Originally Posted by MarkTiarra

If you are just getting into this business and were thinking about starting right away with a pay site, you might want to reconsider. I've turned away two jobs in two days here from new guys with decent financial backing but zero experience in this business. Even with my guarantees on site performance, someone new doesn't have a clue about traffic and dealing with affiliates and the hundred other things that you have to have a grip on before you start. Someone like me can help you avoid a ton of pitfalls but wanting miracles is another thing entirely. Short of hiring an experienced management team, you need to have some experience before you go for it - consulting help or not.

This industry is totally unique and there are some nuances that you just can't get until you've been here awhile. If you're goal is to start a paysite, spend a year first as an affiliate of other pay sites. Learn to drive traffic... learn TGP/MGP submissions and working chat forums and whatever other angles you can get. Figure out what you are best at and make some allies... learn the weird high school cafeteria nature of our social circles and then put your plan together for a pay site.

HOw many of us experienced guys have met that person who bought a "turnkey" website only to have made $0 back the first year? Sure the site looks great and works fantastically but without knowing how to get traffic, you just made the coolest song that never leaves your own CD player.

I'm sure I just preached the gospel to about 4000 people here but there are a handful of others who were thinking they'd have the next biggest paysite just cuz they have a few bucks to spend.

[/rant]