Correct. If you have no money, and are trying to get started on a beer budget, have all your 2257 docs (Double check that with them, I do not think you need to be the original producer if you have your documentation). I would say maybe go with b-h-e.com. They have a very cookie cutter template to get you set up. You can swap out colors, and they will help you get some graphics done. More importantly, they handle the billing and shopping cart as well as your customer service. The advantage of going that route is that they take a percentage of your money. So if you do not make any, you are not out huge hosting fees, etc. However, the disadvantage is once you start making good money, they are taking a hefty percentage. So you would want to consider moving, getting a new CMS (like sitedepth), and third party processing (Verotel, and CCBill). Most importantly, if you are not producing your own, is to see if you can use the content you buy on clips4sale. You should be able to if you have a license and docs. But just double check when making your purchase. It's a nice way to get some extra look, and promotion. For those who are producing their own, or wanting to, there is a different way to launch a site using the clips4sale method. But it sounds like most are looking just to purchase, and repackage. Shopping carts are a separate issue because you are dealing with tangibles.
Ok thanks that helps. I was thinking of a website script? like a template stuff? or do you code those yourself?
Nah. In sitedepth it comes with templates. I just had them modify them more to my liking. However, if you know simple html, you can do most of it yourself. I had them do it because I was busy, and lazy at the time. The main page was all I really had to do myself because I did not like theirs. Back when I was with BHE, or the SD. So other than a simple first front end pages. The rest came with script.
oh that make sense now. I might be living under the rock. But yeah i do have extensive knowledge in html that is what i had learned in school But no php at that time. I liked your idea of sharing direct to the point thanks.
Firstly let me thank you again for taking the time to answer some of my queries, i appreciate the help your giving to me. Last night i had an epiphany, i came up with a domain name, a niche and the models, it wont be too expensive, but i ran into major problems when i talked to my gf regarding it ... shes not happy so going to be looking for ways around that problem. When you started did you have any problems with gf/wife friends or family? regarding your newly chosen job? Did you get past those problems or did they never get fixed? Thanks again, i will no doubt have more queries, so i appologise for my questions and curious nature, and i really do appreciate your help you have given me and everyone else in this topic so far.
You're welcome chief. Glad to be of some help. As for the gf. I had been with her I wanna say 6 years at that time. So it was a long term relationship. Secondly, I had been in telco for about 8 years. When I let, I wanted to start my own company doing something I enjoyed, and less stressful. She was not happy, but got over it. For her, the ends justified the means. I had gotten into it to make money. Not, so much for the enjoyment or to be Hef. Getting financing for some of my other online ventures would not be so easy to get from a traditional bank. However, I knew if I produced my own content, and owned all the rights, I could sell the material over and over (content, clips, DVD, memberships, etc.). So there was a lot of here and now money, but also more money down the line, which I got to realize in late 2007 even more so in content, and production deals. So for me, it was really more of a way to do something I enjoyed to get out of my old career, while making a lot of money that I am now pouring into real estate, and other online ventures like my web hosting and media company. I am now 35, and my plan was to make my money doing it, and either have someone else running it, or sell it off by 40. Assuming some of my other ventures are making me the same or more by then. As for the social aspect. That's tricky. My best advice is to have mainstream, and adult ventures. So you can tell her dad you work in 'internet marketing' or something similar. You then can point him to your legit site, and get him off your back. I deal with models, and the recruiting aspect which can be an enormous pain. But, on the days I get paid. I realize it's worth it compared to a 9-5. Plus it's very easy to market. In regards to mainstream people looking down on you? I do not give a **it. Why would I? I make XXX,XXX and they are still chasing their adsense crumbs. Money is not everything, but it's pretty important. I do not worry about my soul (i.e. Bible thumpers). It's a vice, and I peddle it the same as people offering cigs, gambling, and booze. I just try and do something good with it down the line. You have more problems if you are single or dating because every woman you meet tends to be jealous, or suspicious since you work with all these other girls. That is really where the problems will come in. Listening to the grief. But when I am asked by friends, and people in business if all the grief is worth it. Personal, and sometimes professional. I say a resounding, "Yes!" There is nothing like being the king of your own castle. Living and dieing by your own sword, and when you make it, and a living doing your online business. Adult, mainstream, or both. There is no sweeter taste of success. I love even more than it gives me enough money to buy other investments, and build more of my pet projects. They do not necessarily need to launch and be big money makers because I have a steady stream of money coming in. Hopefully that helped.
Wow, thank you, that was insightful and helpful. I am in a 4 year relationship myself and am a little younger than you were when you started (22) - i am already in the adult market, but only free content, im not one of these people who just download affiliate content and stick on the site hoping for sales, ive developed a quality site, with real users who come back on a daily basis to see the quality content i pick and publish. It's just it barely pays the bills and is more of a hobby than a income source. My parents think i do online marketing, as you say, have mainstream sites alongside adult, which i do to some extent. So if i get what your saying, and it wasnt hard to see you think i should keep bringing it up with my gf untill she realises its about the money, not the women, its not like i want to sleep with the models, its business, nothing else, and tbh i would even let my gf be there for any shoots! Thanks again, can i ask which country you live in? and what kind of price you pay for models on a softcore level, and if you do video shoots along side stills, what kind of price difference there is. Also when you started producing your own content, where did you shoot? did you hire a studio, or did you work from home (if you had the space) ? Again, Thank you.
