opinion

Shaping Your Brand Narrative for Mainstream Media

Shaping Your Brand Narrative for Mainstream Media

For adult creators seeking to navigate interviews and other media interactions with confidence, media training is essential. Whether it’s a live or studio recording, or an interview for a print publication, media training ensures that you are well equipped and appropriately prepared for opportunities that come your way.

While you can never predict exactly what questions will be asked or how a particular journalist or host will conduct themselves, the following seven tips can help empower you with a sense of readiness and confidence when handling diverse media scenarios.

By articulating your boundaries proactively, you maintain control over the narrative and contribute to a more focused and respectful level of engagement.

Do Your Research

Before committing to any press or public speaking opportunity, the first crucial step is to familiarize yourself with the outlet that has extended an invitation to you. Learn every detail you can about the specific show, publication or writer you will be interacting with. What is their style? What are their preferences?

For instance, if you are participating in an open conversation on a live show, aim to determine the expected duration of the discussion. Are the hosts known for cutting guests off, or do they appreciate more expansive responses? Consider the tone of the show as well. Is it lighthearted or more inclined toward a heavy-hitting style?

This preliminary research not only helps you assess whether to accept the opportunity, but also will ensure a smoother and more effective interaction during the interview.

Communicate Your Boundaries

Establishing clear expectations and boundaries in advance is paramount for a seamless and controlled interview or speaking experience.

In the natural flow of conversation, trust can develop between you and the host, leading to discussions that may touch upon various aspects of your life. However, it’s essential to preemptively define limits and communicate them beforehand.

If there are specific areas, topics or details that you prefer not to delve into, inform the host or show producer early on to confirm that these subjects will remain off the table. By articulating your boundaries proactively, you maintain control over the narrative and contribute to a more focused and respectful level of engagement.

Practice Your Intro

Crafting your own introduction is a pivotal aspect of media preparation. While hosts often provide brief and concise introductions based on cursory online searches, what they come up with may not align with how you wish to be portrayed.

Take control of your narrative by supplying an introduction that works best for you. Whether it’s a succinct elevator pitch, a tagline or specific points you want to emphasize, define the key elements that accurately represent your identity and brand.

Ask yourself, “What do I want to be known for?” and ensure that your introduction reflects these points. This allows you to speak your desired narrative into reality and leave a lasting impression on the audience.

Know What You Want to Plug

Equally important in your media preparation is being ready to seamlessly plug an exciting project or venture.

This is about more than just promoting your career! Whether it’s a recently wrapped production, an ongoing project or an upcoming endeavor, sharing your news gives you something to talk about and keeps the conversation engaging. A good host or interviewer will often prompt you to share these updates and alert the audience about what they can look forward to from you.

Remember, it doesn’t have to be something grand. New and compelling content, a series of exciting livestreams or any project that genuinely excites you are all worth sharing. Just make sure to have your links, social media handles and contact information ready, so viewers or listeners can easily connect with you and stay updated on your latest endeavors.

Proceed With Eyes Open

We are in an era when public opinion about the adult industry is continuously evolving. It is thus crucial to stay aware of the wide range of narratives gaining prominence and shaping perceptions. Be conscious of how your life and experiences may potentially be portrayed.

In particular, remember that there is an insatiable appetite in media for sensational stories and salacious headlines. It may be tempting to go along with provocative prompts from hosts, especially if it could garner more attention — but while hot sound bites may generate clicks and traffic, remember that everything online persists indefinitely. So before being drawn into or sharing a particular narrative, ask yourself whether it aligns with your integrity and comfort level, and if you genuinely feel good about having it associated with your personal and professional identity.

Expect Repetition

When engaging with the media as an adult creator, one inevitable inquiry that arises is the ubiquitous question, “How did you get into this business?”

Repeatedly responding to this same query can be somewhat numbing, yet it presents a significant opportunity to shape the narrative of your story and brand. Despite societal preconceptions, this moment is your chance to articulate precisely why your presence in this industry is a positive thing.

Respect the Opportunity

Recognize that media interactions are a privilege, and that while we can only speak to our own unique experiences, mainstream audiences will nevertheless view individual sex workers as representatives for an entire industry. Therefore, taking this responsibility seriously is imperative, as it influences perceptions beyond our individual stories.

We hope these tips will empower you to approach media interactions with confidence, control — and a sense of responsibility, shaping narratives that both reflect our true identities and positively influence broader public understanding of the industry.

Carly David is the founder of PS: Group and can be followed @wearepsgroup on X.com and Instagram, @carlydavidPSG on X.com or sought out at wearepsgroup.com. Laura Desiree is a creator and performer who can be followed @thelauradesiree on X.com and @lauraxdesiree on Instagram.

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

What France's New Law Means for Age Verification Worldwide

When France implemented its Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law on April 11, it marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing global debate surrounding online safety and access to adult content.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

From Tariffs to Trends: Staying Resilient in a Shaky Online Adult Market

Whenever I check in with clients these days, I encounter the same concerns. For many, business never quite bounced back after the typical post-holiday-season slowdown. Instead, consumers have been holding back due to the economic uncertainty around the Trump administration’s new tariffs and their impact on prices.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Optimizing Payment Strategies for High Ticket Sales

Payment processing for more expensive items, such as those exceeding $1,000 per order, can create unique challenges. For adult businesses, those challenges are magnified. Increased fraud risk, elevated chargeback ratios and heavier scrutiny from banks and processors are only the beginning.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

WIA Profile: Lexi Morin

Lexi Morin’s journey into the adult industry began with a Craigslist ad and a leap of faith. In 2011, fresh-faced and ambitious, she was scrolling through job ads on Craigslist when she stumbled upon a listing for an assistant makeup artist.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Still Rocking: The Hun Celebrates 30 Years in the Game

In the ever-changing landscape of adult entertainment, The Hun’s Yellow Pages stands out for its endurance. As one of the internet’s original fixtures, literally nearly as old as the web itself, The Hun has functioned as a living archive for online adult content, quietly maintaining its relevance with an interface that feels more nostalgic than flashy.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Digital Desires: AI's Emerging Role in Adult Entertainment

The adult industry has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing new technology. From the early days of dial-up internet and grainy video clips to today’s polished social media platforms and streaming services, our industry has never been afraid to innovate. But now, artificial intelligence (AI) is shaking things up in ways that are exciting but also daunting.

Steve Lightspeed ·
opinion

More Than Money: Why Donating Time Matters for Nonprofits

The adult industry faces constant legal battles, societal stigma and workplace challenges. Fortunately, a number of nonprofit organizations work tirelessly to protect the rights and well-being of adult performers, producers and industry workers. When folks in the industry think about supporting these groups, donating money is naturally the first solution that comes to mind.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Consent Guardrails: How to Protect Your Content Platform

The adult industry takes a strong and definite stance against the creation or publication of nonconsensual materials. Adult industry creators, producers, processors, banks and hosts all share a vested interest in ensuring that the recording and publication of sexually explicit content is supported by informed consent.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

Payment Systems: Facilitator vs. Gateway Explained

Understanding and selecting the right payment platform can be confusing for anyone. Recently, Segpay launched its payment gateway. Since then, we’ve received numerous questions about the difference between a payment facilitator and a payment gateway. Most merchants want to know which type of platform best meets their business needs.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Reinventing Intimacy: A Look at AI's Implications for Adult Platforms

The adult industry has long revolved around delivering pleasure and entertainment, but now it’s moving into new territory: intimacy, connection and emotional fulfillment. And AI companions are at the forefront of that shift.

Daniel Keating ·
Show More