"If a surfer has to take the time to figure out what it is you've got…well, they won't."

This business is pretty overwhelming when you’re a new adult webmaster. The opportunities available to you are seemingly endless.

There are hundreds and hundreds of tutorials and articles to read. There are tens of thousands of other adult webmasters out there and each one has his/her own unique formula for success. There’s hardcore, softcore, straight or gay. There are the niches like bondage fans, fetish lovers, mature hotties and college cuties. You got your free sites, your pay sites, your AVS tours and your TGP galleries. You can make money with sponsors who sell everything from porn site access to penis enlargement pills. You’ll need hosting and will have to decide between paid or free, virtual or dedicated. You’ll need appropriate content and a saleable page design. On top of all of that there’s the need to figure out how to get people to come to your adult web site.

So much to learn. So much to do. So many blunders yet to be made. If only there was a list. A list of mistakes to avoid. A list of Familiar Newbie Goofs!

Goof #1: Failing to Recognize Your Newbie Status

For the bazillionth time I’ll say it. If you’re new to the adult Internet, you’re a newbie. This business is like no other. It’s not even like running a strip club or smutty magazine. The adult Internet is a world unto it’s own. You might come into this with some of the skills but you won’t have all of the skills. You’re at square one and the sooner you accept that truth the sooner you’ll be able to move ahead.

Goof #2: Impatience

Slow down. Porn isn’t going anywhere. Of course you’re anxious. You want to change your life. You want to be your own boss. You want your share of that smut money. You’ve been charmed by the braggarts who claim they make millions with little or no effort at all! You want your fortune and you want it now!

Stop right there. If it ever worked that way, it doesn’t work that way anymore. The adult Internet is a business like any other. There are no shortcuts. There’s no sure-fire formula for profitability. There’s plenty of tutorials and lessons and advice. There are all kinds of money-making options. You have the chance to make good money but you have to do the work and take the time to learn the ropes. You won’t get rich overnight. You won’t get rich in a month. But if you keep your mind open and work your ass off, you will find your way.

Goof #3: Inflexibility

So you have it all figured out. You’ve got your fabulous website concept and it’s going to revolutionize the industry. You decide to share your idea with your favorite adult webmaster message board and they rip your dream to shreds. Now you’re pissed. Those fucking bastards! Those haters! What the hell do they know?

You know that mean judge on American Idol? Simon Cowell ain’t got nothing on adult webmasters when it comes to critiquing your page. They’re harsh. They’re unforgiving and they’re usually right. Heed their comments in spite of the vitriol. These are the folks who know how it’s done. Apply their suggestions towards bettering your site and try to ignore the nasty barbs.

Goof #4: Lack of Direction

You’ll probably get some comments about this when you offer your new adult site up for sacrifice to the reviewing gods. Many newbie adult webmasters make this mistake. They build a website filled with too many different kinds of porn and too many different sponsor ads and none of them compliment each other.

It’s imperative that you figure out what kind of site you’re going to create and what kind of content you’re going to fill it with. You have to find sponsors who offer programs and paysites that blend with your content and page type. You have to know your potential market. Nobody looks for just porn or sex. Surfers want reality porn or bondage sex. They want a link list or they want a page with actual pictures and video clips. If a surfer has to take the time to figure out what it is you’ve got…well, they won’t.

Goof #5: Lack of Drive

Be prepared to work your ass off. Be prepared to make and re-make your site over and over again. Be ready to work long hours researching and marketing. Get geared to try and fail and try and fail. This isn’t something you learn overnight. This business takes commitment. It takes perseverance. It takes drive.

By no means is this a complete list of familiar newbie goofs. These are just the most important ones. Read them. Memorize them and then don’t do these things. You might still be a newbie but now you’ve got the chance to be a smart newbie!