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What Cam Site Is Right For You

August 1, 2016
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​With the growing number of cam sites out there right now, it may be a tough decision figuring out which site you want to cam on. Or even if you’re already an established cam model, your needs on a cam site may have changed over the years. Even if you’ve been on the same site for a long time, it’s not always a bad idea to make a move and try out a different site. In the past year, a lot of big cam sites have emerged. Depending on your needs, wants, and the types of shows you offer, some sites are just gonna work out better for you than others.

What webcam site is right for you?

One of the first major things to consider is if you want to work on a site that allows you to do public shows. A site like Myfreecams is a perfect example of a site that allows public shows.​ During a public show, you’re in general chat where everyone can see you. You generally will set a goal and everyone in the room has to collectively tip in order to help you reach your goal. Once each goal is met, you reward the entire room by removing an article of clothing or by putting on some kind of show (blow job, oil, shower, toys, etc.). On sites that offer public shows, you’ll most likely notice a lot more traffic than you would on other sites… especially while you’re actually performing a show after reaching your goal. But just because more people are in the room, that doesn’t mean that any of them are going to tip extra while you’re actually performing.

One downfall of sites that allow you to do public shows, is that your performances are more likely to get leaked and shared on the internet. You may have to hire a DMCA takedown site to help get your content removed from tube and torrent sites. You have to remember that you’re gonna have lots of freeloaders in your room on sites like this. Those are the people who are most likely to secretly record your shows and post them elsewhere. Often times, you have to work longer hours on sites like this in order to reach your goals. But in general, the payout overall can be much higher. Many of the top cam models work on sites that offer public shows.

Some sites, such as Streamate, don’t allow nudity in public chat. Instead, public chat is more for teasing and getting your fans to take you into a private or exclusive show. In those shows, your fan pays per minute for alone time or shared time in a small setting with you.

Group shows, called gold shows on Streamate, are also a popular option on sites like this. Basically you set a goal amount that you want to raise, the minimum amount each person has to tip in to watch the show, a countdown to make the goal, and a topic for what you’re gonna do in the show. So even though this is a group show and may have a lot of people watching, it isn’t just open to the public like it would be on Myfreecams. Instead, each person has to tip into the show in order to see it. Once the show starts, only those who tipped the minimum or higher will be taken into a private room to watch the show. This doesn’t prevent your shows from being shared on the internet, but it does lower the risk because not as many people will be viewing them since they aren’t free.

Things like the percent you keep on the site and how much traffic they get should also factor into your decision. Some sites pay as low as 30% to their models, and some pay up to 70%. But just factoring in the percentage isn’t enough. Even if you keep 70% on one site, the traffic might not be there. You may end up making a lot more money on a site that only offers their models 35%. Some sites allow you to sell videos, advertise your social media accounts, or even set up a store front.

This is also something to really consider. If you’re able to offer videos to those who tip in extra, that can definitely help increase the amount of money you make. And if you can mention your social media accounts while camming, you’re gonna be able to generate a lot of new followers every day. I’d suggest taking a look at the different sites that are out there, maybe even giving a few a try, and just see which one(s) work best for you personally.

Cam Model Tax Guide

July 21, 2016
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Cam Model Tax Guide

This guide is designed for cam models residing in the United States.

Tax season can be a very stressful time for cam models. One thing that some new models don’t consider is that they need to pay taxes on everything they earn while on cam. Since you’re working as an independent contractor for these sites, they don’t take out any taxes from your paychecks like a normal job would. Because of this, you’re responsible for putting aside money every month so that you have it come tax season.​

I definitely recommend using tax software. There are plenty of options out there that are affordable. Using software and doing your own taxes will prevent the embarrassment of having to talk to someone in person about what it is you do for a living and the strange things you’re writing off. So unless you’re fine with explaining what exactly it is that you do, it’s best to file yourself. 😛

If you made over $600, the main form that you’re gonna be filling out is the 1040. You can easily find a copy of this form in the software you’re using or online with a quick Google search. Unless you’ve branded yourself and actually filed for a business license, there’s no reason to put your stage name or anything like that on your tax forms. Instead you file as an individual and use your social security number and real name. The form is fairly simple to figure out until you get to about the middle of the first page. At this point, you’ll need to list your “business income” and attach Schedule C. Schedule C is where stuff really starts to get complicated. This is the form that you can put your write offs on.

