Pros and Cons of Cam Sites

[IsabellaSnow]

Western men just get a greater feeling of reward interacting with women than the other way around

I don't think this is necessarily true at all.

What might be true is that women feel they have less interactions with men where they feel in control of the conversation and like they chose to speak to them though. Culturally men are the approachers, the predators even, and often those sorts of men who do approach tend to want to dominate the conversation and make it about themselves. Their attraction, their interests etc. But that's probably because those sorts of men aren't the guys who think "Maybe that woman doesn't want to be pressured into interacting with a stranger". When it comes to completely consensual conversations with awesome men (and there are many of them) who genuinely have similar interests and aren't just in it for themselves, I am sure women get just as much a feeling of reward from the interaction as men would. I think if you were to have a camsite aimed towards women this would be the interaction you would be needing to get.

Remember that perhaps young women get approached by men all of the time, but for many women above 40 having a young workman round is exciting for a flirty chat. In my aunts own words talking to my Grandmother: "It's great! Because they just see you as an old woman and so there's no pressure or threat, so you can have a lovely flirt and chat without it mattering at all!"
My Aunts words rather make me think there is a market for interactions with young men where absolutely nothing needs to happen, where they feel safe (i.e. with the internet between them). It's fairly commonplace for us to believe women aren't that sexual or don't have the same desires and needs as men, but research seems to show this just isn't true. Jesus, the sex toy industry pretty much proves this isn't true. Yet there isn't yet a great market for the types of stimulation women want, and possibly not because there isn't a desire for it, but because culture tells us that there isn't so no one is doing it. Just think though of all the women who have skype sex with their partners or dudes they fancy, is that just for the man's benefit? Do lesbian couples not do this? Clearly there is something there which people seem to love to ignore.

It would likely not need to be sexual, it would be like the difference between watching porn aimed at men and a romance/sex novel aimed towards women. Think emotional foreplay with the fantasy, and I guess just attention and fun. Quite possibly a fun community environment similar to MFC would work. I know for me the reason I don't view male cam models is because of the large amount of disgusting dudes who just want to jerk off in front of women. That's such a turn off for me that it would take too much energy even trying to find a good guy. Also why would I pay for something so many dudes would give me for free? Essentially an arrogant self-indulgent dickhead who only wants to jerk off and doesn't give two fucks about female pleasure. No thanks.
But if there were a site where I'd be guaranteed that you wouldn't get any douche canoes and you'd only get genuine cam models who care about providing a friendly, chatty interaction with a bit of teasing and sexy stuff thrown in that's going to excite the viewer rather than throw it all out there like a piece of meat at a butcher, well that is something I might be able to get on board with. I seriously think this will become a thing one day, it just needs to be marketed right. Likely it won't make the same sorts of profits as a big cam site, but at the end of the day a small start up is almost certainly never going to take over and get to the level of MFC or Chaturbate. By having a go at entering an untapped market you might actually hit gold. Remember, for every dude wandering around the internet feeling lonely, there's a woman who's not being paid enough attention to and is just as lonely, yet has no where to go.

 

[melanieoncam]

Absolutely! I make more at the end of a shift on a site where I make 30%, than I do on a site where I make 60%. My paychecks are so much bigger, it doesn't even feel like I'm making a smaller percentage.

This is true for so many of us.

I'm on a lot of cam sites. A few offer up to 80% and Youkandy even offered 100% for around six months. Was not worth it at all. As a general rule the more percent a cam site offers the lower the traffic.

When it goes up to 80% that usually means they have zero traffic and you have to drive all your own traffic. If I could do that I'd take steps to get my own high risk merchant account and wouldn't bother with a cam site. I have a few that I send to Indiebill but no way do I have enough traffic on my own to make a full time living.

It's a red flag when a site offers a huge percentage because they have no way to promote and pay affiliates or buy advertising for traffic.

 

[EmptyKins]

Let me indulge in a quick cam fantasy for the OP.

I wish, I wish, with all my might....

Features:

1.) Models could use pre-made tip graphics or code their own to potentially increase members tipping just to see whatever pretty lights and animations the model has made for herself. Think, slot machine graphics but editable so that every tip becomes a visual experience before the model even gets to carry out the tip action.

