As a creator, you must inevitably navigate the constantly changing terms of service, regulations and financial systems of various platforms. Those platforms host your content at their own discretion, so deplatforming is always a possibility. In addition, sometimes platforms close, or no longer align with your vision and goals. When that happens, you may need to change strategies and seek a new monetization plan.
While it’s not always possible to rebuild immediately on another site, there are ways to gradually introduce one or more new platforms into the rotation. Let’s explore how you can stay prepared for potential platform problems, and some long-term strategies for content hosting and maintaining contact with fans.
Having your content on a platform is like renting an apartment: You always have the option to move to a new place, but no matter where you go, you’re still at risk of flood or fire. So it pays to be ready.
Back Up Everything
First things first. Before you fully exit one platform and move to another, make sure all of your content is properly stored and catalogued. That could mean downloading all of your content from the platform you’re leaving, or — if you own all of your content — going through your files to double-check that you’ve already acquired everything you’d like to collect from that site.
Remember: Owning your content and having it properly documented is like insurance for your belongings. When you own your content and have proper paperwork on hand, you can reuse and monetize that content however you see fit. You can edit compilation scenes, recut full scenes into smaller portions and make endless amounts of promo videos from footage you own.
Either way, it’s important to maintain a well-organized digital catalog of your content that’s easy to access. This will make uploading from one site to another much easier, as opposed to spinning your wheels looking for files in different places. Organizing once saves you problems forever.
Spread the Word
Notify your fans of your plan to change platforms. This will prepare them for the upcoming change, letting them know how it will impact their ability to find your content. It’s just like when you move and change your address. You want your friends to know how to find you.
Do this early and repeat that message frequently. A rule in advertising is that it takes three times for a message to “stick” with a customer — and given scrolling habits, it can be easy for fans to miss your message if you only share it once. Shadow bans on platforms can also bury your reach, so it’s important to post frequently and in different ways about important transitions in your business model. Update any link lists you use.
To boost visibility, don’t rely only on written posts. Include visual reminders with exciting images and video. Make flyers and video reminders about your move to build excitement and possibly draw new interest and fans. Whether you’re promoting a move to a long-standing site or a newly launched platform, encouraging your fans to find you there is part of the journey.
Incentivize Fans
Encourage your most loyal fans to make the jump to the new platform with you. If you have a steady fan base on the site you’re leaving, incentivize the move with a discount code.
You can also offer a lower discount to fans who find you on the new platform organically, to help build your new base there. Temporary discount codes are a great way to introduce yourself to a community and establish yourself as you build your content library on the platform. Once you reach a steady release schedule and have more visibility, you can decrease or fully drop the discount.
Make a Smooth Transition
Once you have begun uploading content onto the new platform and making sales there, start deleting underperforming content from the old platform. Don’t immediately close your page on the old platform, but do make it known you have plans to leave.
Most platforms won’t allow you to discuss competing platforms, so being vague is a best practice. Something as simple as “Closing store on May 1” will send a clear message to fans to check your social media for more information.
Allow some time in between opening on the new platform and fully closing on the old platform. This will give you time to establish yourself on the new platform and hopefully find yourself back at similar revenue levels. It also allows time for uploading and scheduling content out on the new platform.
Other Strategies
Here are some other measures you can take to stay prepared in case of unexpected changes, or to help you make changes when you decide it’s time:
- Develop an email marketing list. Every platform you utilize, even your social media, can be at risk of closure due to TOS violations or other problems. Having an email marketing list of clients who want to receive information from you directly will allow you to inform those clients of any changes in your business model. Gathering email data from fans through a stand-alone website and sending out quarterly or monthly newsletters keeps your top fans informed about where to find your newest content and on which platforms they can support you.
- Open your own website. This requires a lot of work upfront, but offers long-term rewards. If you’re very organized and able to work with a webmaster or team that creates adult websites, having your own site is a great way to draw in fans who are willing to pay a premium price to view your content.
Remember: Having your content on a platform is like renting an apartment: You always have the option to move to a new place, but no matter where you go, you’re still at risk of flood or fire. So it pays to be ready. Pivoting platforms can be a daunting task, but following the guidelines above will help make it as painless as possible — and maybe even boost your brand and revenue to the next level.
Sara Star is a plus-size performer and certified sexpert with nearly 15 years in the adult industry. Her links are available at linktr.ee/sarastarbbw.
