Which cam site to work on?
Which cam site to work on? Here is some impartial advice based on what to look out for when doing your research to make your decision.
There are many options of cam sites across the globe. You will most likely have heard about some of the big name sites already.
Google search under search terms like “best webcam site” and “which cam site to work on” will bring up a host of site names, blogs and forums. Go ahead and browse.
See what the hearsay is about recommended sites. Check out those sites to see what they offer in terms of features, support, rates, commission, payment methods, frequencies and minimums.
Also check out what their deal is with promotional activity, privacy and protection.
READ REVIEWS
Read independent review sites and blogs which draw comparisons between sites. You’ll want to look at some user experiences from models and members.
From user reviews you can gain valuable insight as to how efficient the organisation is at delivering their service and support.
Make notes for comparison and be well informed about terms and conditions including Codes of Conduct.
Shortlist your favourites then go look at some of their online models. Check out how their profiles are constructed, how they price their webcam shows. Look at the tipping features and tip menus they are using.
Observe models on a number of sites to how they work. Look at how busy or bored they look and how members respond to them.
If you pay attention to how busy the online models appear to be at the times of the day or night you would work if you were to join that site, this will give you some indication of how busy it is likely to be for you, too.
Annabelle
FRIEND RECOMMENDATION
You might have a friend who webcams or has done in the past. Ask for their experiences and recommendations.
Gaining a personal referral is a often a sound way for cam models to start. It helps instil confidence in that site so newcomers coming in feel positive and more inclined to make a go of it.
GEOGRAPHICAL REGION
When considering which cam site to work on, think about whether you want to work on one that is based in your own geographical region.
You will have the convenience of earning and receiving money in your base currency. You’ll also connect with members in your country, that speak the same language you speak.
If you have privacy concerns you might prefer not to cam on your own doorstep. In this case look at webcam sites that are based overseas with members you will never be at risk of crossing paths with.
HOW YOU’LL GET PAID
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing which cam site to work on should be payout.
Look for how often they pay out, what percentages they pay out and which options they offer for payment. Check carefully when looking into sites that operate in another base currency, you’ll likely run into minimum payout conditions for international payments.
Check you have the right type of receiving account that will accept the incoming currency and do the exchange to your own local currency.
Many cam sites will pay by wire transfer, direct deposit, Paxum or cheque.
TECH REQUIREMENTS
You will also need to check out the site’s technical requirements including any minimum upload speed. Contact the site’s support team and check what they recommend in terms of equipment.
Make sure you can commit to obtaining the right equipment along with sufficient internet connection before you sign up. See my article about the ideal camming tech setup.
If you things out beforehand, it prevents your time being wasted at a later stage.
PRIVATE VERSUS LIVE STREAM SITES
You will need to be aware that there are two distinct categories of adult webcam site. I am going to talk about the pros and cons of both.
Having worked on both types; I can draw on my personal experiences of both to help you make your own decision on which type suits you best.
PRIVATE
Private sites display models in closed chat rooms. Models elect to make themselves available for one to one or group shows only. Members have to request a show in order to view them.
Some of these types of sites operate using Skype software, others use in-house infrastructure.
Pros:
Performers can sit back and relax or do other things in the background. Nobody is able to view them unless they pay to go private.
If there are confidence issues in a live streaming environment; private sites seem less intimidating.
They are therefore a good place for brand new cam models to start, gain confidence and build experience.
Annabelle
Private sites help keep the risk of unwanted exposure to a minimum for those with privacy concerns.
The private setting also helps give the performer an “exclusive” feel if this is what they want.
Cons:
The main issue is the very limited earning potential due to the lack of engagement and previews. These sites, owing to the fact the models are not on public display, are very hit and miss traffic-wise.
Members usually want free previews of models so the majority will gravitate to sites where they can obtain this.
If models do not offer free previews on private sites that do give the option, members will often connect in private for for a quick peak.
They disconnect if they aren’t into that particular model or don’t want to spend the money.
This can be irritating for models as their time is wasted for just a few pence.
On private sites there are always lots of models sat waiting whilst members browse profiles.
It is therefore normal to sit online for several hours and make very little income if the day is not a particularly busy one the site.
Annabelle
LIVE STREAM
Live sites display models in live mode where members can engage and tip them in their chat room. They can also take them into private or group shows.
Pros:
These sites often work on tokens and tend to be very busy. Some of the major live stream networks have high traffic, 24/7.
The earning potential is unlimited due to the fact there are are broad scope of members. Guys with different budgets log on around the clock, from the one token guys to the mega tippers.
There are many free viewers who also have the potential to sign up if they like a particular model. These guys often do.
Every big tipper was once a free viewer! Bear in mind that anybody watching could be your next regular.
It is easy to build rapport with members in live stream in order to encourage spending. Chatting and giving them eye contact is the most effective way to get people following and spending.
Annabelle
As a cam model you’re free to design your live shows however you like. Be as creative as you fancy, which is fun and drives momentum in order to generate greater tipping opportunities.
Cons:
Owing to the nature of the public stream there are thousands of free and guest viewers. These guys hang around for the free show and for some cam models find this a bugbare.
The live stream environment requires attention to the audience at all times. You cannot be doing other things in the background, you need to give live chat users your full attention.
These type of sites work on algorithms, There are many variables that determine placement and visibility to the best tippers. With hundreds, even thousands of performers online, placement is not always the best.
If there are many others meeting the variables in order to appear higher on the site, they make more money.
If there are significant privacy concerns, or significant confidence issues, live stream sites would seem daunting and may trigger anxiety.
Annabelle
There is always the risk of unwanted exposure on live stream sites.
My recommendation is: have a look around and compare both nature of sites when deciding which cam site to work on. Consider which type feels the best fit for your requirements and comfort levels.
MY PERSONAL CHOICE
In my personal experience, I started on a US-based private site which I really enjoyed. The laid back feel and flexibility suited my personal circumstances at the time.
I met some fabulous members there, however owing to timezone differences the site was not always fruitful when I was online.
After being on this site a year, my earnings seems quite stagnant and I was not meeting many new members. It seemed overall quite slow.
It was a marvellous place to start, I benefitted from building expertise and confidence in webcamming whilst building connections.
After two years and my ambition growing, I craved to push the boundaries and earn more money.
MAKING THE SWITCH
I joined a major US-based live streaming network. This forced me to step outside of my earlier comfort zone of the private site which marked the start of my serious camming career. I took a completely different approach and became a live chat host.
As a natural born creative and performer, this ended up being a smooth transition. Having quickly settled into my niche, within a few weeks I was proving popular.
I built my following and started to make double the amount of weekly cash versus private site.
A year after joining the live stream site, my income had grown by five times that of the former private site.
Two years on, my earnings had increased ten-fold!
Annabelle
Working hard and consistently pushing myself I was able to catapult into the realms of earning life-changing sums of money. I took pride in the fact I had a number of high net-worth regulars who visited me every week.
So make of that what you wish, do your own reaseach and decide which cam site to make a start on on.
If after a few months you can always move on and try others until you find the one that rocks your socks!
As a cam model you are an independent contractor. You are free to work wherever you choose!
Annabelle
Want to know how to style yourself on cam? Read this article for some advice!
To apply to work with us, head over to LVE Models.
