I would be interested in how you get started. I am a very sexual and sensual guy and I think this would be a great outlet for some of those emotions and actions. Can or will anyone give me some info on how to go about it?
Thanks,
faginIBsd
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I would be interested in how you get started. I am a very sexual and sensual guy and I think this would be a great outlet for some of those emotions and actions. Can or will anyone give me some info on how to go about it?
Thanks,
faginIBsd
What exactly do you want to get started on buddy ? Are you saying you want to get started in the adult industry ? Or on a new project ?Quote:
Originally Posted by faginIBsd
How to get started in the industry. How do you become a webmaster, how much is the cost for a domain, who do you have to go through for payments. I noticed people were asking about who took paypal. I just want the basics of how to begin. Thanks.
I guess we all would like to know where you would like to start? The adult business has many facets for you to explore. I'm sure you are not yet familiar with all of the lingo. Perhaps you can tell us what sites you like.
For domains, I personally use directnic.com and they charge $15 per year. There are dozens of other good sites to buy domains from but I'll let others tell you about those.
The next thing you need is a webhost. I use chilihost.com. Hosting packages come in a wide variety to satisfy every possible need. I would guess you could get a small account for about $20-50 per month. But make sure the webhost is ok with adult-oriented websites.
You will also need software to design and build your site(s). Most webmasters use Adobe Photoshop ($650) for graphics and Macromedia Dreamweaver ($400) as their web editor. There are much cheaper alternatives available... some even free. Some good alternatives are Corel Paint Shop Pro ($90) and Namo Web Editor ($100). Although I have both Photoshop and Dreamweaver, I actually prefer to use these cheaper programs. There are other programs you may need but they most likely won't cost a lot.
Content...
This is the stuff that you will put on your website. This will be you biggest expense by far. It's not ok for you to use any image that you see on the internet. That is, plain and simple, theft. You will need to produce your own or license content for a content broker such as gayadultphotos.com, maxpixels.com, ounique.com, pridecontent.com, rainbowcontent.com, etc. You can buy cheap photo sets for a few dollars up to several thousand dollars. You will need a lot of content. And fresh content is almost always better than old content and it is always more expensive. You may also get free content from affiliate programs that you must use to promote only their site(s).
Then you will need to learn these programs. If you have some decent computer skills, you could probably make a simple web page in less than a day. However, this is NOT going to make you rich. Your skills will have to develop quite a bit before you will have something that you can really be proud of. And then you will need some kind of direction and business plan. Do you want to do TGPs, AVSs, free sites, pay sites, blogs, etc?
That's about it! Many of us have started out as hobbyists and some still are. But many of us do this for a living and make very good money. I think we probably have a few millionaires amongst our ranks. ;) Although our work can be quite pleasurable and fulfilling, I don't imagine that very many of us think of our work as sexy, lol. It is VERY hard work and will ultimately demand more time of you than you are likely to put in at a full-time job. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
Sorry but I am almost insulted by the assumption or implication that being a sexual and sensual guy has anything to do with this industry really at all. If that is your thinking than it would be best if you ask me if you just join a adult site and leave it at that.Quote:
Originally Posted by faginIBsd
This industry is about marketing, web placement, artistic expression, and allot of hard work. If your more interested in the “sex” part of it and can not see the reality of the industry then you will always be a viewer.
Oops, one thing I didn't asnwer in my above post is payments. This can be a simple thing or a complicated thing. But since you are just starting out, I would guess that you will just join someone's affiliate program. Most affiliate programs make this a very simple procedure. You join their program, you promote their sites, you make sales and then they send you checks or wire the money directly to your account.
The other option is much more complicated and involves you setting up credit card processing. But we won't get into that yet.
I actually agree with you Max... for once! Lol. But remember Max, most of us did start as porn surfers. I know it's hard to remember that far back. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by maxpower
I remember waaayyyy back in 95 when I was an Adult Check member. I was always intrigued by those little links that said something like "webmasters, earn $$$$$ by promoting xyz". I always thought it was something very difficult that I could never possibly understand. I sure wish I had made the jump 11 years ago! I'd probably be retired instead of just tired. :D
If you are clueless about this business, I think you should make a start by reading articles on the webmaster boards (like this one). There is so much usefull information available and it might help you to make your descission where to start. There is not just one way. What works for me, does not automatically mean it also works for you (and the other way around). You have to find where you are good at and try to expand.
As I said, before spending your bucks - just read and learn. There is only a small percentage of newbies who stay in this business for over 6 months. Do not expect to make lots of easy money. As Xstr8guy said, this is hard work and you'll have to make loads of time available. Once you finally get things rolling (so-called snowball effect) you can make a very good living, but don't expect it to happen within just 6 months.
Hope you will find your way in this bizz.
It took me several years of being a hobby webmaster before I could quit the day job. It was a blast watching my income grow every month. But I also got lucky with some projects that turned out to be big money-makers for me. On the other hand, if I had taken other directions way back when, I might have been doing even better than I am now. Who knows?Quote:
Originally Posted by pocoloco78
Cozyfrog.com (at least last I looked) had some great tutorials for beginners.
I guess the biggest piece of advice I'd offer is spend enough time to have a pretty good understanding of the industry and what part of it you want to be in before you start.
And this is one of the most heavily regulated industries out there, so be sure you are very clear on the regulations and be fanatic about compliance, otherwise you can have a lot of problems.
