I have more notes which I will eventually get around to retiring into these pages.
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This was a project to understand why live streaming is so popular.
There is also very little information out there which targets males, so I decided to do some digging to learn more. I ended up needing to adapt female-centric writings to extract things which are gender-neutral, rewrite things so they are more presentable to a male or just write my own stuff.
While interesting, this was a side-project I lightly researched ending in August 2015, but never pursued.
Websites ∞
TODO - Add a list.
- MyFreeCams.com
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- How do I view a model's profile when I'm viewing their cam?
- 5points could actually plant people to help encourage particularly shy new cammers.
- Have performers set a custom "I'm in private" message, overlayed on the system one. A lower third.
- affiliate program
What is a cam model? ∞
"Cam" is short for "Webcam". These are video cameras used for online video calls. See also /tag/webcams.
A cam model is someone who is viewed by an audience over the internet, using a webcam.
"Camming" is cam model performance.
The majority of cam models perform nude. The majority, but not all.
Appearance ∞
The first idea most people get is that to be a nude webcam model one has to be "attractive". This is completely true, but not for the reason people think.
The majority of models lean heavily on their appearance. This is because appearance is strongly linked to self-esteem and so those with high self-esteem are less shy about performing.
Because less shy people perform, there is significant competition among appearance-based models. Some models try to stand out by having different appearances. This can be done with clothing or with personae. For example, dressing like and acting as a catholic school girl. Niche images, where niche viewers are particularly attracted to a style, are also a way to stand out.
Some models permanently adopt an image, others change multiple times during shifts, and some change for particular private performances.
Even when these appearance-based models work to stand out, there is significant competition. The only way for them to stand out even further is through performance, personality and being in a niche.
Many consumers value appearance, but consumer interest in appearance varies wildly. Many different "looks" exist. There become niches based on appearance. The goal of models in such a competitive environment is to be highly valued by under-served niche viewers.
Just as many high self-esteem models are forced to adopt niche images, anyone of any appearance can directly enter into cam modelling via a niche. As it happens, people who would have poor self-esteem from their perceived attraction become very attractive when entering into a modelling niche.
Beauty isn't everything.
Everyone is attracted to someone. Everyone is a part of some niche somewhere. Anyone who has niche interests which are under-served will gravitate toward models in their niche. Models who serve a niche are highly attractive to niche viewers.
The next level of competition is based on performance and personality. A boring beautiful model has limited value in the face of a boundlessly interesting niche model.
Non-nude modelling ∞
Entirely non-nude modelling becomes possible when niches do not require nudity. Hell, non-nude modelling is its own niche.
Just as a nude model can increase their value, a non-nude model is a strong competitor by focusing on performance and personality.
Attraction versus porn ∞
If people wanted air-brushed beauty, they would stick to porn. Performance and personality are impersonal in porn. The value that cam modelling brings is from live and personal interaction.
Porn can serve various appearance and personality niche markets, but it cannot serve the overall "personal-ness" market. Cam modelling continues to be a growth sector. There are positions available. Apply now, and all that.
Fitness for web cam modelling ∞
As already explained, common perceptions of self-attractiveness do not apply to web cam models. Personality and performance are what matter, even for the already-confident.
The best explanation of a model's mindset that I've read is "it's just myself, turned up to eleven". Being true to one's self is by far the most important aspect of personality. It lets a model stay in their comfort zone. This comfort comes across to the audience and emphasizes the personalness of camming. This is, again, the primary benefit to webcam modelling over porn.
Modelling is not a part-time job. To be part-time is to be buried under competition. Also, success isn't a measure of hours, but of effective hours. Having a short window of opportunity limits not just the collection of occasional viewers but of regulars. "Fan club"-type members are the bread and butter of modelling. Even with a large fan base, having only a few hours of operating limits the opportunities to capitalize on that fan base size, let alone grow it.
Most visitors are just bored or are exploring for their niche, but regulars have found their niche in a model and must be given every opportunity to tip and take them into private. Again, success isn't hours of show time, it's hours of private time. Private time is dominated the adoration of a model by their regulars.
Public and private chats, private shows and the economy of modelling will be explored further, later.
