Who Are the Webmasters to Keep an Eye On???

wow, i'm touched... thank you for noticing! not only what i try to do, but also what our other colleagues do to help! as far as going non-nude, after 9 years of working porn, it's a challenge.

i have been seeing the inside of a lot of sites recently, and i was SHOCKED at how few deliver. and that includes smaller sites. i saw a small gay-owned site with exclusive pics, but each video was under a minute long - the tour certainly didn't lead me to believe that some of the videos were 27 seconds :-/

i like your take on unique - sometimes i think we all lose site on what that really means. thank you for including me in your list of wonderful and special webmasters.

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Originally Posted by gaystoryman

To me you know what is unique today? A site that actually delivers exactly what it says it is. A site that doesn't scam its members with tired old stuff and so what if the actual action within is like any other? Least they deliver what they say... and in todays world that alone makes them unique.

Site like Michael's Universal Bear comes to mind where he doesnt alter his premise, a site that deals with bears in all shapes & sizes. Is that unique because of what he shows or that he shows what he says?

What is truly unique is people like Basschick who take the hard knocks from government regulations and find a way to survive in the industry in a way that is innovative and yet still sexy. That's unique to me, where a webmaster will look beyond what they do and find a way to simply survive in a jungle called the Internet.

Webmasters like Michael, Xtrst8 who never flinch at helping even though they are behind the gun on their own work. That is unique and fresh to me.

People like Bec & Basschick & Luke who go out of there way to actually provide service to people without drama, without fanfare even simply because that's the kind of people they are... those are webmasters who are unique... because you see the word doesnt' mean new... doesn't even mean different... it means special, rare, limited... so frankly all this talk about what site is experimenting with what isn't about being unique, simply about moving forward, or not.



anyhow my 2 cents
Ian

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Originally Posted by jIgG

I do not believe anyone who's site is unique and making bank would come out and show it off just to have it copied by everyone the next day :)

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I didn't think that was true until I posted about that new niche site.. then you get people saying "oh I was going to do that" or "I just shot the same thing" what BS lol

You are right... people will immediately copy ... kinda sucks

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Originally Posted by Lee

Jim, whilst those sites are definately 'unique' so far as the niche goes, other than that, there is nothing that sets them apart from the crowd, sorry to say it but its true.

They are all revshare based, all use the similar types of content that we have seen before and all use a similar layout that we have seen before, in my eyes, that makes the the same as those sites we have seen in the past, just in a different niche.

Generally speaking, the industry as a whole behaves like lemmings, all following the same methods of doing business as others before have used, all the time, slicing an already small pie, in to even smaller slices for everyone.

To me, a unique idea is something that stands out from the crowd to the masses, not a few, you quite rightly say there are plenty of ideas that go undeveloped which i personally think is a shame.

As a whole the industry is constantly in one of two states, 'stagnant' or 'following'. You only have to look back over the last 12 months to see that at present, we're in a 'following' state, one company launches a VOD site, 10 others launch a VOD site, one company launches a cell phone site, 10 others launch a cell phone site, one company launches a straight guy site, 10 others also do the same there is no originality for the most part in the industry at the present time, which takes me back to my original statement, as a whole, the industry would rather duplicate what others are already doing than go out on a limb and try something on an individual basis, where the risk is fully on their back, without another person or company trying it first.

So many of the ideas that go undeveloped, if they were tried, even on a minute scale, could come in to fruition there are a few people on GWW alone that come up with what, on the face of it, would seem to be a wacky idea for a site / niche / business model run with it on a smaller scale and grow the idea as it makes money.

Hell, 5 years ago who would have thought that having a board where you could get no work done, be insulted 99% of the time for free, post to have your 'sig' seen and generally slack off would be one of the biggest money making schemes on the web for its owners? I would have laughed at the idea as im sure almost everyone of you reading this would have done.

Again, there hasnt been an original idea in the industry for a good few years, there has been lots of replication, but no originality.

Regards,

Lee

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Geez Lee, relax, lol. Imo, a website doesn't need to reinvent the wheel to be "fresh and unique" (the phrase that Ken used).