I also am in the rare position of agreeing with Maxpower. Sex, being sensual, etc, has little to nothing to do with this business. AJ and I don't particularly like porn, aren't attracted to twinks, and in fact, we're both single and not particularly looking either for hookups or a relationship, so for us, at least, being sexual or sensual has nothing to do with the business. We are businesspeople, and it really wouldn't matter to us if it's porn, widgets, real estate, or commodities.
That said, there are a *lot* of cool people in this business, and I think it's in part because if you're comfortable being around sex and nudity, you are probably pretty comfortable with yourself.
I think if you approach your interest in this industry as a business, and treat it as you would any other startup opportunity, you'll find there are a lot of ways to be successful and have fun along the way.
When I made that statement of being very sexual and sensual, I did mean just that but not that that is the reason for me to want to learn about this. I do not and have never thought that this end of the business if easy. I know that when you put websites together and keeping them together is alot of hard work and continues to be so. I am not someone who has absolutely no knowledge of the computer. I have taken alot of the classes for the programs that have been mebntioned and even own alot of them. I am sorry if anyone thought that I was saying this was an easy way to make some quick money, I apologize if that is the impression that I left. So with that I am going to say thank you to those of you who have given their advice freely and to the rest of you I apologize for not making myself more clear.
Good for you. I have to tell you that being motivated in about 80% of what you need to make it in any business and you sound motivated. Next, you found this board and posted a question so you must be doing something right.
Read a lot of newbie stuff and let it sink in...
Check out sites...see how they put together tours...join a few sites...observe how they have structured their member's sections.
The more knowledge you take in the better the results will be once you open your editor and start to plan your first site!
Good luck and keep asking questions.
Lee
Like the others said, read read read. Ask tons of questions too. I think people misunderstood your opening post abit but dont let that put you off asking questions here. Were very friendly and everyone here will try to help you.
When you get to build sites, get them reviewed here. Ive learnt so much that way.
Also you dont have to spend a fortune to start out. I build sites and use content that paysites give me to promote them with. Lots of paysites give free hosting if you promote them. You will also find sponsors who are happy to work with you and give you advice on making sales and building your income with them. If choose the right sponsors you can work with very little overheads and use content that isnt all over the net, think smaller programs for that imo. A great idea is then to reinvest what you earn in your own content and better hosting, but carry on promoting the other stuff. That way your income grows.
There are many business models and not one of them is the correct way, unless it works for you. Thats why you need to read alot and ask questions here.
Whoa Whoa Whoa, hang on a minute.
There's money in internet porn? ;)
Dave
Wal-Mart is a business and with it you need corporate, management, hourly employees Contractors and vendors.
Adult is not too far off.
I would say the best way to start out in the business is with a business plan.
You stated you are sensual but didn’t mention what makes you turn on. A lot of people jump into the business pushing what they hear as the money maker. Only to find they are in over their head and pushing something they don’t understand.
What turns you on? As a surfer (viewing adult sites through paid membership) what did you join? What was your turn on? What did you find lacking in this niche and wished they had?
Can you offer this?
Is your role going to be webmaster, producer, marketing, designer, programmer… … …
Do you have a projected sales mark you want to hit? Is it realistic? What is realistic?
Reading will help you understand how to get things done but first and foremost you need to know what you want to do.
Thank all of you for your suggestions and your knowledge it is very helpful and I am taking it and putting it to use. I have started reading more and doing some research on this venture. Not only am I learning alot I am also learning that I am going to have to learn alot more. Am I up for the challenge, I believe so. Once again thanks.
The path from model recruitment to the final consumer sale is a path that involves more workers than people on the outside realize. So operating your own paysite isn't the only option. The vast majority of people who work in porn are actually affiliates. That is, they advertise for paysites and get a cut of the revenues (usually 50% lifetime or $25-$40 one time). This is where you want to start out.
I would highly recommend learning HTML instead of totally relying on a page generator. It is probably the simplest programming language ever. That will enable you to code a webpage by hand. You may see something about CSS along with HTML, but it's not a requirement no matter what some of the web standards freaks may say.
Take a look at this:
http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_examples.asp
Do a little gallery building and submitting to TGP's. I think that's pretty much where everyone started. It won't make you rich, but you won't need to be a Photoshop wiz either. Simple HTML pages with photos and banner ads is enough to start. I think I was a gallery submitter for like two weeks before I got my first sale. I had actually quit entirely and wasn't looking at my stats anymore. Then I got a surprise check in the mail from NastyDollars for $35 for one sale.
the way to get started is to read, read, read. read on several boards. then read some more. after you get used to the terms, the types of sites and all the rest, then you'll be ready to ask questions.
Th@ is SO simple: it all starts with a bit of spit & polish!
What, is today National Low Tolerance Day? Damn, I need to update my calendar!
First, welcome to this warm and fuzzy board. :cheerleader:
Chip provided you with a very good piece of advice: use the valuable resources made available to you by the crew @ Cozy Frog at their academy, aptly named Cozy Academy (http://www.cozyacademy.com/) - it is the number one link I give to all webmasters that contact me wanting to break in to this business!
Also, you'll want to join a few message boards. However, before you go posting like a mad (or horny) man, read and get a feel for the characters there. Cruise all the section, like tutorials, because many common questions are asked and answered there. Once you're ready, start adding to the community.
I for one was/am not insulted by you wanting to join the adult industry because you are a "sexual and sensual guy" because it makes perfect sense to me.
I love cars, so I worked in the industry.
I love skiing, so I gave my time to the industry
I love sensuality & erotic thing, so here I am.
I love :paco:, so I started ... uh, I am sure you get the point!
Best of luck to you, and remember if you ever get stuck on something take pictures!