Great thread...lots of good posts, with insights, ideas, debate and discussion.
In 1999, when I first plunged into the adult industry as a content producer for my own paysite, I had a still camera and a video camera, a model, some shop lights, and a few software programs (Adobe Photoshop, Adobe GoLive, and iMovie):
Circa 2000/2001:
Prior to starting, I created a spreadsheet, and was convinced that I would be America's next millionaire within a year.
The barrier to entry back then was very low, since almost no one had video (dial-up 56k modems were the norm), and everything was new. While I made pretty decent money from the get-go, I was nowhere near becoming a millionaire, plus I plowed almost all of the earnings back into the site and new production.
The barrier to entry is much more steep now. The tools are still relatively inexpensive for low-end hardware/software, however the skill sets required, and the market we are operating in is extremely competitive, and the problems are further multiplied and exacerbated by massive piracy/corruption in the industry (don't get me started on porn money-laundering operations, where porn is just a front/vehicle for moving dirty money).
I lost quite a bit of money for a few years while retooling everything and mapping out new strategies. I was only recently able to get back into the black, but I'm still a long way from where I want and need to be in order to implement my full business plan. Nonetheless, I am more optimistic than I have been in several years.
Thread bookmarked...
ADG