There are many guides on the internet that say you can write off all kinds of crazy things as a cam model. The truth of the matter is that you can only write off things that you bought to use specifically for your job. And even then, there are many restrictions. Having too many write offs is a huge red flag and will get your audited. Even if you get away with it for a couple years, it will eventually come back to bite you in the ass and you may have to pay back taxes for the stuff you originally got away with. Dildos and lingerie are not legitimate write offs according to US law. Don’t even bother trying. Many cam models will also try to write off their “home office”. This includes their rent/mortgage, computer, and even their internet. But remember what I said earlier? You can only write off things that you bought to use specifically for your job. So unless you only live in your house or apartment while you’re working, if you only use your computer for work and not for browsing the internet, and if you only use your internet connection while you’re working and not for personal use at all, these are not business expenses. That means they cannot be written off. Don’t risk getting audited over stuff like this. Like I said, you will get caught.

Besides items that you use for work, you can also write off travel expenses. But again, keep in mind that you can only write off expenses if they were used for work. So if you go on a trip to visit another model to shoot content with, that can be a write off. Or if you go somewhere to shoot your own content, you can write that off as well. If you do get audited, you need to keep every single receipt from your trip. This includes air fare, car rental, gas, hotel, photographer expenses, etc.

For the average cam model, the last form that you should have to fill out is the Schedule SE, or the Self-Employment Tax form. This will let you know how much self-employment tax you owe. Once put into your original 1040, you’ll be able to finish filling that form out and determine your total tax amount. Oh, and don’t forget about your state tax form. You still need to fill that out as well. As long as you only lived in one state over the past year, the form is pretty self explanatory and easy to fill out.

Good luck!

Props To Keep Handy While On Cam

July 19, 2016
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Webcam Props for cam shows

In several of our getting started becoming a cam model guides, we talked about the necessities that you’ll need to cam. These include a laptop or desktop computer that can smoothly run your camming software, a HD webcam, fast internet, and flattering lighting. But every good cam model knows the importance of props! Certain props can play a huge role in your daily shows on cam. It’s important to have these things close by you at all times so that you’ll always be prepared.

The first thing is toys. If you’re a nude cam model, you’ll most likely play with sex toys during your cam shows. Most models like to have a wide variety of toys. Not only does this allow you to switch things up from time to time, but it gives your fans more options to choose from if they take you into a private show. I recommend having both a caucasian and black flesh-colored dildo. These are good for real-life roleplays where the guy wants to pretend like he’s really in the scenario and that he’s the one fucking you. I also recommend having a Hitachi and/or wand vibrator. You can find cordless, waterproof wand vibrators on Amazon for around $30. They’re great for making sure you cum nice and hard during your shows too! A lot of guys like watching a girl use glass toys. They feel great and are one of the most sanitary sex toys because they aren’t porous. And if you’re into anal, definitely get whatever anal toys you’re comfortable with. If you only like very light anal, a small butt plug is a good option. Lube is something else that you should keep handy. Make sure that whatever kind of lube you get is compatible with the type of toys you use. Some lubes will eat through certain types of toys. If you’re into spanking, keeping a paddle close by can be fun!

Most models play games with their fans while on cam. A few props to consider picking up are cards, dice, Never Have I Ever, raffle tickets, and a prize wheel. All of these can be used for games, which is a great way to interact with your fans. It keeps them interested and is fun for everyone… including you. If you have video deals or other special promotions going on, a white board, chalkboard, or even just poster board can be very helpful. This way you can list your deals and have it displayed behind you during your shows.

Lingerie, accessories, and other clothes are crucial to being a cam model. Some guys like specific colors or certain materials. Some like it when you dress up in a costume, wear heels, or put on yoga pants. If you keep these things nearby, you’ll always be prepared for whatever is asked of you. This way you won’t miss out on any money if someone comes asking for you to change outfits. Keeping hair ties close by is a good idea too in case you’re asked to switch up your hair style.

A few other miscellaneous things to keep nearby are towels in case of clean-up, baby wipes to quickly sanitize your toys in between shows, lip gloss or any other make-up that might need touching up throughout the day, something to drink, little snacks to munch on, blankets and pillows to keep you comfortable, and just anything else that you think will make your work day easier.

Protecting Yourself On Cam

July 7, 2016
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Protecting yourself on Webcam

​Protecting yourself while on cam is extremely important. From your real name to where you live, it’s completely up to you what information you decide to share with your fans. Definitely make sure you have a clear plan in action before getting on cam for the first time of what you’re comfortable sharing and what information you want to keep private. I’m gonna go over some different things to consider in this article, but keep in mind that this is the internet and you are being broadcast in front of hundreds or even thousands of people. Even if you do everything that you can to protect your identity, the possibility is always there for family, friends, or potential employers to find out what you do online.

