Getting Down to Business: The Adult 'Net Gets Serious
By Kath Blackwell
"Do not wait; the time will never be 'just right.' Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along."
- Napoleon Hill
So many webmasters just work and work, figuring there will be time later to organize, get their business affairs in order... Others think that they don't need to get outside help like legal counsel, accountants or even hire business managers. For years the veterans of this industry have been preaching to the new folks that come along, telling them that they need to treat their business professionally and make sure that they handle it as such. Taking care of business means hiring professionals and taking care of the those little "legal nuisances," like taxes, incorporation, and other things that inevitably come along with this kind of work.
Typically, people rarely listen to such advice and rarely heed the warnings of those who've gone before them. In reality, human beings tend to wait until the last moment to worry about how to save their behinds instead of preparing in advance and taking care of problems before they ever happen. Fortunately, time can bring about change. Even though that change may seem to evolve quite slowly, it eventually does happen.
Welcome to the NEW adult Internet! Today's new webmasters and companies seem to have finally gotten the message and brand new programs are popping up all over with all their i's dotted and t's crossed. Professionalism has spread widely across the industry with webmasters focusing more on things like getting a better ROI (Return on Investment) and even has some companies consolidating their efforts - focusing on specific goals and interests. The industry has even seen more joint-efforts come forth from unlikely alliances: competitors working together toward a common goal, webmaster resources sharing co-branded content and information to help their readers get the most information available, and other cooperative ventures that in previous years would have been unthinkable.
Yes, things ARE changing and the adult online industry is becoming better for it. Even industry events and regional conferences are seeing more professional attendees - businessmen in suits, planned meetings and conferences outside of the general attendee fare, and less money being wasted on mega parties and showboating exposition booths. It's finally time to get down to business!
THE NEW NEWBIE
Ah, the newbie webmaster... there will always be new webmasters joining the industry, and with so many webmasters at so many different levels of experience and knowledge, all playing on the same field together, there's bound to be some kind of conflict. However, the days of the "beer money" webmaster are frankly numbered. Things are getting serious. Companies that were once profitable and seemingly untouchable are going - or already gone. Those who want to survive and be around to ring in 2005 with their colleagues and friends must prepare; work harder - and run their sites smarter.
The old mantra of, "treat it like a business - and it will be seen as such" has never been truer. The weekend warrior webmaster will most likely become a thing of the past. Those who only put in part-time effort, only see part-time results. Freebie "newbie helpers" such as free hosting, free content, free scripting and such will also probably decline as companies tighten up ship and look for bigger and better returns on their investments.
New webmasters will still have their place - and many more are still to come - but the ones that come and find success in the coming months will be those who are dedicated to making a real business from their websites. They will need to be prepared for the challenge of building a successful stand-alone business that can weather any storm that comes near it. There will always be new webmaster support through webmaster community resource programs, but there will also be an increase in paid online courses of instruction for folks who want a college-like educational approach before they jump in to the business feet first.
It's true - things are getting serious. It's time to get with the program and make your mark now. Things are rapidly changing and today's webmaster needs to be prepared to roll with the punches and respond with changes of his own if he wants to stay around for the long haul.
BETWEEN SHOWS NETWORKING
Some people think that networking can only be done twice a year at the "big show" in Vegas and in Florida, and maybe at a few of the smaller regional shows. That would mean that industry networking only happens 4-5 times per year? Not true! Networking can happen anytime - and should happen much more often that it does. Networking doesn't equate to partying, although that's what most people think of when they hear the word. Networking is more than just getting together for drinks with colleagues at industry trade shows, it's about getting together with like-minded people who share similar interests with the ultimate goal of finding a way to increase business and everyone's overall bottom line with some sort of win-win situation.
Many webmasters are finding that their local area has a lot of industry folks available for such in-between show networking opportunities. Webmasters in Seattle, Washington; Atlanta, Georgia; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and other locations across the country and around the world get together regularly to meet, share information, give support and talk business. It's a great way to get to know other industry professionals, who are local in your area, set up some great deals and make contacts that could be beneficial to projects you haven't even yet begun to consider.
It doesn't even have to be a formal, organized event. If you discover that there are fellow webmasters living in your area, plan an impromptu dinner, night out or meeting. Invite other webmasters that you think might be interested - or just use this time for a one-on-one getting to know you session with just one person or company in particular. Watch the message boards for small gatherings or dinners, as they do come up from time to time - especially if a webmaster is traveling to the area on business, usually some sort of local gathering gets planned.
PART TWO: Hiring Professional Help
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