Using social media to sell subscriptions to your premium content is neither easy nor simple. Mainstream social media platforms tend to have strict — if not downright archaic — policies regarding what kinds of photos or images you can post. On most of these sites, a nude photo will be immediately taken down at best; at worst, it could get your account deleted. So, how do you sell subscriptions to your nude or explicit content without teasing that content with actual nude photos?
For anyone who doesn’t know: the term “implied nudity” means the use of suggestive or partially revealing images to entice viewers to mentally fill in the blanks and imagine the rest — or in the case of SFW images teasing NSFW content, to entice fans and followers to subscribe in order to access more explicit content. Implied nudity leverages the power of suggestion and piques the imagination to create excitement, anticipation and desire. By showing just enough to stimulate fantasies, it entices viewers into subscribing.
Implied nudity leverages the power of suggestion and piques the imagination to create excitement, anticipation and desire.
There is a definite art to shooting photos with implied nudity. It goes beyond sheer clothing or simply placing the infamous black bar across the naughty bits. Effective implied shots involve the right props, lighting, camera angles and poses. Here are some examples:
The hand or arm “bra”
This is the simplest implied nude photo you could possibly take. Remove your shirt and bra, place your hands over your breasts or one arm across your chest, and shoot the photo. Easy peasy.
Read any good books lately?
From hiding your breasts behind a book to standing strategically behind plants, toasters, lampshades or any other household items or furniture, a well-placed prop can add an interesting dimension to an implied nude shot. The viewer knows you’re naked and wants to venture beyond the obstructing toaster.
Dressed to thrill
A deftly draped scarf or towel that just covers the breasts and falls perfectly between the legs. A carelessly open shirt that barely covers the areola. A G-string with no top, shot from a 45-degree angle — or a cropped top that flashes an ample amount of underboob. All of these flirt with the viewer’s imagination, and imagination is the driving force in converting follower to subscriber. Capture the imagination and the subscription will follow.
Is it dark in here?
From silhouettes to shadows, properly lighting your implied nude shots can create absolutely stunning results. Silhouette photos often look more interesting when the subject stands in a dynamic pose, or one that creates a distinctive shape or outline. It should be noted, however, that while silhouette shots can be artistic, I’ve found that they don’t convert nearly as well as some other forms of implied nudity.
Turn the other cheek
A simple twist of the torso or hips can turn a nude shot into a perfectly posed implied nude shot. Angles are paramount for pulling off effective implied shots, and achieving just the right angles can generate curiosity and intrigue in the viewer’s imagination.
One last tip: Captions make a difference. Learn the art of the double entendre, as words can fuel the imagination just as much as images.
No matter the platform, implied nudes work
Two of the major mainstream social media sites, Instagram and Twitter, seem like day and night when it comes to what they consider acceptable posts. Instagram can be unbelievably arbitrary in enforcing its content rules, but one thing is certain: nude photos will get you axed. Twitter, on the other hand, pretty much looks the other way when you post anything from simple nudity to blatantly hardcore porn. Yet the question is ultimately not where you can post explicit photos, but why you would want to post them.
According to recently reported statistics, the majority of paid subscribers on premium social media platforms are aged 35-44. The average subscriber earns $42K a year while big spenders earn more than $76K a year, with the latter bracket comprising 80% of total money spent. These middle-aged men aren’t necessarily looking for a “porn” experience so much as for a “relationship” experience. That’s not to say that this demographic doesn’t want porn at all; it merely leans toward wanting more than porn.
That means you’re more apt to attract subscribers in the target spending group with implied nudity than with images that leave nothing to the imagination. I can assure you from experience, you don’t have to post nudes in order to earn big dollars. I work with at least 10 models who each earn over $25K per month without ever posting a nude photo on social media or on their premium channels.
Let me say this one more time so it sinks in: Capture the imagination and the subscription will follow.
Danny Ferretti has over 25 years in the marketing industry and is the co-founder of GFE Model Services and Fangear.vip, a company that specializes in collectible calendars, branded merchandise and other model-centric printed products. He also offers free branding consultation to influencers of all sizes. For more information, contact sales@gfemodelservices.com or visit GFEModelServices.com.
