Interesting thread. As someone who literally -
literally now - started with ZERO I am one of "those" who got into this business for that very reason: I had zero and there are very few opportunities out there to be successful starting with zero money yet limitless 'sweat equity'.
So I believe in hard work, new guys getting into the business, not having limitations, being a success when almost everyone else is hurting or leaving or predicting doom. Perhaps it's my personality, or the fact that I've been a success - MY definition of success, mind you (the only def that counts, to me) - in every single thing I've ever done, ever. Of course, the "success" of which I gloat only came after years of struggle, disappointment, failure and learning.
So I knew this wouldn't be an 'easy' gig but could, potentially, pay off big time (I want to post silly GFY threads from my hot tub, too, like Mr. Frisky did earlier today). Do I lament not getting into porn back in '01, '02, '03? You betcha - but I simply cannot get my damn time machine to work properly so fuck it. LOL
The reason I quoted Robbie here - instead of the other 1/2 dozen or so excellent points made by others - is that what he wrote is, in my opinion, a major reason I "made it" (so far): modeling. I didn't try to re-invent the wheel, so to speak. (Well okay, when I knew nada back in '07 I did, but everyone does that at first.) Six months in I knew I'd better start 'copying', as Robbie puts it, others' success, and start doing what THEY were doing. I also looked at sites that were NOT successful so I could NOT do what they were doing. LOL
But then I found what I think is CRUCIAL to anyone's success, especially these days: a twist. Something just a wee differant than all the other stuff people see when they surf porn. Maybe it's a "so crappy it stands out" tour design, or maybe a funny/sexy video where you laugh first then get turned on. Maybe it's a little pervert in a green trenchcoat someone can instantly recognize as a 'brand'. Who knows? Keep trying til something clicks.
So what I'm saying here is this: follow the leaders...up to a point. Then, when you've learned just enough to be dangerous, try throwing in a little 'twist', something unique to YOU/your sites that will make you stand out a little. It will go a long way. be your own Leader, for your own World.