Quote:
Originally Posted by shap
Secret #10 We do not make decisions based on someone else’s opinion.
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The smartest thing which you and other operators such as those you named earlier have done, was to go against the flow of popular practise and opinion in this industry. Instead you adopted the approach which has been proved to work in other industries.
Ironically, the success many people have enjoyed is exactly what will cause (in quite a few cases already has caused) their undoing. True entrepreneurs will always be fairly arrogant - it's a necessary part and product of believing you have what it takes to stand out from the crowd - but that should never be allowed to get in the way of objectivity. Unfortunately, far too many people in this business have ignored that and credit themselves and their methods with the success they have enjoyed.
Many others simply copy what they see already being done, with the consequence that the vast majority who work in online porn do so in ways which could only have any long-term future if our product, customers and our colleagues were all somehow unique. But none are unique. It doesn't make the slightest difference whether you are selling bare breasts or breakfast cereal, once the market stabilizes it will be governed by exactly the same rules as any other.
Whether you realize it or not, your approach to this business represents a recognition of "rules" which have been proven over and over again. Because you have applied them well, you have been successful.
Sadly, you are in a tiny minority. Most people, sponsors and affiliates, refuse to acknowledge that they have succeeded in spite of themselves and they continue to reflect methods and attitudes which have been out of date for years. This is why online adult is still such a small part of adult entertainment as a whole. It is why, particularly in the last 2-3 years more "names" have been disappearing. And it is why we are increasingly turning towards feeding on each other, rather than staying focused on our real customer: the surfer.
You have also proved the concept expressed by Tom Peters in his book "In Search of Excellence", namely that excellent businesses actually live and breathe certain principles. Others print them out on posters and use them to decorate the office walls.