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Articles by Ilya Firsov
Getting Ready for the Metaverse With Blockchain-Powered Platforms
The metaverse: you may or may not be familiar with this concept in the adult industry. As a current buzzword in mainstream tech, it is a concept that is still somewhat vague and broad. The basic definition of a metaverse is: a network of virtual worlds that connect together, something straight out of science fiction.
Broker.xxx Founder Juicy Jay Masters Art of Buying, Selling Adult Properties
Phoenix Marie Reflects on Career Milestones, Staying Power
Phoenix Marie loves “trying to save marriages one scene at a time,” and considering the fantasies she fulfills with the promise of sexual catharsis, couples just might be mending fences aplenty basking in her glow. Before she became a top-tier MILF and Brazzers contract star with confidence in spades, Marie remembers being shamed for her sexual curiosities growing up. Then, after attending an adult expo with a friend, she connected with a talent agency and took her first steps into the biz.
WIA Profile: Jasmine James
Each month, XBIZ spotlights the career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Women in Adult. WIA profiles offer an intimate look at the professional lives of the industry's most influential female executives. On every project for which she consults, business development specialist Jasmine James leverages her far-ranging adult industry experience spanning multiple sectors.
What to Know About PVC in Pleasure Products Manufacturing
The adult retail industry has come a long way when it comes to product quality. In the span of the last decade, we’ve seen manufacturers grow more aware of what materials make for high-quality toys and, in response, move away from using lower-quality materials that led to the greasy, melty, smelly dildos of years gone by. Consumers have also become savvier when it comes to shopping for toys. They know that some materials are “good,” and others can be “bad,” which informs their buying decisions.
Optimizing Your Payment Processing Business Strategy
Payment processing — especially in the adult industry — is the foundation of the commercial funnel and the lynchpin in the success of any business. The moment when customers pay must be executed flawlessly to prevent turnover and optimize for upselling, future purchases and resubscriptions. When it comes to payment processing options, there are seemingly endless routes one can take. Which service do you choose? How much are processing fees? How difficult is the system to integrate with your back end?
Cascade Billing: Exploring a Variety of Payment Services
When I was a boy, I remember my abuela telling me that I should enjoy and make the most of my life because when I got older, time would fly by like the pages in the flipbooks I used to play with. She was right because, believe it or not, it is March already! I guess it’s finally time to put away the Christmas lights and get serious about those New Year’s resolutions.
Processing Fees: How Low Can We Go?
My favorite client, who does a considerable amount of volume with us, always comes back to me at the end of the year looking to be rewarded for their increase in volume. While I’d love to help this client because of their size and volume, I have hit the wall on rate reductions. There no longer is any wiggle room for a price break, even though there is a continued increase to the merchant’s volume.
Fact vs. Fiction: Adult Content Prohibitions of the Past and Present
‘You can’t mix bondage with penetration.” “No fisting or oversized toys.” “Urination in a natural setting is OK, but no watersports.” Urban legends like these have circulated in the adult industry for decades, supposedly informing content creators of what is allowed and what is prohibited. But where do these prohibitions come from? Are they accurate? This article will try to separate fact from fiction and provide insight into the development of adult content prohibitions.
Q&A: Troy Francisco Flexes Masterful Content Craft
Twenty-eight-year-old Troy Francisco is more than a creator. He is a presence, an online companion and an experience. He even calls himself an erotic poet, given his devotion to crafting authentic content with passionate, well-lit artistry and palpable chemistry. And when he isn’t filming a bevy of beautiful babes at a variety of elegant locations, Francisco is on set shooting for the majors, booked through the OC Modeling agency that he proudly reps.
Engaging in Effective Email Marketing
Creating your own email templates and campaigns can be time-consuming, but while it might seem like direct messaging on content and social media platforms or public posts are all you need for marketing, having a way to reach your fans outside of that is vital too. You never know when a platform might have issues or when a social media site might suspend your account, so asking fans to sign up for an email newsletter is a surefire way to be able to keep in touch no matter what.
Partnering With Platforms for Greater Success
Did you know there are all sorts of actions you can take to make your work world a better place? I don’t mean organizing your calendar and making strategic decisions about what platforms you choose to leverage. Certainly you should be doing those things, but what I’m referring to here are interesting next-level “flair” activities you can be doing to add texture to your online presence, depth to your persona and nuance to your work portfolio overall.
