From Vegas 2000 to Adult Mega Cash: One Webmaster's Story of Success
Interview by Kath Blackwell
PART TWO
Adult Mega Cash has a very competitive payout program for its webmasters, offering 50-70% lifetime recurring as well as a 15% webmaster referral commission. "We have great conversions and our sites are loaded with original and daily content," John says, of the reasons why AMC webmasters are receiving such positive recurring results with the program. "This means our members stay members much longer than with most sites. This makes our webmasters more money. The bottom line is revenue per click - if you are not already an AMC webmaster, I would encourage you to see for yourself, and sign up today at: www.adultmegacash.com."
Today's webmaster is much more customer service oriented than webmasters from just a few years back. Because of the recent surge in webmaster popularity surrounding the partnership/recurring program versus the pay per-sign-up (PPS) model, webmasters are thinking more about giving the customer what he wants. A happy customer is a recurring customer - and recurring customers are "money in the bank."
Keeping customer service in mind, AMC now offers a console-free tour option to its webmasters as well. "Pop-ups make money - there's no question about it," says John. "But there are some webmasters out there who don't like to offer them under any circumstances for a multitude of reasons. With regard to surfers - most say they hate them. I don't like them [as a surfer], but we all click on them as much as we hate to admit it, and as long as we do - there will be consoles."
But never fear - AMC also offers "normal" tours with a single console cross-sell tour in addition to their no-console tours for webmasters who prefer to use every option available. "And with our program, we pay all our webmasters on exits, and ours are peppered with [other] AMC sites to increase their revenue."
Becoming a webmaster in today's market is in many ways easier than it was for webmasters even back when John got his start in 2000. AMC helps webmasters get a good solid start by offering free content, regularly updated hosted galleries, a gallery of the day, picture of the day, hundreds of carefully targeted banners - and a message board to boot. "We keep our program fresh and constantly updated. There is also someone available online most of the time to assist with any questions that might arise. I think the company's ability to react to, and communicate with, our webmasters is a huge asset," says John. "We also offer an 800 number and answer e-mails in a timely manner." Communication with customers and webmaster partners is definitely a huge plus in today's fast-paced, quick changing market.
Another very important ingredient in finding success is becoming involved in the business community. Getting out to webmaster conferences and expos - as well as becoming involved on-line via ICQ, e-mail, phone calls and message boards is key to becoming known and becoming a vital part of the industry as a whole. Adult Mega Cash knows the value of networking and community involvement - another thing that John appreciates as well.
"Every arm of this industry is involved - or should be involved in - getting out to as many of the industry's conferences and expos as possible. It's one thing to do business by ICQ, e-mail and/or phone - especially if everyone knows everyone," he explains. "But to actually meet face-to-face, party till the sun comes up and do business in an energy-packed environment just can't be beat! Sitting down to eat dinner at an event and having a principal [player] in the industry sit next to you and strike up a conversation is invaluable to all involved. If you walk away from one of these events with nothing else, you will have networked and partied with some of the greatest guys and girls you will ever want to meet - and your business will flourish from these events."
There are several different industry events to choose from today - another excellent sign of growth in an ever-changing industry. Internext Expo - by far the biggest and best attended event - offers a winter Las Vegas expo and a summer workshop-driven conference in South Florida. Smaller more regional-based conferences however, have taken off in 2003 - the spring Phoenix Forum and the Klixxx Island Gathering are two excellent examples.
"Every event we go to has its special memories," says John when asked about which was his favorite. "Vegas - with all its glitz and outrageous parties, plus the show itself, [is like] a shopping mall of the adult Internet with seminars for the newbie and veteran alike, keeping all informed to all aspects of the business. Florida - with its fun-in-the-sun theme and a private/secured hotel - it's totally different from Vegas, but just as much fun and [provides] more intimate business/networking opportunities."
So which was his favorite all-time event since he attended his first back in January 2000? "Montreal 2003 was hands down a historical event that I think saw changes in the way seminars and panel discussions will be done in the future. No gloves, no smoke and mirrors - and no whitewashing - just matter-of-fact frank answers. [It was] very, very refreshing and thought-provoking."
John recommends that new webmasters do all they can to get out to an industry event as early on in their webmastering careers as possible. "If you don't go to these events, don't expect to do well as fast in this business. It's just my opinion, but I think it's a very valid one. This industry is based on synergy and networking. These things are a great way to see and meet people - and to be seen."
In addition to attending industry events, new webmasters should not be afraid to speak up, be heard and be counted when it comes to communicating with their affiliate program owners. "Feedback is our eyes and ears as to how our program is working," says John of AMC's interactive webmaster areas. "Webmasters know what they want and what works for them through your program. If you don't listen and respond to their input, everyone suffers - and nobody makes money. Did I mention that we are all in this business to make money?"
And speaking of money - I asked John the ultimate businessman's brain teaser - if he could start all over again and do just one thing differently, what would be that one thing and why... "I guess the things I would do are to work twice as smart and stay as informed as possible," says John after giving it a lot of thought. "The informed part is very important. Informed on the legal, traffic and processing ends - also the stats. It's one thing to say 'look at those stats' or to think that 2257 just equals legal paperwork. I'm talking about in-depth understanding. If I woke up one morning all alone, could I understand ALL of the operations of this site? The answer now is yes - but there is always room for more knowledge."
So with AMC John at the helm of their Operations division, Adult Mega Cash is ready to rock and roll. They introduced AMC v3.0 and it incorporates many new and improved pro-webmaster help tools. Also, John informs us that they have implemented their "multiple tours" packages for most of their sites as well as some new sites - Adult Movie Time, Titty Paradise, Stuck Up Yours and a new mature reality site, Mature Wives Gone Wild. "This is the first mature-themed reality site and also the first specializing in extreme gang bangs with a sub-niche of interracial gang bangs," explains John - obviously very excited about the new developments. "We also have another reality site in the works called Gunner's Girls. From the clips I have seen, it is wild and out of control, so don't miss it!"
So, from weekend warrior webmaster to Director of Operations for a very innovative and highly competitive industry program, John has definitely come a long way. He is living proof that it's never too late to join the industry and make something of yourself. The adult Internet is still a wide open world, ripe and ready for picking.
Any final words to others who might pick up a copy of Klixxx Magazine and decide to make a name in the adult biz John? "Sign-up, and make some money!"
I guess that's the industry equivalent of the "just do it" campaign. There's no time like the present - seize the moment and set your goals high. If you're looking for a challenging job, a potentially profitable opportunity and a chance of a lifetime to become your own boss - the adult Internet is a great place to start!
Part 1: From Vegas to Success!
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