Cam modeling can be extremely rewarding — the freedom, the cash, the sexual liberation. There are some serious pros to working in the cam space, especially during the pandemic.
For newbies though, it’s easy to fall into a couple of traps when first starting out online. These five cam model faux pas are extremely common, so don’t feel too bad if a few of them hit close to home. If you’ve never experienced them, then arm yourself with knowledge from a few established cam models!
1. Forgetting that you’re in control
“I wish I knew that I am in control,” said Miss Nymphea. “When I first started, I felt like everyone in my room had the power. That I had to do what they wanted, when they wanted and take any sort of abuse because I wanted to make them happy. I reverted to my customer service training of ‘the customer is always right.’ I wish I would have known that I call the shots. I do only what I want, when I want and if I want. I have a lot more fun with it now.”
“It was also very difficult for me to say no or ban some idiot,” said a model who asked that their identity be kept confidential. “Luckily there were not too many.”
If you’re not used to working for yourself or running your own business, understanding this simple concept can be surprisingly difficult.
“Nobody owes you anything,” said Ella Angel. “I used to get upset that I was sitting there for hours naked and dancing and not making anything… I would cry on cam and tell them ‘how would you like it if you were working and your boss just didn’t pay you every day?’ Didn’t realize they are not my employer paying me for work… I am the boss giving away my work to the customers for free…”
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2. Not promoting your paysite
Many new cam model has jumped enthusiastically onto a freemium site, only to be surprised that none of the many fish were taking the bait. This is because, as with any brand, a cam model needs to promote themself via social media and other means. This can be problematic. Not only are models not making money, but they’re less likely to ban abusive visitors out of desperation.
“I wish I had known how and where to promote my room,” said another confidential cam model. “It was also very difficult for me to say no or ban some idiot, luckily there were not too many.”
3. Forgetting to plan ahead with a business plan and social media
“Don’t start until all of your social media accounts are set up and a marketing and business plan made,” said a third confidential cam model and sex worker contributing insights to this story.
Want to learn more about how to improve your cam career with social media? Check out this writeup by Kari Anthony, aka Platinum Puzzy.
4. Not accounting for tax payments
As a cam model, you’ll be making untaxed wages. This means that you’ll need to save a chunk of change from your earnings throughout the year in order to pay your federal and local government come tax season.
“Save 20% of All earnings for taxes,” Angel advised. “If you can’t afford to save 20% for taxes you’re doing something wrong… I was doing something wrong lol.”
As any freelancer will know, not doing this could spell disaster when it comes time to pay your taxes. And if you’re struggling with cam modeling, saving twenty percent of your earnings each week can be difficult. Which brings us to our last point…
5. Giving up too soon or putting all your eggs in one basket
“It’s not easy money,” said Angel. “Made under 10k a year for multiple years as my only income and really struggled.”
While you shouldn’t give up right away, it’s important to understand that cam modeling is relatively unpredictable. It also takes a lot of know-how to turn into full-time work where you can live comfortably.
“I wish I knew that camming can get incredibly dull and monotonous very fast, so if you’re interested in trying it out do NOT buy a bunch of equipment first!” said Rose Dallas.”Buy a cheap webcam and one or two toys and that’s it! You may try camming a few times and realize that you don’t like it, or realize that you only want to do it as a part time side hustle. Don’t invest money into fancy toys and equipment before you’ve actually cammed a few times!”
It’s so important not to quit your day job and invest a lot of money into camming at first. But in that same vein, you shouldn’t give up too quickly without giving yourself a chance to explore the ins and outs of the industry.
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— 🌹Rose Dallas 🌹 (@RoseDallas18) July 7, 2020
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Em Casalena is a queer sex positive writer and professional protective mom friend. Email them at em@ynotcam.com.
Background header image via Unsplash here.
