There’s no Magic Bullet for Work

Become a camgirl! Easily make over $2,000 a week! 

Some models make up to $1,000 an hour!

No experience? No problem!

We’ve all seen ads like this, we’ve all heard urban legends like this, and … hell, sometimes these types of “easy money” occurrences actually happen. You get a giant tip on your birthday, you have a truly legendary week, someone buys out your entire Amazon wish list. But these are exceptions, not the rule.

The rule of cam (and life) is consistent, steady work: a schedule, good communication and stimulating creativity to keep things fresh.

Sounds exactly like any other sort of service-orientated “day job” — that thing you were trying to avoid (or supplement)? That’s because webcam is, at its core, a job like any other. What cam has going for it, however, is autonomy and the possibility of making stupid money … but never because you wave a magic wand.

I corresponded with L0li_Cam, an experienced model, marketing guru and cam coach. L0li shared some thoughts and insights regarding easy money. Mainly, that there’s no such thing.

“‘Easily make over $2,000 a week’? This is not for the majority,” L0li explained. “It’s not true to think that you can get on cam, do your show and make that kind of money. Sorry, there’s no magic.”

Speaking as a woman who’s had years of experience on cam and as a former network-level cam-coach who has guided many models to success, L0li assured me the only person who is going to work on your long-term success is you. Friends, lovers, your boyfriend and fans may help and may support you in times of crisis, but the end game is on you.

It may sound like tough love — and according to L0li, sometimes it is.

“I hear it often: ‘I make no money on cam’ or ‘I asked for so much help and never got it, so I finally gave up.’” Statements like this position models in a passive role, one that has no control over their workplace or environment. Seizing control of your career, however, is the opposite of passive.

“There’s no judgment here. I’ve seen both sides of camming,” L0li said. “In my past experience, I had so many performers coming to me panicking, struggling with big bill issues and so stressed out.

“The love of your fans and friends are not what’s paying your electric bill, for your phone, gas, food and rent,” she added. “And it’s definitely not going to make your personal hurdles go away.”

Aristotle said it best: “Through discipline comes freedom.” If being a cam performer is your main source of income, there’s some stuff you need to avoid. More importantly, there’s some stuff you need to find the discipline to work on.

According to L0li, here are some things to make your life easier.

1. Get close, but don’t get too close. “As a camgirl, you are giving access to a part of your personal life, but it’s important to maintain the right balance.”

2. Discipline is freedom, and that starts with a schedule. “Don’t get on this path of spending every second of every day working on cam. You will exhaust yourself and take out all the fun of camming. Have a schedule that includes everything related to camming: your shows, social media, videos, pictures.”

3. Know when to engage. “Social media is a good way to promote yourself and it’s free, but don’t spam your viewers with notifications and immediately disappear. Sometimes it’s good to be in the real world, and your fans are going to be so happy to talk to you when you’re there.”

4. Remember to K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple, sexy).  “Be creative, but don’t try to work out all the supposed flaws in your game. You are not a machine; there’s no need to be perfect. That’s the beauty of amateur and live cams. Keep it simple.”

5. Is it hustle or luck? “To win a contest, you need to be really lucky or a really good businesswoman. Contests are a good way to promote yourself and get visibility, but there is also a bit of the unknown that you must be prepared for.”

6. Never stop learning. “Stay up to date, and stay fresh. If you are reading this, it’s because you’re in the right frame of mind. Make Google your best friend for news, tips, and advice. Take what’s relevant and apply it to you.”

Last but not least, according to L0li, pacing is also important. Remember: Your career is a marathon, not a sprint.

“Take it easy, baby,” she advised. “Never forget that consistency is the key. It’s a lot of work, but it’s still possible.”

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Find L0li on Twitter at @l0li_cam and meet L0li below.