opinion

Adult Biz Eyes Twitterverse

The new phenomenon in computing is, of course, mobile computing. Today more potential customers of adult content are found walking around fiddling with their mobile devices than behind computer screens. Emerging out this wireless paradigm appears Twitter.com — nothing unique about Twitter, just a way to broadcast messages to multiple mobile users. Yet what is so unique about HTML and the browser? Nothing at all — aside form the fact that they have become the standard for worldwide information sharing over the Internet.

The same holds for Twitter. Twitter has become the defacto standard for social networking among mobile users. Granted, the adult webmaster can sign up customers for text messages using any API, yet it is far more likely people will sign up to Twitter — simply because Twitter is considered the safe, familiar choice.

Politicians, celebrities and religious groups are now rushing to tweet. Twitter has what all adult webmasters crave — an air of legitimacy. Adult customers can easily join your Twitter pages feeling the same assurance as they would performing a search on Google.

Kelly Shibari of HourGlass8.com has been at the forefront of designing adult marketing strategies for social networking sites. Shibari finds social networking a more attractive sell for the adult businessperson.

“The game is less about cum and see me and more about get to know me followed by, I’d love get to know each other better,” Shibari said.

She distinguishes this form of marketing from bold flashy content that grabs someone’s attention, interruption marketing — interrupting the normal flow of customer consciousness to make them notice your product.

Shibari also sees an additional benefit to social networking software that she refers to as the “people like me” phenomena. The theory goes that everyone tends to hang with people like themselves, and more importantly, take advice from people with a similar ascetic as theirs. This means that as the adult webmaster promotes content through Twitter, they gain lists of “followers” — a Twitter term. These followers will probably all browse each other’s Twitter profiles and find out what other cool content that people like me follow.

If you have 100 people following your twitter account, all of your followers will attract new follows to your account based on who they are networked with. This not only insures a constantly expanding base of customers (as long as Twitter expands) without the need for expensive advertising, it implies new followers will be people like me and interested in adult content.

Twitter is easy to master if you have just a little technical savvy. In most cases, you won’t want to post all your material real-time, especially if you are shooting for a world-wide network. Great Twitter schedulers such as Twaitter.com, LaterBro.com, and Twuffer.com allow the adult webmaster to schedule weeks in advance the sending of erotic text, announcements, and most importantly, short links to tantalizing content.

Twitter is also easy to integrate with your own website, because it provides a free API that enables one the ability to login users, send messages, search, and analyze trends. You can download this API at apiwiki.twitter.com. The API comes with many libraries that interface with PHP, Java, C++, and even PL/SQL.

Not all adult content gurus are convinced of Twitter’s greatness. “I am unconvinced of Twitter’s effectiveness as a marketing tool,” said Graham Ponante of GramPonante.com, “except in its office as something that everyone is doing.”

This critique of Twitter might be reason enough for the adult webmaster to start tweeting in these tough times — simply to promote their content through the medium that everyone is doing.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

Breaking Down HB 805 and How it Affects the Adult Industry

North Carolina House Bill 805 was enacted July 29, after the state legislature overrode Governor Josh Stein’s veto. The provisions that relate to the adult industry, imposing requirements for age verification, consent and content removal, are scheduled to become effective Dec. 1. Platforms have until then to update their policies and systems to comply with the new regulations.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Staying Compliant With Payment Standards Across Europe and Australia

So, you’ve got your eye on international growth. Smart move. No matter where adult-industry merchants operate, however, one requirement remains consistent: regulatory compliance. This isn’t just a legal checkbox — it’s a critical component of keeping payments flowing and business operations intact.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

How to Avoid Copyright Pitfalls When Using Music in Adult Content

When creating an adult video, bringing your vision to life often means assembling just the right ingredients — including the right music. However, adding music to adult content can raise complex legal and ethical issues.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

New Visa Rules Adult Merchants Need to Know

In December 2024, I shared an update on the upcoming rollout of Visa’s Acquirer Monitoring Program, also known as VAMP. The final version went into effect in June, and enforcement will begin in October. With just a month to go, now is the time to review what’s changing and how to stay compliant.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

WIA Profile: Lainie Speiser

With her fiery red hair and a laugh that practically hugs you, Lainie Speiser is impossible to miss. Having repped some of adult’s biggest stars during her 30-plus years in the business, the veteran publicist is also a treasure trove of tales dating back to the days when print was king and social media not even a glimmer in the industry’s eye.

Women in Adult ·
opinion

Fighting Back Against AI-Fueled Fake Takedown Notices

The digital landscape is increasingly being shaped by artificial intelligence, and while AI offers immense potential, it’s also being weaponized. One disturbing trend that directly impacts adult businesses is AI-powered “DMCA takedown services” generating a flood of fraudulent Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notices.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Building Seamless Checkout Flows for High-Risk Merchants

For high-risk merchants such as adult businesses, crypto payments are no longer just a backup plan — they’re fast becoming a first choice. More and more businesses are embracing Bitcoin and other digital currencies for consumer transactions.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

What the New SCOTUS Ruling Means for AV Laws and Free Speech

On June 27, 2025, the United States Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, upholding Texas’ age verification law in the face of a constitutional challenge and setting a new precedent that bolsters similar laws around the country.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

What You Need to Know Before Relocating Your Adult Business Abroad

Over the last several months, a noticeable trend has emerged: several of our U.S.-based merchants have decided to “pick up shop” and relocate to European countries. On the surface, this sounds idyllic. I imagine some of my favorite clients sipping coffee or wine at sidewalk cafés, embracing a slower pace of life.

Cathy Beardsley ·
profile

WIA Profile: Salima

When Salima first entered the adult space in her mid-20s, becoming a power player wasn’t even on her radar. She was simply looking to learn. Over the years, however, her instinct for strategy, trust in her teams and commitment to creator-first innovation led her from the trade show floor to the executive suite.

Women in Adult ·
Show More