Last month, I wrote an article on how to line up the right equipment for filming without breaking the bank. You’ll need a camera that shoots 1080p, a decent lighting set up, the ability to edit your videos on either a computer or a smart phone and any costumes and props you’ll need to bring your visions to life.
But once you have all that stuff, where to begin? Here is a quickstart guide to making clips to get you on your way.
To Watermark, or Not?
If you upload clips, they will wind up pirated somewhere. It might take a while or it might only be a few of your clips, but it will happen to you.
If you watermark your content, even if it’s stolen, it can lead people back to you, netting you more sales long-term. Of course, it could also lead to someone you know IRL making the connection that you’re secretly a sex worker (if in fact it’s a secret), so only you can decide if watermarking is a wise move. I do, however, think it helps to cut down on piracy, catfishing and helps you find or identify content of yours that winds up stolen.
Don’t know how to watermark? Check out Anouk Gilmour’s step-by-step guide for watermarking clips and content right here — “Cam Tech-niques: Watermark Your Shows With OBS“
Dress Your “Set”
This is something that often goes ignored but is so important in making your clips distinctive and polished. If you’re already a cam model, you’ll likely already have a nice broadcasting space set up. If you’re new, make sure where you shoot your clips is clean, cute and not cluttered! The focus of the videos should be on you, so make sure you’re front and center, well-lit and surrounded by a few choice items that enhance your aesthetic. Stuffed animals, plants, whips and chains – whatever it is you need to feel confident and sexy on camera.
Obviously, make sure to remove anything with your legal name, your school and your location on it from your set. Little stuff like straightening any hung wall art, tucking in your mattress tag, closing your closet door and hiding any electrical cords goes a long way towards making your “set” (even if it’s your dorm room) look its best.
Pick Your Persona
Unless character acting is really your *thing,* it’s probably best to stick to a persona that’s similar to how you conduct yourself in real life. It doesn’t have to be exactly how you talk or act in your day-to-day life, but spending considerable time as someone else can be really exhausting over time.
If you already cam, you have a good idea of what your fanbase responds to, so do more of that or make some slight tweaks. If you’re new to the scene, think about how you want to come across. Do you want to be bratty? Bubbly? Sex-crazed? Sultry? It’s fun to play different roles in different videos, but it’s easier to maintain a solid brand for yourself if you stay within a certain selection of personas.
How Many Clips?
Most clip stores only require ten clips to launch your site, but I’d recommend starting with closer to fifteen or twenty if you can. Most sites will promote new models, and that initial exposure boost is very helpful. Making sure you have a larger number of clips available from day one will likely net you more sales and attract a wider number and variety of fans to your store.
Building momentum in your first month of sales is really important for long-term growth, so make sure you have plenty of clips to release after that initial launch too. I’d recommend launching a minimum of three per week — but closer to five is better — the first month you’re in business to really set yourself up for success.
That means that you’ll need to have at least approximately twenty-eight clips ready to be sold in your first month alone. While that might seem like a ton of work, I promise that the preparation is worth it and will make your clip store launch that much more lucrative.
What Kind Of Clips?
What kind of clips you make is a highly individual choice — one that’s largely dependent on the brand you’re going for. Are you a sweet and innocent Daddy’s Girl who loves toys and dirty talk? Are you the shy girl-next-door who makes a ton of voyeur videos and can squirt like nobody’s business? Are you the cruel and sadistic domme who isn’t afraid to take subs to task for their misbehavior?
If you don’t know who you want to be yet, that’s totally fine too. I’ll be back soon with a mini-guide for models who are interested in getting into the vanilla or solo-masturbation world of clip making, which is definitely the easiest place to start.
—
Clarabelle Woods is a clips producer and online sex worker. When she’s not naked online, she enjoys the great outdoors, the company of plants and a really good book. Email her at clarabelle@ynotcam.com.
Header image background by Plush Design Studio.
