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When Jack approached me about writing for this project, I knew it would be fun. Consider this article is less of a ?how-to? and more of a ?what if?? What *could* the adult internet be? I know that many people come to porn because they hear about the easy money. But just like the gold rush days in California, these borderlands have treasure much more significant than the financial. Woah, whoa, woah?. Many reading this are probably already turned off. ?I just wanna know how to make money.? I?m going to ask you to bare with me and hold off on that concern for just a moment. The great people in history -- and the great men of business -- allowed themselves to think bigger. And became bigger. There is and will always be a market for traditional porn. By traditional, I mean, the business of pornographic imagery/video/audio packaged and sold to consumers who are hungry for (or addicted to) stimulating the primitive sex urges in their brain. But we are on the cusp of a new type of ?porn.? I?m not even sure porn is the right word. Because it is more than a business. If I wasn?t afraid of being burned at the stake, I might even say that this emerging model is more ?church-like.? I?ll explain? The adult industry has always been a borderland. A place for outlaws. Porn lives in the grey area where legality and morality intertwine. It is this unstable nature that makes it so exciting and fertile. We all know that technology has always had an interesting relationship with the adult industry (see printing, see VCR, see?). But the adult-INTERNET relationship is something profoundly different. This is because the Internet does 3 things: 1) It connects us. Loooong ago, people knew they were connected. We have all heard stories of ?primitive? people who feel a connection to the earth and each other. But technology has slowly been pushing us apart. Making our lives more and more ?convenient? but also more and more solitary. In houses with 4 people, there are often 4 TVs. Think about that. The Internet is an amazing tool to *RE-teach* us about the connections between all people. The internet is the first time we?ve been given a tool that actually allows us to see and hear people all over the world. Not movie stars on the screen. But our peers world wide. Live. This tool allows us to start visualizing ourselves as a part of the One. This is a Big concept, so I will just let it sit and continue. 2) It allows people to find their tribe. The internet has allowed people to learn that they are not freaks. Whether you are a Furry, balloon fetishist, or golden shower enthusiast, the internet shows people that they are not alone. This cannot be over-stated. This is huge. Imagine the life of shame that a stuffed animal fetishist would endure if he thought he was the only one. Imagine the inner torture. The awareness that ?I?m not broken? is profound. Now, one could argue that by erasing the traditional lines of traditional sexual desire, we have opened a Pandora?s box of depravity. I would argue that we are still early on in the pendulum swing response to our years of institutionalized repression and ?morality wars.? 3) It gives us our Community / Congregation This is really an extension of number one. After you have the awareness that you are not alone, you slowly realize that you are a part of a group. Of course you have always been a part of a group. You?ve been an ?American.? Or a ?Catholic.? Or ?New Yorker.? Or whatever. But generally, those groups are not chosen by you. And even though you did not CHOOSE to be an American, your socialization molds you into the image of an ?American.? I don?t want to get bogged down into the principals of sociology, but lets just say that sexual attitudes are definitely something that are given to you by this massive ?group? that you are a part of. The internet has allowed us find geographically independent micro-communities. (GFY is an example of one.) And these micro communities allow us to re-define ourselves by new rules. Rules that WE choose. This is a round-about way to say that the internet has given us the tools to break free of our socialization. We can reject the shame. We can reject anything that doesn?t come from within us. And this is where the beauty of porn comes into play. Porn is the one of the last outlaw territories. As I said, porn is the overlap between morality and legality. In this grey area, things are less ridged. In this grey area, people are ripe for consciousness change. I see the self-run ?single girl sites? as the infant model for a new type of sexual congregation. It already is happening. People join Vanilla?s site or Sammy or Allie not because they are traditional consumers looking for a product. But because they are PEOPLE looking for a CONNECTION. The ?model? is the pixilated pastor who gives weekly sermons in the form of sexual videos or webcam chats. Instead of consumers who are disconnected from the manufacture of a product they consume, the members are a part of something human. (I mentioned that this was "church-like." Members of a church put in money to support