Photographer
Legacys 7
Posts: 33899
San Francisco, California, US
Patrick Walberg wrote:
Your posts show just how knowledgeable you are about this topic! I'm going to have to contact you through a pm because we may do well to combine our efforts in some things. Isn't Model Mayhem a great place to network!  Indeed.
Photographer
Christopher Hartman
Posts: 54196
Buena Park, California, US
While I think there is a market for the types of photos I enjoy taking (girls in bikinis) there probably isn't much of a market for PAYING to see girls in bikinis when it is so readily available for free.
Photographer
ACV Media
Posts: 2
Fort Worth, Texas, US
I have run non nude and glamour paysites for the last few years and can tell you that you better know what you're doing (all aspects from content, marketing, processing, security, etc) before starting one or else you will be broke or out of business quickly. Finding the right model(s) doesn't hurt either. People definitely subscribe to non nude and glamour sites. For a model, you need to get lucky and find that someone who knows what their doing.
Photographer
studio36uk
Posts: 22898
Tavai, Sigave, Wallis and Futuna
Alchymia Studio Chicago wrote:
...that after the first month you would be so profitable that you would not need any other source of income,...
- jeremy Here's a key phrase in the OP - profitable after the first month
The reality is more likely that a pay site will not be profitable after the first YEAR; or two years; or three years... or maybe ever. And all the while you are throwing money at it just to keep it running.
Being "...so profitable [after the first MONTH] that you would not need any other source of income..." has about the same chance of happening as wining the NY State Lottery five days running.
Studio36
Photographer
Manuel Rego
Posts: 1954
Worcester, Massachusetts, US
With my luck, I'd get innundated with messages from customers begging to get memberships under TF.  Alchymia Studio Chicago wrote:
Do you want to start a 'members-only' site, but haven't? Obviously, lots of people have no interest in the first place. But I am curious, if you want to, but haven't, what is stopping you?
Is the initial investment of time and energy too big, especially considering the risk that it will fail?
If you knew you could not fail, and that after the first month you would be so profitable that you would not need any other source of income, would you still do it? Or would you still not want to take on the responsibility of constantly adding new material, finding new subscribers, etc.
What if there was a reality tv show, and they gave you all the money you needed and 30 days to attempt to start a successful paysite. At the end of 30 days, you get to keep site -- and you don't have to pay them back. (In other, words you don't have any money at risk, just 30 days of your time).
(Note: unfortunately, I have no idea how to ensure that you will not fail and can do it full time. And, I do not have a TV studio in my back pocket either. I am just curious what the real hold up is.)
In my case, I think I would rather spend the time and effort starting a band. So, I don't want to get stuck with a site that is dependent on my style, and then decide that I really want to be serving a different audience. As a photographer I have a better chance of selling the site than a solo model site would, but, I would still feel like I was disappointing my fans.
- jeremy
Model
The Original Sin
Posts: 13899
Louisville, Kentucky, US
Christopher Hartman wrote:
While I think there is a market for the types of photos I enjoy taking (girls in bikinis) there probably isn't much of a market for PAYING to see girls in bikinis when it is so readily available for free. You'd be surprised- you can market through several sites to have your images on t-shirts, coffee mugs, postcards, etc. It all depends on whether you want to have a mainstream marketing goal or market to a niche.
There are several people on here that if they ever put their images on girl-shirts with a catchy slogan, or on coffee mugs, I would jump on it.
(Bobby Sargent has one image that I would KILL to have on a big ol hot chocolate mug- it makes me happy to look at it)
Photographer
Legacys 7
Posts: 33899
San Francisco, California, US
The Original Sin wrote:
You'd be surprised- you can market through several sites to have your images on t-shirts, coffee mugs, postcards, etc. It all depends on whether you want to have a mainstream marketing goal or market to a niche.
There are several people on here that if they ever put their images on girl-shirts with a catchy slogan, or on coffee mugs, I would jump on it.
(Bobby Sargent has one image that I would KILL to have on a big ol hot chocolate mug- it makes me happy to look at it) There are some images that I would love to buy from a nude female artist that's on here. BUT, how big is that market? Is enough to put up a paysite? That's one of the things that people have to take into consideration before they just through up a site. The reality with websites compared to the dot.com years is like night and day You'll have to treat online businesses just like offline business. While there are some advantages to both, there are also disadvantages to both too. But the common bond is having a well thought out site that will work.
I'm currently working on a site that will make money, but it didn't come over night. I had to do some brainstorming; once I came up with the idea, I had to see if there was any competition, and what do they have that I don't and vice versa. I haven't seen anything that the few out there have that competes with what I'm working on. I also, spoke with the people that I'm targeting (big market for the large consumers) and they are both blown away and have been looking of this for a long time.
