Getting Started in the Adult Internet Industry
By Kath Blackwell
Amid all the conference talk of the glory days, Klixxx set out to answer some basic questions for new start-ups. So, you're late out of the box, but if you are going to become a success- is it easier, harder, or just different today?
Once upon a time the adult Internet was born. Way "back in the day" as the veterans like to call it, it was the "Wild Wild West." No rules, no regulations and no limit to how much money you could make. It was all about creativity, thinking "out of the box" and grabbing as much traffic as your host could handle. Some say those were "the good old days," and others say things are easier for newbies today. Wherever you stand, there are still two sides to this issue. Let's explore some of the differences between then and now - and then you can decide who's got it easier- the newbie of 2002 or the newbie of "way back when."
WAY BACK WHEN...
When the 'Net was young and full of easy surfing "marks," webmasters really had it easy. All you had to do was throw up a site and there they'd be those porn-surfing monkeys, ready to whip out those credit cards and rack up the sales. Right? No way! Where was the traffic? The engines were certainly different, easier to manipulate and populate. But were the results really better? The engines were filled with inaccurate listings, which frustrated users, making them search for new ways to discover their adult entertainment.
So, along came the birth of the link lists, the TGPs, the top lists and the Pic Posts. Where do you think these innovations came from? They weren't always there - somebody created them. And that is the biggest advantage that the old timers had - the opportunity to create everything from scratch, and build the adult Internet into everything it has become today. New ideas - fresh ideas - things that nobody had ever done before. The trendsetters and the leaders of our industry were kicking Internet butt, and taking names!
But what about things like content, traffic trades and sponsors? Well, those were all few and far between. Content providers were practically non-existent, and when you could find them - the costs were through the roof. Forget affordable content, you were lucky to find any content that wasn't already plastered all over the newsgroups for free unless you shot it yourself. Traffic? Remember, those link lists were still being built. The Greenguys and Tommys of the world were still finding their niches and building their empires of traffic. What about sponsors? Well, there were a few, but the options were definitely not what they are today. Forget finding a single sponsor boasting sites to promote in every niche and flavor. General "mega sites," gay sites, lesbian sites, and other macro-niches dominated the Web.
Who trusted the 'Net? Nobody - that's who. Just a few desperate porn searchers were brave enough to whip out those credit cards. Others had to be convinced of its safety. It was definitely a long road, everybody learning, and it took time to build up the trust, and security programs, that folks are using today. So, the customers were out there, they were just a little nervous about making those purchases online.
Webmaster Resources were also barely evolving at the dawn of the Internet. Support, information, tutorials, tips - forget it. It was sink-or- swim time, survival of the fittest. No handholding, tip-giving, newbie-coddling message boards and chatrooms existed. You were on your own. Make mistakes, learn, move on and make some more. The motto was: "keep doing it until you get it right, or give up and die trying."
A lot of webmasters came and went during those years, and a lot of ideas and ways of doing things were born and died during that time as well. The very first top lists were born, the first free trial, the first galleries, the first 120x60 buttons were created as an alternative to the larger 468x60 standards - and many other novel ideas as well. Things that webmasters today totally take for granted, weren't even in use at that time, and development was slow and hard. Way back then, you truly had to earn your way and prove what you were worth in order to survive the evolution of the 'Net.
THE XXX-GENERATION...
The new kids of today have got it made! They've got webmaster resources and support programs as far as the eye can see. Experienced webmasters volunteer to help newbies get started, giving them a step-by-step work-up of what they should do first in order to start making money on the Web. Hosting companies give never-before-heard-of deals on monthly hosting, many waiving start-up fees that once would have hindered many newbies from ever getting started, with their own real dot-com.
And content? You've never seen so much content. Cheap content for well-under ten bucks, expensive high-quality content featuring adult stars and models in huge 300 picture CD sets! Moderate priced CDs and - get this, download-able content right off the 'Net. You name it - it's available. If you want it - somebody is selling it. Cover sets for use with your logos - no more hours and hours of peeling backgrounds off the pictures in PhotoShop. Professional customized photo shoots of models in your company logo tees or in your specified niche attire and settings - available now at affordable, even "newbie" priced packages. It's a whole New World in content, giving today's webmasters an unprecedented advantage over those who got started just a few short years ago.
