Modern day cam models are more than just performers who get paid to look pretty in front of the camera. They are business-savvy entrepreneurs, content creators, influencers, media moguls and so much more. In order to run these businesses successfully, however, it is important to build a strong personal brand that resonates with your consumer base. Social media is the best tool to help you accomplish that, so here are a few tricks you can use to start building your personal brand right now.
Avoid the Ban Hammer
While it’s imperative to engage your followers, it’s equally important to engage your fellow models.
Social media can be tricky because it is not always adult-friendly, but you can make it work as long as you know how to navigate the waters. Before you do anything, familiarize yourself with each platform’s Terms of Service so you know what is allowed and what is not. It is a huge bummer to put so much effort into growing your follower base, only to get your account suspended or even banned because you posted a photo or video that was reported by some hater with nothing better to do than flag your content. Also, keep in mind that the rules are constantly changing, so review them often to be sure you are always in compliance. At Cams.com, we review the terms of every major platform weekly just to make sure we avoid any unpleasant surprises. It is a lot of work, but worth it in the long run.
Make a Strong First Impression
If you want to build your brand, you need to attract a solid following. Your first line of defense in this game is a killer profile photo. This is often the first thing people notice when they check out your social media profiles, and it is the only image they see when you comment on other posts. Choose a high resolution, well-lit photo that showcases your personality and makes people want to see more. Do not be afraid to show some skin, but also keep in mind that even platforms that allow nudity like Twitter do not allow it in profile photos and banner art. So in other words, keep it sexy, but keep it PG-13.
Get Featured
An easy way to get new followers (and traffic) fast is to get featured on your platform’s social media accounts. Most cam sites have large social media followings and often promote their models, so reach out to your site’s social media team and find out how to be featured. Often times all they need is a few high resolution photos you can snap in good lighting with your smart phone. Be sure to give them your social media information too though so their followers know where to find you.
Post Often
Most social media algorithms reward those who post often, so make sure you post daily as that will help bump you up in search results. It may sound daunting, but your fans want to connect with you on a deeper level, so let them know what you’re doing, thinking, eating, etc. Post pictures of yourself at events, promote your appearances at shows or even just show yourself relaxing on a day off. And don’t forget to utilize your Instastories! This may seem like an obvious one to some, but I have a lot of clients who have no idea how important this is, then all of a sudden see a significant jump in their follower count the second they start posting to their Instastories daily. It doesn’t even have to be anything special — just a quick Boomerang of the outfit you’re wearing on cam that day is enough to get fans excited.
Scheduling Tools Are Your BFF
If you are planning a vacation or just need a break from social media, use scheduling tools like Hootsuite to pre-schedule your posts in advance. The free version of Hootsuite is great because you can schedule up to 30 social media posts in advance across platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Wordpress and more. This will help keep your fans engaged so they’re constantly thinking of you, and more importantly, thinking about spending money on you. This is your best bet when it comes to making sales on extras like custom videos, panties and other offline features. Always keep them thirsty for more so you’re constantly making money, even while you are away.
Engage With Followers and Fellow Models
Engage your followers with contests when you hit certain milestones to increase engagement with your posts. For example, if you hit 10k followers on Instagram, celebrate by hosting a giveaway in which the winner receives a free custom video. In the rules, indicate that in order to enter, followers must “like” your last five posts, as well as follow you on Instagram, Twitter and your webcam platform. This will help your engagement numbers go up and drive more traffic to your room. It’s a win, win.
While it’s imperative to engage your followers, it’s equally important to engage your fellow models. Follow their accounts, comment on their photos and reply to their tweets. Not only will this make you more visible to their fan bases, but you’ll make some great, mutually beneficial friendships. Many models cross promote each other often and benefit from each other’s followers. Plus, it’s great to have support from people who understand your daily struggles and successes in the camming world.
Be Yourself
It may sound cliché, but your fans are there because they love you, so don’t forget to be yourself. It can be really tempting to “stunt for the gram” as the kids say these days, and while posing with flawless makeup and designer labels will get you likes, it’s far more important to be genuine. After all, what you are selling is far more precious than diamonds or a Louis Vuitton bag. What you are selling is quality time with yourself. Have fun, and we’ll see you in the next issue!
Jackie Backman is the Content Manager for Cams.com. She has been working in the industry for over 12 years and specializes in copywriting and social media management. If you would like to contact Jackie, she can be reached at CamsJBackman@gmail.com.