Having a Consistent Handle Across All Platforms Is Key
The social media platforms are filled with Instagram models, adult performers, cam models, content creators and probably 136 other species of stars and influencers in search of followers, fans and subscribers. While there are many ways to create and market a brand, I want to talk about one rule that should apply to all of those aspiring celebrities — and to you, if you see yourself on that list.
Agreements and Prep for Co-Created Content
Being a content creator gives you the freedom to express yourself creatively on a regular basis, which is a luxury that most business owners don’t have. With that freedom, however, comes a higher rate of frustration; you’re entirely dependent on yourself for producing and creating, and sometimes you’re just all tapped out of ideas and find yourself in a rut. This is where having relationships with other content creators can help.
Q&A: FansRevenue Helps Creators Monetize Affiliate Offers
Getting the most out of flourishing business opportunities is challenging for content creators, but FansRevenue believes that with the right tools, the only limit to talent success is ambition. Powered by CrakRevenue, a well-known and established CPA network in the industry, FansRevenue aims to open up an additional revenue stream for creators. In fact, the company reports $1.5 million in commissions so far, paid to stars signed up with their affiliate program.
Q&A: Addi Lee Blooms With Roses and Romance
Cam model and content creator Addi Lee first joined the adult industry in 2016, but even before then, she became fascinated with the market from the perspective of a fan. “I guess you can say I started out as a consumer on adult webcam sites,” she shared. “I was always curious about the adult industry even when I was younger.
15 Ways to Create Hot ASMR Content
Autonomous sensory meridian response, better known as ASMR, took the internet by storm several years ago. This phrase refers to the biological reaction some humans experience that triggers the pleasure centers when we hear or see something that satisfies the brain.
Monetizing Your Physical Cam Room
I have been camming on Chaturbate for almost five years, and I have found that the secret to being a successful cam model is not just having a stellar cam show, but also having multiple diverse revenue streams. That’s why I’m always testing out new show ideas and different promotion opportunities.
WIA Profile: Tanya Tate
Each month, XBIZ spotlights the career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Women in Adult. WIA profiles offer an intimate look at the professional lives of the industry's most influential female executives. Award-winning MILF performer and Star Factory PR founder Tanya Tate has transformed the rich legacy of her own stardom into a multi-faceted business operation.
Made for Creators: Brands Shaping the Future of Indie Monetization
The rise of the creator economy within adult entertainment has accelerated exponentially in recent years, following three growth stages over the past two decades. First, there was the rise of camming and clips sites, where indie creators could monetize fans through the authenticity and intimacy that only interactive streaming and self-shot videos could truly provide.
Ensuring Swift and Secure Payment Processing
While the adult industry is quite like the broader entertainment industry in many aspects, it is fraught with far more obstacles, especially when it comes to payment processing. Like any business, adult sites need all the typical technology and assets working behind the scenes to ensure optimum functionality: a back end, front end, design, visual assets, marketing, branding, payment processing and more.
A Bright New Year: Looking Forward to Business Trends in 2022
We’ve been in our COVID bubble for nearly two years now and many of us, including me, are ready to break free. 2022 ushers in a “start fresh” mindset as we all look ahead to a new year filled with new opportunities. Let’s kick it off by making some new connections at our beloved trade shows that are returning in person. We’re so excited to see everyone and have our travel bags already packed for the January XBIZ conference in Hollywood, with many others to follow.
Q&A: Elevated X Equips Creators, Brands With All-Inclusive CMS Services
After 17 years as an enterprise software company, Elevated X runs a well-oiled operation when it comes to building and managing adult websites, especially since the majority of its core team has worked together nearly since inception. Aiming to provide clients with everything they need to run a standalone site of their own that isn’t tied to a platform, Elevated X has powered many noteworthy brands over the years, as well as the official sites of numerous top stars.
Q&A: AliceBong Takes Throne as XBIZ Europas Clip Artist of the Year
From neon-lit seduction with color-popping wigs to moodily atmospheric artistry in a slippery bathtub, AliceBong channels her experimental and attention-grabbing content like a hybrid cosplayer/arthouse aficionado. By turns funky princess and alluring elven nympho, the 2021 XBIZ Europas Clip Artist of the Year can tap into her kaleidoscope of creativity like an inspiration faucet ready to gush for a super-engaged fan base.
Making and Selling Collectible Magazines and Coffee Table Books
What’s the difference between a coffee table book and a collectible magazine? Yes, I know one is a book and the other is a magazine. But there are some other big differences we need to get out of the way, so we can jump into the do’s and don’ts of making and selling them. By the way, don’t let the word “collectible” throw you off. It’s a fancy word we use to add value and prestige to a project. A coffee table book is just as much a collectible as a magazine, baseball card or bowling ball.
