How are you adapting?

[Snoops]

Although I've been an amateur for several years now, as many know the bulk of my work has been in 'mainstream porn' for the past 7 years.

Working with the big paysites, etc.

I am fully aware of the advantages amateurs have over many sponsor programs as far as content, originality and creativity go...however, I'm curious.

The biz is tougher for all nowadays - more competition, more jaded surfers, processing bs, etc. How close have the two sides of this industry become in how they operate?

Things like:

Major paysites allow access to multiple sites - how many amateurs here either a) share members areas with other ams or B) have multiple sites of their own for members to enjoy? (I do)

Major paysites are upselling the hell out of their members - how many of you use upsells inside the members areas? (I have one or two upsells, no banners)

The big boys are trading major traffic via their exit consoles - ams traditionally have traded buttons on tour pages, is that changing?

Cross-selling - Even the most, um, reputable sponsor programs are using those little check boxes on join pages where the surfer ends up a member of multiple programs - and imo without really ever realizing it....are we getting that desperate?

There's things large paysites do that are solid, smart biz moves - definitely. But there's others that imo just show how desperate they are.

Where do most ams fit into this scenario? Guess I'm wondering how much we've learned by watching other 'genres' in this biz. Plus, I had some time to ramble while drinking my coffee lol

[Hell Puppy]

Life's damned tough right now if you're trying to maintain the semblance of "$35 per signup" and worrying more about luring a thousand or so GFYers into sending tens of thousands of TGP hits than they are the surfers themselves. And let's not forget most of those hits coming from the TGPs are surfers who have just come from a site that may have a few thousand new free pics each day. Oh, and it gets worse, now they have movies too! And better still, many TGPs wont list a gallery unless it is so slick the graphics are almost paysite quality...and dont you dare put too many ads on the page or lord forbid a blind link.

Yup, playing that way, you gotta upsell your ass off and squeeze every dollar you can from that rare poor bastard who is willing to cough up his credit card.

Our amateur sites are feeling pain from this too. The surfers have been jerked around and are tougher to convert in general. And the processors are scrubbing to the bone. But if you deliver exactly what you promise them, treat them well and do so at a price that is reasonable for what they receive, they're just as loyal as they ever were.

[Snoops]

Hiya hellpuppy - nice to meetcha :o)

I agree completely - but I also think that we can learn things to do as well as things not to do from the bigger paysite operations.

Do I want to have to upsell the shit outta my members just to make ends meet? no Do I want to have to fool them into joining multiple sites? nope

But I do think offering them 'more for the money' via shared members areas or several small paysites, and trading traffic via exits instead of via my tour/front door - are two tactics the big operations are doing that are helping my bottom line.

There's more, I'm sure - but I was curious how the those in the amateur world are chaging (if at all) to keep up with the tougher climate.

:o)

[gonzo]

Originally posted by Snoops@Feb 2 2004, 10:48 PM
Hiya hellpuppy - nice to meetcha :o)

I agree completely - but I also think that we can learn things to do as well as things not to do from the bigger paysite operations.

Do I want to have to upsell the shit outta my members just to make ends meet? no Do I want to have to fool them into joining multiple sites? nope

But I do think offering them 'more for the money' via shared members areas or several small paysites, and trading traffic via exits instead of via my tour/front door - are two tactics the big operations are doing that are helping my bottom line.

There's more, I'm sure - but I was curious how the those in the amateur world are chaging (if at all) to keep up with the tougher climate.

:o)
This is a damnedgood topic Snoops.
What tatics would you use from "BIG" sites that translate well to the amatuer?