06 May 10 golden rules for models
Posted
in Marketing Yourself
I am not one for following the rules, but sometimes, you have to set your own to keep yourself safe and productive. This is especially true if you are working independently and don’t have anyone to oversee you. Here are my 10 Golden Rules for Models, which I personally follow and have worked out well for me.
1. ALWAYS RECEIVE PAYMENT BEFORE SERVICE
Do not give in to the temptation to deliver services without full payment. Always get paid, then do the work. Other creative industries may do things differently (e.g., a deposit and full payment upon delivery), but the adult content industry is notorious for people who will try to get something for nothing. If someone will not pay upfront, move on. Reputable and serious clientele will not argue over your payment preferences. I have heard every excuse in the book from potential clients, and they are always baseless.
2. ALWAYS BE TRUE TO YOURSELF
It may be hard to believe, but personality is a huge part of this industry. The fact is that being the unique and amazing human you are will attract your genuine and long-term fans. It is very easy to look at what others are doing and copy them, or worse, be critical of yourself because you are not like them. It is tempting to mould ourselves to fit whatever is popular at the time. However, if you want to develop longevity, it is about building a brand which is consistent and true to yourself.
3. DEVELOP A SCHEDULE AND LET IT GUIDE YOU
Real work takes planning, so don’t let anyone tell you that content creation is not real work! How you decide to schedule your work is up to you, but the main question to ask yourself is: How much content are you planning on releasing and when? This is the foundation of your schedule. In your schedule, make sure you have dedicated time for work and rest. It will go a long way to combat any stress you may experience, taking the pressure off while maintaining consistency.
4. LOVE WHAT YOU CREATE, CREATE WHAT YOU LOVE
You need to love what you produce to ensure you are productive and happy. It is easy to do things you don’t enjoy and get dragged down by them. It’s important to create a love for your body and all its parts. Accept your personality and lean into your quirks. If you are not excited by your creations, I can guarantee your fans and customers will not be excited either.
5. ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN BOUNDARIES
Boundaries are vital for every part of your life. Develop your expertise in setting and maintaining them. Respect your scheduled days off; don’t work or let inconsiderate people come in on your downtime. Don’t change just because someone badgers you, whether that is regarding services, payment methods, or anything else. Keep your boundaries firm, and those around you will respond accordingly.
6. ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR BREAKS
Making time for rest is part of creating and maintaining a schedule. This industry is hard work, and quarantining time to rest will serve you in the long run, keeping you fresh and insulated from burnout. It is not healthy, mentally and emotionally, to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year. Treat yourself like you would anyone else. Be kind and schedule in reasonable breaks from being online.
7. FIND YOUR PEOPLE
It is vital to find people who support you and what you do. It can be hard to find people in our “real lives” who understand the work we do online. At times, this can be an incredibly isolating industry, but it doesn’t have to be. Reach out to people who are like-minded and develop connections, regardless of where they are in the world. You will find that by lifting others up, you will be supported as an individual, and your business will develop as a result.
8. DO NOT START DRAMA AND IF YOU SENSE IT, AVOID IT
It is not in your best interests to get involved in drama, including worrying about someone stealing clients, or making content you do not agree with or not being 100% honest. Inserting yourself into drama is a surefire way to get branded as a troublemaker and unprofessional. Support your fellow models, but avoid getting pulled into the drama. Not only is it a huge waste of time and energy, but it will not serve you in the long run. Keep your focus on yourself and not the actual or perceived bad behaviour of others.
9. PERSIST LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT
Success and longevity in this industry are tied directly to commitment and persistence. We all experience bad days, weeks, months. We all have encountered mediocre clients or had to deal with hate-spewing trolls. There will be days when you think, “Why the hell am I still doing this?” Remember that these times will pass. The only way that things will improve is to hang in there and ride the wave. I am not saying you must stay in this industry for your whole life or you must stay if it is having a major impact on your health and well-being. I suggest taking a break before making any major decisions regarding your content creation. Remember that despite however it is advertised, this is a long-term endeavour, and it takes time and persistence to get the ball rolling and keep it doing so.
10. GET KNOWLEDGABLE IN YOUR BUSINESS
Time to bust the number one myth of this industry: anyone can make some sexy content and make a buck or three. You probably know this by now, but I cannot stress it enough. There is way more to it than that. Always keep an open mind, develop your knowledge, and listen and seek advice from others. Make it your mission to get knowledgeable on how platforms work, marketing and branding principles and technical production of content. Not only does your success depend upon it, but it will also make a huge difference in how you feel about the business.
Rem Sequence is an Australian adult content creator, blogger and internationally published alt model. She has a background in psychology, philosophy and political science and has worked in health and sex education, youth work and trauma counseling for almost two decades. Now, she works full-time in the adult industry, as well as indulging her passion for arts, writing and music in numerous side projects.
