LOS ANGELES — With traditional studio shoots on hold for the foreseeable future as the coronavirus pandemic unfolds, adult models have rapidly switched to self-produced content to earn a living — and stave off cabin fever. As a result, an established performer-producer like Austin Wolf is suddenly a sizzling hot commodity in an entirely new way.
A regular XBIZ Awards nominee for Gay Performer of the Year, Wolf deftly covers the bases as an A-list content creator and also a highly bankable model for studio-shot content as a CockyBoys exclusive (his emotional acceptance speech for Most Popular Gay Performer was a highlight of last year’s Pornhub Awards).
Although a veteran performer with a lauded filmography, Wolf cemented his stardom in recent years as a dazzlingly prolific content creator. A content trade with the superhero-handsome, musclebound stud is virtually guaranteed to apply rocket fuel to sign-ups, tips and renewals (think of the phenomenon as the gay clips version of Oprah’s Book Club).
Wolf has parlayed his prominence into the launch of his own clips platform, 4My.fans, which marks its third anniversary next month.
The concept was to provide “a more advanced option to existing platforms,” he told XBIZ, with a twofold mission: to be “more enjoyable for the viewer, and offer more options for the performer. 4My.fans is the highest percentage to the model, gay-owned, fan content portal available.”
Over the past several months, as “stay-at-home” orders in response to the coronavirus pandemic began to take effect, business and traffic has increased “significantly,” he revealed, “from new models to new fans, we are very excited to welcome them all.”
Wolf is particularly intrigued by the newcomers now utilizing the platform.
“We are capturing the interest of amateurs who are new to the industry. What’s been noticeable to our team is the approach to sexual freedom in this current, budding generation,” he said. “They’re fun!”
A marketing plan that kicked off at the end of 2019 — as the teaser to a pending site upgrade, with an eye towards international expansion — is still in effect, even as his tech and marketing teams keep a wary eye on the headlines.
“We are staying the course,” Wolf said.
“I really enjoy what I do and the awesome people that I get the pleasure to do it with, so creating content often surpasses my ability to release all of it,” he said. “Let’s just say, there are a lot of adventures and in-the-moment situations yet to be seen by my best-in-the-game fans.”
Nevertheless, Wolf had to think quickly when lockdown orders were issued and admits a frustration with his inability to be publicly visible and interact with his fans.
The lockdown also “brought to a complete stop my ability to go the gym,” said Wolf, “so I am combining the two things together and interacting with my fans via social media with some intense workouts.”
A brief period of membership volatility has now stabilized. “But I am, however, noticing an increase in tips and more comments and DM’s from those fans sharing details about what they like about my performance,” he observed. “My recipe has proven successful, so I am sticking to the program that my fans expect, appreciate and return for."
Wolf urged content creators, particularly newcomers to the business, to become fully versed in the practical realities of running their business, which includes regular fan engagement.
“Now, more than ever, you must think of what you do as a business and apply basic business principles to how you operate,” he advised. “Know the details of the financials, the percentages, and what your options are."
However, "the fans are the absolute most important and valuable factor," he said. "Never take them for granted and engage them, perform for them and ensure you’re both having fun.”
Visit 4My.fans online and on Twitter.
Follow Wolf’s Twitter profile here.
Image: Tony Valadez