Should You Add Phone Sex to Your Portfolio? (Part 2)

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. Here, she discusses the earning potential and what’s necessary to be successful.

What is the earning potential for phone sex operators?
I’m often asked this question, but it is difficult to gauge as there are so many variables. What’s the per-minute rate? What niche are they in? How many hours are being worked? What’s the phone sex operator’s skillset — not only in terms of the services provided directly to the caller, but are they able to create and/or manage their own profiles, listings and websites, create their own graphics, perform their own marketing, or must they pay for that sort of work? Is the PSO treating this like a business, reinvesting money in marketing and advertising, properly responding to client contacts and feedback comments, etc., like any decent professional service?

Generally speaking, if you are treating your phone sex as an actual business and working it full-time, you can make a good living. From hundreds or even thousands of dollars a week to six figures a year or more. Even if you are treating your PSO work like a serious part time job, you can earn thousands of dollars a year.

And that’s not including additional income from auxiliary sales of intangible things such as photos and videos, erotica and client assignments (written or audio recordings), as well as sexting and chatting via instant message services. Sometimes, tangible items such as panties, signed photographs, etc., are also sold. Phone sex operators also get tips or tributes and other gifts. Those PSOs with popular websites/blogs can also earn additional money from affiliate programs or even selling advertising on their own sites.

What hours are the most active?
This primarily depends upon your niche, as specific target markets have their own demographics, including times when they are most able to enjoy the phone sex experience. I’ve written a bit about those things here and here.

Honestly, the best approach is to consider the hours you can realistically and comfortably work and create a phone sex work schedule from there. Consistency in availability, along with providing excellent service, will assist you in getting regular callers. Not only does this help you budget but, as with any business, it is much cheaper to keep a customer than to go out and find a new one.

How many hours should someone expect to work in order to make good money?
If you want to make your living off of phone sex work, you need to treat it like a business, or at least a full-time job, and work 40 hours a week. This includes time spent on calls as well as time working your business via marketing, promotion, website work, etc.

How do phone sex workers find clients?
To some extent, most, but not all, of the phone sex platform sites provide exposure to their customers via their own internal website search engines and directories. Often platform companies also offer directory services via their 800 numbers for customers who dial into the main number. In some cases, you have the option to pay for more exposure, as well.

In this industry, the independent phone sex operator is wise to invest in a website — yes, invest by paying for a domain name and site hosting by a company that allows adult content — and participate in social media. This way, she can build her own brand. Also, having a “digital home” of her own that can be found via Google means even if she changes her phone sex platform service providers or something, she can retain her customers.

Can a model go it alone in the phone sex biz, or should she join a network?
If you are referring to using a platform site versus being employed by a company, my preference is to use a platform service. Not only do you control your own rate and keep more of that rate, but you control all other aspects of your business, including using and owning your phone sex persona, which includes your “character” name. This is especially important if you are adding phone sex work to your camming, porn star or other adult work. In any case, remember: You’re building your own brand.

Of course, if you really cannot handle the marketing, are not a great self-starter and/or lack the discipline of self-employment, or you otherwise feel you need more of an employee-employer relationship, then working for a company may be the way to go.

Next: Niches and translating cam skills to phone sex.

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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.