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I am not one for following the rules, but sometimes, you have to set your own to keep yourself safe and productive. This is especially true if you are working independently and don’t have anyone to oversee you. Here are my 10 Golden Rules for Models, which I personally follow and have worked out well for me.
1. ALWAYS RECEIVE PAYMENT BEFORE SERVICE
Do not give in to the temptation to deliver services without full payment. Always get paid, then do the work. Other creative industries may do things differently (e.g., a deposit and full payment upon delivery), but the adult content industry is notorious for people who will try to get something for nothing. If someone will not pay upfront, move on. Reputable and serious clientele will not argue over your payment preferences. I have heard every excuse in the book from potential clients, and they are always baseless.
2. ALWAYS BE TRUE TO YOURSELF
It may be hard to believe, but personality is a huge part of this industry. The fact is that being the unique and amazing human you are will attract your genuine and long-term fans. It is very easy to look at what others are doing and copy them, or worse, be critical of yourself because you are not like them. It is tempting to mould ourselves to fit whatever is popular at the time. However, if you want to develop longevity, it is about building a brand which is consistent and true to yourself.
3. DEVELOP A SCHEDULE AND LET IT GUIDE YOU
Real work takes planning, so don’t let anyone tell you that content creation is not real work! How you decide to schedule your work is up to you, but the main question to ask yourself is: How much content are you planning on releasing and when? This is the foundation of your schedule. In your schedule, make sure you have dedicated time for work and rest. It will go a long way to combat any stress you may experience, taking the pressure off while maintaining consistency.
4. LOVE WHAT YOU CREATE, CREATE WHAT YOU LOVE
You need to love what you produce to ensure you are productive and happy. It is easy to do things you don’t enjoy and get dragged down by them. It’s important to create a love for your body and all its parts. Accept your personality and lean into your quirks. If you are not excited by your creations, I can guarantee your fans and customers will not be excited either.
5. ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN BOUNDARIES
Boundaries are vital for every part of your life. Develop your expertise in setting and maintaining them. Respect your scheduled days off; don’t work or let inconsiderate people come in on your downtime. Don’t change just because someone badgers you, whether that is regarding services, payment methods, or anything else. Keep your boundaries firm, and those around you will respond accordingly.
6. ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR BREAKS
Making time for rest is part of creating and maintaining a schedule. This industry is hard work, and quarantining time to rest will serve you in the long run, keeping you fresh and insulated from burnout. It is not healthy, mentally and emotionally, to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year. Treat yourself like you would anyone else. Be kind and schedule in reasonable breaks from being online.
7. FIND YOUR PEOPLE
It is vital to find people who support you and what you do. It can be hard to find people in our “real lives” who understand the work we do online. At times, this can be an incredibly isolating industry, but it doesn’t have to be. Reach out to people who are like-minded and develop connections, regardless of where they are in the world. You will find that by lifting others up, you will be supported as an individual, and your business will develop as a result.
8. DO NOT START DRAMA AND IF YOU SENSE IT, AVOID IT
It is not in your best interests to get involved in drama, including worrying about someone stealing clients, or making content you do not agree with or not being 100% honest. Inserting yourself into drama is a surefire way to get branded as a troublemaker and unprofessional. Support your fellow models, but avoid getting pulled into the drama. Not only is it a huge waste of time and energy, but it will not serve you in the long run. Keep your focus on yourself and not the actual or perceived bad behaviour of others.
9. PERSIST LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT
Success and longevity in this industry are tied directly to commitment and persistence. We all experience bad days, weeks, months. We all have encountered mediocre clients or had to deal with hate-spewing trolls. There will be days when you think, “Why the hell am I still doing this?” Remember that these times will pass. The only way that things will improve is to hang in there and ride the wave. I am not saying you must stay in this industry for your whole life or you must stay if it is having a major impact on your health and well-being. I suggest taking a break before making any major decisions regarding your content creation. Remember that despite however it is advertised, this is a long-term endeavour, and it takes time and persistence to get the ball rolling and keep it doing so.
10. GET KNOWLEDGABLE IN YOUR BUSINESS
Time to bust the number one myth of this industry: anyone can make some sexy content and make a buck or three. You probably know this by now, but I cannot stress it enough. There is way more to it than that. Always keep an open mind, develop your knowledge, and listen and seek advice from others. Make it your mission to get knowledgeable on how platforms work, marketing and branding principles and technical production of content. Not only does your success depend upon it, but it will also make a huge difference in how you feel about the business.
Rem Sequence is an Australian adult content creator, blogger and internationally published alt model. She has a background in psychology, philosophy and political science and has worked in health and sex education, youth work and trauma counseling for almost two decades. Now, she works full-time in the adult industry, as well as indulging her passion for arts, writing and music in numerous side projects.