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Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
So, I'm very curious as to how you ladies prefer to deal with the dreaded summer slowdown rates-wise.
Up until this month, I've been alllll about skyrocketing my rates and it's served me well thus far, I hate free chat and waiting for calls on NF (I'm super ADHD and get really bored really fast sometimes), but I absolutely love realizing that I've made great money for minimal effort at the end of the day. And I enjoy the exclusivity of it.
But with the stunning lack of traffic (and new traffic who seems to get sticker-shock) I'm debating as to whether or not this is such a fantastic idea anymore lol.
I'm not above lowering my rates at all, however my biggest concern is raising them back up to my standard prices (I eventually want to go even higher) and going back to square one. Or having my regulars who have paid my current rate get super used to the lower price-point and then not wanting to revert to spending more.
How do you ladies like to go about your rates specifically for slow seasons like the summer?
Do you lower them? Do you raise them even higher? Do you keep them the same?
And how does it effect your rates/earnings overall (for the rest of the year)?
Sorry if this has already been asked! I try to scan this board daily but have yet to come across the topic for summer rates, so sorry if I missed it. :)
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
Always keep your rates on the higher end.
Summer time is the best time to test out new pricing and build up that audience who will pay the higher rate. That what I did last summer. Will be keeping my rates on the higher end.
I use to think that flirt4free was the highest rate site, then I discovered that other per minute sites also have high rates.
you just have to stick to your routine when it comes to camming, your hours along might be the same or lesss but building routine and sticking to the structure is key in the summer.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
minniesoporno
you just have to stick to your routine when it comes to camming, your hours along might be the same or lesss but building routine and sticking to the structure is key in the summer.
This was a relief to hear.
Before I took off for my trip this past week, I was working my ass off on consistency + logging in at the same time every day and now that I need to make a few grand for my car this coming month, I'm trying to add an additional live shift to my workload so I'm streaming over 40 hrs per week. I was really hoping my higher rates wouldn't invalidate those efforts -- I'm really glad it's working/worked for you!
And speaking of F4F do you have any updated insight on them? I can't really seem to find anything from this year about what it's like over there. I'm a (mostly) non-nude Domme and I'd like to add another private based site to either split with or just use when SM is dead.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
This may not be the popular opinion, but here goes.
I lower my rates when it's slow, or in summer slump, ONLY because I don't have patience anymore.
I sat for 8-10 hours on cam for the first 4 plus years that I've been on cam. I've been camming for 8.
It burnt me out. Big time!
Combine that with health problems, and you get the picture.
Luckily, I've built up my customer base, and my 'hustle', so it doesn't take more than an hour or so on cam to make my goal.
*One thing I did that made a WORLD of difference, was to cut my living expenses in half.
I have an inheritance, but I'm really trying not to tap into it.
I do " Happy Hour" specials all the time, to justify the rate decrease.
Video giveaways, with show purchases, types of things.
I always jack my prices up when it's busy.
Another thing I've noticed, is that most of these summer losers only come around now, and won't be around any other time. ( According to my notes).
The great thing about camming, is that you can adjust your rates at any given time, to find out what works.
Best of luck.
Let us know what you decide to do.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Glamourmilf
This may not be the popular opinion, but here goes.
I lower my rates when it's slow, or in summer slump, ONLY because I don't have patience anymore.
I sat for 8-10 hours on cam for the first 4 plus years that I've been on cam. I've been camming for 8.
It burnt me out. Big time!
Combine that with health problems, and you get the picture.
Luckily, I've built up my customer base, and my 'hustle', so it doesn't take more than an hour or so on cam to make my goal.
*One thing I did that made a WORLD of difference, was to cut my living expenses in half.
I have an inheritance, but I'm really trying not to tap into it.
I do " Happy Hour" specials all the time, to justify the rate decrease.
Video giveaways, with show purchases, types of things.
I always jack my prices up when it's busy.
Another thing I've noticed, is that most of these summer losers only come around now, and won't be around any other time. ( According to my notes).
