Is bondage/bdsm a fetish...?

[Simon]

BDSM is a mixture of Bondage/Discipline Dominance/submission Sadism/masochism.

Bondage is just what you'd think it is.

For some, there is a "bdsm lifestyle" lived by those in the Scene (capitalized to show it's not a scene, which is used to refer to a bdsm session). For others, their interest is more in the fetishes related to bdsm-related activities and the clothing and situations. And there are the 'weekenders' who enjoy playing but have no interest in living a lifestyle centered on bdsm.

Almost anything can be a fetish for someone, including simply looking at bdsm and fetish photos and movies.

Figuring out how to sell to the different segments of these markets is the tricky part since they do not react to the same things in the same ways.

For example, a real bondage enthusiast will know if those knots would actually hold someone, or if that suspension rig could safely support her weight under stress.

And the hardcore bondage lover usually won't be moved by images of pretty models artistically bound, since they know that bondage doesn't actually begin until someone wants to be released and isn't.

It's kind of like marketing gay paysites if you're not gay yourself. There are a lot of things that aren't really obvious unless you're involved, but over time you can learn most of what you need to know to make sales.

HTH

[InfoGuy]

Originally Posted by Simon

And the hardcore bondage lover usually won't be moved by images of pretty models artistically bound, since they know that bondage doesn't actually begin until someone wants to be released and isn't.

Wouldn't that cross over beyond sex between consenting adults?

[Simon]

Originally Posted by InfoGuy

Wouldn't that cross over beyond sex between consenting adults

Depends who you ask, and depends who does the asking.
And it really depends on which sub-culture those people belong to.

Consensual non-consent (CNC) is very important to some people, and my point is that trying to sell porn membership to them requires specific imagery that's different from that which appeals to bondage as art fans.

[Useless]

Originally Posted by Simon

And the hardcore bondage lover usually won't be moved by images of pretty models artistically bound, since they know that bondage doesn't actually begin until someone wants to be released and isn't.

This makes more and more sense to me. No matter one's kink, there are always those who can survive happily role playing or fantasizing - then there are those, the hardcore folk, who cannot be satisfied with playing dress-up, they must walk to the edge, look back at you, then leap. I'm sure the majority could not understand how anyone could derive enjoyment from being bound or beaten or screwed (or all simultaneously) after one has been pushed outside the bounds of comfortability, both physically and emotionally, but the sexual mind never ceases to amaze. What may seem horribly dysfunctional to many, is right as rain to others.