If there is anyone who knows just how important online exposure is to success within the adult industry, it is the incredible talent working within it. Today, the vast majority of artists choose to utilize tools such as social media and forums to get themselves and their content seen. Some choose to go a step further, tapping into some of the newer online outlets available, doing interviews to tap into the mainstream market themselves.
While these tools are an excellent start, thanks to shadow-banning and adult social media accounts being closed down left and right, these tools are limited. In such a large sea of mainstream talent, talent whose niche falls into a subcategory can struggle to obtain the level of exposure required. That makes it hard to stand out enough to reach their target markets. Independent fetish clips artists are just one of these subgroups finding themselves facing these struggles of representation in the market today.
We continually expand our personal knowledge base witnessing past and present groundbreaking talent, those who paved the way before us and who continue to do so.
Even so, the fetish clip market is booming and the talent certainly wants a piece of the action. In fact, we are seeing mainstream content production companies dipping their feet in fetish content more now than ever before. So, how do independent clip sites' artists obtain the same level of effectiveness in representation as those crossing over backed by popular mainstream production companies?
We work hard. We start by doing our own research. We dig. We utilize the wealth of great information made available. For example, Clips4Sale.com hosts a number of webinars available to assist talent in their clip production journey. You can watch live, or participate or even choose to view later at your own convenience. If you're looking for a “how to” in the industry, the brilliant and beautiful Amberly Rothfield’s site at AmberlyRothfield.com is a wealth of information and an invaluable asset for those looking to enhance their marketing knowledge.
We observe trends and we check our social media analytics. Some hire and learn from social media marketing experts such as the delightful Alex Lecomte, who is a part of the award-winning social media management team 7 Veils at 7Veils.com. We also monitor our sales trends with the tools made available in our clip stores. Each day we build on the existing tricks of the trade we specialize in and apply it towards reaching our target market. We continually expand our personal knowledge base witnessing past and present groundbreaking talent, those who paved the way before us and who continue to do so. We observe those who prove themselves as a longstanding force to be reckoned with.
Artists such as the phenomenal and inspiring Violet Doll, one of the most creative independent clip producers in the industry today who has pioneered much of what we see in the fetish clip market, can be followed at WorshipViolet.com. Or, there is the incredibly talented Goddess Tay, whose work ethic is inspiring with her clip store currently listing an astonishing 1,975 clips for sale (and she recently shared her thoughts in the above mentioned webinar).
Utilize these tools and follow these influencers to build a strong foundation for your business.
“But hold up Breton, I’ve done all of those things, I’m talented and passionate yet I’m still struggling to stand out.” Wait, you didn’t think this was going to be easy, did you? I sure hope not. The online adult market is highly competitive and filled with incredibly talented artists who refuse to stop at “just fine.” We want more. More is more. We don’t want to just sit pretty. We want to be sitting on those thrones. So yes, do all those things, but realize that when it comes to us as independent artists, we all do these things. So if we want extra, we have to give extra. And how do I suggest we do that? Network!
That’s right, good old-fashioned networking. The kind where you get your behind up off of that computer chair, wash it, put it on a plane, dress it up in line with your brand and get it out there. Get your fine self out to the many conventions that are put on for your market. Stand up, shake some hands and find those opportunities! Use what your hard work provided you. Highlight your work and your knowledge base. Show those holding what you want that it actually benefits them to give it to you. This is a business, after all, so show them that you are a valuable addition to theirs.
There is no “one” secret ingredient in the recipe for success, but rather a combination to taste. But I can tell you that the exposure we long for is obtained by showcasing our own marketing potential while networking. If the people holding the cards like how they see you running your independent business, there is a much better chance of them showcasing it. Sequels hardly ever do as well as the original, so show them how you are different. And then show how those differences are marketable. Trust me, everyone wants to join in on the next big thing at ground level. I can not stress this enough. Long-term gain is found in being “you.” Companies want to work with “different.” They want to see what you add to their business, not more of what they already have. So show them.
My last and most important point in this brief article on the basics of exposure in the independent clip industry is: work! No matter how much fun you are having (because it is fun), remember why you are here. This is a business and we are marketing to businesses as independents. If you aren’t willing to put the work in, you'd better believe that the brilliant and hard-working talent next in line will. Now go get yours, my loveys.
Breton MacQueen is a Canadian pro-domme, BDSM artist and content creator who can be found at Clips4Sale.com/Studio/136419/Miss-Breton and on Twitter @BretonMacQueen.
