The inevitable second wave feels like it’s here, with cases rising and additional restrictions being put on citizens so things don’t get out of control; another possible lockdown doesn’t seem too unbelievable. The first lockdown took a toll on sex workers, whether it was strip clubs closing down or adult film sets being shut down, the struggle of making ends meet became a reality for many.
The struggle is real, but with everything comes a silver lining, and in the world of adult during a pandemic, camming has the potential to be that silver lining. Since we can all see this coming or … are in the midst of it … it’s time to start researching how to market yourself as a cam star so you can take advantage of these trying times. The most important things to note when it comes to camming is staying consistent, being willing to put in the hours while having fun!
Planning ahead is key and ensuring you are prepared if a second lockdown happens could benefit you greatly.
A big hurdle for a lot of adult entertainers looking to get into camming is the thought of dealing with all the tech that you need to invest in. Trust me, it’s not as intimidating as it seems … or expensive. And it does end up paying for itself if you put in the time and energy. I would recommend ordering a cam off Amazon; Logitech is typically a good option! Make sure you have some decent lighting (eventually investing in a ring light may be worth it as well!) and other than a computer or laptop, that’s all you need to get started. Once you have gotten more comfortable with camming, investing in a LUSH toy is a key way to increasing your tips and getting more viewers interested in your broadcast. It really does pay for itself pretty quickly!
If you already have a presence on social media, it’s a great way to promote yourself and get more viewers during a time period that most people are staying home. If you don’t, Twitter is a great place to start. It can help you let your audience know when you’ll be online, what you have going on and is a great way to connect with other cam performers. Snapchat is likewise a great platform that you can use in order to connect with viewers quickly give them exclusive content, and you can profit off of it as well by charging a certain amount of tokens to be a part of your Snapchat following monthly. Just remember … turn location services off and avoid using your legal name for privacy.
On some cam platforms, models have a “new” tag for the first two weeks on the site. If you are going to put in the hard work, those first two weeks are really when to do it! You will have the majority of new viewers during this time period and you want to get them to like and subscribe to your page so that you continue to grow your fanbase. Viewers log on because they need an escape; they may feel lonely especially during the pandemic, but either way, viewers are always striving for a positive experience and your goal is to not only give them a positive experience … but a memorable one! So, make sure that when you are first starting, you are choosing a time period where you can dedicate a lot of time to camming, as it will be the most convenient time to rack up your viewer following!
A word of advice to new cammers and even existing ones – don’t cam if you’re in a bad mood! Your goal when you broadcast is to create a fun environment where everyone can relax, laugh and feel good about themselves, just like you would if you were a bartender; remember your regulars’ names and let them know that you haven’t forgotten about them. When you click that broadcast button, do what makes you feel good and people will notice and love how genuine you are.
Maximizing your earnings is a constant goal you should have in mind – and of course, you are bringing in earnings during your shows, but you can also earn more by participating in contests. All cam sites have contests going on constantly … some with huge prizes. Typically, these contests are easy to understand and there’s always a chance you could win. With holidays being right around the corner, there are always Xmas-themed contests that could help you win additional money on top of your tips.
The pandemic has made things more difficult than anyone ever imagined, but we still need to move forward and adapt. Planning ahead is key and ensuring you are prepared if a second lockdown happens could benefit you greatly. Take the time to pre-order supplies and decide what type of schedule you could create if/when you are quarantining. If you are already in the industry looking for additional sources of income, camming is a great option, just remember that it pays to be kind to people and stay genuine to what you enjoy!
Vicki Gray is a CAM4 account manager who can be followed @VickiGrayxxx on Twitter and contacted by email at Vicki@CAM4.com.
