The Online Porn Industry

Sumrpal

Electra recently approached me and asked if I would consider writing an article for their new website, Free Adult Webmaster. I readily agreed, but two things have stood in my way. One, the article would be so long it would be better classified as a novella. And two, there was the real fear in my mind that nobody would take me seriously or listen to what I have to say.

After speaking with Electra, we will solve problem number one by breaking one long missive into several articles. This first one will serve as a prologue, of sorts. I will touch on a number of issues concerning this industry, both good and bad, then expand on each issue in separate articles.

Problem two was still bothering me until I read an article entitled "Gurus And Newbies", written by Marie of MariesPlace.com and featured on Porn Resource. (I found that article by using All Of 'Em, of course.) In it, she talks about the widespread practise of industry 'gurus' pinning the 'worthless tag' on "... anyone who may not yet have quite achieved guru status and who dares to think or speak outside the accepted norms of our industry". I certainly know what that's all about, because I had that tag pinned right in the middle of my forehead some time ago.

I am a 'mature' person and I spent 25 years in the business world, after having achieved a college and a university education. My corporate life took me through the Banking, Manufacturing, Construction and Transportation sectors of the economy. I know a thing or two. I don't know much, but I know a thing or two.

Back in the early part of 2000 I was what everyone in this industry calls 'a newbie'. I really didn't know much, but I knew a thing or two. I started speaking out, stating that the industry standard of pouring ever increasing amounts (and quality ... and hardness ... ) of free porn onto the Net was the most idiotic thing I have ever witnessed in my business career. I have kept up that mantra for two years and I practised what I preached, refusing to place a torrent of free content on the Net. Because of this, many of the so-called 'gurus' have tagged me as a failure, as worthless and stupid, a lazy bum, because I am not willing to 'work' my online adult business (ie: place tens of thousands of freely available porn pictures and videos on the Net).

I want to thank Marie very much. She solved problem number two and I now realise that I am not a failure, or worthless, or stupid, or lazy, but in fact am an educated and experienced businessman who just might have something worthwhile to contribute to the industry.

With all that out of the way, let's get down to business. I want to list some of the problems that the industry is facing right now, also some of the good points, and will follow up on each one in future articles.

Problems. Every industry has problems. It is a part of business life. But our industry certainly has some unique ones:

• Free Sample Business Model Gone Berzerk
• The Public Perception Of Us And The Industry
• The Coming Governmental Intervention
• The Lack Of A Unified Industry Voice
• The Hypocracy Of The Credit Card Companies
• The Cheaters, Crooks And Fraud Artists
• Spam

The good points? Things we can always count on and look forward to?

• Sex Sells, Always Will
• New Technologies That Will Broaden Our Market
• Comradeship, Generosity And Helpfulness

That is quite a daunting list, but over the next few weeks? I will try to address each one in its' own right. I certainly can't come up with solutions for them all. In fact, some are unsolvable. But if I can get some minds working and if enough people do just one small thing to make things better, then it can only help us all.

I don't know much, but I know a thing or two.