the growth of the church and the salery of the leaders.) The word will turn many off, but I believe that the secret ingredient in this connection is LOVE. As I said, I?m not talking about the existing business of porn. I?m talking about something new. My art/sex/love experiment into this realm is a site called Pinkgasm.com that I create with my soulmate tASSy. It is a blog. It is a forum. It is a pay site, too. With pinkgasm.com, tASSy and I have tried to present our sexuality as merely one part of a life philosophy. We see the website as something that chronicles a journey. And it?s a journey that we invite anyone to come along on. If the journey is one that people respond to, they will join. Not ?join? like join a website??join? like ?alter their life path in the direction of the journey.? (Kinda like how people start joining Rocky as he runs down the streets pf Philly.) In a traditional porn site, you have thousands of members who are essentially isolated. But when the members are all part of a communal journey (including communal support) it builds a sort of spiritual inertia. Whoa?Spiritual? I thought we were talking about sex?! Exactly. Our sexuality is a source of massive power. It is no wonder we have been taught to be ashamed of it. To keep the volume down. To keep it out of sight. The truth is we all are born with a massive sexual reactor inside us?a god-given mechanism for generating personal and spiritual power. And I think that porn?could be?possibly?maybe? a way to empower the masses. This money-making smut could be the tools for social change and consciousness evolution. ... We as humans are much bigger than we know. And while our sex is just a part of the ?repressed power? we have inside us, I believe it is the easiest to access. People that would never walk a labyrinth or meditate can understand the transcendence of sexual climax. Through this micro-communities, people can embrace their sexuality, and gain the momentum to embrace every aspect of their true selves. I know this is a bit lofty for a conversation on porn. But that is exactly my point. We need to re-train ourselves to think more lofty. And there is no better landscape for this evolution than the potential-filled online porn industry. Unfortunately, there is no list of steps, or content guidelines that will tell you how to do this. It can only happen when those in the pulpit are genuinely on the journey themselves. So regardless of what you do to make a buck?see yourself on a journey. If you walk with righteousness and love, your story will be epic and your bounty beyond words. p.s. I love you. ;) p.p.s. check out FLASHCA$H for making CA$H in the current porn world. http://photos3.flickr.com/4105727_47af942162_o.jpg |
@ -- TY -- @ )>> the words for no words were yours -- + > 2HP |
Hal,
Your insight into the human psychy always amazes me. Great post! |
well done, Hal . . . of course, that was to be expected
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Fucking amazing Halcyon, i was wondering if Jack had you up his sleeve somewhere ready to burst out in this message jack is trying to get to people....
And Ill say it again....Halcyon, YOU ARE an inspiration... :thumbsup |
that is so nice of you!
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Thank you! Much appreciated! Jack has a way of getting the flow rolling... :) |
You will be quite an act to follow Halycon but I am honored to follow you. Let's hope I can meet you on the high bar
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wow.
There are no other words. Just.....wow. :bowdown |
good luck to your search
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Impoverished Noobs Start with Impoverished Souls
Impoverished Noobs Start with Impoverished Souls
Heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, trisexual, metrosexual, transsexual, transgendered, male, female or hermaphrodite, we all have one universal constant; we are sexual beings by nature. Unlike all other species on the planet, our sexual needs are on a calendar; we don?t have a cyclic mating season and otherwise lose interest, we always want it. We don?t have it to satisfy merely the calling of estrus, but rather to both obtain a mate or keep one and in between times, isn?t it convenient our genitals are parallel with our hands. Our need to have sex is a discretionary one though our efforts to act on it are often far from discrete. The need to procreate is biological and its roots lie in our primal core. The product of a sexual union can be a child. Even in our free-thinking, free-loving society, frighteningly often as soon as that child begins to discover the first wonders of their own bodies and begin to try and understand those first yearning of the very same need that caused their parents to bring them into the world in the first place. ?That?s naughty...it is dirty...keep those covered...those are called privates.? We are sexual in nature yet made to feel bad that basic instinct by nature. That too, is almost a universal constant and therein lies the rub. I would surmise a sad minority are truly able to reach a truly healthy reconciliation