Feeling confident on cam and off cam is very important, especially with the ups and downs of this career that can take up a lot of your personal time. And there’s no shortage of stressful situations draining that confidence, whether you’re living a double life by keeping what you do from family and friends, dealing with bullying from viewers and even other models at times, striving to accept the bad days along with the good ones or learning how not to let objectification overtake the way you see yourself. At times, it’s easier said than done, but staying strong, continuing to be proud of who you are and keeping your self-esteem is essential to your success in the camming industry.
MUSTERING THE CONFIDENCE TO GET ON CAM
At times, it’s easier said than done, but staying strong, continuing to be proud of who you are and keeping your self-esteem is essential to your success in the camming industry.
Without confidence, it would be hard to get in front of the camera. Investing hours alone in front of a webcam, interacting with new people and so on takes grit! While some folks seem like total naturals, at the end of the day it can be a little awkward for anyone to sit in front of a webcam, especially if a room is quiet. Mustering up the confidence to be in front of strangers can be a daunting task, and it’s important to realize you’re not alone in finding it a challenge.
PLANNING OUT YOUR SHOW
Planning is a great way to stay on top of things and stay confident about camming. You should plan out your shows daily, weekly and monthly. Some plans fall through and don’t go as planned, but don’t let that affect your confidence. Consistently camming at the same times each week and posting your schedule so that others know when you’re online will help get more viewers into your room and keep your shows’ energy high and exciting.
WEARING OUTFITS THAT BUILD CONFIDENCE
Confidence is all about feeling great, so looking good and feeling good go hand in hand. You should have five to 10 outfits you love to cam in. Don’t make the mistake of wearing sweats or not putting in effort when it comes to how you look (though an off day or couch-and-Netflix day is totally okay now and then). Most of the time, though, since you’re putting on a show, you’ll want to be dressed accordingly to get positive feedback from viewers (and to look in the mirror and be like, “Damn, I clean up nicely”). Also, having cute outfits is a great way to motivate viewers to look through your wish list and help you buy more outfits you love. Remember to constantly update and add to your wish list.
GETTING READY BEFORE SHOWTIME
Makeup and hair go hand in hand with confidence and planning. Figure out how long it takes you to get ready for cam and make sure to plan so you can be ready for your scheduled time. You don’t want viewers to come into an empty room because you aren’t ready when promised, and if you are running behind, well, why not invite fans to watch you get ready like voyeurs? The process can be part of the performance as well, after all.
HAVING SNACKS AND DRINKS NEARBY
This piece of advice may seem like common sense, but drinking lots of water (or Red Bull on a marathon camming sesh), as well as having some handy-dandy snacks within reach, can help you stay hydrated, energized and less fatigued. Plus, staying hydrated has a huge positive effect on your skin, mood and energy levels. When you need an extra boost of energy without the crash, water is the way to go, so consider getting yourself a reusable bottle. Make sure it’s always full, but not because you aren’t drinking it!
IGNORE TROLLS AND HATERS
There will always be haters and individuals that spew negativity, and all you can do is press “ban” and ignore it. It’s completely unavoidable and you can’t let it get you down. Celebrities always have people trying to bring them down, but you know your worth and that you are amazing, so shrug it off and move on. Remember, behind every successful person lies a pack of haters.
If you are completely new to camming, you’ll realize that it’s a great feeling when you get a visitor or two in your room; at the end of the day, they click because they find something attractive about your broadcast. A lot of cam models I have come across have stated that camming has built their everyday confidence a lot! Constantly seeing yourself on screen helps you keep in mind that your presence is really brightening someone’s day and making them feel good!
Vicki Gray is a CAM4 account manager who can be followed @VickiGrayxxx on Twitter. To learn more about CAM4 and the many perks of being a cam model on the award-winning platform, contact Vicki@CAM4.com.