For example, instead of cranking out 5-10 templated AVS sites a day (which is now the norm) and mirroring them to 6 different AVS's, Michael builds 2 or 3 handcrafted text-HEAVY AVS sites a week and submits to only one AVS. Because of his heavy use of text and SE optimization, his individual AVS sites will be making sales far into the future. And that approach is something very "fresh and unique"!

Now take a site like workinmenmovies.com... in structure, it is a typical paysite. But the content alone is enough to make it "fresh and unique". Who on earth would have thought a site featuring scruffy men that look almost homeless would sell so well? Now contrast that with menatplay.com... polished men dressed in expensive suits... what a brilliant fucking idea! And both of these disparate niches sell equally well to my surfers and both are "fresh and unique".

Because we are working in a medium with limitations, advancement tends to come in small increments until there is a "EUREKA" idea like reality sites, VOD, AVS, TGP, etc. And of course, once someone discovers a brand new way to market porn, everyone jumps on board. But innovation doesn't stop with the "Eureka" idea. Following webmasters put their spin on every new idea... pic posts give way to TGP's, TGP's give way to MGP's and during that process someone decides to use thumbnail previews and someone else develops the idea of a CJ and someone else decides to use only sponsor-provided FHG's.

We often forget that this industry is not that old. The advancements that have changed internet porn from BBS and newsgroups to reality sites and mobile porn have been amazing and changes have come fast and furious.

But even with all of the massive changes, I find the most pleasure when I discover a site that fills a void. Even now, most webmasters don't get the "bear" niche right (myself included), not to mention the many subsets of that niche. When was the last time you saw a paysite devoted to "cubs"? Um, never! And it's not because there is no demand. I'm not exactly what you would call an idea man but I can think of so many niches that have miniscule representation on the internet. And when someone does choose to present them to the masses, I will consider them "fresh and unique" even though they are revshare based and have a typical paysite tour and the content is shown exactly like every other paysite.

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Originally Posted by Dzinerbear

That's just fear and fear does nothing to build up a community. xstr8guy and I have exactly the same content on our sites and we share openly. We trade links, we help one another, we ask one another for design or SEO advice, we even buy exclusive content together. If I can't get the sale, I'd rather he get it and I know he feels the same.

Besides when you hit number one in Google it's not like you're actually hiding. You're already there for the world to see. And anyway, it's not like I'm lurking in the shadows on these boards. I've got a big mouth and if I've got something to say or share, I usually do.

:)
Michael

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sure IF they're interested in building a community. Most aren't, they either don't hang on the boards, or if they do it's to socialise with others or probably just kill time.

Besides you are talking AVS sites with bought content. Im talking a full-fledged paysite, preferably with unique content where you didn't pay $50 for 100 pics that repeat but instead shot the models and created a compelling concept.

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Originally Posted by Squirt

AND I was challenging you about your writing, and doing something different, like you've challenged all of us to do something different in our work, but you don't want to respond to that.. I wonder why?

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Well, am I supposed to post an entire story here so I can prove to you that I have what it takes to satisfy your curiosity? That'd take up an awful lot of space, buddy, and I'm really not here to show off and say "Hey everyone, look how talented I am," so if you're really interested in reading some of my work, feel free to drop me an email and I shall send you something that I feel is truly representative of what I do.

But you asked earlier what might make me so different or special from other writers, and well, I suppose some would say I'm not so different or special, but I would respond, "Because I'm me, and no one else can bring what I bring to my work but me, because I'm the one who lived it."

Anyway, don't know if that answers your question, but there you go.

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i like your take on unique - sometimes i think we all lose site on what that really means. thank you for including me in your list of wonderful and special webmasters.

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Ditto that ... I was quite touched to be included with gaystoryman's list of special webmasters.

I totally understand what Ken is trying to write, and perhaps alot of other insights shared here will provide fuel for future articles. :coffee:

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LEE: They are all revshare based, all use the similar types of content that we have seen before and all use a similar layout that we have seen before, in my eyes, that makes the the same as those sites we have seen in the past, just in a different niche.

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While I agree that a new approach to content leaves the door wide open for new and unique ways of developing a site, I'm not sure I agree with the revshare or layout comment.