Understanding modelling fitness can be broken down as:
- Personality
- Performance
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Effort
These, and any related nuances, all tie together. All of these qualities improve over time, but they are all immediately important when starting modelling. Why the start of modelling is so important will be discussed in more detail later.
Awkward, uneducated, or lazy modelling greatly impact success. A model who improves these things will increase their fitness.
Staying fit ∞
Be healthy! Proper meals, prepare ahead of time whenever possible. Work out.
Your body, including your privates, is your livelihood. Keep them in good shape!
Private chats and shows ∞
Begin slowly, with conversation and seduction.
Encourage viewers and alleviate their fears and hesitations. Draw them out of their shell. Remind them that you won't judge them for a fetish or fantasy. Even while anonymous and with text, people are nervous. Be confident, respectful, interested and even caring. Furthermore, do not judge a fetish that you don't like; politely decline, apologize, and tell them you are be unable to perform the show that they would really enjoy. If pressed, you can say you are not comfortable. You can be meek or you can be insistent, depending on your personality. List an alternative or two, say you really enjoy those and ask if they would like one as much as you do. You can even play the game of "I don't do that" and let a viewer coax you into it. Perhaps your personality may be shy, and this is part of your appeal.
Never give everything away, in any context. Do not perform all the things in your repertoire, because you want repeat customers to view a few pieces in one show, and another few pieces in another, with some overlap here and there. Imagine that each show is a tease for your full ability.
Don't have a choreographed routine with no variation. Find out what your viewers are interested in. This is both to extend the beginning and to strengthen the personalized experience. Learn their mood and preferences. If you can maintain strong communication, you might be able to make a show quite interactive.
By setting your policies clearly, and learning what your viewers want, your pre-show don't feel like you are dragging their viewing out only to give them what they don't want.
To "lurk" is to stay in the public chat; such a person may or may not talk at all. They are often repeat-visitors and haven't had the confidence to join a private show. The "ninja privater" may or may not lurk. They just throw you into a private show, probably just to see you naked quick. Considering extending the private show into a countdown, having a five minute minimum, requiring a tip or any combination of these.
Music ∞
You can use Youtube playlists. You don't necessarily need to make your own, but curating them is a good idea to make sure every song is something you'd want to have playing. Consider one hour playlists so you know when they start and stop.
It's also possible to have a picture-in-picture with a music video or moving pictures. A graphical equalizer that bounces around might also be a good idea.
HOWEVER..
Music legality ∞
Random music is almost certainly not legal. There is public domain music out there, and it might be possible to have streaming or a radio playing.
You need to know the law for your region, and you also need to know the rules for your camming website.
Daily themes ∞
Some ideas..
| Day | Theme |
|---|---|
| Monday | Mellow Monday |
| Tuesday | Talkative Tuesday[ 1 ]Nobody can know when you are whispered, so you can talk to yourself if you don't mention a name. |
| Wednesday | Whispering Wednesday |
| Thursday | Toy Trunk Thursday |
| Friday | Fetish Friday[ 2 ]e.g. feet |
| Saturday | Spanking Saturday |
| Sunday | Ice Cream Sunday[ 3 ]Perhaps you would need a freezer nearby. |
I had another one.. C-something.. but I didn't note it and subsequently forgot it.
Branching out ∞
You could create an advice blog, a forum, or more.
If done correctly, you could "be your own competition".
Life outside of webcam modelling ∞
If this is your primary employment, you need to make sure you have hobbies so you don't burn out.
Walk away from the job and social media every so often.
On fetishes ∞
I have more notes somewhere or other.
- Financial domination
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https://www.pinkcherry.ca/ sells some items / equipment
Equipment ∞
Nothing specific has been written on this topic.
Consider a camcorder, as they might be better than a webcam by far.
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- Has motion tracking
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- Ceiling-mount.
- For the above two, see also DVdriver: DV Camcorder to WebCam Converter Software by Eagletron
Software ∞
Nothing specific has been written on this topic.
Receiving gifts ∞
Footnotes
Last updated 2020-07-03 at 13:30:50
added hardware and software sections