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Community Profile - 10 Questions for C-Pimp |
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How long have you been working in the adult industry?
I been working in the online adult industry for about six years now, started when I was 19 or so. Made a swift crossover from the mainstream to adult sometime in 1997, and the rest is history! I picked up HTML, Web Design and the many trades of this industry basically on my own, through 'trial and effort.'
Where and how did you get your start?
Started with free sites, pay sites, thumbnail galleries...just about anything I could get my hands on. I was pretty much hustling any way I could, to put some green in my back pocket. Got a BIG break when I launched the first, fully-instant-download-licensed content provider in 1998... EZContent, known today as ZIPContent! That project pretty much took off with the help of my current ZIP Partner, Tony - programmer/lifetime friend. With a little more funds and a lot more online experience, I decided to take on some other ventures with the help of my significant other and Cozy Partner, Girly! Once we got hooked up with our head writer and beloved friend, Titmowse - we were confident that we had what we needed to get the ball rolling in the right direction!
How long has Cozy Frog been online?
It's currently about a month shy of two years, and going strong! It's come a hell of a long way in a relatively short amount of time. We basically wanted to help webmasters and do what we could to bring something fresh to the table. There were no expectations or goals for the project except to put it out. The entire Cozy crew works real hard daily, to keep doing what we do...in the end it all comes down to the webmasters, sponsors and Cozy supporters that have embraced our family of sites and services from the get-go!
What types of webmasters hang out on the Cozy Frog and Cozy Campus boards?
We've got a healthy mix of heads dropping by our spots daily...from beginners to veterans. It would be fairly safe to say that a significant share of our readers are newbies looking to get their brains soaked with useful info to jumpstart their online adult careers. We get tons of e-mails from webmasters thanking us for the articles, news and Cozy goodies that we put out. That's when everything comes into perspective and helps us stay grounded and focused on why we are doing this in the first place!
In the end, we just put it out and everyone is welcome! All of the Cozy sites, Frog, Campus and Academy are based on one objective...helping the adult webmaster!
How important is education to today's adult webmaster?
Education is the sole lifeline to which people cling in this industry, to survive on a day-to-day basis. If you don't learn, improve, and expand, you ain't going very far - I can tell you that much! I've clocked six years and I'm still reading and learning every chance I get! This industry evolves at such a quick pace, you're bound to be left behind if you don't stay informed, with the help of online resources like CozyFrog.com, PornResource.com, YNOTMasters.com, XBiz.com and the many informative message boards that are only a click away. Staying on top of things is a duty no webmaster should take lightly.
What things should webmasters try to learn first, before starting their initial site?
Just about anything they can get their hands on! Basic Web design knowledge, a little bit of HTML, types of sites that are out there and how webmasters profit from them. There are literally hundreds of ways to generate income from this industry. If you're new, our free school for newbie webmasters - Cozy Academy - is a great place to start. But you shouldn't limit yourself to only one resource, everyone's got info, you just have to take the time to educate yourself. Find what's right for you, get your feet wet and let go of any notions you may have on how easy it is to make money in this industry. You have to work hard, play the ropes, and keep learning.
What developments do you think will affect our industry most in the next three years?
Laws and legislation are always lurking around the corner. There is always so much going on in every aspect of this industry, it's overwhelming at times to stay on top of it all. The Internet is worldwide commerce, making it very hard for the many governments to control. I do think that they will tighten their grip eventually, probably starting here in North America. There is this PayPal issue that will definitely affect many hardworking webmasters on the adult Web, hard to say where forces like Visa and American Express will stand years down the line. All you can do is make sure everything you're attached to is legal, and be prepared to act swiftly any time something changes. This industry is still going very strong, and it will continue to be that way for quite some time- if you ask me. I am strong believer that things will tighten up, and bad apples will be weeded out in due time. If your shit's legit, I don't think there is much to worry about, at least not anytime soon.
How do you feel your experiences within the industry have helped you to find success?
Every experience I've had, whether it would be contact with peers, the many sites I have visited...everything I have been exposed to on and off the adult Web has helped me get to where I am today. The key is to think outside the box. I always try to be different, and ally myself with people that influence me in a positive way. Am I proud of my success? Yes. Do I think I'm the shit? Maybe (Wink). Did I do this alone? No. There are many people and many key experiences that have shaped my journey from the very beginning.
Why should webmasters get involved in the adult webmaster community?
I spent my first few years in this industry as low-key as possible. Wasn't sure where I wanted to be or where I was going. Eventually you have to come out of the cave and play your part. It's a great way to share ideas, learn from others and better establish you company and yourself amongst the sea of webmasters that make up our community. Treat others like you want to be treated, help whenever possible and absorb what others have to offer. We have some great tools, such as message boards, an online radio show, magazines, organizations, and conventions dedicated to the adult webmaster. Getting involved and working together is essential in ensuring a solid foundation for our industry for years to come.
What do you think of today's new webmaster? Smarter, bolder - or lazier?
I think that as a whole, we are a lot smarter than we were in the early days of this online sector, given that the community as a whole has endured a lot throughout the years and is still going strong today. We have only gotten better and wiser through the many cards that we have been dealt over the years. Individually speaking though, I would have to say that webmasters are basically the same as they used to be - smarter, bolder and lazier! There is a really mixed bag of individuals that make up our entire industry. You basically have all types, like any business, and that will never change! In the end, you just have to focus on yourself - Be smart, be bold and most definitely don't be too lazy if you want to succeed!
   
C-Pimp is definitely a webmaster to watch. His experience in the content end of the industry combined with the numerous Cozy productions that he has brought to the industry are constantly being re-shaped and evolved to meet the demands of our changing industry. From webmaster support to industry education, hot niche paysite content to affordable image sets - "pimpin' it to the max" is a total understatement for this trend-setting member of our community!
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