One thing you wish you knew when starting out

[Amanda - ReviewMyCam]

Hi ladies!

I'm new to the cam marketing biz and I have to say, I adore this forum. Everyone is so funny and willing to help and it's just such a positive atmosphere, which is great. In an effort to get to know the business a bit more, I'd like to post some general camming Q's here and I'd love any and all input.

First one: What is one thing you wish you knew when you first started camming?

Thanks very much!

 

[IsabellaSnow]

That when you first start camming it's the only time you can significantly make your camscore rise without making crazy amounts of tokens which will make a big difference to your camming experience.

I wish I had spent time watching cams, researching MFC and being on this forum before I started so I could have made the most of my new model status etc.

The second thing (I think it's hard to put it all down to one thing) is that I wish I had understood that just because some girls were making insane amounts of money it did not mean I would get to that point ever.

 

[ACFFAN69]

I'm not a cam model, but I think I can provide some info!

One thing I think most models wish they knew, was to register as a model in this forum here and get access to tons of great tips. Research, research, research!
Here is the link to the post with how to get verified: https://www.ambercutie.com/forums/viewt ... =24&t=1696
Only after exhausting all informative posts you can, should you ask for further clarification or additional questions.

Another thing I see models say they wish they knew when starting was how the MFC camscore worked (if that is the site you are planning on camming on), and to practice on sites other then MFC until you get some experience under your belt and get the technical issues out of the way (lighting, proper webcam, sound, etc). Apparentily that "new model" status is very important on MFC, and it's very easy to tank your camscore early, and it's hard to rebuild if you do that (but possible).

Hope this helps!

 

[BarbieLuv]

Don't be afraid to tell people to fuck off. Keep your banhammer hand strong, and if they're doing something you don't like or trying to pressure you into something you don't want to do, fuck how much they've spent. Doesn't matter if they're your highest tipper of all time, don't be afraid to send 'em packing if they're being a dickhead. There are always more guys who will come along and give you tokens without having to deal with that one guy always shows up to ruin your day... even if he tips well.

 

[TacoBelle]

I wish I had known how to lie on demand. That sounds terrible, but as a beginner, there are SO many ways models slip up and say things that could help potential creepers find her. Oh, that restaurant you ate at only has 50 locations, and they're all within 30 miles of you? Don't say it. Your real birthday. Your nicknames from friends/family members. Etc, etc.


I also wish I had known to spend more time creating content or having reasons to tip. Since I don't do countdowns, it's oftentimes hard to remind people to tip without coming across as "a token-whore." But if I had more raffles/videos/things to buy, I could subtly advertise them to bring in a few more tips.

 

[MadisonGraceLloyd]

That you can't just approach cam work as "you're going to sit there & play with yourself & earn a load of money". The models that appear to be doing this have usually put in so much time & effort, have a regular fan base & know how to cater to that fan base. To achieve "top model" status the majority have to approach this as a business & work at it.

 

[Sansa]

I'd been doing camgirl research for, I kid you not, close to six months before I started, but most advice said that "anyone is a potential client, talk to a cater to as many people as you can, etc." What those months of research did not do is point out how many people just want something for free, and how maybe it is important to be selective.

Paying attention to public chat was near impossible with all of the PMs I got before I turned that shit off. Skype skype skype!! Feet feet feet! Watch my cam! Rate my dick! I ended up paying more attention to people PMing me who would never give me so much as a return visit.

So my advice to new models, turn PMs off and make a fee, no less than 100 tokens, to get on that list or only add people you like from public chat, whatever works for you. If you ever worry that this means you'll lose a client, don't. Almost every single person who ends up sending me something to my MFC box who isn't willing to pay the friendlist (not counting people asking about privates) amount never intended to pay me (or any other model) for their time anyway.

 

[AprilKitt]

i wish i had known my worth! i made my prices too low when i first started camming. i was too self conscious to raise them because i didn't know if i was worth it. i also spent a ton of offline time messaging with regulars i didn't really like because i felt a little guilty and thought i wasn't giving them their money's worth. i was amazed that people wanted to pay me at all!

 

[IsabellaSnow]

So my advice to new models, turn PMs off and make a fee, no less than 100 tokens, to get on that list or only add people you like from public chat, whatever works for you. If you ever worry that this means you'll lose a client, don't. Almost every single person who ends up sending me something to my MFC box who isn't willing to pay the friendlist (not counting people asking about privates) amount never intended to pay me (or any other model) for their time anyway.

This so much!! Changing it so members could only pm me if they were on my list was the best thing I ever did camming! The amount of wasted time.... I swear that's one of the main reasons I didn't do amazingly when I first started because I was so confused by all the pm's. Even when my camscore has been at its highest if I spend even a small amount of time having a proper conversation in pm with someone it kills my room.

 

[PlayboyMegan]

That it's not so black and white.
For example, you don't have to do cumshows everyday OR not do any cumshows at all.
You can:
Charge a large single tip fee (say 5,000tokens) to do cumshows
You can just do cumshows once a month (like every 15th of the month)
You can just do cumshows every Friday (or whatever day you want)
You can stop doing cumshows all together anytime you feel like it
You can start doing cumshows anytime you feel like it
You can make a monthly goal and if you reach it by the end of the month, you do a free cumshow

There are SO many different options to fit your exact comforbility level. Don't ever feel bad for making changes to your Camming style. Yes, many guys hate change. Yes, you may lose a few tippers.But tippers come and go and if there's anything I learned while Camming, it's that 90% of your current tippers will not be active in your room a year from now. They will all be replaced by new people who never saw the changes made to your room and will think nothing of your new "rules."

 

[PlayboyMegan]

Oh, and taxes. No one taught me about taxes. So my first year Camming I spent all of the money I made and you can imagine my distress when I found out I needed to pay the IRS several thousands of dollars. Not fun! :?

 

[caireen]

Oh, and taxes. No one taught me about taxes. So my first year Camming I spent all of the money I made and you can imagine my distress when I found out I needed to pay the IRS several thousands of dollars. Not fun! :?

Me too.. 2010 and I'm still catching up :/