Forgive me for the absolute fucking novel I'm going to post, I've been reading GFY here and there over the last couple of months and have plenty of thoughts, I try and keep it to the point though.
Introduction
So I started in IM about 3 years ago, but I didn't go for the quick landing page style, I used a blog and made it look more like a tips and tutorials type setting. Most IMers involved in that launch were interested to see how it would work since at the time it was really just about having the most back links and a highly convertible page, get it the fuck over with so to speak. But I knew that industry, I knew the product wasn't that good so I had to change up the approach a bit.
I haven't touched that site in 3 years, it's still on the first page and I still make 3-4k a year with it. (I also have one top rated videos on YT, with links going to the publisher as well, but nothing else)
I'm just really bored of that industry, I already talk about it all day long in regular life, but the only products that have affiliate programs suck (the reputable software guys don't need them) and the trends are shifting more away from these products more every day.
Moving Into Adult
I like porn, who doesn't? My problem is figuring out the best approach with what I already know about IM, to an industry I don't know much about. I know I can sit there with my friends and ramble off top five lists, like "top 5 Vivid girls, late 90s?" and have a good laugh with it, I also know a good chunk of the mainstream girls now, but that's where it ends.
I designed two websites to get the feel of the XXX affiliate programs that I knew of (webmaster programs in this industry) but I found some of the tools to be lacking. So I tried one niche to get the hang of it, and one (retired) model site to prove that I'm legit when applying to these programs.
Two separate sites but shared similar networks. I used FerroCash and I love the embedded videos, the gallery materials for promo etc, but the content was so dated I knew it would be a tough sell to continue, so once I understood how that and some other affiliate programs worked, I locked up the sites for the archives in order to look at making a real site.
So now that I have a taste, I need to figure out which direction to go in.
Questions
Are blog reviews like this even profitable these days? Reviewing content from Twisty's etc with links back to the host site. Or is there just so much free porn out there that it's fighting an uphill battle?
I'm already excepted into a few of these programs with both popular girls and newcomers, it's something I have somewhat interest in. I understand that sidebar and banner advertisement is good on blogs in any industry, would cam banners/CrakRevenue ads be enough to to help the site be worth it? What other ways to tweak this idea to make it relevant in 2015 and beyond?
(I'll make interesting list posts and try and find other ways to create content as well)
Or are tube sites the way to go? I'll be honest, my initial reaction to hosting content through script was that questionable content might leak through the cracks and possibly land me in trouble. There's also just so many "set it and forget it" tube sites it would be tough competition.
I know there are some networks that control the content and offer tube templates etc, but it seems a little restrictive.
Social Media
I use social media and FB ads for my bread and butter/non-IM business with decent success for the money I put in, but since porn and Facebook are like oil and water, I'm going to focus on Twitter.
I read a post from a webmaster here who said they used animated GIFs with good feedback, i like that idea. What other ways can I make Twitter work for me? I know I can tiny.url my affiliate links directly but I don't want to just spam all day.
Something I learned from my own social media accounts is more content, less advertising = more engagement, so I'd like to find a good balance. I've noticed a lot of the girls themselves interact with their followers, so why would anybody follow me if I just post bullshit links?
Conclusion
I'm willing to put in some work, I know that this is not an overnight success business. I'm also willing to put in some money. Like all real world adults I have bills so I need to limit myself to a starting budget. I have $400 to get the ball rolling, I have no problem putting money back in once I get the hang of it. Where would this money be best spent? Buying traffic is 50/50 to me, you run the risk of low quality visits.
My advantages: I design websites myself, I know Photoshop. I'm up to date with SEO news (the realities, not the black/grey/white hat "tactics") I have a humble background in IM already.
I'm also a good learner, through both research and trial and error. I would rather less "error" going into this, I want to make this work but I still do have real world responsibilities to take care of as well, so a clear path would be more beneficial.
Now that you've read my long-winded background, I'd greatly appreciate some insight from GFY members.
PS. I can't post links since I'm new, but I already have read the "adultcashtips" blog for getting started that i saw floating around here.