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The Webmaster is KING!
by Kath Blackwell

Webmasters might not realize it - but the sponsors definitely do...

If you took the time to look around, you would see it too... webmasters are KING in the adult Internet industry! Sponsors shower them with gifts… they give them rewards for all of their hard work - and they even throw parties in their honor at the biggest events in all the land. If that isn't proof of King-ship, then I don't know what is!

Now…don't let it go to your head. Both need each other to survive at the level of success that they've both become accustomed to. Webmasters depend upon sponsorship companies for a great deal of their income - and sponsors depend upon the traffic and sign-ups that webmasters send for a great deal of their income. They are like yin and yang - together they find great success, but apart - well, it just wouldn't be the same. This is just their little way of thanking you for the traffic and sign-ups you send. Of course, it wouldn't be right to refuse their gifts. Don't fight it - accept them graciously and enjoy the fruits of your relationship!

There are many different reward opportunities out there - you just need to know where to look. The sponsors you work with RIGHT NOW probably have bonus options, freebies and other special gifts that they are offering to you that you might have overlooked when you signed up. You can still take advantage of them now - if you know where to look, and what to do. Here are some helpful hints that will assist you in reaping the best of the rewards- and allow you to enjoy the benefits of royalty!

REAP THE REWARDS OF ROYALTY!!!
Looking to get rewarded for all your hard work? Well, you won't have to look very hard. There are lots of webmaster sponsorship companies that offer rewards-points-incentive-programs that feature cool prizes like DVD-Players, flat screen monitors, motorcycles - even sports cars!

How do these programs work? Well each one is different, but the basic idea is the same. For each sign-up you send to the sponsorship program you are awarded points. You still get paid per sign-up or your partnership payout, and the points are an added bonus. Your reward for being king! These points go toward redeeming the prizes offered by the sponsors. It's kind of like those old box-top programs the cereal companies ran when we were kids, except instead of getting a crappy kite or weenie whistle, you're looking at collecting a digital camera or a portable jukebox!

Other companies are coming out with new twists on this reward idea, so keep your eyes peeled. Once again it's the webmaster who will profit from the prize war of the "big boys."

BONUS PAYOUTS!!!
Some companies are rewarding their webmasters through bonus payout days or random drawing bonuses. The bonus paydays are usually set up a few weeks in advance and webmasters earn more than the usual per-sign up payout, for all sign-ups that come in on that special day. AVS program Sex Check, offers special paydays on the 1st of the month - Top Bucks has offered special payout periods from time to time - and ARS has had its share of bonus paydays as well.

LifetimeBucks.com has a 2-tier bonus payout day once a month where they pull a random webmaster account, and that webmaster gets paid $250 per sign-up for that day, versus the typical $35-45 per sign-up usually offered. Also, one day each month is chosen as $100 per day sign-up, and all webmasters get the opportunity to make that $100 bucks a sign-up on that day. Again, these aren't the only companies that offer these specials - there are lots of options out there that will help you boost up your bank account if you get those magic sign-ups on those special days. If you play it right you could be in for quite a payday! TopBucks.com has just launched a new bonus feature that pays you $300, just for signing on with their sponsorship program! Now how's that for a nice welcome reward?

Read the Terms of Service (TOS) - ALWAYS READ THE TOS. There are certain rules and restrictions - as well as qualifying levels of sign-ups that you need to meet in order to receive the special bonus offer. All companies offer a TOS, rules, FAQ or other area that lays out the "rules of the road." Rather than "assuming" that a program is run this way or that, read all you can find on the program at the time you sign up, to ensure that you are not misunderstanding how things work. It will save you tons of trouble in the future and will help you start off right, building a healthy relationship with your new sponsor.

EXPO PROMOTIONS!!!
Some of the largest companies on the map save their big promo giveaways for the huge Internext Expo adult webmaster conferences that happen twice each year. CyberErotica's webmaster program, FantasymanMoney.com, has already given away a PT Cruiser, Dodge Viper, Hummer, and $100,000 cash! Other companies have done cash drawings, car giveaways, vacation package handouts, and cash-grab booth opportunities. Sometimes it might seem like it's a battle of the promos at these shows - but remember that they are all created, designed for, and catered to you - the webmaster.

Usually the webmaster does not need to be present to win - but check the sponsor's rules upon joining, just in case you need to plan to attend the expo. Attending Internext is always a boost to your business - whether you win a prize or not - but the perks can certainly help get you there in person! Take advantage of all they have to offer - visit all the booths big and small. ExclusiveMediaGroup.com gave away a DVD Player at the January 2002 expo, GoodThinxx.com gave away some of the first Euro coins to the first 500 webmasters who visited their booth - and a few companies gave away Palm Pilots. Dropping off a business card or filling out a quick form can help you walk away with a cool prize!

