Industry Trends

[johnnybg]

For a long time I wanted to share my thoughts about industry trends, and to try to find the direction in which I should proceed with my business.

I hope that you'll bear with me in this. I don't want to step on any toes, and I don't want any flaming contests. I would much appreciate your comments - I want to learn from your experience.

1. Too much free porn
OK, this was discussed in length on many boards. I think that there IS too much free stuff available, and that's our fault - we give away hundreds of free sites and galleries daily. The TGP2 movement tried to rectify this but it wasn't accepted by big players. That's understandable - why give up something that works for them? I wouldn't.

The question is - is there any way to make a cut and to suit all sides of the equation?

I mean, common business logic dictates that when there is shortage the prices go up. If we manage somehow to cut free stuff, then prices would go up on paysites? Right? Since number of horny surfers goes up exponentially, as new surfers come, just by keeping free stuff at current level would be enough.

2. Too much sponsors
Well, affiliate programs surface almost daily. While this is no problem for affiliates who get more options and quality, this is a problem for program owners. Maybe program owners could speak of their problems? I am just an affiliate, so I can't see the whole picture.

The thing is that sponors are routinely offering free stuff themselves, and some of them probably just because everyone and their mothers do the same. Obviously, that increases the total of free stuff.

3. P2P
This thing got out of control. There is vast amount of porn downloadable for free on P2P networks. I believe that there isn't single adult DVD that couldn't be downloaded for free. Also, paysite rips are also available, with delay of week or two.

What can we do about it? I can't think of anything.

4. Slow development
I think that somehow, this extremely dynamic market is not followed by development of marketing techniques. It looks like webmasters are stuck with horizontal banners and that "CLICK HERE NOW" is the state-of-the-art copywriting. Is it really enough to put tits and ass up front and it will sell by itself? I know it was the case several years ago. The thing I know is that the same TGP gallery with 10 sales in 1999 wouldn't sell shit today.

TGPs and Link Lists list almost the same stuff as decade ago (except for movies). Only new development are Blogs. Is there any other form available for us? I run paysite reviews site, and there are plenty of others doing the same thing.


So to get back to eternal question: how to minimize free stuff and maximize selling?