opinion

Once Bitten, Twice Shy...

So you want us to give you some work? It's not an uncommon request; every day folks old and new hit the boards offering their services in hopes of drumming up some business.

For many it's a "win-win" situation where operations without adequate staffing can provide for their immediate needs while contractors such as independent designers, programmers, webmasters and others seek to augment their income and perhaps secure a more permanent position (if that's their goal).

For some, however, the whole process is nothing more than an open invitation to disappointment, and in some cases, fraud or theft.

This article grew out of a message thread that I started last week on the XBiz message boards, and judging from the responses, I hit a cord with many readers; so I thought that this would be a great opportunity to give my little rant more exposure.

Does this sound familiar? You come to the boards and claim to be eager for work. You are hard-working and need a break – you just need a chance to show your skills – skills which you've demonstrated by posting examples or dropping names for use as references.

Ok, so we bite. We have been new too. We chat with you and then offer you some small work to help you out. This was easy for both of us and should be a "win-win" situation that leaves us on schedule and you with some money in your pocket.

But, you don't work, or the work does not match your examples. You make excuses for not working, or for not getting the work done on time. You stop coming to the board and then you stop showing up online entirely. The work is not completed and you are gone – sometimes, taking any up-front payments with you...

Maybe we haven't paid you yet, but it still costs us something. See, we work, and if we give you a job, it is because we are also working too. We have a timeline to get the work done and your job is part of our work. We are relying on you to complete the task for us – and if you don't, we're screwed.

Time is money and you are wasting our time. So now you don't have to worry about deadlines or meeting our expectations (based on the samples you've shown) because we now have someone else doing the job that you claimed to be so eager to do.

If you ever wanted to know why most experienced people in this industry don't want to cut newbies any slack, now you know. Once bitten, twice shy...

If you really want to get some work in this biz, then participate in the community. Post and reply to message threads, participate in the contests (such as the X-Desk contest run on XBiz' "Design Station" forum – the perfect opportunity for designers and other artists to show off their skills), and get involved in welcoming newcomers.

I must admit that I wrote this because I am annoyed, but I am sure that some good may come from it. If you're new to the biz and looking for a chance to make some money from your skills, be sure to do it the right way: deliver what you promise!

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

The SCREEN Test: How to Prepare for Federal Age Verification

For those who are counting, there are now 20 enacted state laws in the United States requiring age verification for viewing online adult content, plus numerous proposed laws in the works. This ongoing barrage has been exhausting for many in the adult industry — and it may be about to escalate in the form of a potential new AV law, this time at the federal level.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

How to Master Team Dynamics for Business Success

Having the right team in place is everything. Whether getting a startup off the ground and thriving, or safeguarding an established company, the right — or wrong — people can mean the difference between a successful venture and a failed dream.

Juicy Jay ·
opinion

Eight Steps to Fast-Track AI Site Approval for Processing

Artificial intelligence is a hot topic these days. AI technology is speeding up the way we do business across all industries and offers numerous benefits, from automating processes to increasing efficiency and scalability.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

How to Secure High-Risk Transactions With Network Tokenization

Ensuring the security of data as it moves through digital channels is the foundation of safe transactions, and crucial for your success. If your business can’t secure transactions, you’re exposed to myriad processing traumas.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

WIA Profile: Reba Rocket

As chief operating officer and chief marketing officer of Takedown Piracy, long at the forefront of intellectual property protection in adult entertainment, Rocket is dedicated to safeguarding the livelihoods of content creators and producers while fostering a more ethical and sustainable industry.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

Protecting Content Ownership Rights When Using AI

In today’s digital age, content producers have more tools at their disposal than ever before. Among these tools, artificial intelligence (AI) content generation has emerged as a game changer, enabling creators to produce high-quality content quickly and efficiently.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

How Payment Orchestration Can Help Your Business

An emerging payment solution is making waves in the merchant world: the payment orchestration platform (POP). It’s quickly gaining traction as a powerful tool for managing online payments — but questions abound.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Fine-Tuning Refund and Cancellation Policies

For adult websites, managing refunds and cancellations isn’t just about customer service. It’s a crucial factor in maintaining compliance with the regulations of payment processors and payment networks such as Visa and Mastercard.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

WIA Profile: Laurel Bencomo

Born in Cambridge, England but raised in Spain, Laurel Bencomo initially chose to study business at the University of Barcelona simply because it felt familiar — both of her parents are entrepreneurs. She went on to earn a master’s degree in sales and marketing management at the EADA Business School, while working in events for a group of restaurants in Barcelona.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Gregory Dorcel on Building Upon His Brand's Signature Legacy

“Whether reflected in the storyline or the cast or even the locations, the entertainment we deliver is based on fantasy,” he elaborates. “Our business is not, and never has been, reality. People who are buying our content aren’t expecting reality, or direct contact with stars like you can have with OnlyFans,” he says.

Jeff Dana ·
Show More