between something we are programmed to need biologically yet demonized by needing it. We are barraged by sexual imagery and temptation in a sword that cuts both ways; those that have embraced their own sexuality are empowered by it, those that haven?t become unsettled. That is especially true for those of us in the adult industry. If you are tempted to say everyone in our business has reached that precipice of sexual reconciliation, look at the anger, fear, phobia, mistrust and distrust that often shows its face right on this and every other board; we have more then one diabetic behind the donut counter in this bakery in a constant conundrum having poison in one hand and the antidote in the other and their nose itches. They need to put one down to scratch it and when they don?t, often smack themselves but hanging onto both things. Becoming honest about one?s sexual nature is a key ingredient to wholeness, wellness and inner peace. It is also the key to making money in this industry. Are you an impoverished noob and wonder why? Start looking inside for the answers rather then just your stats. How can you be good at what you do if on ANY level, what you feel you are doing is bad? People are looking for the same thing at our sites that we were when were surfers; we are looking for the perfect combination of imagery that will give us the release we are seeking. While the bait and switch might work at retail, being lured into the store for a value or product that was scant in inventory but successful at getting someone into the space where they can often be happily deferred to something that makes the proprietor a higher profit, the same can not often be said for someone?s fantasies - there?s no switching what someone was ready to ?bait to especially given their own struggles over their own sexuality as we have just examined. They take out their credit card when the right combination of model(s), images acts leads them to believe the sexual Shangri-la they seek is beckoning them in our members? area but how often to they find what they joined for, what we told them they will get inside. Going for the quick buck will might get you a sale, but what is left for you. By the time processors lob off their fees, those rolling reserves are fed, the bandwidth, taxes, employees, webmasters commissions and oh yes, the content is paid for, what?s left for you from that initial sale other then a customer who is now as disappointed as you are. The real money is getting them off then and for as many months as follows as possible. The honesty of delivering what is on he tour and bringing that to them again and again in high-quality, creative way though the regular updates you promised will enriched their lives and your bottom line as well, The golden rule...do onto others applies to sexuality as well. But don?t do onto them in the same shameful way that has been done onto many of us. Empower you own sexuality with honesty and integrity. In short, move out of your own glass house and trade those rock for bricks...and use them to build the mansion of your dreams. Be it ever so humble, there?s no place like it. As for your author, whatever accords of truth you found for yourself in this post have nothing to do with details of who wrote it. I hope you got something out of it. If you feel this was simply psycho-babble or missive ramblings, let me share some details. My name is Harlan Yaffe; I live in Miami Beach, Florida. I am the co-owner of PrideBucks.com , a gay affiliate company along with my partners David and Joe and our marketing genius Rainey Stricklin, who is well known to many more of you then I. Did saying I was gay make a difference; I hope not. If it did, perhaps how you feel about sexuality might not be as well-adjusted as you thought. Like Halycon, who doesn?t need that famous pink hair to be the extraordinary man he is,the pink hair just makes it easier to find and who would not want to seek out and be around someone with so many gifts and the generosity to give them so freely. For me, being gay does not define who I am but it is surely part of it. It goes much deeper then that, all the way the same place that applies to everyone; it?s what in my heart that defines me as a person; not the gender those feelings are for. http://www.pridethumbs.com/gfypic.jpg The summer show is just around the corner. I look forward to meeting you there. |
Harlan and Halcyon. I have great admiration for those who can write from the heart and gut. You two have done so, with panache and soul.
Thank you. |
big thread jackalack
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wow guys, GREAT posts from two people I truly respect in this business. I'm very impressed with all you have to say.
Jack, what a great project! I've got some reading to do to catch up, but love what I see so far. Keep it up!! |
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Like Halycon. You are one of most enlightened and evolved people I know. It;s an honor to be shoulder to shoulder with you.
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I am following this thread with great interest and fascination.