There are lots of different things that you can be doing in order to protect yourself. The first is picking out your stage name. You shouldn’t use your real name on cam. Pick out a name that you like. This is your chance to be called whatever you want! If you decide to cam with a friend, make sure they know not to call you by your real name. It can be easy to slip up, so just watch out.

Some models are comfortable giving out their location, while others are not. This is completely up to you. If you decide not to share your location, there are some extra things to consider. One big give away of where you live could be sports teams that you root for. Even if you tell your fans that you used to live there and now you moved, it could still compromise things. You also have to be careful when posting on social media. Don’t mention events or places that you’re gonna be attending. That could be another sign of where you’re from. You could even end up with a stalker this way that follows you home… who knows.

Most cam and clip sites offer some form of regional blocking. Regional blocking allows you to block certain countries, states, cities, or even zip codes from viewing your cam shows. If you’re worried about friends, family, or just people in your area finding out what you do, you should probably set up regional blocking. Although this sounds like it would completely protect you, it doesn’t. There are hacks around it, such as someone using an IP address from somewhere that you don’t have blocked. Someone watching your shows could also secretly record them and post them on a tube site or somewhere else on the internet. If your content gets pirated and posted somewhere without your knowledge, you won’t be able to block regions on that site and someone you know may stumble upon it.

Keep your personal life and camming life separate. Create a new email address specifically for camming before you start. Never use your personal email or have it attached in any way. You should also make sure you protect your address on your wishlists. Either have it kept hidden from your wishlist or use a PO Box to get your fan mail. One thing that a lot of cam models don’t think about is photo cross-referencing. If you post a photo on one of your personal social media accounts, you should not post that picture on anything related to your camming. Someone could do a Google search of that photo and cross-reference it back to your personal account.

What you decide to share is up to you. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable, but be safe about it. Even if you feel fine with sharing a lot of your personal life, use common sense to know when it’s enough. I hope this article hasn’t scared anyone. It wasn’t meant to scare you, but more to make you aware of things you absolutely need to consider before deciding if this is the right career for you.

Making The Most Out Of Sexting

July 1, 2016
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Webcam Models and Sexting

Now that you’re a cam model, what should you do next? Don’t just stop at camming… broaden your horizons! Expanding your business past just camming is what many successful models do. There are lots of different ways to do this: starting your own website, offering custom content, and even sexting!​ Sexting and phone sex is becoming more and more popular. There are lots of different sites out there that offer an easy way for you to sext your fans without having to give out your phone number or compromise your security.

On all of the sexting and adult phone call sites out there, they keep your personal phone number and the fans who are contacting you personal phone numbers completely private. They are able to do this with a routing system that takes the messages sent back and forth and making them come from an anonymous phone number. This way you can’t be tracked and your fan’s number is also secure. This can be done for both texting messaging and actual phone calls. The only thing you’ll want to do is make sure your voicemail doesn’t mention your actual phone number. That way if a fan calls you and gets sent to voicemail, they’re just hear some kind of generic message and not get your actual number.

Setting yourself up on the various sexting platforms is super easy, and there are lots of different choices out there for the site you decide to stick with. You can even feature yourself on multiple sites to increase your earnings if you want. But more goes into it than just getting approved and setting up your profile. It’s important to follow some pretty simple steps in order to get the most out of sexting and to be successful at it.

All of the various sites have different features, but one of my favorite features is being able to see how many credits on the site each member who’s connected with you has. This makes it easier to decide which members are a waste of time and which ones might actually chat with you. It’s especially useful if you have your phone number set to free and just charge per message they open from you. When your number is free, any member can ‘connect’, but that doesn’t mean they’ll actually chat with you. Some guys don’t understand how the site works and think they’re collecting hundreds of model’s phone numbers for free, not realizing they can’t do anything with them unless they pay per message. So being able to track how much money each user has on the site can really be a time saver. So that’s basically the first tip that I have… check credit amounts before spending too much time continuously messaging everyone who connects with you.

With that said, you should at least send some kind of hello message to everyone when they connect. Even if they don’t have any credits, they might be intrigued by your message and buy credits so that they can see what it says. And once you’ve roped them in, they might just become a repeat customer. Usually what I like to do is send them a short hello message thanking them for connecting and say that I hope I hear from them soon. Then I’ll send some kind of sexy teaser picture. I’ll even sometimes say something after the picture like, “If you like what you see, let me know so I can send more ;)”. If the person doesn’t have any credits on the site, I’ll usually just send the initial hello message. But if they have a decent amount, I’ll do the follow up ones to see if I can really engage them.

