I first started camming eight years ago after I had dabbled in some nude photography. I’d done some cam shows with friends and loved the flexibility, safety and freedom that camming gave me as a solo artist; I wanted to be in control of my image, income and brand.
Working as a sex worker for almost a decade now, I’ve been through some highs and lows. Sex work can be exhausting and, at times, isolating, but throughout the years, I have learned some tips and tricks to help maintain my mental and physical health. The only way to sustain your career long-term is to invest in yourself and your health.
I’m constantly learning new skills and talents that help shape my career for the better.
Take Time for Yourself
The most important thing to help maintain your career and mental health is taking time off. I cannot stress this enough; everyone needs time off to recharge and refocus. Camming, and sex work in general, can be taxing both physically and emotionally. You have to be active on social media, creating and posting new content, brainstorming new, creative show ideas and maintaining fan requests. It’s important to recognize when you need time off and take it. If you are burnt out, you just won’t be productive.
In sex work, there is also a sense of guilt with taking time off. There is this myth that we always need to be hustling or we have to constantly work hard for a few years while we still can, which is simply not true. Like any job, you need to take time off to recharge. Connect with friends and family or people that bring you positivity.
Find Your Support Community
There is an amazing sex worker community online that is always there to support you. If you are having a hard day or hitting a wall, there is 100% someone else who is going through the same thing as you. You are never alone. Building up relationships with other broadcasters can help create a support system of allies and friends you can always lean on, and this in turn can help you build your business and your brand faster. The Chaturbate community is amazing and we love to support one another. Whether it be trading secrets on where to get the best nylons, how to keep your Instagram account from being banned or what conventions to attend, I’m always receiving helpful advice from my fellow broadcasters.
Adapt. Adapt. Adapt.
The adult industry is always changing and evolving. There will also be new platforms, new revenue streams, new challenges and new rules and regulations. It’s important to always adapt and overcome. If you feel like you are hitting a wall or your shows aren’t performing like they used to, adapt! Don’t waste your time on things that you don’t enjoy and that aren’t serving you.
I’m constantly learning new skills and talents that help shape my career for the better. I took photography classes that really helped improve my content and business overall. I’m currently taking marketing classes to help improve my brand and how I market myself.
I also find it important to not get hung up on issues or problems. Just move on. I know that is easier said than done, but don’t let the small things get in the way of being successful. Whether it be trolls, platforms, users or social media, just keep going. I set little goals for myself that are easily obtainable so I always have some successes. I reward myself after reaching a goal with something that makes me happy, even something as small as a chocolate! Having these consistent rewards add up and really improve my morale. It's the little things that help turn your mood and attitude around.
Get Into a Routine
Having a camming schedule and routine is a key to success long-term. Having a set schedule lets fans know where and when they can find you. If they know you will be online every Friday at 5 p.m., they will wait for your show and contribute to that show. Depending on what time you are consistently broadcasting at, you can also target specific regions and time zones.
Having a cam schedule also really helps your mental health. I choose different days for different activities to help with my time management and to make sure I get everything done. I’ll have shoot days on Mondays, editing days on Tuesday, custom content days on Wednesdays, cam show days on Thursdays and Fridays, and so on. This consistency helps me accomplish all my tasks and helps me from getting overwhelmed or falling behind.
In the podcast I host alongside Lana del Bae, “Sex Tales,” we discuss the ins-and-outs of camming and sex work with some of the industry’s biggest stars. Tune in for some more tips and tricks on how they have fostered their careers and what has kept them going long-term. Check out the latest episodes wherever you listen to podcasts or on the “Camming Life” YouTube channel at YouTube.com/camminglife.
Hi! I’m Melody (Mel) Kush, bubbly Canadian cutie next door and cam model. You can see me live on Chaturbate on Fridays, or find me on Twitter, IG and OnlyFans, all under @melodykush.