BIG SPONSOR PARTIES!!!
Another huge perk of attending the webmaster expos, are the giant webmaster parties and events that are thrown by the sponsor, content and hosting companies. If you ever doubt your royal status, just show up to one of these big party events and you'll see what I mean. Once, a cruise was held for adult webmasters that took them to International waters off Florida for some gaming and a huge party - and then brought them right back to the expo. A few years back, one party was held at the Hard Rock Café, where David Lee Roth gave a private concert just for adult webmasters! The legendary Player's Ball events, showcase a variety of different musical acts and always attract huge celebrities, such as skateboarder Tony Hawk, magician/performer Penn (of Penn & Teller), adult star Ron Jeremy - and of course a host of lovely Penthouse and adult starlets. Another big deal, hosted by Club Humorgasm a few shows back, featured top-name comedians at the Venetian's exclusive C2K club. Every year and every show brings more and more exclusive opportunities for partying, networking, celebrity elbow-rubbing and awesome memories.

Smaller companies cater to more basic webmaster needs - providing parties with open-bars, finger foods and sometimes even live photo shoots! The "Naughty Sushi" party has become expo folklore of sorts. Veterans tell the tale of models lined up on tables (buffet style), adorned with all sorts of edible delicacies. It was definitely a party to be remembered. Top Bucks went over the top at the January 2002 expo when they opened up their hospitality suite as a huge webmaster photo shoot. Big names like Ron Jeremy, Miss Kitty, Sky, Chloe and a few amateur models showed up and did what they do best. Of course webmasters arrived, cameras and model releases in hand - and grabbed some awesome exclusive, original content! The room was crowded, as I'm sure you can imagine, but webmasters got an up-close view of a whole new adult industry realm - once again, memories were made.

Attendance at these exclusive webmasters-only events can be obtained usually just with your expo badge, but sometimes you need the special invite that comes from the sponsors direct. Make sure to always read your sponsor e-mails, check their webmaster areas often, and of course stay on top of the industry buzz by reading webmaster message boards and trade magazines. Staying informed can really help make your expo experience unforgettable!

REAP THE FORGOTTEN REWARDS…
Well, not really forgotten but sometimes unseen. Another way that sponsorship companies, hosting services, content providers and other webmaster-based service companies support the adult webmaster community is through online and offline tools, like webmaster message boards, resource communities, web-based radio shows, parties and chats. Sponsors even support things like online e-zines and industry magazines, like the one you're reading right now. Without the support of these sponsors, the opportunities freely given to you on a daily basis teaching you how to make more money, giving you networking opportunities, and providing support and a sense of community - just think of all you would be missing!

Sponsors pay to develop new webmaster programs, pay the advertising to support those webmaster communities, and even donate prizes to radio shows and parties, making the webmaster week just a little more fun and exciting. Without these "virtual watercooler" experiences, a lot of webmasters would be out there in the world going it alone without support OR a clue. Just think of where some of us might be without that free help.

Sponsors are a valuable resource and are something we all usually take for granted. Everyone has their horror story of the fly-by-night company they worked with back in their newbie days, but when you get right down to it - sponsors have been good to us over the years. How many webmasters can say that their homes, cars, vacations and better lifestyles came due to the payouts received from the sponsors we see on the 'Net every day? My guess is - most all of them. So next time you get the chance to meet a sponsor face-to-face at an expo or other webmaster event, take the time to say hello, shake hands and say thank-you. After all, a gracious king will be far more appreciated AND worshipped than an ungrateful one! And, all you sponsors- get to acknowledge the successful and newbie webmasters entering your booth at the shows, and sending e-mail queries.

LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT…
In the end, it's all about what you do with the opportunities and tools given to you that really counts. Attitude is important too. If you think that everywhere you go, people are out to get you - then that's how life will be. But, if you see these rewards as opportunities and incentives to push you and your business to the next level - then congratulations - you're on the right track!

I had a webmaster friend once who shook his head at all of these promos, opportunities and rewards programs - calling them a "carrot" to dangle in front of the eyes of the webmaster. He said it was all about getting them to switch from sponsor program A to sponsor program B - just for the sake of a few extra sign-ups. But if you look at these programs carefully, you'll realize that it truly IS the webmaster who benefits from these marketing programs. It truly IS the webmaster that goes to the open-bar parties sponsored at the big shows and has a good time. It really IS the webmaster who walks off with the big car giveaways, or a fist full of cash - YOU ARE KING. You work hard building your sites, gathering your traffic and promoting the products - let the big boys bow down and pay homage to you. Graciously accept their gifts, attend their parties, and enjoy their bonuses. After all - you've earned it and you deserve it. The webmaster IS king!

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