The Model Experience: Much More Than Lights, Camera, Action

One aspect of the adult webcam sector which has driven its massive expansion within the broader adult entertainment market over the last two decades is the apparent ease of entry into the market for new and aspiring performers. All one needs is an internet connection, a webcam and the temerity to step in front of that camera and perform.

That’s the narrative in some quarters, at least – but as any performer can tell you, the reality of becoming a cam model, adult clips artist or adult talent of any sort is far more complicated and nuanced than it might seem from outside the industry, looking in.

In YNOT’s next series of feature articles, we explore what we call the “Model Experience” – a detailed account of some of the less-discussed aspects of being an adult performer, with a focus on cam models and clip artists.

In addition to the valuable perspective of experienced, popular performers, you’ll hear from billing companies about features and functions they’ve added to better serve the adult webcam industry, operators of major webcam platforms and networks and others whose companies and services help to shape the industry into which the next generation of performing talent will be stepping.

We’ll also examine the flip side of some of camming’s most attractive qualities as an occupation. Aspiring cam performers are often told, justifiably, that one of the best parts of camming is the freedom to set your own schedule; but what’s the best use of your off-cam time to assure you’re maximizing your success and the return on your investment of time and effort?

Just as people who have never been on the set of an adult movie shoot often operate under the deeply flawed assumption that making porn is simply a matter of pointing a camera at people while they have sex, the ease and comfort which the most successful webcam performers display can lead viewers and would-be cam performers alike to believe camming is easy money. As you’ll see in reading the advice of established stars like Anna Bell Peaks, the truth is camming is like most other careers: What you get out of it depends largely on how much you put into it.

Noting that information on things like the importance of good lighting and tips for drawing in customers is relatively easy to find, Anna says her first bit of advice for a newcomer might come as a surprise: “Make a business plan, set realistic goals, save your money – and plan your exit.”

For performers who need transaction processing services, what features should they look for in a billing company? Segpay CEO Cathy Beardsley provides insight on ways they’ve customized their offerings to cater to the webcam sector – a fast-growing industry segment which now represents almost half of Segpay’s volume.

With the YNOT Cam Awards and the all-new #Cammunity model summit right around the corner in August, the Model Experience article series is particularly timely. According to feedback YNOT Events has gathered from those planning to attend #Cammunity, a hefty percentage of the models who have registered for the event will be making their first trip to an adult industry event of any kind.

With guidance from the speakers and presenters at #Cammunity, and the contributions of those interviewed for the feature articles we will publish in the days ahead, we hope to help these newcomers face the exciting challenges in front of them with both an open mind and open eyes.