Password protected website?

[ElisabethWhispers]

I know that a few ladies on this site have a password protected website.

I'm liking the idea that someone needs to write me with a password request before they can just see my website. But I'm wondering how that will affect my business?

If there are ladies reading this with experience in this area, does it affect your business to have a password protected "area" or is this a good thing?

The "members only" area, etc,. are several of the ideas that I'm entertaining.

The world is getting smaller. I'm just trying to figure out some ideas to not be so "out there" with the internet.

Ideas?

Elisabeth

[Chica Chaser]

I can say that, for me, I would not go the extra steps of signup for something just to see additional pics or get additional info. If its not right there, its just to easy to bypass your site and move to another where it is. Its the rates/services/availability/photos/review links that guys need to be able to see right off the bat to decide on even contacting you to begin with, or moving on to someone else.

If you were wanting to password protect other information such as a personal blog or some other more personal content, then its fine. But there will be a very limited number of people who would take advantage of that, typically people that you already know and you are comfortable with each other.

[cyborg]

Chica Chaser is dead on. I build websites for several clients, and have seen firsthand the extreme drop in traffic when people password an entire site.
Having a secure section of your site isn't as bad, but you really need a major draw in order to pull that off. And even then, the marketing for something like that is a nightmare. Free porn 'tube' style sites make paysites suffer, and you'd have to develop a loyal fanbase with prices competitive to the famous alternatives offering pay-view sections. Definitely not trying to discourage you, just trying to give you a heads up!
My advise is to go the webcam route. Establish a creative niche that few others are doing, and get your lighting/cam angles down pat. Join a reputable and high-traffic site, then release your OWN site and steal those loyal followers. That way you'll vacuum their business and eliminate 'payout' (which is getting crazy... some sites are charging cam models 60% for payout! Wtf?!).

Just some words of advice, I hope you do well in whatever you pick!

[Tiffani Jameson]

Hi Elisabeth!

I have a couple of friends that got to that point before they retired themselves to the public altogether. They were at the point that they couldn't handle all the requests, so even after locking their sites, they still had gents interested enough to submit their email and screening information first before they could see the site.

One lady in particular locked up her pics FIRST, as her site was content-rich. This ploy actually helped her advertising become more popular, as she used different pics every week, and tied it into her blog posts. Genius if you ask me.

The next thing you know, she's got the whole thing locked up.

As far as how to hide your content or got semi-UTR, yet maintain the same interest level, that would be some inspiration the marketing gods will have to give you personally.

Please let me know what you come up with.

[Zabrina Sarafina]

Hmm I'm a big believer in transparency

[ck1942]

All of the data above have my extreme respect.

But the operative words:

The world is getting smaller. I'm just trying to figure out some ideas to not be so "out there" with the internet.

are where EW is coming from.

Gents on this board and others have way more significant security than do ladies who not only post photos, but who may also suffer reviewers posting of the ladies' personal info in reviews and in gents' only forums.

My advice for EW obviously is out-dated for anyone already into a career:

Every lady pondering entry into the Bidness should first think about how to protect/exclude personal data (photos, too) from being widely broadcast. Yes, this extremely limits her marketing opportunities.

There's almost no way to introduce yourself or to market yourself without some kind of public notoriety.

While I know of several closed groups of providers and hobbyists that can facilitate introductions and marketing, none of these groups (or websites) can be considered totally secure. But they do exist here in Texas and elsewhere.

Many new providers simply feel these limited "pools" are usually too restrictive for their nascent business to prosper. And, I can definitely see their pov.

= = =

However, for any established provider, there are ways to "withdraw" gradually from much of the notoriety and widespread web presence and still maintain a high level of business. Not easy, but definitely do-able.

Might even involve identity shifts, geographical relocation and "re-imaging" of one's personal look, or restyling their entire business plan.

But definitely do-able, as I personally know several dozen providers and know of many others who have done this without retiring entirely from the Bidness.

EW, best of luck in moving forward!