Many of the world’s most successful cam models rose to fame thanks in no small part to their adoring fans. However, one of the caveats of being adored by many is that there is always a chance someone will recognize you in public.
In a perfect world, these encounters would always be pleasant. People would respect boundaries and understand that proper fan etiquette means never approaching a cam model in public no matter how excited they are to see you. But alas, we don’t live in a perfect world, and you may very well end up faced with an overzealous fan.
Don’t be afraid to assert yourself and tell someone if they are making you uncomfortable. No one is entitled to your time, no matter how much money they spend on you in private.
Because you are sharing intimate moments online, viewers often feel connected to you. Should they spot you in public, they may think this connection translates to real life. This can be especially problematic if you’re with family or friends who don’t know what you do for a living.
So, what do you do in these situations? Here are some tips to help you out of an awkward fan encounter.
BE PREPARED
Once you put yourself out there on the internet, there is always the possibility that you will be recognized in public. The best thing you can do is plan for the “what if” situations, so you’re not caught off guard. The extra confidence of being ready will help you out in a pinch. Make a mental checklist of things you would do in these different scenarios, and talk to other models about their experiences. Many established performers can offer great advice you can incorporate into a plan of your own.
YOU SET THE RULES
Some models love the attention and want to bask in the spotlight. If that’s the case, go for it! Smile, sign autographs, take selfies and do whatever else you’re comfortable doing so long as you do it safely. Of course, make sure no one follows you back to your car, and be sure not to give any information about yourself that could help them find you again.
However, don’t be afraid to assert yourself and tell someone if they are making you uncomfortable. No one is entitled to your time, no matter how much money they spend on you in private. If a simple “I think you have the wrong person” or “please don’t bother me” doesn’t suffice, stand your ground and let them know it is not OK to harass you. Inform someone in your party, call nearby security, flag a store clerk or seek out anyone else who may provide assistance if you are being harassed by a stranger, then get yourself to safety ASAP. Yes, a fan may know your cam persona online, but in the offline world, they are a stranger and should be handled as such.
LOWER THE RISK OF BEING SEEN IN YOUR HOMETOWN
If you don’t want to be recognized close to home, no matter the reason, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk. First, most camming platforms offer geoblocking features that let you block anyone in your home country, state or city from viewing your stream. This is your first line of defense if you are afraid of being approached by an eager fan while you’re out grocery shopping, working out at the gym, and just living your life close to home. You can also reach out to your camming platform and tell them that you do not wish to appear in any promotional materials or social media accounts. Yes, this will affect your ability to build your brand, but if anonymity is your top priority, it’s worth it.
BRING A WINGMAN
If you’re out with friends or traveling to a place that is not geoblocked from viewing your stream, it always helps to have a wingman with you who understands your situation and knows what to do should an issue arise. Whether it’s ushering you off to safety without incident or creating a distraction so you can walk away, discuss your options ahead of time. Sure, it’s easier to politely say, “Hey, I’m out enjoying myself and would really love it if I could do so without people knowing who I am.” But when that doesn’t work, or you don’t want to engage, it’s wingman to the rescue.
Chances are you will rarely need to use these tips, if ever. But if the need arises, it’s good to know that you’re ready to handle whatever and whoever comes your way. Have a great month!
Jackie Backman is the content manager for Cams.com. She has been working in the industry for over 15 years and specializes in copywriting, beauty and social media management. Follow her on Instagram at @beautychaoticofficial.