It’s also important to hold your customer’s interest without giving too much away at once. Don’t send them your most provocative picture right off the bat. Ease them into it with some flirty messages and pictures first. Make them want to see a little more at a time until they’re totally hooked on you. Make sure you’re engaging. Get to know the person and let them get to know a little about you. Many guys want to do some normal, everyday chat in between sexting. And also make sure you reply to their messages at a timely manner. They might message you on their lunch break or something and if you don’t get back to them until they have to start working again, they might lose interest by the time they can check their messages.

Just have fun with sexting and follow my simple tips. You’ll find that you can make a lot of extra income from it without having to do a lot of work.

Types Of Cam Shows

June 30, 2016
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Different types of cam shows for webcam models

​Depending on the site that you cam on, there are different types of cam shows you can offer your fans. ​It’s completely up to you which kind of shows to offer on each site. In most cases, you can set your own price either per minute for different shows or have a flat fee that each fan has to contribute in order to watch the show. So let’s go over the different show types:

FREE CHAT/PUBLIC CHAT
Every cam site has a free or public chat, but they all have different guidelines for what you can and cannot do while in public. Essentially this chat mode is free to any member or guest (although you can turn guests off on some sites, such as Streamate). You can still get tips while in public chat though. So, like I said, the rules for what you can get away with in public chat vary by site. Some sites such as Streamate don’t allow any nudity below the waist in public chat. You can shows your titties, but no pussy or asshole shots allowed! Other sites such as Myfreecams, don’t have restrictions for public chat. On sites like this, most girls will set a goal while in public chat and accept tips until they reach that goal. Once the goal is met, they’ll perform a show for everyone right there in public chat.

PRIVATE SHOW
Despite the name, private shows usually aren’t exactly private. On some sites like Streamate, one member will take you private and pay your per minute price for the whole time he’s in that private session with you. But other members can enter that same private chat and join in on the show. They have full access to everything that original member does. The private ends either when you end it or when all members leave the private. A private show is a little different on Myfreecams. Only one member can take you private and they pay MFC’s set per minute price. Other members can join in, but they only join as spies. This means they can watch the show, but they cannot chat with you or hear anything you’re saying. They pay a lower per minute rate, which is also set by MFC.

EXCLUSIVE/TRUE PRIVATE
Although they have different names depending on the site you’re on (exclusive on Streamate, true private on Myfreecams), these shows are the same thing. When a fan takes you into an exclusive or true private chat session, it’s just the two of you. No one else can enter and no one can spy on the show. MFC sets the per minute price for you, but many models require the member to tip a certain amount before the true private to show they won’t just take them and leave them after a minute or two. You set your own exclusive price per minute on Streamate, and it’s generally higher than your private rate since it’s a one-on-one show. You can also offer block sessions on Streamate for exclusive and private shows. With these, the member pays for a certain block of time in advance (5 minutes, 10, minutes, 20 minutes, etc.). They’re charged the full amount right away and you’re paid that amount as long as you don’t end the session early.

GROUP SHOW
Group shows exist on various sites, including Myfreecams. Basically at least three members have to request a group show from you before you can actually enter a group chat. More members than that can join, but three is the minimum to get things started. Once in group chat, everyone watching the show pays a small per minute price, set by MFC. You can end the show whenever you want, or else it ends automatically once all paying members leave the chat.

GOLD SHOW
A gold show is a special show on Streamate. Similar shows exist on other sites as well, but have different names. With a gold show, you set a topic letting your fans know what you plan on doing in the show, a goal for how much you want to raise in order to do the show, the minimum amount each member has to tip in order to watch the show, how long of a show you’ll do, and how long your members have to collectively get you to your goal. During the countdown process, members tip the minimum or higher to be able to watch the show. Every member that tips will get to see your show if you decide to start it. If you hit your goal or get close enough that you decide you want to start it, all of those members who tipped the minimum or higher get taken into a private chat where they can watch you perform. Even after the show starts, more members are free to tip in and join as well.

Hygiene Tips For Cam Models

June 24, 2016
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Hygiene for Webcam Models

​Keeping up with your health and hygiene is incredibly important for anyone, but extra important for cam models. If your body isn’t healthy, you may not be able to work. There are lots of little tips and tricks that you can do to keep your body at it’s best.​ You really have to pay attention to everything that you put on and in (giggity) your body. From the type of soap you use to the material of toys you use, it’s important to know your own body and do everything you can to keep it healthy.

When first starting out as a cam model, it’s a good idea to get several toys that are all made out of different materials. Even if you just buy cheap ones at first, it’ll give you the opportunity to see which materials feel the best for you. You’ll also be able to find out if your body doesn’t react well to certain materials. Some models buy expensive toys right off the bat and then end up being allergic to them. They have to either throw them away at that point or put a condom over them. And let’s face it, guys don’t want to see you fucking a dildo with a condom on it.