The great thing about camming, is that you can adjust your rates at any given time, to find out what works.
Best of luck.
Let us know what you decide to do.
Thank you for the response. :) I definitely feel a lot of this. As I mentioned before, adding an additional live-shift is on my radar for the coming weeks, but I do fear burnout as taking it easy on streaming + really focusing on indy was my spring go-to since I couldn't handle it with a few of my own health issues. I've finally figured out a lower-effort hustle that makes longer streaming hours a lot more doable for me, so I'm able to do way more than I could when I was just starting out and trying to be an energizer bunny 24/7 lol.
Would you mind if I ask what exactly your low + high rates are? And is this on SM or somewhere else? I'm currently at 9.99 pvt / 7.99 exc.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
I keep my rates steady throughout the year, although when it gets super busy in the fall, i sometimes raise them. That being said, im already on the lower end of the rate scale at 4.99/pvt, 5.99/exl. But in my category (transgender) it can be hard to compete if you raise your rates too high. Its not like we are front page girls lol.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
I dont change my rates and they are really high but having said that I used to play around with them when I first started and that is how I determined that I did better with higher but you should play around with them and see what happens. Im not saying go way low or way high but move it a bit and see if there is somewhere your more comfortable with. Most guys see you and want you so they click they arent paying attention to price they are just gonna go in your room until they cum or run out of credit. Thats just how guys are. You will get the odd one that will notice but its not worth worrying over.
One thing to consider is if its slow and put your rates up you will make more with one show and if shows are fewer and further between this could get you to your goal faster. I dont really think that having cheap shows means more guys will buy your shows. As I mentioned before guys want you cause you make their cock twitch not because your 1.99 a min.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
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Originally Posted by
DeepThoughts
One thing to consider is if its slow and put your rates up you will make more with one show and if shows are fewer and further between this could get you to your goal faster.
This has been my experience thus far, especially on SM. I usually do *at most* 5-6 shows during my 4hr morning shift, but because my rates are higher and I cater to a findom crowd, I've often exceeded my daily goal within the first 2 hours, and then staying on longer was just icing on the cake. And as you mentioned, guys don't seem to notice the rates on sites like SM where prices are sort of an afterthought. That really makes sense out of why they're so willing to pay more there.
Do you use any indy sites at the moment? That's where I'm reaaaally on shaky ground with raising my rates and it's so annoying bc I hate charging less on the higher payout sites just because I make more, that defeats the purpose imo lmao. I've got like, 2 NF regs that don't seem to mind my higher cam rates, but they never do long shows anyway. I've just heard of other girls starting at $5.99+ on indy and it really makes me wanna stay high and wait for the guys who can afford that, but I don't get nearly as much paying traffic (tons of timewasters though! fun! lmao) so I'm not sure if it'll ever come.
Like I said, lowering them isn't an issue if I'd pick up a few more shows, but I'm just nervous about "tainting my brand," so to say, in the long run since findom is sort of my thing.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
I do offer Indy to a select group of clients mostly because my rates are high. its 100 Euros for 15 mins. I dont offer per min and I dont offer less. You get 15, 30, 45 or 100 or more and that is all I offer cause honestly I cant be bothered but because I have my own, very large following of fans from my own website I offer this to them if they want me.
I really cannot understand why girls charge less then their per min cam site rate just because they get to keep more with indy. I dont work less on Indy I work fucking hard for these guys and Im really good at what I do. That is why I charge a lot it doesnt matter what I get to keep or not. That is my business not theirs. I would say what ever your put your rates at on SM keep them the same on indy!
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
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Originally Posted by
DeepThoughts
I really cannot understand why girls charge less then their per min cam site rate just because they get to keep more with indy. I dont work less on Indy I work fucking hard for these guys and Im really good at what I do. That is why I charge a lot it doesnt matter what I get to keep or not. That is my business not theirs. I would say what ever your put your rates at on SM keep them the same on indy!