I like how it's so positive and upbeat and informative. The energy is fantastic. |
@ -- Orchids & Roses -- @ http://profitlabinc.com/PIX/OHRAREARCHIDYOU.jpg @ -- the "Legal" & the "Obscene" -- @ @----------@---------- ! ----------@----------@ Thank you Halcyon -- >> SUPPORT for a Leadership Example Thank you, Harlan -- >> SUPPORT for Truth in Action @----------@---------- ! ----------@----------@~~~~@----------@---------- ! ----------@----------@ Though I have very often in the past been guilty of "flooding the airwaves" with messages and rhetoric of a dubious practical usefulness -- that's not the case here. I hope you'll forgive a breach in modesty, if I can make my case. And because there's already a great deal of importance in this thread to read and digest, I'm going to make the case very succinctly and very clearly: FACT: The only thing that's kept us legal is Free Speech. Quote:
FACT: In response to this new angle of attack, our Industry has turned its attention to the mechanics of effect, the ways in which online pornography and minors intersect -- and so we've been busy putting padlocks and fences and "warnings" of various types in a perimter all around us and what we do. Why are we doing this? Is it because we believe that Porn Ruins Kids? FACT: We have taken the "FREE" out of Free Speech. Damn, we're good -- :thumbsup Do a Google search on "big tits" or "hairy sluts" or "shaved pussy", and I bet I'll see my friends & colleagues all over that mofo SERP. Nice job, really -- I know it's hard work and took great cunning and intelligence to funnel most of the world's porn-seeking traffic into our front yard. And you have my admiration, also, for making your sites and tours as effective as they are at converting traffic into cash. But the problem is... I don't see a whole lot of "Expression" in that "Speech". It's all starting to look rather HOMOGENEOUS and uninspired -- a little too commercially motivated -- you know what I mean -- ? Combine that with an arguable monopoly on porn-related traffic, and our argument for protection starts to look pretty weak. FACT: Free Speech is Intended to protect Free Thought. So where is the thought in porn? Now go BACK and read Halcyon and Harlan, and see if a light bulb goes off. OPINION: Since coming into this industry two years ago, I have been more than just occasionally disturbed by the appearance of what I would have to describe in these subtle terms: BIGOTRY, INTOLERANCE, HATE on this board, on other boards, at tradeshows -- in this business, is my point. Of course, I would be a hypocrite if I asked those of you who might judge or condemn a person for his or her own sexual preferences to STFU. So, I won't. But I will say this: There is an INESCAPABLE HYPOCRISY in using Free Speech to protect your livelihood, when you believe certain people don't have a right to be who they are and express the things that make them who they are. That is a hypocrisy that exists like a cancer within our industry, that keeps us divided and therefore less strong than we could be. That is a hypocrisy that pervades our products and our sites, that creates an argument for re-classifying pornography as something less than Speech. Change. Diversify. Let's get some speech in that porn, that it might stay free -- :2 cents: 2HP |
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The message will go on, but before this thread is over... i know even some GFYers will open an eye wider Instead of rivalry, communicate and initiate a way to diverisfy your differences and focus on getting the proper traffic...the right person to the right Fantasy raise of hands??? who would rather be brothers than enemies? Helllllloooooooo!!!! :2 cents: * mic hits the floor, and the limo screeches away.....* |
YARGH! It be progressin' quite nicely. Any chance of a reader's digest condensed version soon?
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Things have been a bit rocky for me latelty, and I'm just now catching up on reading this thread.
Thank you so much...those of you who've given your time...so that someone like me...a no one in gfy terms... could benefit from it. It's much appreciated. :) |
selena, and everyone who's a "n00b" at something, anything, everything: thank you for the inspiration that keeps me going. I don't make much money, perhaps because it's my heart that gets in the way, and someone explained that to me at my birthday dinner. I care for people and do my best to give as much as I can.
I didn't really realize it until I was told. Now I see it. and I'm so glad that I have something to give. Here's to you all. :) |
Wow, some very smart writing in this page. Definitely food for thought to everyone in this forum, not just noobs imho.
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Yea i think this thread(message) is pouring out and touching way more than just us noobs :winkwink:
:2 cents: |
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Friday, July 8th, 2005
I am very pleased to announce today's... Special Guest Discussion Quote:
2HP |
I simply don't get it. We, as a group, insist that we have freedom of speech. We demand it as our right; yet, we bash each other for certain niches.
If we, as a group, do not learn tolerance and acceptance, how can we possibly expect it from those NOT in our industry. If we, as a group, do not grant ourselves freedom of fantasy and thought expression (which is NOT the same as granting freedom of acting out said fantasies), then, we cannot blame those outside for condemning us when we are guilty of the same. |
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The word is spreading. |
hey buddy.! been in fla and pretty much mia. hows the class?
