Things You Think You Know
By Grimfang
Every week, I hear from several new aspiring webmasters who are looking to strike it rich in this business. Their stories are usually pretty similar. They all have either a certain level of the technical skills needed to create a site and keep it running, or they have some sort of limited experience in the industry. And they always tell me that they have 'done all the research.' And the ones planning larger operations usually declare they will surround themselves with 'qualified people.' And many times I hear my all time favorite statement: 'Money is not an issue.'
These people simply do not know just how much information they still lack. They do not know what they do not know.
Technical skill is a very valuable commodity that cannot be overlooked. But you need to have the skills and experience that will relate to the industry needs. Many times new webmasters create sites loaded with spectacular visual effects and graphics. What they do not realize is that all their wonderful additions to the website only slow the site down and serve as a distraction to the actual goal of making a sale. The creation of a quality adult website is a delicate process with its own unique technical demands. Much of that can only be learned from experience and following the advice of others.
I usually laugh when I hear someone tell me that they can run a successful site because they 'have experience in the business.' In most cases, it just means that the person was either a stripper or a DJ in a strip club somewhere. It rarely means the person knows how to market a website to the general public, how to generate traffic, or how to manage the financial end of running a business. It certainly does not mean the individual knows how to obtain quality content and how to present that content to customers. True, they know a bit about interacting with the public and convincing them to spend money. But there is a difference between making a sale in a face-to-face setting and making a sale on a website. There are no second chances on a website. You either make the sale right away or the chance is lost. They don't hang around for a few more drinks while you try to change their minds.
In many cases, I hear the phrase "I have done all the research." Whenever this is said, it seems to be said in self-defense rather than as a statement of fact. My question is this: Just what exactly did this research consist of? Did you read a book on 'How to be an Online Porn Mogul'? Did you find a website that told you 'Everything you need to know'? There is no single source for all the information you will need. The truth is that it is really difficult to do all the research needed before jumping into this business. For example, Have you learned what is the most effective way to win back customers who have cancelled their membership? The list of questions could go on forever. You actually need to do research just to discover out what research you still need to do.
I often hear people tell me that they 'will surround themselves with qualified people' who will help them get things right. My question is this: If you are lacking the qualifications to do the job yourself, what means you know how identify a truly qualified person? Odds are you will be hiring someone based upon a recommendation from somebody else. You might even be presented with a list of credentials for that person. Credentials are easily exaggerated. It takes experience to be able to identify a person who possesses the skills and experience you will need.
Out all the declarations a newbie will make, the one that I love the most is "Money is not an issue" Bullshit. Money is always the issue. That's why we are in this business. That's why it is called a business; otherwise we would call it a hobby. If you don't care about how much money you spend, then just go out and buy an existing successful website. Why waste your time struggling to create a site from the ground up, when you have just told me that you can afford to throw endless sums of money at the situation? You would not need to bother with SEO tactics because you could just pay $5 per click and guarantee top spot. And you would never have to worry about content because you could always afford custom videos and photos from every Jenna in the industry. Well? Now tell me again that money is not an issue.
My point is this: In order to survive in this industry, you first need to realize just how much information you still do not have. You have to figure out what questions you have overlooked, then find the answers. And we all have more to learn, because the industry is constantly evolving. Nobody has all the answers. The trick is to find the answers to as many questions as possible.
Grimfang
Porn Defender
Helping Adult Webmasters Defend Their Rights
Every week, I hear from several new aspiring webmasters who are looking to strike it rich in this business. Their stories are usually pretty similar. They all have either a certain level of the technical skills needed to create a site and keep it running, or they have some sort of limited experience in the industry. And they always tell me that they have 'done all the research.' And the ones planning larger operations usually declare they will surround themselves with 'qualified people.' And many times I hear my all time favorite statement: 'Money is not an issue.'These people simply do not know just how much information they still lack. They do not know what they do not know.
Technical skill is a very valuable commodity that cannot be overlooked. But you need to have the skills and experience that will relate to the industry needs. Many times new webmasters create sites loaded with spectacular visual effects and graphics. What they do not realize is that all their wonderful additions to the website only slow the site down and serve as a distraction to the actual goal of making a sale. The creation of a quality adult website is a delicate process with its own unique technical demands. Much of that can only be learned from experience and following the advice of others.
I usually laugh when I hear someone tell me that they can run a successful site because they 'have experience in the business.' In most cases, it just means that the person was either a stripper or a DJ in a strip club somewhere. It rarely means the person knows how to market a website to the general public, how to generate traffic, or how to manage the financial end of running a business. It certainly does not mean the individual knows how to obtain quality content and how to present that content to customers. True, they know a bit about interacting with the public and convincing them to spend money. But there is a difference between making a sale in a face-to-face setting and making a sale on a website. There are no second chances on a website. You either make the sale right away or the chance is lost. They don't hang around for a few more drinks while you try to change their minds.
In many cases, I hear the phrase "I have done all the research." Whenever this is said, it seems to be said in self-defense rather than as a statement of fact. My question is this: Just what exactly did this research consist of? Did you read a book on 'How to be an Online Porn Mogul'? Did you find a website that told you 'Everything you need to know'? There is no single source for all the information you will need. The truth is that it is really difficult to do all the research needed before jumping into this business. For example, Have you learned what is the most effective way to win back customers who have cancelled their membership? The list of questions could go on forever. You actually need to do research just to discover out what research you still need to do.
I often hear people tell me that they 'will surround themselves with qualified people' who will help them get things right. My question is this: If you are lacking the qualifications to do the job yourself, what means you know how identify a truly qualified person? Odds are you will be hiring someone based upon a recommendation from somebody else. You might even be presented with a list of credentials for that person. Credentials are easily exaggerated. It takes experience to be able to identify a person who possesses the skills and experience you will need.
Out all the declarations a newbie will make, the one that I love the most is "Money is not an issue" Bullshit. Money is always the issue. That's why we are in this business. That's why it is called a business; otherwise we would call it a hobby. If you don't care about how much money you spend, then just go out and buy an existing successful website. Why waste your time struggling to create a site from the ground up, when you have just told me that you can afford to throw endless sums of money at the situation? You would not need to bother with SEO tactics because you could just pay $5 per click and guarantee top spot. And you would never have to worry about content because you could always afford custom videos and photos from every Jenna in the industry. Well? Now tell me again that money is not an issue.
My point is this: In order to survive in this industry, you first need to realize just how much information you still do not have. You have to figure out what questions you have overlooked, then find the answers. And we all have more to learn, because the industry is constantly evolving. Nobody has all the answers. The trick is to find the answers to as many questions as possible.
Grimfang
Porn Defender
Helping Adult Webmasters Defend Their Rights
posted by
Hammer
at
1:34 PM
2 Comments:
So very true, thanks for all these good insights in all these blogs, and this entry hits close to home for me. There's no one good source for learning the ropes... you really have to go out there and get yourself educated in this line of work.
Damn dude... Everyone knows nothing that makes you money is easy. I am as newbie as you can be but what I am finding is that most folks on the webmaster blogs seem to want to help others. As I learn I will be the first to share my experiences with others. Do you have any advice on steps to help?
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