Some advice, please ...

[Ruby2Much]

Hi X Nations,

You'll notice I'm new around here having recently made the move to software sales at 2Much.

I have 6 yrs exp. in Adult (live burlesque, photo sets, video chat and video clips) and close to 10 yrs exp. in project coordination in the non-profit and performing arts sector to help me along.

The only thing is ... as a performer, I've never been much of a tech-head and up until now, haven't involved myself in the business culture of Adult so I'll likely be asking a lot of newbie questions around this.

Please be gentle

I welcome any advice or feedback you have to give and of course, if you're looking for a video chat platform for your site ... you know who to call

Looking forward to getting to learn more and know all of you better.

Best,
Ruby

[Panky]

Take one day at a time. Don't try and learn everything at once in the shortest amount of time possible. You'll just get confused, frustrated, and pissed off. Learn at a pace that is comfortable to you.

Don't be shy about asking questions. Especially around here. There's people here who will help if they can. We are all "new" on one level or another. For example, I have skills and knowledge in a few areas, but I don't know squat about being a performer.

Never stop learning.

Welcum to XNations & the webmaster side of the adult industry!

[Ruby2Much]

*sighs*

thanks Panky!

All very reassuring. I see you're in Mtl as well. Maybe I'll catch you tonight to pick your brain a little more.

best,
Rubes

[wholeporno]

Hi ruby

That's okay, as what Panky said, take one day at a time. No ned to pressure yourself or whatever. You can asked any questions here

[Ruby2Much]

Thanks Whole Prono,

Okay, here goes:

I noticed some people selling their signatures on the boards. Why would they do that? Can you still use your sig after it is sold? How do other people benefit from using your sig? Do they change the link that it leads to?

Remember you said no stupid questions ...

best,
Ruby

[Panky]

Originally Posted by Ruby2Much

Why would they do that? Can you still use your sig after it is sold? How do other people benefit from using your sig? Do they change the link that it leads to?

Signatures are considered to have value. This is why some people choose to sell their signatures and why some companies and/or individuals look to purchase them.

The deal usually works like this. The board poster, usually someone with a high post count and/or good reputation offers to sell their sig. A company or individual who is looking to increase exposure for their program, services, or items for sale will purchase the sig of the board poster. In return, that board poster carries the company or individuals ad and links in their signature for a predetermined amount of time or until a specific number of posts have been reached.

So instead of the board poster carrying random sponsors, links, and advertising in their sig, they carry only the ad chosen by the buyer. Every time that board poster makes a post on the board, that company or individual gains some more exposure, which leads to branding, possible new affiliates, and/or possible sales. Some companies or individuals will choose to purchase multiple board posters signatures. This increases their exposure. In return, the board poster(s) is/are paid for the use of the sig space.

It's like when a company purchases ad spots on a billboard along side a busy highway. The busier the highway, the more exposure and possible business for the advertiser. The busier the highway is, the more expensive the ad spot on the billboard. The board poster is the billboard and the webmasters/affiliates are the cars passing by. The more a board poster(s) posts, the more eyeballs that view the ad carried in his/her sig.

Some boards do not allow for the practice of selling sigs. One reason is, is because of paid advertisers on a board. The paid advertisers have paid for exposure on the board through the use of banners/buttons/sticky threads/random contests. When you have people who are selling their sigs and posting like mad, some people feel it is in direct competition with those who paid the board to advertise. When a person sells their signature, boards generally don't get a cut of that either.

Another reason some boards don't condone the practice of sig selling is because some board posters will abuse it. They will post constantly because they have an obligation to the buyer, but at the same time, more often than not, these posters fill the board with junk, which takes advantage of point systems as well as potentially pissing off the regular posters.

[Ruby2Much]

Thanks for the explanation Panky,

If I understand correctly, it isn't the graphic, the contact info, the links and the branding phrases that are for sale ... but the space at the bottom of the poster's posts that is for sale.

Have I understood? This seems to make sense to me but now that poster can't use the space to advertise their own business, products or services. Some how this is worth it?

New question: what is up with the whole points system on the boards?

Thanks again!
Ruby

[Panky]

Originally Posted by Ruby2Much

Thanks for the explanation Panky,

If I understand correctly, it isn't the graphic, the contact info, the links and the branding phrases that are for sale ... but the space at the bottom of the poster's posts that is for sale.

Have I understood? This seems to make sense to me but now that poster can't use the space to advertise their own business, products or services. Some how this is worth it?

New question: what is up with the whole points system on the boards?

Thanks again!
Ruby

Yes. It is the space at the bottom of a users post that is for sale. Since boards impose limits on exactly what can be placed there, (one 120x60 button and 3 lines of text for example), the user can't add their own links in with the buyers links. The user essentially gives up rights to advertise in his/her own sig, since someone else is paying for the space.

It is worth it to some posters because they earn more selling their sig than they do just carrying their own links in their sig. Buyers sometimes find it useful because of the increased views, (branding), and the potential for new business.

Originally Posted by Ruby2Much

New question: what is up with the whole points system on the boards?

Point systems on boards are used as an incentive to get people posting. Each post made has a point value. Points can then be exchanged for items in an online store created by the board or can be redeemed for an actual cash value.