There's a term that they use for hyperlinking websites. I forgot what they call it.
Photographer
ACV Media
Posts: 2
Fort Worth, Texas, US
studio36uk wrote:
Here's a key phrase in the OP - profitable after the first month
The reality is more likely that a pay site will not be profitable after the first YEAR; or two years; or three years... or maybe ever. And all the while you are throwing money at it just to keep it running.
Being "...so profitable [after the first MONTH] that you would not need any other source of income..." has about the same chance of happening as wining the NY State Lottery five days running.
Studio36 Very true. Most will fail, but if you're fortunate through networking to get linked with someone or partner with a company that has a successful marketing strategy in place, you could be profitable rather quickly. I didn't do that but was still in the black after 5 weeks.
Model
Bella Valentine
Posts: 515
Scottsdale, Arizona, US
amanda logue wrote:
My only problem with split is I had a site once had a contract and agreement with the photographer..I shot all my own content for the site and edited it...I had fans contacting me telling me they loved the site...Then poof the guy vanishes and I can't find him and got no money from the site...I was able to take the site down though.. I had something similar happen to me! My old webmaster vanished but I was at least able to get the money from the old site since everything was in my name. But I still ended up losing money and precious time over it, it really sucked!
Model
Bon voyage MM
Posts: 9508
Honolulu, Hawaii, US
Klarrissa wrote:
With their paysites, online shop and what they make traveling and hosting events and selling their merch there. They don't do any penetration or have sex with anyone. They will have videos up of their girlfriends getting together. So basically making a profit off someone else get down. I mean look at Jeri Lee and Tila Tequila! Tila was making good money before she went on to having her own show. Granted with her show and book out she makes a KILLING but she started out with a paysite. Prior to tube sites...
it's a different dynamic now.
Photographer
todas_las_caras
Posts: 699
San Francisco, California, US
Lots of good (and also some wrong) info in this thread.
Photographer
studio36uk
Posts: 22898
Tavai, Sigave, Wallis and Futuna
Sabrina Maddison wrote:
Prior to tube sites...
it's a different dynamic now. LOL... don't I know it. I don't produce but I do chase the pirates on behalf of clients, who infringe their content. Some of the client's stuff can, literally, go live on their pay site on Monday and by Wednesday some pirate has lifted it and it is being offered for sale on the pirate's site. A lot of it seems to be lifted and just posted for free on Tube sites, too.
I always thought the commercial pirates were being kind of stupid in a way. They tend to actually sign up and pay, at least for a trial sub, to get their first copy, when, if they would just hang around and look around, they could steal it off the Tube sites for free.
I've been working on two sites for a while that are just like that: Site 1 was a forum format; the site owner charged a flat access fee; on the site his forum users provided all the content for free; just one of my clients was being infringed to the tune of over 50 hours of video content. While Site 2, another pirate, was selling the same content that he had been buying.
Even that's not half bad. Pirate #1 we managed to scare the crap out of [he thought he was untouchable - he wasn't] and he is now gone from the scene and the site shut down. Pirate #2 has some of my client content, so I am still chasing him, but he also has content from 7 or 8 other producers I don't do work for, and just one of which he is infringing to the tune of a whopping 200+ hours of video content.
And the scale of the problem is massive. A study has illustrated that during 2007 in the UK alone, and only with music downloads - there were ~140 million paid legal downloads vs. ~890 million illegal downloads. A 6 pirated :1 legal ratio.
It's like the friggen Wild West in cyber-land.
Studio36
Photographer
OddH
Posts: 6
Oslo, Oslo, Norway
I believe it's hard work to set up and run a paysite , and even harder to make any money. As said earlier in this thread, you can get tons of pics, porn or not, for free all over the net. But some lucky bastards get their game on, and make a good living. On the top, my view, is Norwegian photographer Peter Hegre. He's been running a non porn paysite for several years, and it gets better for every year. Check it out: http://www.hegre-art.com/
Photographer
Ray Holyer
Posts: 2000
I sell adult content to paysites, and I can basically sell as much as I can shoot. I am semi-retired, and I like to find time to do other things, so I don't shoot as much as I could.
I've thought about setting up my own paysite, and I suppose I could make more money from my own site than from selling stuff to other people for their sites, but, to be honest, it's a lot less hassle and my financial exposure is a lot less.
I will watch this thread with interest, though, in case I change my mind!
