opinion

Lessons Learned in 2010

So 2010 has come to a close and for many companies it wasn’t necessarily a year to celebrate. Adult companies closed their doors, left and right, some publicly and others quietly. Most adult companies now openly admit that business isn’t nearly as good as it was years ago and others openly discuss major concerns they have operating in this climate.

For those companies that are still standing or even growing, there’s a lot to celebrate, even if 2010 wasn’t your best financial year. Last year made us stronger and we walked away with experiences to learn from. In some ways, it’s all of those “great” or “easy” years that we should dislike, because it’s those years that made us think everything we touched turned to gold and that we were immune to external factors. When I remember the Ibill fiasco, in which many companies lost some of their membership revenue, and compare that to the most recent epassporte issue, the old adage “fool me once…” comes to mind. Not that either company was necessarily planning on fooling others, but my point is that when things were great, we didn’t learn the lessons we could have learned as well as we absorbed them once times were tough.

So here’s my quick list of lessons from 2010 to walk away with. (These are presented in no particular order, nor are they an indicator of any direct impact on my company):

1) Lifetime Revenue Share doesn’t really exist- affiliate program apparently can stop paying affiliates even for their revenue shares at any time apparently, so let’s avoid that going forward or work with companies willing to legally bind themselves to pay for the life of the customer.

2) DMCA is an affirmative defense, not a form of immunity from copyright infringement. (In other words, all of you copyright holders still have the right to bring a lawsuit, even if the site you’re looking to sue has that little DMCA disclaimer at the bottom….)

3) It’s okay that the DVD model is declining. If it impacted Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, then it’s pretty safe to admit it’s impacting the adult industry, and to accept and plan for a diminishing DVD market.

4) Keeping large sums of money in a virtual location anywhere, like Epassporte, is not a good idea. Let’s stick to real banks you can walk into, or at least not put all our eggs in one basket.

5) Complaining on the boards doesn’t work anymore. Why waste our breath with complaining on the boards to get results? If it’s something really worth it to you (anti-piracy, ethics, etc.), put a real action plan together to get something done.

6) We still are targeted by those from outside our industry. From piracy to obscenity, from .xxx to OSHA regulations, the climate in the industry is risky and we all end up impacted. We should do what we can to support the defense of our industry and support the Free Speech Coalition.

7) Companies who engage in overly-aggressive billing strategies don’t care about the consumers, don’t care about the industry and don’t care about their business partners. In the end, everyone gets screwed by their business practices, so maybe we shouldn’t support them on their get rich quick schemes for fast money? (For that matter, this is a lesson we should have learned in 2004).

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

What France's New Law Means for Age Verification Worldwide

When France implemented its Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law on April 11, it marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing global debate surrounding online safety and access to adult content.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

How Adult Retailers Can Enhance Sales With Supplements

The supplement industry is big business. In 2024, Future Market Insights estimated it to be valued at $74.3 billion, and other market research firms anticipate that number will grow to upwards of $170 billion in just 10 years.

Rick Magana ·
opinion

From Tariffs to Trends: Staying Resilient in a Shaky Online Adult Market

Whenever I check in with clients these days, I encounter the same concerns. For many, business never quite bounced back after the typical post-holiday-season slowdown. Instead, consumers have been holding back due to the economic uncertainty around the Trump administration’s new tariffs and their impact on prices.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Why It's Time the Pleasure Industry Got Serious About IPX Waterproof Ratings

As someone who regularly communicates with manufacturers, retailers and consumers, I’ve seen how this ambiguity can do a disservice to both the customers who use these products and the businesses that sell them.

Alicia Sinclair Rosen ·
opinion

Optimizing Payment Strategies for High Ticket Sales

Payment processing for more expensive items, such as those exceeding $1,000 per order, can create unique challenges. For adult businesses, those challenges are magnified. Increased fraud risk, elevated chargeback ratios and heavier scrutiny from banks and processors are only the beginning.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

Tips for Sexual Wellness Brands to Win Over Gen Z This Summer

As summer rolls around, the excitement in the air is palpable, especially for one particular demographic: Gen Z. College and university classes are over, vacations are booked and it’s time to let loose.

Naima Karp ·
opinion

The Barcelona Job: A Diamond Heist Drenched in Sweat and Seduction

In a city famed for its architecture and allure, something far more seductive is about to go down. The priceless NakedSword Diamond is nestled deep within a heavily fortified Barcelona museum, and master thief Sir Peter has his eye on the prize.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Celebrating the LGBTQ+ Community With Inclusive Packaging Design

Pride Month is a time of visibility, joy and self-expression. In the pleasure industry, projecting that energy can start with something as simple as a box. Market research shows that 72% of U.S. consumers say product packaging influences their purchasing decisions.

Matthew Spindler ·
profile

Sara Loverays on Tapping Her Goddess Energy

When Sara Loverays first turned on her webcam, she didn’t know it would change her life — or unlock a side of herself she’d been waiting to set free. What began as a way to make extra cash between travel physical therapy contracts soon became her full-time passion, a platform for self-discovery, and a ticket to building her own brand based on sensuality, self-discovery and “goddess energy.”

Jackie Backman ·
profile

WIA Profile: Pettus Ashley

Pettus Ashley brings her A game to the world of authentic adult branding, flitting between airports as the American face of U.K. brand Bathmate. As a company brand ambassador, Ashley personifies Bathmate’s dedication to the retail world, showering staff with equal amounts of appreciation and sales education.

Women In Adult ·
Show More