In Part 1 of this three-part series, long-time phone sex operator Lynn revealed what phone sex work is like and why cam models may want to consider adding the service to their repertoires. In Part 2, she discussed the earning potential in the field and what’s required to grow a successful business. In this final installment, Lynn offers advice about niches and how models can use camming skills to improve their phone sex business … and vice-versa.
What skills do phone sex workers need?
In term of “phone sex” skills: Besides excellent conversational skills, phone sex operators should be adaptable, improvisational and imaginative. They should have some knowledge about human sexuality, especially as it pertains to their niche. They should be confident and prepared to lead.
In terms of business skills: Phone sex operators must be well organized and self-motivated. It is exceedingly important that independent PSOs also possess solid marketing skills. While self-marketing or personal branding sounds easy, it isn’t effective unless you first identify your target market and know how to tailor your marketing, including promotional efforts, specifically to reach that market. Knowing basic HTML is also helpful, for even if a PSO pays for someone to create their phone sex profile, listings, and/or website, the PSO ought to at least be able to edit the text themselves as they wish.
And, as all my PSO clients know, good — and healthy — PSOs are also self-aware and practice self-care. As with any sex work, phone sex can be very emotionally draining as it is all about the client — very much “giving” and less “receiving.” Yes, it can be very rewarding too! But it’s definitely draining. You must be aware of your limits and make the time to care for yourself in order to avoid burnout.
Is there training available for those new to the business, or is this a “learn as you go” job?
Primarily, phone sex work is a “learn as you go” situation.
Some companies do offer minimal training for their employees. Personally, I do not find the cut in earnings worth it, but such minimal training, or the structured requirements of such employment, is why some women will try working for a company prior to striking out on their own as an independent PSO.
For those who seek to run their own phone sex operator business but feel they are lacking in some skills or experience, they are welcome to read my website for free. Or arrange a consultation appointment to get personal, individualized help.
Are there niches in the phone sex business? If so, what are some of the most popular?
Yes, there are niches. Most of them — like anal, BBW, ebony, foot fetish, girl next door, mature, smoking, etc. — will sound familiar to those in the adult industry in general. And, of course, there are the BDSM subcategories, including dominant and submissive women. Along with these, there are also some categories more specific to phone sex, such as counseling/therapy, girlfriend experience (GFE), and roleplaying. Taking a quick look around phone sex sites will give you an idea of the offerings. Often creative PSOs will come up with their own niche or slant and place themselves in “other.”
The Mistress or femdom niche remains one of the most popular phone sex areas. This includes the much newer fetish of financial domination. While a lot of money can be made dominating men on the phone, these are among the most highly competitive areas of phone sex work. It takes clever marketing to stand out from the crowd in order to really profit in femdomming.
Some girls may find it difficult to transition from a highly visual medium to one that is voice-only. Any tips or tricks to make things easier?
As I mentioned, the transition from sight to sound can be tricky. There are two things that can really help though.
Number one, remember that part of being an excellent conversationalist requires that you be a good, avid listener. As with reading, you’ll often need to make inferences as best you can from what is said. I call this “listening between the lines.”
Of course, in order to be listening, you’ll need to get the caller talking. Asking questions is highly recommended. But especially focus on questions designed to help you understand the caller’s true desire.
Number two, consider everything you do in a cam performance, and reimagine the telling of the show. Describe every detail you put into creating the scene: the ambient light, your wardrobe, the props, the sex toys. And, of course, how you, or the character, looks! Don’t forget to add details of smell, touch and taste, as well, as those components really bring the moments to life. In camming, you may have spent an hour getting the lighting just right so it would make that baby oil really shimmer on your curves, making viewers imagine how it would feel to touch you. Now you have to use your words do that.
What advice would you give a camgirl who’s considering adding phone sex to her moneymaking activities?
First, decide whether or not your camgirl business or brand would benefit from adding phone sex services. If you believe it would, then look at your schedule and see if you have the time. If time is tough to find, perhaps even consider whether dropping a cam show day and replacing it with a day of phone sex might be the answer.
Once you’ve decided to enter the phone sex industry, read, investigate, learn what you can — but eventually you’ll just need to jump in. Remember: Things don’t need to be perfect at the beginning. You can edit profiles, listings and websites anytime.
And don’t worry about being new, a nervous PSO virgin. At one time you were new to camming too, right? Right. Besides, unless you plan to be a phone sex femdom, it’s OK to admit you are new and let the men lead and help you. Many guys like popping that phone sex cherry too!
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Lynn is a 20-year veteran of sex work who found fulfillment as a phone sex operator six years ago. In addition to her continuing work with phone sex clients, she also serves as a consultant to independent PSOs through Phone Sex Secrets. Follow her on Twitter for tips, tricks and advice.
