Before social media, porn ruled the web. And before the web, porn ruled the print. With the emergence of Web 2.0 the porn industry changed. Playboy and Hustlers revenue model was broken as the industry was required to think outside of the box. They were required to come up with creative ideas that could keep their industry somewhat respectable and at the same time profitable. Several of these innovative ideas have become staples in how to make money online; some of them are even applicable to bloggers (without the mess).
As blogging becomes one of the most glorified jobs on the web. It is important for those looking at blogging as a career path to remember a career requires money. While its understandable that you must provide some content for free as a professional blogger; your end goal has be to putting food on the table.
Premium Memberships
- Pay for Extra Goodies!
Porn sites have been generating revenue using premium memberships since they first hit the web. These sites offer special videos and pictures that aren’t offered to the general public. This trend has recently showing up in the blogging industry as bloggers begin to create more intimate networks.
An example of this can be seen in the community; Third Tribe. This community is managed by Chris Brogan, Darren Rowse, Brian Clark and Sonia Simone. They charge their members a monthly fee ($47) for access to their insight, webinars, special offers and most importantly a supportive community filled with the right people. These bloggers established themselves as experts in their field and went on to create this private community.
Amy Porterfield and many others made a prediction that 2010 would be the year for exclusive networks. Bloggers may want to get on board before this trend is old news. Just remember, value is a necessity for making this work.
Special Downloads
Several porn sites offer their users the opportunity to pay for a high res video or package of private photos. If you can provide your readers with something of value they will ultimately pay for it. Whether that means creating an ebook or doing tons of research to create a report; if they see value – you can sell it.
While I would recommend that any new blogger offer their Ebook for free. There is definitely a revenue opportunity for a blogger who has created a strong following.
Sell Your Swag
- Sell Swag
With websites such as CafePress and Wordans on the scene it only takes a few minutes to have your face printed on everything from a t-shirt to a mousepad. If a porn site such as playboy can sell their logo on ladies undergarments why can’t you?
Not only does this provide high margins it also gives bloggers little extra promotion. People are going around wearing, using or displaying something with your blogs address – giving you free marketing.
Live Chats & Webinars
Why do live chats still bring in tons of cash for porn sites? Simple. People love interaction and being able to get what they want. This statement holds true in both the porn industry and for several bloggers. Whether it means paying for a Q&A session using UStream or paying for a Webinar – Its still a way to generate cash.
Whether you’re blogging about motherhood or blogging about blogging – The porn industry has showed us several revenue models that you may want to take advantage of. With bloggers becoming more and more innovate there are new revenue models breaking through all the time. I would love to hear some of the creative revenue models you’ve seen bloggers create online.
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