Hyping Fans With Social Media Polls
We all know social media can be a cesspool at times, so it’s easy to take for granted all the ways social media can productively enhance our income and drive traffic to our premium content. Over the years, social media and independent content platforms have evolved significantly, offering creators a chance to build a fan community that can interact with you in a variety of ways.
Handling Content Collabs Safely and Transparently
I got my start in adult entertainment as a cam model, and after two years in the industry shooting over 100 scenes with wonderful studios like Brazzers, Mean Bitches and more, I can comfortably say I know my way around a shoot. While I still enjoy camming regularly and working with studios, I have learned that shooting “co-content” with other talent takes lots of preparation and planning to do it safely. Here are some tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way.
Q&A: Angelika Rouge Is Fantasy Made Flesh
Is she a succubus seductively garbed in horns and demonic wings? Is she a dominatrix, ready to crack the whip and make men submit? Is she a totally approachable girl next door? Yes. Yes, she is. Angelika Rouge is a very versatile cam model whose inner facets catch both light and radiant darkness with prismatic splendor.
Camming With a Cold
In a perfect world, you could take a day off from camming any time you're under the weather without having to worry about the toll it will take on your finances. Unfortunately, bills still need to be paid on time, and that doesn't always lend itself to resting when you need it the most. One benefit of camming is that you can still work without the worry of spreading germs to coworkers and clients, but it can be hard to feel sexy when you're not in the mood.
Taking Your Cam Life Beyond the Web
One of the best parts of being a cam model is being able to manage your time on your own terms. Camming does afford you a lot of freedom and flexibility, but if you want to build your camming empire, you better spend that time on things that will make you money in the long run. The foundation of your income is your relationship with your fans, and the best way to strengthen it is making them part of your day-to-day.
Games to Keep Fans Engaged and Tipping
Camming is about providing a space for users to unwind, relax and have fun online. It’s about performing for your fans and helping them to take their minds off their everyday lives. For me, playing games with the chat room is the easiest and most fun way to entertain fans. I love to cosplay, play video games, play literally any game and hang out with my fans online.
WIA Profile: Kate Ames
Each month, XBIZ spotlights the career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Women in Adult. WIA profiles offer an intimate look at the professional lives of the industry's most influential female executives. Before Kate Ames became the product communications manager for Chaturbate, she had begun working in public relations in the entertainment sector while attending Emerson College.
Attracting Affiliates With Quality Content and Positive UX
Affiliate marketing, even in the year 2021, is still one of the best ways to generate income no matter what online adult business model you may be running. Trying to use shortcuts, such as bots or buying social media accounts, is simply not a good idea and sometimes dangerous.
Fighting Growing Ecommerce Fraud
Well, it’s that time of year again, and I am not talking about pumpkin spice lattes, leaves changing colors and the roving posses of trick-or-treaters, although that’s been happening too. No, the Christmas holiday shopping season has been moved up, and as a small business owner you should know what that means. In the past, this would be the time of year every business owner looks forward to. But it seems like small businesses cannot catch a break these days.
A Peek Inside the Romanian Adult Industry
There’s no question that porn is big in Romania. According to Statista, camming provides opportunities for talent to generate earnings higher than the national average monthly wage of $350. There is also an abundance of potential raw talent in the country since — according to a recent BBC News article — 30% of new graduates find it difficult to get work, which can lead some novices to explore adult entertainment.
Keeping the Q4 Express on Track All Year Long
It’s a magical time of year — and honestly, my favorite season of the year. I always look forward to Q4 from both a business and personal perspective. Businesswise, we typically see eight to 16% growth over Q3 revenues. On the personal side, Q4 signals the arrival of Halloween, my birthday, Thanksgiving and then Christmas. WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE? To make sure your investment in Q4 converts, you need to have solid risk management in place and upfront.
Asking Fans for Holiday Gifts
Ho ho ho! What might go in a cam model’s stocking? Pretty much anything you want! Because when Santa Claus misses that special present on our list, camming fans can step in with exactly what you’re both looking for. You’ve been working hard this year to put on good shows and it would be nice to see something special wrapped up just for you during this holiday season. After all, this is the season of giving! The holidays are also the time to get creative.