2.) Give models an easy way to create their own "interactive commercials" so that when she goes on a ten minute break, her room can not only stay engaged with the ads she made for them, but also be able to click and buy anything she shows on the screen(without leaving the chat itself!). Models could choose to sell only exclusive content during these times and make it that more entertaining and worthwhile for both parties.

3.) Let the model use a variety of built in filters, snapchat-esque facial recognition animations, or even body part recognition animations. Essentially eliminating the need for add ons like ManyCam. Having a slow hour? Play around with your makeup filter or add a penis to your belly button, it sounds silly but that's what it's meant for, to keep the room engaged with the model in whatever she can come up with.

4.) Allow the model to edit and add text/dmca logos/animations/etc. anywhere on her cam screen. Again, eliminating the need for ManyCam.

5.) Give both model and member an option to sign a release and opt in for the use of the members voice instead of text occasionally.

Example: Model decides to have an AMA for the room to see, and only allows her top tippers or trusted members to use voice instead of text in the room.

Give the model full control over muting/unmuting member voices in case they say something weird.

6.) Let the model customize her clubs with personal avatars in both the chat and her profile. Alot of girls have club members "level up" with tips then add those to her profile when she logs off. Make it so avatars can be seen in chat and "level up" for everyone to see in real time.

7.) Give the model picture in picture for tip wars between other verified models. Split screen, tip "bomb" effects, running tallies, etc. It will encourage healthy competition with models from opposite sides of the world without their members having to keep track with two open screens.

8.) Missed the models last show? Give members the chance to purchase the PPV version at any time, including the chat room or excluding the chat room by choice. Alot of girls already sell their whole show at the end, make it easier by letting them access the full recording and edit or add highlights to it's preview, encouraging members who missed it to buy later.

Essentially take the normal cam room experience and turn it into a highly animated, "slot-machine" type party with an emphasis on the model being able to customize everything easily from her side and the member being able to enjoy and interact without ever having to leave her room.

Obviously it won't be for everyone and you might need to add a seizure warning but it would draw in a huge crowd that has already been conditioned for decades to enjoy some good ol' casino animations, this time with tits and bits!

 

[Majora Mink]

I don't think this is necessarily true at all.

What might be true is that women feel they have less interactions with men where they feel in control of the conversation and like they chose to speak to them though.

Okay, okay, you right- hahah, the reward IS there- I suppose it's more the willingness of "risk" then... that (my impression) is meeting a guy should feel organic, natural, perhaps feeding into that fairy-tale "fate" to offset that culturally acceptable man-go-get-woman forwardness (with regards to my American-ness, and really just my own opinion).

I like your auntie story- "Safe" flirting feels good! It's true! I love it- Would I pay for it? That's where I'm getting stuck- probably because I'm always fixed-income and I'd probably be a cheap old lady T_T I would have to actually talk to older, financially willing, women in that case. I've heard travel flings are a popular one. You ever been asked if you have a "Bali boyfriend"??? (Uhh, no, too busy eating LOL)

In East Asia, I think pairing attractive workers with a mundane service works as a formula because... well, these countries still actively discriminate based on age, gender, looks... The pressure to look a certain way is... well, it's not really a debate, because I'm on the peripherals of these cultures, but it does give me a squicky feeling when other ladies are obligated to do things (diets, surgeries, career choice...) just to appease someone else.

BUT East Asia is where I would do it (if I had any legal right to it, which I don't..... )- I would be terrified to start any business in the US where my major draw was having a "Hollywood-standard attractive staff" who may lightly flirt with patrons. I'd imagine it would be only briefly of interest to the media, then I would end up wasting time fighting social backlash while my business dwindled. (But I'm really considering a brick and mortar business rather than a website here... I'm totally off track, huh? I'm not opening Hooters for ladies XD)

Sorry, it's a lot of blathering rambles- I suppose if there was a video-chat website geared for straight women, what would make me spend money on it? AUUUUUUUGH. I just spend money when I see things I like! And when I think of "going to a website where I can chat with smooth guys" I immediately think of all those "Nigerian prince" scams. I'm sort of intrigued by the idea of a video-chat site that is a "douche-free zone" but wow, guaranteeing that... hm... hmmm... Maybe.... a "romantic" Fiverr model? Where the focus is on getting a specific service from a "specialist"? Ahhhhhh, it's already quite doable...

I personally feel like it would need to be 1-on-1 focused, but if it were a group/community type thing, it should have the same energy as a hen party entertainer XD Digital Thunder Down Under! Wahahahahaha okay, okay, I'm sorry, I'm done, I'm done!!!!

