Most webmasters come into this industry with one thought in mind; they're going to make money from selling porn and the only way they are going to do that is by selling paysite memberships. Of course, as in all things in life, what they plan on doing and what they actually do can be quite different.
Some people do succeed with their original goal, some people do quite well in working towards their original goal but then tap into other income sources in the industry and their focus shifts, and many others struggle and eventually fail. Of those who struggle some will stick to selling paysite memberships till they recognise the inevitability of their failure, others are a bit like butterflies, they never quite settle on just one thing but flit from one bright illusory flower to the next till they finally fade away.
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"...it is very hard to establish a reputation without the help of influential people." |
My wife is an example of a person whose focus shifts. She originally started with the idea of building free sites and AVS sites with a smattering of TGP galleries thrown in for good measure. She has done very well too, but in the last 6 months her focus has gradually shifted to the point where she is now making a very tidy sum from writing erotic stories and columns for several paysites.
A friend of ours seems to have turned into a butterfly just recently. After an extended period out of the industry he has returned but has been unable to replicate his past success so he has begun casting about for some other way of making money within the industry. Several weeks ago we were all talking together about my wife's successful story writing and he confided that he hadn't written a story since way back in High School and yet this week he has decided that he will give story writing a try.
Now if you're thinking of giving story writing a try let me tell you that good erotic story writing is an art than very few people have. I certainly don't have it but Marie can sit down and pound out a 1300 word story in 20 minutes that will have you spooging in your pants, regardless of whether you're male or female. She also has the ability to write that sort of story in just about every niche from gay through to midget.
Does our friend have the same ability? I don't know and even if he does he may still not succeed because in this industry it isn't what you know but who you know that counts.
In an industry that is spread right across the globe, where its members are in instant contact with one another via ICQ and email and yet everyone is isolated and working alone or in very small groups, it is very hard to establish a reputation without the help of influential people.
For example you would not be reading this except for the fact that someone who knew me and my work and who also knew C-Pimp, one of the owners of this site, recommended me. I had experience in writing articles and newsletters in the real world but that counted for very little. In fact, it counted for absolutely nothing when I had applied for other writing positions. It was the recommendation of someone with some influence that counted and brought me here.
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Writing is just one of the alternate income streams in this industry. Graphic designers, programming, niche content providers and paid reviewing are just some of the other areas that a webmaster can become involved in. In every instance, personal recommendations play a pivotal role in getting established. If you have skills in one or more of these areas then perhaps you should think about making some extra money from those skills, but it almost certainly won't happen over night and you have to face the strong possibility that you may not have the skills that you think you do. There are many people out there whose capabilities fall far short of what they think they can do.
It will take you some time to become known by people who can recommend you.
To earn that sort of recommendation does require patience and hard work on your part. You have to become known; if you're a lurker you must come out of the shadows and be seen on the boards. Don't rush in and spam the boards or fill the boards with crap posts simply to get your name out there. Ease into the board communities, join in the discussions when you have an intelligent contribution to make, have fun with the other board members but just be aware that each time you post the other board members will be assessing you and no-one is going to work with an idiot. You will see opportunities to join in discussions on the area that you want to try and break into. Take those opportunities, quietly.
Eventually you will begin to make contacts off the board, don't rush them. Alliances and loose networks are of the utmost importance to you so work at them. Even when you think that you are established, maintain all those relationships with the people who have helped you because you never know when you might be able to return the favour or gain even more help.
If you see an opportunity to provide a free sample of your work then take it and when the offers of paid work do start to arrive be prepared to work at a discount rate until your reputation becomes more widely known. When you do take on work make sure that you have that work completed on time and completed to the full satisfaction of the person who is paying you.
Reliability and reputation count for much in this industry. Once you have done the hard work to establish yourself then work at it every day and don't let it all slip away.