Work from home, set your schedule, be independent.

What do you need to get started camming?

1. A government issued photo ID. This can be a drivers license, passport, or state ID.
2. High speed internet connection for streaming or uploading content.
3. Equipment for streaming or recording content.
4. A private area to film, stream, and work.
5. Legal information for tax reporting purposes.

Can I really earn thousands of dollars as a camgirl? 

This depends on a large number of things. You get as much out of camming as you put in. Models that spend more time on cam will make more than models that only work part time. Looks and age can have a great effect on earnings, but it’s not the only thing that matters. Camming is a very social industry and models with great personalities will have greater earning potential. As you spend more time camming, you’ll learn more about how to get tips out of your chat room and build up your regular fans and tippers. Getting regulars and treating them well is a huge part of everything and this is how you’ll end up earning big.

Which webcam site is the best? 

“What camming website is best?” is a question we receive a lot. There is no “best” network. A lot of networks offer different features and some appeal to different geographics. One could determine that the best network is the network that receives the most traffic. Or maybe it’s the network with the highest payouts. As you can see, even determining what attributes make a network “the best” is open to interpretation. Compare the various networks and decided which one you want to cam for.

How often do I have to cam? How long should I cam?

Camming models are not required to work any set schedule or specified hours per week. You set your own schedule. Of course, the more time and effort you put into camming, the more money you’ll get out of it. Models that spend more time on camera will usually end up earning more money per month and will have a better chance at establishing an active following. The more consistent a model is with the time they get online, length of streams, and the specific days they stream will result in a more consistent fanbase! 

You can make money from more than camming!

You can also make money selling clips and galleries. Producing and selling adult content is great, as it creates a residual income of sorts. As long as the clips are available for purchase, the content has the potential to generate sales and revenue. There’s also tons of different ways to monetize the content as well. Clip sites, VOD, pay sites, subscription services, teaser content on tube sites, the list goes on.

Is anyone eligible to work as a webcam model or adult content creator/pornstar? 

Absolutely! The independent adult industry is very inclusive of all individuals. There are opportunities for everyone to get started within the adult industry as a webcam model, content creator, phone sex operator, or other vertical regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, physical appearance, health, etc. 

Should I work with a studio or agency to get started as webcam model, OnlyFans performer, or adult creator? 

A studio is a company that’s partnered with one or multiple adult networks. Studios or agencies help models with their marketing, give consultation and provide other forms of support. Many studios have a physical location where models can perform from and utilize their equipment but there are also digital studios that work with models to provide support. Physical studios are a great convenience for models that don’t have access to camming equipment or potentially can’t cam from their home. If the camming or adult video industry confuses you and you feel that you need help learning the ropes and promoting your shows, a studio or an agency might be the right route to take but it is important to read over any contracts you sign and ensure you can leave at any time or that you’re comfortable with the terms. If you feel you’ve got a handle on things or don’t mind doing your own research then being an independent model might be better. Studios take a percentage of profits, so if you can do everything as an independent model, that will leave bigger payouts for you.

1. Get the required equipment and tools

If you don’t already have all the required equipment, that’s the first step. You’ll need a webcam, high-speed internet, computer and a place to perform. An HD webcam is highly preferred and you’ll make more money with it. If you don’t have all the required equipment, you can still offer other services like phone sex!

2. Pick your stage name

Before you signup for a camming site, you need to choose your stage name. This is what you’re going to be going by on the camming site, social media and everywhere else. This is your “adult persona”. It’s suggested to take some time to pick the perfect name. It’s possible to change this later, but rebranding is tough and it’s best to get it right the 1st time.

3. Decide which site you’ll cam on

The first step is to signup for a camming site. There’s tons of different sites to choose from and each site has different features and functionality. There’s no “best camming site”, as all of them are unique in their own way. We compare token sites to private sites later in this guide.

4. Get verified on your preferred cam site

The next step is to get verified. All sites will require that their models get verified before performing. This is to ensure that everyone is over the age of eighteen, which is required by law. You’ll need a digital copy of photo ID for this process. You’ll also have to provide a W9 and provide all the information to receive payouts.