Q&A: Nafty Offers Creators NFT Marketplace With Diverse Array of Monetization
Ever since non-fungible tokens, aka NFTs, seized headlines with their unique form of collectible-like digital ownership based on blockchain technology, many brands and creators have tapped into the phenomenon with gusto. Given the parallel evolution of the mainstream and adult creator economies, especially amid the traffic surge due to lockdowns last year, business is booming in the realm of personality-driven purchases.
Traveling for Work While Complying With Restrictions
The last two years have been... interesting. Now, as the world tentatively approaches getting back to “normal,” we in the adult industry are faced with a big question: Do we get back to traveling yet, or not? It can often feel like there are endless opportunities for work-related travel. At least, it felt like that two years ago.
Protecting Your Business From the Impact of Inflation
If you have enjoyed a massive rise in sales over the last 18 months, like many others in adult, you might think that the future looks even brighter. However, this might not be the case — due to potential inflation. The rising prices of goods and services in the economy may result in a decrease in the purchasing power of money.
Musings on the Challenges of Marketing Adult Content
Let’s discuss the ins and outs of marketing adult content — because it isn’t easy. I imagine that most of you reading this are somewhere between a lot younger than I am and a little older than a bag of potatoes. That being the case, you're undoubtedly full of energy, unafraid and determined to succeed.
How to Price and Market Custom Video Content
As a content creator, you know that this life is all about the hustle. You’re already established on your platforms, you’re selling bundles, you’re going live... so what more can you do to increase your revenue? Customs! Custom orders offer you a unique opportunity to make your fans feel close to you while earning some bonus income. Your fans feel personally seen by you because you’re taking the time to do something special that is just for them.
Best Practices and Safety Tips for Attending Adult Conventions
Traveling alone, specifically as part of the adult industry for an awards-related event or trade show, can be exciting and a bit nerve-wracking. Whether you have never attended such a conference or if you have been to more than three in the past year already, everyone can benefit from travel safety tips. When traveling, you must prevent potential problems from arising, have backup plans, be extremely aware when issues do pop up and be easily able to adapt.
Q&A: Zanna Rose Casts a Spell as Streaming Sorceress
Long before the spirited Zanna Rose began captivating fans as a cam model and content creator, she felt the unmistakable draw of an entrepreneurial lifestyle after growing up with two successfully self-employed parents. “So naturally, I’ve always wanted to work for myself and follow their example,” she said. With that can-do pioneering passion, Rose started freelancing for the fashion industry and also doing portrait photography from the early age of 15.
Conversation Starters to Energize a Quiet Chat Room
If you’re an introvert, or if your cam room is filled with introverts who may feel self-conscious talking to a babe like you, more than a few awkward silences may ensue. However, even if you are blessed with the gift of gab or more extroverted fans, those inevitable breaks in the flow will eventually occur. And nobody enjoys an aloof or unresponsive cam model, which means it’s up to you to make conversation.
Five Ways to Entice Fans When You're Texting Them
Texting works in mysterious ways. Some people love it and choose it over face-to-face interaction, while others don’t fully vibe with it. But when you’re a cam model, texting is one of your power tools for bonding with users. That means follow-up messages to your fans, asking them how they are doing from time to time… keeping the flame alive, essentially.
Getting Super Steamy With Shower Shows on Cam
Winter is creeping up on us again and autumn is already in full swing, so it’s time to shift our focus away from outdoor camming show ideas to activities we can do inside where it’s warm and cozy.
Becoming a Paid Influencer for Brands on Social Media
The paid influencer life is something many people aspire to in the age of social media. After all, who wouldn’t want to be handsomely compensated to promote products and post aesthetically pleasing content? While it’s not nearly as easy as it sounds and requires a lot of hard work and marketing savvy, it’s still a pretty sweet way to create an extra stream of income using social media accounts you’re already posting to anyway.
Winter Is Coming and Fans Will Too With Themed Cam Shows
The holiday season can be a fun but stressful time for everyone. There is a lot of pressure to be with your family, buy gifts, travel home, spend money, etc. However, it’s also a wonderful time to get creative with your cam shows and show your fans that you really care about them. I have been camming for eight years exclusively on Chaturbate as Foxy_Gamer, spending every holiday season during that time with my fans — playing games, opening presents and being inventive with themed content.
WIA Profile: Catalina Bogzoiu
Each month, XBIZ spotlights the career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Women in Adult. WIA profiles offer an intimate look at the professional lives of the industry's most influential female executives. As she was studying communication science at college, Catalina Bogzoiu decided to earn extra income as a cam model to cover her expenses. Beyond enjoying newfound financial success, Bogzoiu realized she genuinely found the job fun and interesting.
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