The harsh reality of fan-subscription platforms
Being a content-creator isn't as easy as you might think.
Fan-subscription platforms have been game-changers in the world of adult entertainment – providing new ways to create and distribute explicit content and empowering performers to take control of their careers and monetise the connection they’ve built with their audience.
On the face of it, it sounds simple – you just film yourself having sex and then post it, right? People subscribe because they want to see you in action and the money rolls in, yeah?
The reality of the fan-subscription world is a bit more complex.
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Being a content creator of any description is hard work – you need to understand your audience and you need to consistently create the kind of content that your audience is willing to pay for.
While some performers have built a niche around low-quality, amateur-looking, gonzo porn, what we’re seeing across the industry is that audiences are increasingly expecting studio-level production quality.
That means that content creators are having to pay more attention to lighting, sound, and the quality of the footage that they’re capturing, as well as seamlessly editing it all together. That’s on top of the challenge of scheduling filming with someone that your audience will want to watch you have sex with. It’s a lot.
Why do content-creators use fan-subscription platforms?
A big driver is the potential to generate income. In an increasingly uncertain economy, we’re all looking for a side-hustle to make sure we can pay our bills.
It’s also a way to leverage your social media presence. If you’ve put the effort in at the gym, and you’ve built up a sizeable audience on Instagram, a fan-subscription channel is a way to convert your followers into subscribers.
What’s also appealing about the fan-subscription model is that it gives you a feeling of control. You get to decide what to post. You can engage directly with your subscribers. You can see how much money your content is generating.
Fan-subscription platforms are also a way to effectively soft-launch your entry into the world of adult entertainment. You don’t have to audition for a studio, you can just put it out there and see what the reaction is. That’s particularly appealing for guys that may not fit the gay porn stereotype.
Fan-subscription platforms enable you to create content that works for you and puts you in charge of finding the audience who are turned on by what you’re putting out into the world.
What equipment do I need to film fan-subscription content?
You can absolutely create fan-subscription content with nothing more than just your phone. Especially when you’re just starting off, it’s a good idea to keep things simple.
However, as you build your audience – and you look for ways to evolve your content – upgrading to a digital camera will help you film better quality scenes.
A digital camera will capture your action in a higher quality image – especially in low-light conditions. Digital cameras also give you greater control over settings such as exposure and focus – as you become more proficient with the camera, you’ll get results that look more professional and polished.
Creating content with high production values can be essential to retaining your subscribers. One of the biggest challenges that fan-subscription content creators face is that there is a lot of subscriber churn – someone will subscribe to your channel for a month, watch your content, but won’t renew because they shift their subscription to someone else as they continue to look for fresh fuel for their fantasies.
If you can demonstrate to your subscribers that you’re consistently creating high-quality content that is worth watching, they’re more likely to stick around and renew their subscription because they want to see what you do next.
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Choosing your content-creator set-up
Budget
Camera equipment can range from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars – your budget is going to help focus your choices. It’s generally a good idea to start small and simple and upgrade as your work evolves.
Think about how the equipment can make your workflow as simple as possible. For example, the memory cards of digital cameras make it easier to transfer footage from the camera to the editing software on your laptop. That’s a different process from uploading scenes straight from your phone to your fan-subscription platform.
Other features to consider are the camera’s portability and ability to work well in low-light conditions.
Also consider investing in lighting. A bit of extra lighting can really lift the look and feel of the scene that you're filming.
Being both actor and director isn’t easy, so any equipment features that can make things simpler are worth investing in.
Focus
Different types of content require different types of equipment.
While still photos can be a great way to add some variety to your content, your subscribers are primarily looking to see you in action in video.
When you're investing in your equipment set-up, your primary objective should be to create high-quality video that you can edit and distribute as simply as possible.
But it doesn't stop there - you also need to think about creating promotional clips that are suitable for the various social media platforms. Social media content will be a key acquisition tool as you market yourself to potential subscribers.
What are you waiting for? Strip off, get the camera set up, press record, and let the world admire every inch of you!
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Gareth Johnson