Call it.... 24HOURBACHLORETTEPARTY.COM XD

 

[Dan Epstein]

A webcam site is not a start up like an IOS or Android app. If it goes down, you're taking down freelancers with you. I live in the heart of the 'Start Up Nation" in Tel Aviv, so if you are looking for a fancy, fast, and speculative revenue exit, such is not the case.
By the way OP, if you have developer skills, unlike in my case, the world is your oyster Why not join an existing cam site as a developer?
Just my amateur take on it though.

 

[ryannnnnn]

One for earnings is on time off/ away from producing content or being on cam. Models tend to lose customers each time they take a break. Finding a platform for models to keep earning while on break and keep customer interest until returning would be a salable feature.

It seems like finding a way to interact with members/fans while you're away is a major need.

You forget some details. CB takes 50%. They pay out 20% to referrals.

You're talking about models referring other models?

They are essentially saving any model marketing costs, usually involved in any business. We go onto the site and usually most of the traffic is provided to us. Yes we can and do bring our own but they do provide our market audience. That costs them and no extra cost to us.

How does a lower-ranking model drive traffic to their rooms? Do they advertise outside and bring users in, or should you expect at least some traffic no matter your rank on these sites?

I don’t think the OP @ryannnnnn was interested in my post. I’m not convinced he is interested in knowing the hardcore realities of having a business in the adult industry or even coming into it for the right reasons. Money isn’t the right reason.
No business is good enough to open based on money.
So he probably didn’t give my post a second look.

I hear you, and appreciate your input.

If I could do that I'd take steps to get my own high risk merchant account and wouldn't bother with a cam site. I have a few that I send to Indiebill but no way do I have enough traffic on my own to make a full time living.

How often does a model go out on their own and setup their own site just for their audience? Would it happen more if payment processing/fraud protection and the streaming back-end was included as a turn key option?

A webcam site is not a start up like an IOS or Android app. If it goes down, you're taking down freelancers with you. I live in the heart of the 'Start Up Nation" in Tel Aviv, so if you are looking for a fancy, fast, and speculative revenue exit, such is not the case.
By the way OP, if you have developer skills, unlike in my case, the world is your oyster Why not join an existing cam site as a developer?
Just my amateur take on it though.

Already have a full-time job which I love, this is a project to keep busy the other 8 hours of my day.

 

[Ronaldod]

You're talking about models referring other models?

Who ever. It is open for Affiliates and cam models. They do not care as long it is a new members.
It can be done in example by twitter.

 

[Dan Epstein]

Already have a full-time job which I love, this is a project to keep busy the other 8 hours of my day.

My sincere suggestion, as someone who knows both boutique website owners, and big veteran ones is: It's not a side job. Either give 25 hours a day to the models, affiliates,users, and developers, or make a nice extra lunch money as an affiliate on a dating platform.
This is one of the fields in which you don't just test the waters. We had our share of Camscapades. Although I think you'll be awesome as a part of an established web cam site's developers team. I recently saw a big business go down, first hand, so the bitter experience, and feisty attitude are not derived from you personally

 

[briandf255]

As a customer, not a model, I think there is more of a need for a good site for buying/selling custom videos than another cam site. Preferably a site with an escrow system, a good search/tagging function that allows customers to easily find models with certain physical attributes or models who cater to certain fetishes, a request system that allows customers to post requests and for models to respond if they are interested in creating a video to fulfill a particular request, a good/balanced rating/feedback system that is fair to both models and to customers and the capability to host the videos the models upload without file size limitations and in their original format without converting them (and possibly reducing their quality) just to be able to stream the videos from the site itself.

 

[Tartan]

Already have a full-time job which I love, this is a project to keep busy the other 8 hours of my day.

Have you tried sleeping it’s absolutly magic mate

 

[Gen]

As a customer, not a model, I think there is more of a need for a good site for buying/selling custom videos than another cam site. Preferably a site with an escrow system, a good search/tagging function that allows customers to easily find models with certain physical attributes or models who cater to certain fetishes, a request system that allows customers to post requests and for models to respond if they are interested in creating a video to fulfill a particular request, a good/balanced rating/feedback system that is fair to both models and to customers and the capability to host the videos the models upload without file size limitations and in their original format without converting them (and possibly reducing their quality) just to be able to stream the videos from the site itself.