5. Fill out your profile and details

Now that you’re registered and verified, it’s time to fill out your profile. Having a complete profile is very important, as it helps potential customers find you on the site. Some sites have more basic profiles, while others are more customizable. Also make sure to use a sexy profile photo, as that’ll attract potential customers who are browsing models.

6. Start broadcasting and earning money

Now that you’re signed up, verified and your profile is complete, it’s time to fire up the webcam and start performing! Most sites offer bonus exposure for brand new models, so make sure to take advantage of it! Nervous for your first stream? Check out our advice for brand new models doing their first live stream. 

Can I make money if I’m a man or if I’m trans?

There is a place for everyone in the adult industry and male cam performers and trans performers have the advantage of still being an undersaturated market – meaning there is less “model competition” so it is easier to climb the ranks on websites within the male and trans categories!

Can I make money if I’m “fat” or not “conventionally hot?”

You do not need to look any specific way to make money in the amateur porn industry! Some of the top categories across cam and clip selling sites are things like BBW, Alternative, All Natural, and more! Customers in the porn industry have specific niches that they love and just because it’s not “conventionally attractive” does not mean it won’t be profitable in porn!

What are my first steps to start as a camgirl?

If you’re looking to get started camming you’ll first have to find the site that works for you. If you are a brand new model, you’ll probably want to pick a website that offers a good amount of traffic as well as an easy model management experience! If you’ve been in the industry a while and you’re looking to expand to new sites, you’ll probably want a camming website with a good referral program as well as customization and personalization options to really capture your brand.

What website should I use?

There are 3 “basic types” of camming! Token sites, private sites, and indie camming. Token sites are similar to crowdfunding and allow the performer to put on a public show in “free chat” (sometimes referred to as freemium) where customers tip in towards a goal or game which the model will perform once the goal has been met. Private sites focus more on one-on-one style shows where you’re entertaining one customer or a smaller group of customers that are generally paying for your time on a per-minute basis. Indie camming refers to offering video chats off of a platform, like Skype shows, Snapchat video calls, Discord, Facetime or other forms of video chatting. There are websites set up as a directory that display performers offering indie shows where you can get listed and take payments! The best way to find a website that works for you is through testing them out. We have a list of websites you can try out that are hiring webcam models. 

Is premium Snapchat still a thing?

You can sell access to a Snapchat account but it is against the Snapchat terms of service so you risk having your account closed down for breaking their rules. We highly recommend looking into a fanclub service instead, where you can post your nudes without censorship and the website will also handle payment processing for you so you won’t be at risk of chargebacks like you would be with payment services like CashApp or PayPal.

What kind of webcam should I use?

Your webcam is an important item for getting started as a camgirl or adult webcam performer. There are a lot of options for webcams that offer a plethora of customization and beauty options but for beginners just getting started we recommend the Logitech c920 as it’s the “industry standard” and is easy to use and set up. 

How do I sell panties, socks, or clothing items?

If you’d like to sell tangible items like panties, bras, socks, shoes, etc. then you’ll need to find a place to sell these items with an adult friendly storefront option. You’ll also need to decide if you want a site that has it’s own built in traffic or if you’ll direct people there for a higher percentage. Our recommendation for selling tangible items is the storefront feature on ManyVids! 

Is showing my face required to become a pornstar?

Some websites require that you show your face but others will allow you to wear a mask or not show your face, it’s all about which website in particular you decide to select! Make sure to read the terms of service on every website you consider signing up for.

Can I stream with a guest, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc?

Yes, many website allow couples or group streams. The only requirement is typically that the guest performer is approved to stream or be featured in content on your account by doing ID verification. Some websites even allow you to connect your accounts that are already active to make collaboration easier!

What happens if someone records and publishes my cam shows?

If someone records your shows without your permission and posts them online for free or for profit, we highly recommend getting DMCA service coverage. These companies will help get your stolen content removed from the internet. We highly recommend checking out BranditScan for your DMCA needs, they can even get catfish accounts taken down!