Any time I even try to slightly mention this on the NF forums, I'm always met with a chorus of girls who brag about being crazy busy at insanely low rates and then they viciously snap at anyone who says charging more might be a good idea lol. It's more PSO related than cam, but still indy nonetheless and annoying. I try not to let it stress me too much since it's their business not mine, but it's soooo irritating knowing that these guys have the cash, but since most of the girls won't demand it, those of us who do look sUpEr ~ eXpeNsIvE when our rates are showcased right next to the standard rates which could be off-putting to new clients.
I'm just trying to find a way around this so I can still bank, 'cause there was nothing better than getting 70% of $10.00/min. when I found a guy willing to pay that.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
I raised my rates few months ago from 3 to 4/min on skype and im mostly indy now, the only site i keep up is aw because i really like it a lot, but even there, i raised them to 2.49 grp and 3.49 prvt and i dont get many clients at all, but didnt as well when i had lower rates due to being a strict femdom and due to not sure what happened to traffic since the start of this year. I used to make very good on aw, not anymore, but i leave it as a side egg. On aw rates are really low, really low, is very upsetting really. But i wont lower my rates and if i feel like giving a happy hour time, i will lower them 0.50 or 0.60 a min only.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
I dont know anything about NF but Im not super busy and I still bank. So if Im making what they make but I only put in a fraction of the time then who has the better deal?? I have one particular guy who just puts 500 euros in my account every week and I do four shows with him a week. Stop asking those girls and go do your own thing.
I have a lot of publicity so I know these guys are rare but if you get one then your all set. Stop trying to cater to the clients that want more for less if you dont want to be a more for less model. My motto is More is More so I dont settle for less.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
^^ This! Also there are a lot of men out there who just have a ho budget. Its a maintenance thing for them so they appreciate those deal cause there are no surprises. They know what they are spending and the will put the cash up weekly to make sure your available for them.
I live having all those options. I admit that at first I wasnt planning it out Like PGD cause I thought it would be a good hook for clients but as I started to get more sugar daddy types that wanted the GFE it just became a natural fit.
I have never experienced a summer slump unless you count the couple of weeks holiday I take off in the summer to do my own thing.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
Yes! A ho budget is a real thing for lots of guys. I have regulars that will send me a courtesy message if they won't be around to spend money. I guess I just didn't fit into the ho budget that month?
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
#Hoebudget is life!
http://i63.tinypic.com/23qz6sx.gif
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Originally Posted by
PhatGirlDynomite!!!
A hoe budget is a real thing for lots of guys.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
Thank you for the advice ladies, those are excellent tips.
As far as packages/discounts goes, I'm just torn because it seems like any time I create a discounted offer of any sort, it gets overlooked. It's like these dudes never want me to cut them a deal. -.- Do you think it's because of the femdom scene being more geared towards raising the rate and things like that?
I just feel like deals and such work a lot better for vanilla, doesn't seem like a very popular option in the fetish scene, which sucks because I'd really love to implement it effectively.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
If your doing femdom it should work. I see girls on Twitter all day long making their paypigs give them money for nothing! They just post pics and tell them to send $$. Just mix in some financial domination.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
I never lower my rates because I would resent it. If texting guys can pay 2 bucks a text with no issue, then there are men that can pay your rates. The fetish ladies getting pay pigs to give them free money didnt do that overnight, they have worked for years on that. It takes time to get that kind of following
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
The enjoyment of what I do is very reflected on what I charge. I have had high rates and I have lowered my rates in many things over the years. It impacts my confidence and how I work. It's not just a price.
In my femdom things, I have NEVER lowered my prices for anyone. I have always charged $10 a minute and I have had countless men tell me I am too expensive. I give zero fucks, never will lower it. Purely because I have guys who will pay it and those guys are great to session with. My videos have always been on the higher end pricing too, I don't do the $1 per minute on video pricing. When I sell my higher priced videos I feel good about myself and I feel content that I am charging my worth.
