I've been camming on SM for about 6 years on and off, but I just got done with new model status because I have a new account due to leaving Boleyn Models' daily pay and going to weekly pay for that extra 5%.
In my experience, I was personally glad when my new model status was over. So many beggars, freeloaders, guys asking you a billion sexual questions in free chat Iway more than when you're not new IMO), guys fake tipping you and trying to get you to flash, etc. It gets annoying really fast. I'm glad I got a new account because I wanted to get rid of a couple annoying regulars who would always visit my room and chat but rarely spent anymore, but weren't quite annoying enough for me to ban (luckily they haven't found me yet lol). Whenever guys would mention me being new or ask how new I was, I would tell them that I've actually been camming for years and got a new account because I took a few months' hiatus. That weeded out a lot of the freeloaders LOL.
IMO, it's still helpful to make the most of your new model status and be on as often as you can and try out different times of day/night and see what you like best. You get more traffic as a new model and if you're on often during your first 30 days, this helps build up a following and builds up your favorites and your 5 star ratings so that you'll hopefully have a good placement once your new model status is over-the more 5 star ratings, the better. I always ask guys to rate me 5 stars at the beginning of a private no matter how many times I've gone private with them before, and at the end of the private if they stick around and say thanks and chat for a while.
My rates are $3.99 premium and $7.99 exclusive, but that's because I really prefer being in premium chat where I do my own thing at my own pace and masturbate how I like using my favorite toy. Guys who really want to direct the show will usually go exclusive no matter how high the rate. And often times, there is more than 1 guy in premium chat, which really adds up. I emailed support immediately after starting this time around to get my rates increased. I also emailed support immediately after getting 5 5 star ratings and asked for my rating to be adjusted and asked for Gold Shows, because sometimes they are slow at doing it if you don't ask. It makes a huge difference in your placement going from 4 stars to 5 stars, at least it did for me, so if you have more than 5 5 star ratings and yet you're still stuck at 4 stars, I would email support and ask them to adjust your rating ASAP.
No matter what, you will get assholes who give you bad ratings, so don't be afraid to email support to get the bad ratings removed if the bad rating is not deserved. Almost all bad ratings are from assholes who don't read profiles and don't listen and ask for things you don't do, or from peepers trying to get a free show who were mad that they got charged for staying a few seconds too long lol.
IDK if you're comfortable with making/selling videos, but having videos for sale on my page has helped me a lot too. I had some ready made and ready to go before I launched my new account (although you will still need to upload them to your profile), and I've had guys who have never gone private or exclusive with me buy videos. They help add up during slow days. I've even had guys visit my profile and buy videos on days I didn't cam at all, which is nice.
And yes-tags definitely help, especially if it's something unique that you offer that not many people do. Tags like "beautiful" and "sexy", while flattering, aren't very helpful in my opinion because almost everybody has them. I think tags that state something unique that you offer in your shows, such as "taboo roleplay,", "phone," "sloppy deepthroat," "raceplay," "anal," "lactating," "pregnant," "pantyhose," "foot fetish," "findom," "squirting dildo," "sybian," "sph," etc, are good tags because they help guys get an idea of what you offer in your shows.