No problem. I started with $3k. In hindsight, knowing what I know, I could start for a lot less now. I bought a camera, and recruited some hunnies. I'll forego the mistakes I made, and focus on the good aspects. As that's what you want to know. First, when you start it as a business, and your livelyhood is directly tied to it. TRUST ME. The girls will be nice to look at, but you will not want to be getting your meat where you make your bread. Or so the saying goes. In this business, your name is all you've got. So you screw, or screw over models, and you are going to have troubles. Second, I pay them $50.00 an hour. Most shoots are 2-3 hours, and I shoot video first and foremost because in my business model. It's most important. I do shoot stills as well, and maybe your gf could help as you do both at the same time. Or I do anyways. Third, I am in Michigan (USA). Fourth, I shoot at my landlord/business partner's place. He flipped me the $3k to get started for a 30% stake. He is a bit older, and is in it more for the fine college hunnies coming around to his house, and yacht.
Thanks for the hot tip! Reinvest in my business = loot. I'll make sure to write that invaluable little gem down.
How about a dating site with a membership option? what ways would you give as an advice? like setting a option for a free and a member to a certain access? and those hopefully paid member to a nice access? like opening the chat room or browsing private profiles? Certainly i would need a model to cater this needs i think?
I am working on one these myself, so I will not give too much away. However, I will give you some tips. I would say that the surfer should have full access to see what you have, profiles, whatever. But I would limit it in the following ways. 1. They can't click the people's pictures, or can click one of them only. 2. They can't read the full bio. 3. They can e-mail/PM for either 24 hours, or 3-5 back n forth convos. Then they are prompted to sign up. To keep people from e-mailing someone with their number, or e-mail. I would have a filter in place to scan e-mails, and flag them, or remove that. You have to give them a little sample, or taste, hook em, then reel em in.
yeah that is what i'm thinking? hope it goes well i won't gave up on this i gave up on my adsense venture for 6mos i agree with the crumbs?
It sounds like you have a good game plan. Mine's going to be niche focused, so no worries mate. Adsense = chasing crumbs.
yeah i will totally forget making money on it.. 2 to 3$ a day won't get me anywhere with the same amount of work that i should have put in a site like this. Can't sleep with the excitement.
I completely understand what you mean about excitement. I've been there many times. Each time I get to working on a new project, I will bury myself, and cut off the world for a couple of weeks. Working 12-18 hour days, until launched. I feel you man.
Here's what I don't get: Paypal's Website Payments Standard does not charge you anything and let's you accept all credit cards (including VISA) and paypal. So where are you getting this "$750 VISA fee" from? Do you have a link that shows this on the paypal site?
What you need to do it read their TOS on adult sites. Since that is what people are talking about here primarily. Feel free to google it. Next, you need to go to CCBill, and some of the other processors like Epoch, etc and read up on what they require to process VISA. You might wanna do your homework chief. Paypal's AUP Q: How does PayPal determine which sexually oriented goods and services to permit? A: Physical Goods – PayPal allows U.S. only transactions for certain sexually oriented physical goods, such as videos, DVDs, magazines, or other products physically delivered to the customer. PayPal does not permit transactions for sexually oriented physical goods by users outside the U.S. To determine which types of physical goods to permit, PayPal considers these factors: * Regulations or restrictions on the purchase or sale of the product in the applicable jurisdiction * Classification of the product by a recognized ratings board * Description or depiction of sexual conduct in a patently offensive way * Dominant theme of the material or website * Literary, artistic, political, or scientific value * Impact on the safety and protection of PayPal's customers * Potential medicinal or educational uses Digital Goods – PayPal prohibits all account holders from buying or selling sexually oriented digital goods, including downloadable pictures or videos, subscriptions to websites, or other content delivered through a digital medium. Other Prohibited Goods and Services – PayPal prohibits all account holders from buying or selling any sexually oriented goods or services involving minors or made to appear to involve minors, and any services for which the purpose is to facilitate meetings for sexually oriented activities. PayPal does not include sexual preferences or viewpoints as a factor to determine what this policy prohibits. And now for CCBill (and other third party processors), so you have your homework done on this matter. http://www.google.com/search?q=ccbi...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a Enjoy your read.
Ah okay, but if I wanted to run a non-adult subscription website, I could just use Paypal for all credit card transactions and not pay the $750 fee?
Ok, so if i choose to shoot for myself, which seems to be the more financially viable and better for the business on a whole, what type of equipment should i be looking at? i love my gadgets and i only usually by the top end products, but this will be a business, a livelyhood and i need to be smart. I obviously dont want to appear to be a complete amateur, as you say, image is everything. Also, the models, im not entierly sure on how to deal with them, i obviously want to make the experience as easy and pleasant as possible, but what about makeup and outfits, i would think outfits, if im after something specific, should be sourced myself, ensuring i have the size for the model. Makeup, should i be providing the makeup, or ask that the models do it themselves? exactly how demanding do you find your average adult model, and if they have demands how far do you go to provide? because obviously im not going to have a production team to speak of, i wont have a makeup artist, or fashion designer. Sorry for all the questions, you are literally the only person ive come across with honest experience of this side of the industry, and i am potentially jumping head first into a pool of unknown depth! - i want to to be as well prepared as i possibly can! Thanks again!