After finding out which materials work best for you, keeping up with cleaning your toys is incredibly important. You should clean your toys every single time that you use them. Some toys such as glass ones and silicone ones can be boiled. This will kill any germs and bacteria. But good old soap and water will do the trick too for most toys. Use a gentle soap and be sure to completely rinse your toys off after using soap. You don’t want to get that soap inside of you because it could lead to an infection. You also want to make sure you completely dry your toys after each washing. Leaving them wet could cause mold or bacteria to grow on them. When you aren’t using your toys, you should store them in a cool, dry place. Either space them out or get some kind of individual storage unit for each toy. You don’t want them touching each other. Some toys don’t react well when touched by other toys, and you may end up ruining them. There are also cleaners made specifically for toys. These are a good option too. Although you really should wash your toys after each use, some models use baby wipes to clean them off in between shows and then actually wash them or boil them at the end of the night. This isn’t a bad option, and baby wipes can really come in handy if you have toys that are particularly attracted to dust and fuzz.

Some models will do oil or lotion shows. Depending on the type of oil you use, it may not be the best idea to get any inside of your vagina. It may lead to an infection. The same goes for lotion. You should never put lotion inside of you. Some girls make the mistake of filling their squirting dildos with lotion. Terrible idea! Use watered down, plain yogurt instead.

If you do a lot of bath shows, you may also be susceptible to infections. To help prevent them, try using soaps and bubble baths from the baby aisle. These are specifically designed to be used on sensitive skin. You won’t have to worry about them irritating you. I also recommend using baby soap for shaving. It’ll help prevent irritation and leave your skin smooth and moisturized.

Another good habit to get into is showering after you’re done camming. If one of your toys or even your fingers were a little dirty, you’ll prevent anything from going wrong down there with a quick rinse off in the shower. Also, if you start to feel sore or swollen during your shows, take a little break or switch to a wand vibrator for awhile. The last thing you want is to be in pain while working or have to take the next day off because you went too hard the night before.

Being Smart With Your Contests And Raffles

June 13, 2016
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Webcam Contests

To earn extra money and increase interaction with fans, most models will hold contests and raffles. These can be live on cam, through social media, or through your website. It’s completely up to you. Contests and raffles are a fun way to engage your fans and get them to participate in something together. But it’s important to be smart about the way you run your contests and what prizes you offer.

If you’ve ever watched any of the top cam girls, you may have seen them holding big contests and raffles with huge prizes. This makes sense for them to do because they have such a big following. But a rookie mistake that a lot of newer cam models make is offering unrealistic prizes to their fans. Once you’ve held a few contests and you can gauge the amount you think you’ll make based off of the interest of your previous contests, then you can start offering bigger prizes if you feel it’s worth it. Bigger prizes doesn’t always mean that you’re gonna have more interest shown in your contest. So if you offer a date, travel expenses, long custom, long Skype sessions, etc., you may end up dishing out more money than you make.

Some models that think it’s best to offer a huge prize without really having a large following will add a stipulation to the rules. It’s usually something like, “There’s no specific date that this contest ends. It ends once I raise x amount of dollars or get x amount of entries.”. This might seem like a good idea at first, but as the contest goes on and on and on, interest will die down. You may never reach your goal. And then you end up with the fans who did enter mad at you. It’s important to be reasonable with your expectations. Saying that you’ll only do the raffle if you sell a certain amount of entries isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But if you decide to do that, you should offer consolation prizes to those who did enter. If you’re not at least offering that, your fans will be skeptical about entering in the first place for fear that they won’t have a shot at winning anything. Or if you’re holding a monthly contest, you could always roll it over to the next month if need be.

Before you announce a new contest or raffle, make sure you establish all of the rules. Every cam model has trolls in their room who will try to find a loophole or try to confuse you so you agree to something that you don’t actually want to offer. So just be sure to spell out all of the rules and specifications beforehand.

Things to think about:

  • Can the same person win multiple prizes?
  • Do they have to specifically say in their tip note that their tip is for the raffle?
  • If you’re offering a custom video or Skype time, can it be split up into multiple sessions?
  • Are there any restrictions to what you’ll do in a custom or Skype show?
  • If your contest rewards the top tipper, is that the top overall tipper or highest single tip?

These are just a few of the things you should think of and plan out before officially announcing your contest. Just make sure all points are covered so there’s no confusion once the contest starts.

Please do not copy my site!

Thanks,

Sarah