offering tit/pussy/bodily fluids flashes for 5 cents. REALLY?!? Working on sites like this and supporting this type of site will hurt the future of this industry. MFC treats their performers more like street peddlers then webcam models. You are expected by their clients to put on a performance in hope of tips. The economy is partially to blame but it seems that the performers themselves are flocking to sites that offer less percentages and nudity in free chat. When I first got into camming, percentages were 50% minimum, now you are lucky to find a DECENT site that offers 50%.
I read forums of webmasters (those guys who advertize cam sites to take the %) and most say that tubes and myfreecams-like sites are letting them quit and find other job as "there's no money in porn". So I can tell the money is not ended in hands of middlemens, simply 1 every 10,000 buy now while before was 1 every 100, most models still do more than the small webmaster, the era when advertize cams and be cam girl was easy money it ended, who was around in 2000-2002 know it well.
About cam site owners, well, it depends who, but I can tell most small sites are having bad time, is easier to see a site to close than new ones to open and stay up. Who survive is who is partner with the tubes who everyone blames for making guys cheap. Streamate looks popular with models, but its traffic come from tubes at 90%, did you know? See xvideoslive , redtubelive , pornhublive , youpornmate , tube8live , 4tubemate , xhamstercams , spankwirecams (etc. etc.) that's all streamate whitelabel. Or, go to any tube site and click on cam links and 90% that's a streamate whitelabel. Alternatively it opens a popup to livejasmin. Adapt or die :)
And about the 50% payout to model, streamate and livejasmin are at 30% - 35% if I am not wrong, if models did not wanted sites to pay only 30%, they should stay online only in those paying 50%. If I am a cam site I put 50% pay to models, then another site put 35% pay and is full of models, why I should keep 50%, everyone will put 30%.
And then this 15%-20% "less" is going to buy the traffic, and who have the traffic? The tubes and free site. So your 15%-20% go fund the tube sites to pay their server bills to deliver your cam shows recordings or commercial porn movies for free. Tube sites cost lots $$ in server hosting, the big ones cost $100,000's per month of server alone, and these bills are paid with the % took from your streamate and livejasmin (and eventually streamray, not many others) private shows.
So whoever who work in livejasmin, streamate, streamray (via aff) could sure not blame tubes as it is funding tubes to keep up, not so indirectly.
Now myfreecams claims pay 60%, really is 50% and with discounts of users this can grow in practice, however it must be given credit to mfc that it pays 50%. However, that's simply because it is a live tube, with free content, and so have to not pay another tube to buy traffic. Basically it kicks out the webmaster and replaces the tube site, this is what made mfc the site of 2010 and letting streamate add the "gold" for tips, flirt4free add naked shows for tips and so on, everyone reacted to mfc as they reacted before to tubes, adapt or die.
Actually is a supply and demand, and adapt or die thing. As long as there is free content, people no more pay $8 a minute for it, and this is the tube step. As long as there are models who show live for free, you are at the myfreecams step. Take a look at cam4.com , camfuze.com , the latter not even have tips, is just people doing it free. In future maybe pre-recorded tube sites will be replaced by people doing sex live for free, such as cam4 and myfreecams, is so easy, just needs 2 people fucking and a cam, that happens in million of homes every day. Adapt or die.
Still, there will be money in private chats, and guys will send tips. Why? Because if a guy like one specific girl, he will not care to thousands of porn shows from other girls, no matter how free or nasty. He is fan of her only and will buy all what she have for sale, and tip her all his money until he sell his home (I run a cam site and I witnessed guy even want sell the own home to support insane private chatting a cam gurl who broke him).
So in short, if you let fall in love even 1 guy every 1000 freebies, he can support you for years - let you fall in love a dozen, and you're ok for 10 years. No matter if there's no money in porn, that's cams and it is an interactive thing between people, is not a movie.
my 2 cents (or 2 euro's, sorry for bad English, I am obviously european).