Even with the development of a unique idea for a website, we'd still be reliant on current marketing techniques to sell it, and that means getting other webmasters to help with the advertising via revshare.

While designs can vary, you're still limited to an oblong filled with tables that has to be designed to load on even the slowest of computers. A few have tried to do Flash sites, but that limits their membership to those that have a higher end system and broadband access to be properly enjoyed.

Until sites can be streamed and created in the same manner as a video/tv show to the bulk of internet users, I don't think there's a whole lot of new ways to tinker with basic html.

OK, has anyone seen this site: PoseableThumbs.com? Now THAT is what I call fresh and unique! Or at least DIFFERENT. :)

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Originally Posted by XXXWriterDude

OK, has anyone seen this site: PoseableThumbs.com? Now THAT is what I call fresh and unique! Or at least DIFFERENT. :)

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been there! , done that! , let's hope mattel doesn't send him/her a letter to stop and desist! ( they have no sense of humor! )

sincerely ~ ..."humor works best in script!"... :goof:

Does anyone out there remember AIDS Hospice Barbie in Diseased Pariah News? Now that pissed Mattel off. Poor Barbie, lying in a hospice bed, covered in Kaposi Sarcoma lesions. It was so shocking you just had to laugh.

And gaystoryman, thanks for the nod. :)

Michael

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Originally Posted by XXXWriterDude

OK, has anyone seen this site: PoseableThumbs.com? Now THAT is what I call fresh and unique! Or at least DIFFERENT. :)

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Yeah that is different. I like it. Great idea.

Somehow... I just don't see it as porn though LOL What great photography and angles I love it. :francais:

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Originally Posted by XXXWriterDude

But you asked earlier what might make me so different or special from other writers, and well, I suppose some would say I'm not so different or special, but I would respond, "Because I'm me, and no one else can bring what I bring to my work but me, because I'm the one who lived it."

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I can see those of us who create original content, like I do, saying the same things about ourselves.

Yes PM me a link love to see more of your work :francais:

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Originally Posted by Squirt

I can see those of us who create original content, like I do, saying the same things about ourselves.

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Hmmmm, now how did I KNOW you were going to respond with those exact words??? LOL! :)

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Originally Posted by XXXWriterDude

Hmmmm, now how did I KNOW you were going to respond with those exact words??? LOL! :)

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Don't hate me because I'm beautiful

http://www.alphaflash.com/beanbaby.jpg

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Originally Posted by XXXWriterDude

Aren't there any GAY-BASED sites out there operated by GAY webmasters that are funky, fresh and fun???
Ken

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WHY do they have to be gay ?

Ken, I contribute to your posts and threads here and elsewhere mate, and quite often, but I have to say (as I have inferred elsewhere) that as a journalist you seem to lack some of the objectivity at times that is the hallmark of great journalism.

I am not saying you mean it, I am just saying that the way you say things could be interpreted that way.

And I am NOT the type of guy who generally notices, let alone looks out for, this type of thing.

I have just found myself on your last couple of posts not wanting to contribute because of that, so I figured just say it and then I can get it out of my system.

{end personal observation here}

Now, as to your question....

If it comes to a webmaster, how do you define up and coming ? 18 months ago, no-one really knew me from Adam (by my own design), but I had been around for donkeys years before that.

Also, the term webmaster singular is sort of a difficult one... if someone called me up and coming that would be bullshit, because what makes CuriousCash successful and ever-growing is our TEAM.

I am sure people like Harlan, Lee and Michael would agree totally - it is the synergy of the whole more than the sum of the parts.

A "webmaster" is someone who trucks along pretty much solo and does their stuff - I'd call Tom and Ian out except to call them up and comers would be also bullshit - they have been around and successful for far too long to fit that bill.

Maybe Mark would be the closest primary example, but again, hardly an up and comer, more like a lot of us as a been-there-done-that hard worker.

Now if you were talking up and coming webmaster PERSONALITY, you are on a different plane altogether....

Chad (although not specifically a webmaster) has gone amazing guns in this business in a short 12 months....

Ben from ManAddict is always out there in recent times...

I suppose I am saying be specific... there are MANY 5 year overnight successes doing the rounds, and NO-ONE gets it handed to them on a platter.

2c