Any good tips for starting an amateur paysite?
 

My housemate and his girlfriend may be interested in starting their own amateur paysite, and since I'd obviously be the webmaster, I'm curious if anyone here has any good tips for starting amateur paysites.

Thanks in advance :glugglug

have you got experience in adult?

yeah make sure she's 18+

Yeah. 6 years.

Best advice. If you dont have 20k in your pocket.....dont

Get Britney Spears as a guest.

:rasta

well if you have 6 yrs in adult, then you must have traffic to throw at something like this. contact me if you'd like to talk about a design, we also offer consulting services for people starting a new paysite, getting traffic, seo, billing, etc.

http://www.graphicsbytia.com/consult.html

Don't need 20k. I've got enough experience to market it guerilla-style.

And remember, it's a single-girl amateur thingy without content costs.

I don't have traffic (got out of adult a few months ago... d'oh!), unfortunately.

your joking right.

Then that's the first thing you need to start on, traffic takes a long time to accumulate, good traffic that is. we can set you up a plan to do this plus do the design for you. hit me up and we'll talk

Ehm, not to be an asshole or anything, but didn't I just say I have SIX YEARS OF EXPERIENCE in adult? I am not a complete idiot, really. I know about traffic and most general aspects of adult.

Now, if you run ideepthroat.com, wifeysworld.com, cumondagny.com or any of those, I'll gladly hire you for consulting. Otherwise, I really don't need general adult advise.

Just to be clear: I'm asking for tips specifically from people specializing in single girl amateur sites. I've always managed to do well in adult without a consultant, so I see no need to get one now.

no problem punkworld, no offense taken, good luck to you ;)

Good luck to you as well :) Although, seeing the quality of your designs, you don't need any luck :thumbsup

if ur filming, get a good camera.

something like the sony or the canon

i filmed something last nite and it was horrible.

(1) get them to sign a contract to agree to pose every x days for a shoot.
(2) Agree to what split you will take (ie 50/50).
(3) Use decent digital camera.

You may find a www.ProAdult.com site (or other AVS) is the best way to start.

(4) Get a decent .com name
(5) Do video clips too.
(6) I would also add other models too.
(7) Do not think you will make big cash, if you do then great.

Your roommate and his girlfriend let you watch them fuck?

I was thinking about using the Canon 10D or 300D for pics and the Canon XL1S for vids, should the quality of that be good enough?

Well, if we do it, we'll definitely get a contract stating - among other things - the split. It isn't really a risk though, my housemate has been my best friend for over 10 years, and we pretty much trust eachother completely.


As for other models, do you think buying or swapping content would be enough, or would we need some other exclusive models?

Oh, some additional info: the girl is a big-titted, slim, semi-goth chick.

Nah. I'll just see the pics/vids and put them online.

make sure you get a good design, but make it targeted to amateur surfers, ie not a super slick looking design.

get a contetnt management script, it will make life a lot easier.

get a contract with the girl for a certain amount of pics/vids over a certain amount of time. also include her responsibilities such as member interaction if that is part of the business plan.

get a good photographer/videographer

start an affiliate program for webmasters to promote

get a decent domain and some search engine optimization

and most importantly.... get a girl that will sell

*bump*

I can give you advice on the technical aspects of the production - I'll give a few pointers here, if you need more - contact me via ICQ.

GENERAL
ALL of the tech problems that I see on most amateur sites have to do with LIGHTING. Yeah, you get a 10D and a Canon XL1S and just because they are PRO-level (at least for adult work) you think you'll be fine. Believe me that was a vey big shock to me too.
My advice is RENT decent lights - a Softbank (Chimera) is a must! They're pretty cheap to rent and are pretty intuitive to use. For beginners I suggest reflecting the open-faced lights (like Lowel DP) from the walls or the ceiling for some soft ambient light. Add the SOFTBANK for some highlight.

PHOTO
My 2 cents is to BUY a decent point-and-shoot camera if you don't have previous photographic experience. You run a much higher risk of getting a LOT of junk photos until you get it right with 10D. The controls will also distract you from your main job - shooting amateur porn :)

VIDEO
Canon XL1S sucks. I'm only half-kidding here. It's heavy, bulky and you pay for stuff you don't really need. I have found that SONY VX2000/2100 is a far superior choice. Rent them both and see which ones works for you.

The SONY has the following advantages: better resolution (as in more pixels on the CCD), MUCH better low-light capability, and better handling. Also the SONY has an LCD display which is of incredible importantce when you try to get that pussy between his legs on focus without breaking your neck.

Always white-balance before each scene and set the zebra to 75% and balance for skin tones.

You should get something like this as a result from these simple tips:
http://www.nichefetish.com/samples/SDSC06906.jpg

Enjoy it :thumbsup

If you got 6 years in the adult biz, what exactly is it that you're wondering about...?

yeah i wonder that too..

Nicely said. :) I don't have particular experience with the Canon's as I've dealt mostly with Kodak and Olympus in the past 6 years, but LIGHTING is key. We invested in a cheap(er) set of strobes a couple years ago and haven't looked back. You get a decent softbox, an accent light, and a couple sidelights, and you're laughing. Lighting is more important with stills than video, or at least more difficult, from what I've found. It may be a great shot of a great girl, but if you can't see her, then it's no good.

Sony cameras, in my experience, are definitely not the best to go for. Olympus cameras rock, Kodak is highly decent, Fuji can be good too.

If you're shooting outside, play around with a reflector.

Ummm traffic wise, I play the TGP game to get the bulk of hits going, but smaller traffic trades through swapping links with similar sites always is more productive. Put together promotional packages (10-20 photos, bio, maybe a little vid, selection of banners) that you can give to sites, and play up the niches ie: pantyhose, nylons, flashing, etc.

Other than that, good luck! :)

I would do a few shoots with other models too.

Say at least one shoot a month.

After all, people may get bored loooking at your mate and his girl, but another few girls will keep members longer.

Or you could add a plug in gallary, as this is low cost and will provide a huge amount of content, and no hassel to you.

I think you're refering to SONY cameras (like F828) and not the camcorder line. As I don't see ANY camcorder close to Sony VX2100 - there are more expensive units out there with more features but the Sony performs best at what really matters.

As to the Sony cameras, I'd agree there are many alternatives. Canon certainly has the upper hand here. However, you should visit Ashley Fotentot's site - some amazing photography. All done with a Sony F828.

Shoot good quality content and update a lot.

Yes, I was referring to still cameras. Sorry, I should have mentioned that. I was also referring primarily to the Sony Mavica line, which is simply awful, and I've seen far too many people end up using. :) Thanks for the clarification!

Well, my experience so far is mainly with programming and running freesites. I have no experience whatsoever producing content and running amateur paysites.

Thanks for the info, people (especially KraZ and Elli). It's really helpful :thumbsup

You're welcome :) If questions arise during the production, do not hesitate to hit me up.