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things have -- umm -- progressed a bit -- :) -- i'll hit your icq -- @ 2HP |
Wow - what a work of art this is. Harlen & Halcyon have put out very thought provoking, inspirational writings and I am really honored to be asked to share my thoughts and opinions. I don't know that I've been through alot of the same experiences as they have, but I think we all share a general understanding of the elements of success in our industry and the ingredients that make this one of the best places to work, socialize, live, and enjoy connectedness with each other.
Our industry is unique in the respect that both business to business relationships (host companies - site owners) and competitive business relationships (program owners - program owners) are nurtured together. I've never experienced an industry where competitors will have a beer together and are as close of friends as they come. I have personally made some of the best friends I have in this industry, and have met and befriended many of you as well. I think that the advent of this very unique relationship grew from the need for our industry to come together because of the relatively difficult public perception and scrutiny that we have faced from the beginning. When faced with either - come together with my competitor to ward off those who would stand in our way, or continue to battle with my competitor and we both fall - it created an environment that we have developed into one of the most successful business practices around. The bottom line is, if we work as a unit, we'll all enjoy more success than if we went at it alone. And in this business - alone is not where you want to be. I have yet to meet any "old timers" in this business that would not go out of their way to help someone new out with their experiences and wisdom. The last place you want to be is out on an island while the rest of the industry works together as a cohesive unit. Success in our industry is driven by relationships. That's it. Bottom line. You can put the best product out there in the world, but without the relationships - you will not be successful. These relationships can develop in any number of ways given the connectedness we have in this digital age, but the basis of these relationships is trust. We've seen many a time where when the trust is broken - look out. You're in trouble in this industry. But with honesty and integrity - over time it's impossible NOT to develop friendship, comradery, and numerous relationships with the people in this industry. And that is wherein lies success. Andy P.S. Oh - and it's a helluva lot more fun that way too... |
I'm putting together a post more related to the field of billing and digital encryption technology which are my areas of expertise. But thrilled to be involved in this discussion.
Andy |
Thanks Andy!! And thanks to everyone who has brought us this far, you guys rock!
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Wow.. the recent articles posted are really eye-openers. I give my applause to Halcyon, Harlan and Kayla for their very insightful articles... Halcyon I like your website.. more success to you and tassy..
To all those who give their time and effort to post articles here. I commend you and appreciate all your effort. I am doing my best to keep abreast with this thread and I am really learning a lot with the various interesting insights the articles have. And now I have a new sense of respect for this people who gave their time and share their experience with us.. Thanks to all of you!! |
CCBill-Andy, you are so right...it is all about relationships. You and everyone at CCBill doesn't just talk it, they walk it everyday. I remember the day at the Vegas Internext 02 when Joe, David and I sat down with Dr. Doug and Melissa at the CCBill booth and said "we have an idea for a paysite and an affilaite program but where do we go next?" We soon after met you, Patrick, Sean, Sherri and three years later, we've all been together every step pf the way.
Any relationship starts with honesty and mutual respect. Thank you for being such a shining example of that. |
Ok - back in the office. Billing has long been a hot topic because of the regulatory changes we've experienced in the past few years and how they've not only affected the ability of processors to continue doing business, but also how it's affected the ability of web businesses to continue in light of losing months worth of revenues when payment processors go up in smoke.
