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Through out life you have no doubt heard the saying, “It’s now what you know but who you know” and that really is just as true in the porn business as with anything else. So how can you get to know others in this business? Simple, you network by visiting webmaster hot spots and these include message boards like Sponsor Chat dedicated specifically to getting to know your fellow adult webmasters or going to adult conventions. Each year the big one is held in Las Vegas every January. The show is called the Adult Entertainment Expo and if nothing else, you need to try and attend at least one of these shows during your career, for the experience. They have some seminars but they are pretty much worthless because the data is so slanted towards whatever company is hosting the event but at the booths you can often find some really good deals on products like legal content, SEO services, web hosting, website design, etc. At these shows these companies setup booths with the purpose of giving special deals, so take advantage of them!
Now adult shows aside, which aren’t always the most cost effective way to network, you need to find a message board to hang out on that isn’t full of drama or problems. I personally prefer Sponsor Chat because the people are really nice, helpful and most importantly, you rarely if ever find any of the drama or issues that tend to come up at most webmaster message boards. GFY is a good example of a webmaster board with great potential that just sucks because of all the drama and immaturity.
The point of an adult message board is to find other people in your similar situation and learn from them and maybe help each other out. I’ve made some great work buddies on these boards and over the years those buddies have really come through for me when I needed extra traffic for a promotion or needed some advice on a design.
So let’s say you find a board you like, you should always remember that you don’t get a 2nd chance to make a first impression so avoid being negative at all costs, no matter how tempting it is to do otherwise. If someone else is being rude, just ignore it and move on.
Made relevant posts. Don’t just spam your URL. Get involved in the conversations. Get to know others and chat back and forth about things they have posted. If they have a question you know the answer to, then post a reply with the answer to their question.
Whatever you do, don’t be a spammer. Put the name of your website and a link to it in your signature and then leave it at that. Just by the very nature of participating within the community, you will be promoting your website.
Follow these simple steps and before long you’ll be making great connections and deals that could really help your business.
