opinion

The Challenges That Cam Models Face

The Challenges That Cam Models Face

Camming is a job like no other. From the outside, it looks easy, as if there are no other skills needed other than having a beautiful face and a great body. This can’t be further from the truth, however, because cam models and studio owners alike must possess a well-rounded skillset that few other businesses require.

If you’re a model, you have to be a seductress, a psychologist, a friend and a lover, while often being unable to see the actual people you’re interacting with. You have to cater to the fantasies of your audience in ways that would keep Hollywood stars up at night.

If you’re a model, you have to be a seductress, a psychologist, a friend and a lover, while often being unable to see the actual people you’re interacting with. You have to cater to the fantasies of your audience in ways that would keep Hollywood stars up at night.

If you’re a studio owner, you have to find the balance between being fair, firm and caring all at the same time, not to mention juggling the responsibilities of an accountant, tech support person, landlord, boss and friend simultaneously.

None of this was the case 10 years ago, when broadcasting was more about being on the right platform, of which there were maybe four or five big ones. Now, there are so many options and you have to choose either private or freemium sites, each of which can vastly change your level of success. In fact, success these days depends heavily on what you do off camera. You can’t just turn on your computer and find the room filled up anymore, because models are not only competing against other models on their platform, they’re also competing against all models on all platforms.

This all sounds bleak, but it’s not. I can’t state this more bluntly, but if you don’t adapt, you will fail. In my time in this market, I’ve learned that models are creatures of habit, as are studios. They will hold onto a strategy that worked in the past just to stay inside their comfort zone, even when the only constant is change. To be successful, you will have to try new things that will push your limits.

First of all, you have to embrace social media, because the top models know how to tap into the power of marketing by capturing the public’s attention and stealing the spotlight. There are some cam models I’ve come across who say they don’t want to be identified on Instagram, Twitter or Snapchat, to which I say, “Well, don’t show your face or identifying marks, then. Sell the fantasy that your model persona is who you say she is, as well as a real person. You’ll be surprised as to what photos are the most successful on social media platforms — beach or pool pictures and mirror selfies while you’re trying on clothes are among the most liked photos on Instagram. Get creative. You can even cover you’re face if you’re a cam model who prefers anonymity.

As for studios, I’ve noticed too many of them asking models to offer split broadcasting, which will only serve to divert attention away from themselves. You may make a little more money at first, allowing guys to consume other media during your show, but in the end it is going to hurt you. You’ll lose out on long-term members who crave more than just sex.

Camming is anything but a get-rich-quick gig. Any sites or studios claiming models can make thousands of dollars their first week are incredibly misleading. You’d laugh at someone saying you can be a YouTube star and make thousands of dollars overnight. It’s counterintuitive to think that you can have this level of success in a similar atmosphere, just because sex is involved. Yes, you can make a very good living, and you can live out many of your sexual fantasies in a safe environment, but being realistic is also needed.

Unless you are already a star, you will not have that level of success, and even then, modeling is a grind. It is not for the weak of will. None of this is meant to discourage anyone from being a model, it’s just a dose of reality. This can be the most rewarding thing you have done in your entire life. However, to borrow another quote, “Happiness is reality without expectations.”

As always, if you have questions or want to discuss this, contact steve@gamewithme.com and we can talk.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 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

Inside the OCC's Debanking Review and Its Impact on the Adult Industry

For years, adult performers, creators, producers and adjacent businesses have routinely had their access to basic financial services curtailed — not because they are inherently higher-risk customers, but because a whole category of lawful work has long been treated as unacceptable.

Corey Silverstein ·
opinion

How to Build Operational Resilience Into Your Payment Ecosystem

Over the past year, we’ve watched adult merchants weather a variety of disruptions and speedbumps. Some even lost entire revenue streams overnight — simply because they relied too heavily on a single cloud provider that suffered an outage, lacked sufficient redundancy and failover, or otherwise fell short when it came to making sure their business was protected in case of unwelcome surprises.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Building a Stronger Strategy Against Card-Testing Bots

It’s a scenario every high-risk merchant dreads. You wake up one morning, check your dashboard and see a massive spike in transaction volume. For a fleeting moment, you’re excited at the premise that something went viral — but then reality sets in. You find thousands of transactions, all for $0.50 and all declined.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

A Creator's Guide to Starting the Year With Strong Financial Habits

Every January brings that familiar rush of new ideas and big goals. Creators feel ready to overhaul their content, commit to new posting schedules and jump on fresh opportunities.

Megan Stokes ·
opinion

Pornnhub's Jade Talks Trust and Community

If you’ve ever interacted with Jade at Pornhub, you already know one thing to be true: Whether you’re coordinating an event, confirming deliverables or simply trying to get an answer quickly, things move more smoothly when she’s involved. Emails get answered. Details are confirmed. Deadlines don’t drift. And through it all, her tone remains warm, friendly and grounded.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

Outlook 2026: Industry Execs Weigh In on Strategy, Monetization and Risk

The adult industry enters 2026 at a moment of concentrated change. Over the past year, the sector’s evolution has accelerated. Creators have become full-scale businesses, managing branding, compliance, distribution and community under intensifying competition. Studios and platforms are refining production and business models in response to pressures ranging from regulatory mandates to shifting consumer preferences.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

How Platforms Can Tap AI to Moderate Content at Scale

Every day, billions of posts, images and videos are uploaded to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X. As social media has grown, so has the amount of content that must be reviewed — including hate speech, misinformation, deepfakes, violent material and coordinated manipulation campaigns.

Christoph Hermes ·
opinion

What DSA and GDPR Enforcement Means for Adult Platforms

Adult platforms have never been more visible to regulators than they are right now. For years, the industry operated in a gray zone: enormous traffic, massive data volume and minimal oversight. Those days are over.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Making the Case for Network Tokens in Recurring Billing

A declined transaction isn’t just a technical error; it’s lost revenue you fought hard to earn. But here’s some good news for adult merchants: The same technology that helps the world’s largest subscription services smoothly process millions of monthly subscriptions is now available to you as well.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

Navigating Age Verification Laws Without Disrupting Revenue

With age verification laws now firmly in place across multiple markets, merchants are asking practical questions: How is this affecting traffic? What happens during onboarding? Which approaches are proving workable in real payment flows?

Cathy Beardsley ·
Show More