This sounds like ExtraLunchMoney.

 

[AudriTwo]

One thing that majority of failed sites have in common is the struggle to pay their models in the end.

You need money to fall back on if you aren't making profit. Which probably wont be for awhile like most new businesses. You have to pay your models. I can care less about all the bells and whistles. The number one site killer is when word gets out that sites are struggling to pay their models. Models will jump ship. They aren't going to risk their earnings when they can instead work another site that they know is reliable when it comes to pay.

 

[Dan Epstein]

As a customer, not a model, I think there is more of a need for a good site for buying/selling custom videos than another cam site. Preferably a site with an escrow system, a good search/tagging function that allows customers to easily find models with certain physical attributes or models who cater to certain fetishes, a request system that allows customers to post requests and for models to respond if they are interested in creating a video to fulfill a particular request, a good/balanced rating/feedback system that is fair to both models and to customers and the capability to host the videos the models upload without file size limitations and in their original format without converting them (and possibly reducing their quality) just to be able to stream the videos from the site itself.

Now that I’m about to be on skid row in the adult sense, I no longer feel obliged to anyone. One of the reasons the fetish market is so special, is because of its unique trust value, between a provider and a client . There are clip sites and creators, like Bianca Baker and her husband, or Jolene Brody, who can lecture a whole semester on it in any business management course. It’s a trade in itself.
A custom vid, is not the same as a chat room. private or public . We’re blessed to have serious room for both. Not to mention that the clip sites that I know, including some who made a live stream take over lately, have some of the best dedicated feedback and product teams. What do I know anyway, I just did payment solutions

 

[briandf255]

This sounds like ExtraLunchMoney.

On paper, yeah, something like that... For whatever reason, ELM failed to attract a lot of models and other than a few regulars who stayed for a long time, most models only did brief stints on the site before abandoning it and moving on elsewhere or disappearing altogether. I did like the concept of the site but because of the lack of models and the lack of improvements to the site itself, it never lived up to its potential.

 

[Gen]

On paper, yeah, something like that... For whatever reason, ELM failed to attract a lot of models and other than a few regulars who stayed for a long time, most models only did brief stints on the site before abandoning it and moving on elsewhere or disappearing altogether. I did like the concept of the site but because of the lack of models and the lack of improvements to the site itself, it never lived up to its potential.

I was on there for a while, back in the day. Members are cheap as fuck there. I’ve dabbled in a variety of sites (both live cam and content), and ELM had the cheapest dudes I’ve encountered. It became more effort than it was worth.

It was also an ugly site that put gross stuff on the front page (a girl pouring a can of beans on her pussy, not the first impression I’d want for my site).

 

[heybarkeep]

It was also an ugly site that put gross stuff on the front page (a girl pouring a can of beans on her pussy, not the first impression I’d want for my site).

Kidding. Would definitely deter me from wanting to use the site.

 

[SaffronBurke]

On paper, yeah, something like that... For whatever reason, ELM failed to attract a lot of models and other than a few regulars who stayed for a long time, most models only did brief stints on the site before abandoning it and moving on elsewhere or disappearing altogether. I did like the concept of the site but because of the lack of models and the lack of improvements to the site itself, it never lived up to its potential.

There's not many models who stay there long-term because the dudes are annoyingly cheap. It would be a great site if it weren't for everyone wanting custom porn for bargain-basement prices.

 

[Chojin]

I had Chaturbate open in another window the other day and noticed Hotfallingdevil. She had almost 15k viewers at the time. One viewer dropped 5k tokens in one tip with several 2k drops (and below) from others. I think she got about 20k tokens in an hour or so. She was just relaxing in a conservatory with a Lovense in her pussy.

I noticed that I got a few dislikes from other members here regarding my earlier suggestion that models should only be taxed 3 to 10%. To expand, if a tax system was implemented, a model could only get hit with a 10% cut until they reached a certain about of tokens in a said week. That way, those that are currently not getting regular tokens can get some financial relief until they're making enough revenue.

So maybe below 20k tokens per week could be a 10% cut, then it goes up to 40% after that. I imagine that it must be frustrating for models to have a majority of their Chaturbate viewers being 'greys' and making sexual demands with only a few credited accounts tipping the odd token. Would the said tax relief not balance things a little?

Just a random thought.