But...the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Today's adult webmasters also have NEW obstacles to overcome, one being a large, over-saturation of the Internet with adult content sites. Today's webmaster has to battle against thousands of competing webmasters rather than the hundreds that were in operation when things got started. Yeah there are a lot more advantages and opportunities, but the competition is fierce. Other adult webmasters can be found not just in the US, but globally, and the interest is steadily growing each and every day.
Another obstacle that today's webmasters have to overcome is one of traffic. Traffic isn't as plentiful as it used to be, and getting a listing on the major search engines is becoming near-to-impossible anymore. Larger traffic sources are even beginning to charge for listings or reviews, and black-lists are being formed to block out webmasters who make stupid mistakes or intentionally break the rules of the traffic site owners. New ways are being devised, and attempts are being made to change the way surfers think about finding free adult content. The TGP2 model was designed to slowly wean surfers off the idea of free content, giving them just a small preview and taste of what you have to offer. Some feel that it won't work - there's just too much free stuff still out there, yet others have hope that this model will train the new-to-the-net surfers on how to properly shop - and purchase - erotica online.
Today's adult webmasters also have to contend with the media- in lust with our industry in more ways than we even know. These Internet reporters get a major hard-on for any story involving the adult 'Net, partially out of common human fascination with anything that isn't "mainstream," and partly because we are still the most successful industry still working on the Internet today! Auction communities and programs like eBay.com are the few success stories coming close, but few traditional dot.coms will ever quite come close. Besides guys - it's SEX! Come on! The media loves anything involving sex, nudity and scandal. Webmasters have come under fire by morality watch-groups, been staked out by government officials - and we've all heard the stories of neighbors with a grudge turning us into local law enforcement on bogus charges. There are lots of legal issues to consider today. It's not the "gloom and doom" of the early years, but there are lots of issues to research and consider.
An adult webmaster's best defense today comes in the form of the webmaster resource. Online e-zines, print magazines and newsletters help keep us informed about important issues, changes in the laws, hot cases that are changing the face and attitude of the online adult entertainment industry. Message boards, chatrooms and ICQ conversations give us the support and networking that we all need to survive. Articles, tutorials, industry commentaries and other educational features help webmasters to learn new ways of site-building, new marketing and sales techniques - and just how to become better overall webmasters. Legal columns, Web sites and news help webmasters become aware of important issues like 2257, using model releases, and staying within community, city, state and federal laws.
Which brings us to the lawyers. Way back when, there weren't very many lawyers who were educated enough about the 'Net to give us a quality helping hand. Many adult industry lawyers - from the film and magazine industry, saw the potential that the Internet had for making a successful go, and they began learning more about what we did and stepped up to the plate to help us when we came under fire. Many "free speech" legal eagles also joined our ranks, providing us with pertinent information about what was legal, acceptable - and what wasn't.
There are so many opportunities available today that I'd have to say in conclusion that today's newbie has a better fighting chance for survival in contrast to the newbies of yesterday. Sure, there are many new obstacles to overcome for those who are starting today - but the opportunities outweigh the negative aspects tenfold. If you're considering trying your hand at adult webmastering, then make sure you take advantage of all of the support, information, legal assistance and networking that has become available to our industry as soon as possible. Learn from the mistakes of others and become a responsible webmaster, working within the line of the law and working toward building a bigger and better industry.
The adult Internet industry is a better place because of the people involved - newbies, veterans and those who are in-between. The webmasters, content providers, hosting companies, sponsor/affiliate programs and other webmaster services which make up the awesome blend of ideas, programs and support that can be found in this industry are our most important asset. Keep this in mind along with an inner willingness to change, adapt and evolve with whatever gets thrown our way - and you will find the key to success in the online industry. No matter what your background, niche or goals - you will find success if you use the tools provided, and keep a fresh and open mind.
It's still a big world out there for adult webmasters - maybe not as "wild" as the old days, but there're still a lot of undiscovered and untried methods for making a fortune on the 'Net. Get out there, work hard and grab a piece of it for yourself!
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