There are a lot of variables - the biggest being the cost of talent.

My major cash expenses include (not in order):

Talent - over >$70K for my three sites so far (I have about 65% of our "shot" content on the sites right now.)
Recruiting - shit - can I write every trip to the titty bar off? I would gess that it's over $600.00 per month.
Legal (including 2257) - $9K
Editing - $6K (I do all the images myself and about 1/4th of the videos)
Programing - $8K (PHP database management) I do most of the HTML and graphic design)
Hosting - $300 plus per month
Photographers/Videographers - $30.00 to $150 per shoot
Testing (STD) - $150.00 per month (models pay for their their own but I have to pay for mine.
No-show - unrecoverable expenses created by models scheduling and not showing or rescheduling shoots - $200 per month on average.

Things that I do that you may have to pay for if you can't do it yourself:

Fucking Teenagers :D (I'll be happy to do this for you for a very reasonable fee)
Recruiting - can you really do it?
Graphic design (OK - maybe I should pay someone to do this |loony|)
Marketing - FS's galleries, banners, affiliate correspondence etc
HTML coding
Affiliate "Love"

Equipment costs:

Location - varies per shoot - I usually shoot at my home or in the woods - there is some risk involved in this in many locations.
Video Camera(s) - $4k
Still Camera(s) - $6K (including most of my lenses)
Video Lighting - $1.5K
Studio Lighting - $2K
Misc - tripods, light stands, soft boxes, reflectors, etc. $2K
Editing Software - Sony Vegas for three machines 1K
Computer(s) - we use four - 2.5K (mine was a lot more but it's older and not worth much now)

I had some of the equipment before I started into adult - and it's sure as hell possible to get by with less but it ain't the equipment costs that will make or break you.

Do the math and figure out how many memberships you have to sell in a month with 60% going to the affiliates and an additional chunk going to your processor - then look to see if you're already selling that many memberships...


|couch|

Every time I hear affiliates wining about how "filthy rich" program owners are - I have to laugh.....

I didn't want to be rude and ask for specifics but I sure am glad you broke it down like this.Great Post papagmp!|thumb

papagmp's post is a realistic look at the expenses involved in running a paysite. excellent breakdown.

BTW, I wasn't trying to be rude by asking for some numbers, I just found this thread interesting. Starting a paysite defenitly sounds expensive though and seems like you need to be multi talented to pull it off. Anyway great post Papa thanks for the response and keep those hot Colorado Babes cumming. (lucky bastard). :D

Hell yeah it's interesting and specific numbers are handy.When I said 'I didn't want to be rude and ask for specifics' I wasn't trying to say in so many words "I didn't want to be rude and ask for specifics UNLIKE HORNDOG THE INCONSIDERATE ASSHOLE! " I can see how it could be read like that lol.

My personality translates horrible through text|loony| so sometimes I sound like a complete asshole,weird or over polite when I don't mean to be.

I have that same gift. :D

Don't forget, you don't have to deal directly with talent (which can be very off-putting) or purchase studio equipment in order to build a paysite. You could instead invest a fortune in fresh, quality content like Ramster does, rather successfully - and it doesn't require monthly STD exams. Preacher, who is a complete homo - not that there's anything wrong with that - owns CumHungry Pornstars and he didn't have to screw a single one of them (which is good because he's like SOOOOO gay).

too fucking true. especially the ones that escort on the side, they will blow you off to go do another job all the while insisting they are "on their way over, will be there in a half hour", not worried about the fact that they are wasting your entire day.

Both good points UW and BB.I started this thread simply because I didn't see the advantage of running a pay site as opposed to working with sponsors.I must admit,I like the direction this thread is taking though.Ipapagmp's cost breakdown post alone is a great reference for any one thinking about setting up a their own site.Even though I don't have any serious plans at this point,this thread at least got the creative gears in my drugged out delusional mind turning a bit.|juggle|

ROTFLMAO and crying at the same time. I should post the text messages here - you would be amazed at the shit they come up with.....

Seven of the last eight scheduled shoots were "no-shows" - I ran into two of the girls tonight - one was full of excuses and the other one is scheduled for tomorrow at four. Only time will tell.....

Interesting part is that on the one shoot that went off as scheduled one of the girls showed up with her "bouncer" - guess she didn't have any better calls that day. Actually, she is one of the few girl that has always been there as scheduled.

It was a great shoot - FFMM orgy with two of my old regulars (Tasha and Diva) and a guy that has worked for Kink (Men in Pain) and is going to do some work with Vivid next month. It was a little weird for him to not be tied up..... but it was awesome to work with a gut that can get it up and finish on time. And anyone that's ever worked in a hottub scene knows what 104 degree water can do to a hard dick.

Expect to see this one on Real Colorado Girls soon... and no, I don't let anyone tie me up - especially Tasha!

Soooooo true. The girls at the county health department know me pretty darn well - and none of them are cute.

And if Preacher is really SOOOOO gay, then at least he's faithful to you - cuz try as I might, I couldn't get him up to my room in Vegas - and I even spend a shitlaod on a nice dinner and drinks -- and all I got to do was kiss his sexy bald head - I think he's just a frickin tease....

Its amazing how some talent have absolutely no consideration for other peoples time. If they really want to ditch our gig and do something else, i'd much rather them just say that then feed the typical 'oh i'm on my way' bullshit. At least tell me you aren't coming so I can move on and do something else.

We had a week last month where 4 out of the 6 scheduled talent flaked completely.

No problem - As I think back, if someone had told me what I know now, I would have done a lot of things differently - hindsight is always 20-20 and no question is a stupid question IMO.

Come on, admit it already, YOU love what Tasha does to men when she ties them up. |ohhhhh|

Sure - as long as it's YOU that's tied up :D

I'll have her bring the BIG strap-on for you.........

I guess it takes a special kind of person to work in production. Could have never done it myself. Don't you ever get bored from seeing/having sex with so many strange women? Especially when they're teenagers, bleh. If I had to spend so much time with teenagers, I'd be selling the business asap. Amazing to see all of the guys drooling over this thread, when personally, you'll have to pay me heaps of money to be on the production side of any pornsite, even a gay hunks site:D

Now come on Tigermom - we've had this conversation before .......


You want the short answer?






NO!










Especially BECAUSE they are teenagers |headbang|

I know about you, darling. I was wondering about the other people posting to the thread.