I have lowered my pricing on other things in the past. For example I have done on MFC 20 videos for 200 tokens deal (albeit they are older videos that I no longer care for) and I probably sell that about 3 times PER MONTH. Just not worth it. If 50 people per month bought that deal then great.
I get more annoyed about people not buying my discounted deals or prices than I do about people not buying my higher rated things.
That being said if any camgirl is in a position where she is broke or needs a flow of money for whatever then lowering your rates may be wise for a TEMPORARY time to get you out the shit. If however you have financial stability and can afford a potential bad month or two (if it happens) then stick at your higher rates and be patient.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JaneBurgess
I never lower my rates because I would resent it. If texting guys can pay 2 bucks a text with no issue, then there are men that can pay your rates. The fetish ladies getting pay pigs to give them free money didnt do that overnight, they have worked for years on that. It takes time to get that kind of following
Good point. So the moral of the story is dont lower your rates cause summer, or tax time, or Christmas. You have to keep them up and establish your brand. If your not seeing the $'s you want work on that shit. Better your social networks, promote yourself more, widen your net. Its a full time job that doesnt stop ever!
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
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Originally Posted by
DeepThoughts
If your not seeing the $'s you want work on that shit. Better your social networks, promote yourself more, widen your net. Its a full time job that doesnt stop ever!
This also is a great point. It's all very easy when things are going wrong to blame your prices or time of year. Often these aren't always the issue. Personal experience is a make huge bank in summer and I suffer a winter slump.
Sex work is like any other business, we must advertise/market, launch new services, take care of our customers, improve our equipment/space. So before lowering prices I personally will always ask myself "how can I be known to more people?" improve on marketing. How can I improve my look/work space? Is there a new service/fetish/toy/fantasy I can offer to broaden my customer base. Usually these things are enough to see an income increase.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
Thank you ladies once again for all of the motivation + advice, I try not to let things like "seasonal slowdowns" and such get to my head because I've already had weeks/months where it seemed like everyone unanimously agreed that it was slow, and yet it was my baller period lmao.
I've decided to give myself a major raise + add a new fetish I've been wanting to explore that I think could bring in a higher paying crowd. I'm also tweaking my marketing by creating an extra Twitter promo account and adding a vanilla-ish side hustle. I'll let you all know how it goes in a few weeks.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
PrincessC
Thank you ladies once again for all of the motivation + advice, I try not to let things like "seasonal slowdowns" and such get to my head because I've already had weeks/months where it seemed like everyone unanimously agreed that it was slow, and yet it was my baller period lmao.
I've decided to give myself a major raise + add a new fetish I've been wanting to explore that I think could bring in a higher paying crowd. I'm also tweaking my marketing by creating an extra Twitter promo account and adding a vanilla-ish side hustle. I'll let you all know how it goes in a few weeks.
Good luck :)
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
From my other income streams that cost money to join those companies never lower their rates. people are typically complaining on the price, or some other excuse they have that they can't afford it. those companies don't lower their pricing at all.
people just work to make the money available to be able to pay for it. so if you are online more often. to balance out hitting your goal in the summer time then that's what happens. or create other income streams that way you always have income coming in and there is no worry or even fuss over . Slow or broke or whatever lack of money terminology people are using.
it boils down to self talk on both ends. how can you afford to pay for something and also what can you do you to keep your rates high so you don't lower them. and at every price point there is someone saying it's expensive.
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Re: Raising vs. Lowering Rates for the Summer?
This is all great ladies but what about those regs that only soend ever once in a while bc you're rates are high? I've kinda been in a slump bc I drain them then I have no other custies for awhile. I've tried the paypig thing on a few texting sites but it only seems to work on a few here & there. Having a Twitter with a link to an adult processor would probably boost things for me huh? my rates on Sm are kinda high since all I really offer is vanilla stuff with some fetish play not much though & less than 500 followers. I just started camming on there again actually. I was feeling like $100 in 2-3 hrs wasn't enough for me though which is why I wanna push indy.