Photographer
studio36uk
Posts: 22898
Tavai, Sigave, Wallis and Futuna
Ray Holyer wrote:
I will watch this thread with interest, though, in case I change my mind! If you do, Ray, you had better also have it examined. LOL
Studio36
Photographer
Ray Holyer
Posts: 2000
studio36uk wrote:
If you do, Ray, you had better also have it examined. LOL
Studio36 Very good!
The only thing I might add to my previous post is that I sell the stuff with full rights, so it's up to the site owner to go after the pirates. Mind you, I'm not saying the stuff is so good that people want to steal it...
Model
Sarah Hunter
Posts: 1463
Los Angeles, California, US
I live with my parents (free rent), I have no coding skills, and I'm going back to school next month. Three pretty solid reasons, in my book.
Photographer
Timekeeper Photography
Posts: 83
Portland, Oregon, US
I've never paid anyone to look at a website. I think it's silly. Give people money so I can see stuff on my computer while thousands of sites are free? Forget it.
Photographer
SensualThemes
Posts: 3043
Swoyersville, Pennsylvania, US
I'm launching a "paysite"of sorts...MakeItSexy.com - "Whatever you do, make it sexy"
Free websites for sexy people...for fun or profit
We take a % of each sale (small %)
and we make $$ off advertising
Everything Mspace, etc offer, we are adding -and more!
Not an ad, just FYI it isn't hard
Photographer
studio36uk
Posts: 22898
Tavai, Sigave, Wallis and Futuna
Ray Holyer wrote:
Very good!
The only thing I might add to my previous post is that I sell the stuff with full rights, so it's up to the site owner to go after the pirates. Mind you, I'm not saying the stuff is so good that people want to steal it... Actually, Ray, you could leave that open in the licensing. Even though the buyer does not get the copyright they can be authorised to chase the infringement if they believe it originated with them and the content they license from you. In effect, they can operate as an agent for that purpose on your behalf.
Same thing I do for my clients. I don't own or operate any of their content, I just act as their agent. As my guys are all outside the UK, and some are non-English speaking, I can deal with ISPs, the authorities, the lawyers, and even the courts, exactly as if I was the actual copyright owner. I just don't sign the cheques, they do.
Studio36
Photographer
studio36uk
Posts: 22898
Tavai, Sigave, Wallis and Futuna
Ray Holyer wrote:
...Mind you, I'm not saying the stuff is so good that people want to steal it... Don't you believe it. There are assholes that will steal, literally, anything if they think they can turn a penny or a pound on it.
Studio36
Model
Secretchick
Posts: 53
hya
to be honest I have my profile on a well known website and I get paid for each member that joins up with me.
Its hard work to get new members you have to promote yourself all over the place I am lucky in a way because I attract certain clients due to being mature bbw large breasted.
so I target specific websites forums swap trade banners ect but its monotonous doing the same thing day in day out working out which forum needs a top up of pics and the endless chatting to potential clients.
For some of you I would say stick to paid modeling work unless you want to be sat at a computer for a few hours a day.
Secretchick
p.s I dont ever intend to be a professional model I am quite content with just being amateur
Photographer
Legacys 7
Posts: 33899
San Francisco, California, US
OddH wrote:
I believe it's hard work to set up and run a paysite , and even harder to make any money.
As said earlier in this thread, you can get tons of pics, porn or not, for free all over the net.
But some lucky bastards get their game on, and make a good living.
On the top, my view, is Norwegian photographer Peter Hegre.
He's been running a non porn paysite for several years, and it gets better for every year.
Check it out: http://www.hegre-art.com/ Not surprised, look at his market and what he's selling. Same thing is Met Arts. He did his homework. But even sites like those have been hi jacked and used on other free websites.
Photographer
Legacys 7
Posts: 33899
San Francisco, California, US
Timekeeper Photography wrote:
I've never paid anyone to look at a website. I think it's silly. Give people money so I can see stuff on my computer while thousands of sites are free? Forget it. Depends on what you're talking about to see. If it's porn, okie dokie. But there are people that do pay for it and there are some models that have their game set right were they bring in the demand. Some have something that the average site won't have.
Non porn sites, something that keeps getting bypassed on here because for some reason, people equate pay sites with porn. Paying can and do also equate to selling other products. Not all of them are video or dildos.
Speaking of porn, imo, the sites that make money are the voyeur sites. Not my thing, but there are a lot people that are sucker enough to watch some live chick talk fantasy shit and get them out of their money while they tease the shit of them stripping off their clothes.
Photographer
Coffee Induced Designs
Posts: 202
Dadeville, Alabama, US
Getting a site built and hosting should not cost you a dime if you go with the right company. We (Nekkid.Net) don't charge our models anything. Of course we get paid a % of what the model brings in but it still usually comes out much better for them.
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