educational

A Newbie Jumps in the Mix: 4

So I had identified a problem and began exploring possible solutions. I also identified some other things. I knew to not try and reinvent the wheel. I knew that the solution was simple. That it would probably be a combination of ideas and tools that had already been tested and proven elsewhere. And I knew that this elegant solution eluded me. In light of my new goal to be myself at all times, including admitting publicly that I have a healthy appetite for porn, I had decided to start talking with people about my plans to break into this industry.

I had no problem breaking out the porn in the bedroom and the girls I have dated have always dug it too. But I had never talked about it publicly or practically for that matter. But I decided to let the pussycat out of the bag with a buddy of mine. Chat about it like we were talking sports. Funny thing happened that day. I wasn’t branded as a pervert. Well, not a bad pervert anyway. My friend even said he enjoyed porn too. What ensued was an open, honest, and funny conversation about it.

After a while, I brought up my thoughts on entering the business somehow and the conversation turned to discussing the ways I might break into the business. Passing the dutchie down the left-hand side, I ran an idea for a niche site by him. What about a site devoted to people getting even with their significant other by fucking their nemesis? The name was going to be grudgepump. He laughed and thought it was a cool idea so we started brainstorming who would fuck who and the conversation turned to how we would market it.

I have always dug the concept of viral marketing, even since the days it was called word of mouth and mentioned how cool it would be if we could get our customers to market it for us. Carry the message on a T-shirt or something. Well, my buddy runs a printing shop, in addition to digging porn, and he went and dug out of the closet a T-shirt he had printed with his favorite picture of Christy Canyon. It floored me. It was the coolest T-shirt I had ever seen. But more importantly, seeing that T-shirt made me realize what I really wanted to do. It was not producing content for a site like grudgepump. It was selling it. Or more specifically, showing the entire industry new ways to sell and make money. Bingo. Jackpot. Eureka.

Finally, the solution to the problem came to me. There are traditional marketing tools and concepts that have been proven to increase revenues that have yet to be fully embraced by the online adult entertainment industry. In particular, promotional marketing which has been used effectively for decades. Not only that, but I had employed promotional marketing tactics effectively in the past to increase revenues, conversions, and retention for mainstream Internet businesses. So I know a thing or two about it. In fact, I know a lot about it.

Not only that, but the more I thought about it, the more benefits to the industry I saw. Promotional marketing could help balance out marketing efforts that focused primarily on traffic, for instance. What if adult websites started throwing in a free mouse pad or T-shirt with a subscription? Would that increase conversions? It does in the mainstream, why wouldn’t it here? Not only that, but promotional merchandise can become a new revenue stream itself. While there are a million places to show how promo gear can turn into saleable merchandise, it is nowhere more apparent than with Rock and Roll, NASCAR, and Hollywood. Promotional merchandise has become a primary profit center in and of itself. Fans snatch up all the gear they can.

While I wasn’t around back then, I imagine that the first concert T-shirt or two met with controversy. Now it’s a multi-billion dollar industry in and of itself. Hollywood doesn’t just release a movie anymore. Custom merchandise is right there to not only help the movie do better, but add significant revenue to the bottom line. Many times doubling or tripling bottom line revenue. How about sports? You better not show-up to that tailgater with the opposing team’s colors on. Pabst Blue Ribbon promotional swag commands a premium on Ebay.

Not only that, do you know what one of the greatest moments in swag history is? It was 1951 and John Baumgarth created a calendar featuring a nude photo of a young and unknown Marilyn Monroe, with the words Your Advertisement Here underneath. It became one of the most sought-after pieces of schwag ever. A nude calendar in 1951.

And when I looked around, I noticed that there are few online adult businesses embracing promotional merchandise as a conversion and retention tool and an additional revenue stream beyond their main revenue stream. Why not combine my sales, e-commerce, marketing, and promotion experience with my affinity for adult entertainment and love of the Internet into a brand new way for this industry to make more money? Why not indeed.

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