It's glaringly evident now that business owners need to be intimately familiar with their payment processing system and what risks are involved with different methodologies. There are a lot of misconceptions out there regarding telephone billing. How does it really work? How do you follow the trail of payments? What are reasonable expectations for the length of time to get paid on those transactions? How much does it cost me to use that payment option? Am I profitable at that cost structure? How do I set pricing for telephone payment options? These are questions that you may not know the answers to without either having experienced them first hand, calculated yourself, or done some investigatory work to get straight answers to them. I believe most newbies do implement this payment option without understanding the inherent risks associated with this payment method. First off, the settlement on those transactions isn't even in the same ballpark as it is with credit cards or check payments. The consumer may not get a bill for their telephone service for days or weeks after the initial subscription or transaction. Then they have a period of time to pay their bill. Once their provider gets payment, and "wait" for the check to clear - they in turn, will pay out to the provider of this service. That provider then has to reconcile the transactional data - not all of which is easy to ascertain from the reporting that is given from the telecoms. They will then, in turn, take their piece of the pie and remit payment to a CCBill, or Ibill. Then we have to try and reconcile THEIR data to our transaction reports and add in those revenues to webmasters weekly billing cycle. That process can take months. The cost of processing telephone payments is substantially higher as well. In the range of 6-14% higher than the cost for credit cards and check payments. That's only the processing fee's. That does not take into account the "uncollectables" that are a part of the game with telephone payments. When you couple the fact that you will not be paid out nearly as soon, you won't collect funds from all transactions, and that it's a much more expensive option - you're well suited to raise the price of admission if you choose to accept telephone payments. For well established programs with healthy revenues, they may be more in a position to be able to wait longer for payouts and absorb additional cost. Checks are another issue. How do seemingly so many consumers get away with not paying? Well, the system has gotten substantially better in recent years with settlement times being shortened significantly - but still a higher risk payment option than credit cards. Chargebacks/refunds from cc's may account for a few percentage points put together, but with checks - you may experience a 10-20% non payment or uncollectible rate. The important thing is to be aware of what is going on - know the risks/benefits of the options available for your business. Weigh out those options to make decisions on what to use, what not to, and whom to entrust your business to. Andy |
Harlan - I certainly appreciate the kind words. I remember well meeting you, Joe, and David for the first time. It's been a wonderful relationship ever since and I place a very high value on that relationship. The pleasure's been all mine, I can assure you.
Andy |
http://profitlabinc.com/PIX/CCBILLHOWITWORKS.gif
This will give you a general idea of how to follow the money and transaction, which processes are taking place, and who's involved in an actual sale. What's not reflected here that seems to always be an area of confusion is the "scrubbing" aspect of the billing process. This may help to clear up some of that confusion. First of all, what is scrubbing? It is the process of trying to identify fraud or the "risk level" of a particular transaction given the data we've collected on our forms. We run the data through a number of different algorithyms to determine a "score" for the transaction. The score must be high enough for us to accept it and pass it along to the merchant bank for processing. We check against past chargebacks & refunds in our system, along with all the rest of the verifiable data. If it passes our scrub, that does not mean the transation will be completed. It then goes to the merchant and Visa/MC network for approval. Do we scrub "harder" at different times? Absolutely not. We do not adjust the scrub depending on chargebacks, or anything else. There are different scrub profiles depending on your business model (cam show sites have a different scrub than do pay sites - cam show sites may have the ability for multiple daily transactions whereas pay sites do not). If sales are down, and you're not sure why - I can assure you it isn't because the "scrub-o-meter" has been turned up on you. Well - I've run out of time... but will continue this later. Hope this has been helpful - and certainly can field any specific questions, comments, etc... at my email [email protected] or icq 17704874. Have a great weekend all!!!! Andy |
Andy. That was thorough and well thought out.
We enjoy such a great relationship with CCBill....both as Klixxx and personally....having been with you guys since '99....the Sypro days...:) I don't think I've ever had a problem that couldn't be solved efficiently by your team...and each of you makes up for a huge class act....intelligent and capable. Through the good years and the bad..you guys have dealt with us professionally and with affection. Your words will join the others on kblogger.com and be a permanent mark for us. Thank you. |
A bump for the masses....
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Bump for the Monday crowd!
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Awesome....double bump :winkwink:
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Announcements for this week's activities later today. As always, brace for excitement, good news & change -- :winkwink:
2HP |
1 hour per day is nothing!
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2HP |
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@----------@---------@----------@ Thursday, July 14, 2005: Matthew "Chipmunk" Sclier, presenting... $ -- Bread & Butter Affiliate Management -- $ Quote:
@----------@---------@----------@ Friday, July 15, 2005: Aly Drummond, presenting... # -- "Press for Success" -- # Media Relations in Porn Quote:
@----------@---------@----------@ Tuesday, July 19, 2005"MikieMike", presenting... @ -- POWER TGP Submitting --@ Quote:
My apologies to those of you who have been so patient and cooperative with the scheduling of the Special Guest Discussions. There is a method... as they say -- :winkwink: 2HP |
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Looks like an interesting lineup :thumbsup |
Bumps... :thumbsup
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