In Part 1 of this series, I began a discussion of the mechanics of my evolving adult business and marketing model, using the execution of the current conflict with Iraq to provide a metaphorical reference point to my plan – a plan which relies upon a cohesive, integrated, top to bottom approach to overcoming competition through the use of the best assets available: maximizing resources, while mitigating liabilities.
Just as Tommy Franks (the General overseeing The Coalition’s effort to remove Saddam from power) won’t be giving you a glimpse of “The Big Board” (fans of ‘Dr. Strangelove’ will appreciate the reference), neither will I reveal to you everything that I have considered (and am now implementing) as part of this process – but for those of you who have made it this far, the rewards will be coming, and my use of the wartime analogy made clearer by the end of this series.
Earlier I alluded to the Iraqi regime and their adherence to outmoded methods of operation – methods which will ultimately and inevitably lead to their downfall. So it goes with adult Webmasters who steadfastly cling to the status quo, unable to grasp the fact that if they cannot look down the road a year or two, and can only focus on ‘today’ – that for them, there will be no ‘tomorrow…’
Because pitted against them are innovative competitors. Competitors who are willing to embrace bold new ideas, and utilize new tactics and technologies – and even though some of their advantages may be occasionally (and briefly) diminished by the unexpected – as surely as the desert sands will settle under sunny skies, the strength of their foundation will remain, and their advantages prevail. These advantages did not occur by chance: they are the result of years of preparation, along with countless hours of planning and deliberation, and a desire to be victorious – even though they will only be proven under fire, on the enemy’s playing field, and in an environment that is totally self-contained…
The important points in this example are the need for deliberate planning, the realization that you operate in a hostile environment, and that you should be as self-reliant as possible, to succeed.
Applying These Concepts to the Porn Biz
Take a look at your own operation. How diversified are you? And if you are diversified, how integrated are your various operations? As you consider this, realize that on a fundamental level, there are only three real issues (or requirements, if you will) facing profit-minded adult Webmasters: Traffic, revenue, and operating your business within the confines of an ever-restrictive legal framework. This third issue; ensuring the total legality of what you are doing, is beyond the scope of this article, and as such, I will have to assume that you are smart enough to be playing by the rules. This leaves us with two real concerns: Traffic and revenue.
While nearly every adult Webmaster shares these common needs, the ‘proportional importance’ that each plays depends upon your area of specialization and level of diversification. For example, the owner of a healthy traffic pump (such as a large and established TGP) may be more concerned with gleaning revenue from his traffic, while the owner of a popular partnership program, for instance, may be fixated on trying to obtain as much traffic as possible to feed a growing stable of pay sites. The point of these examples being that different operations have different needs, but they all rely upon each other to make the system work.
But do they HAVE to? While the industry started out as “one big happy family” swimming in cash that poured from a cornucopia of plenty, and easily thrived based upon an environment filled with cooperation and generosity, tough times have increased competition to ‘dangerous’ levels – and it will only get worse… Soon, those who rely exclusively upon others to provide the necessary ingredients to their success will find unexpected difficulties – and while these difficulties may not prove immediately fatal to their endeavors, they may become severely hampered. Like ‘pot shots’ taken at a 200-mile long supply line, the direct impact is negligible; but if the fuel and water trucks don’t make it through because of these ‘minor’ occurrences, than the Army comes to a standstill…
So, this is all fine and dandy, but how can any of this work for you? In my next installment, I’ll show you how! Stay tuned ~ Stephen
