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Let’s have a chat about investing in yourself and why it is both necessary and unnecessary.
I see a lot of digital SWers say that to be successful, you have to invest in yourself. And while I believe that, I think it doesn’t work for everyone.
A thread.
I see a lot of digital SWers say that to be successful, you have to invest in yourself. And while I believe that, I think it doesn’t work for everyone.
A thread.
When starting off in online SW, certain investments are required BUT many don’t realize that you can easily start by using items you likely already own:
Lamps/lighting
Cell phone
Clothes
Internet access
That’s really all you need to start.
Lamps/lighting
Cell phone
Clothes
Internet access
That’s really all you need to start.
You don’t need to start with fancy clothes or lingerie. You don’t need professional lighting. You don’t need a video or DSLR camera. Technically you don’t even need a computer.
You can stick with that set up for a hot minute. Trust me. Take care of the bills that need paying FIRST.
Investing in yourself comes later, once you’re actually profiting beyond being able to pay your bills.
Investing in yourself comes later, once you’re actually profiting beyond being able to pay your bills.
You don’t need a tripod to start. You can get crafty. Balance your phone against something to keep it from sliding/moving. Use your camera in hand to get amateur “selfie” style videos.
But I would recommend that your first investment be a tripod w/ phone mount
But I would recommend that your first investment be a tripod w/ phone mount
You can play up the “person next door” amateur style videos at first. Do sexy strip teases out of your normal clothes. Take cute selfies in/out of your normal clothes.
Once you are able to steadily pay your bills month after month (let’s say 3-6 months though it may take longer than that), THEN start investing into better items to do SW. Start with cute outfits/lingerie, then better lighting. You still don’t need a separate camera, I promise.
Investing priorities in order from greatest importance to least importance (IMO):
1. Tripod
2. Wardrobe
3. Toys
4. Lighting
5. Camera
1. Tripod
2. Wardrobe
3. Toys
4. Lighting
5. Camera
Why? Because YOU are your selling point. Customers stick around for YOU. They want to see YOU thrive and grow and improve. @chylattexxx had an excellent thread on this a few days ago. Start with what you have, find success, THEN work on improving.
I know performers who are YEARS into their careers (and I don’t mean 1-4 years, I mean 5 years +) who are financially successful on their terms who use (drum roll please)...
a basic webcam
a basic webcam
You don’t need to invest in a camera. Your phone likely takes 1080 or 4K video.
Lighting, however, will 100% boost your production quality faster than buying a camera. Poor lighting is poor lighting whether on a phone, webcam, or camera.
Lighting, however, will 100% boost your production quality faster than buying a camera. Poor lighting is poor lighting whether on a phone, webcam, or camera.
I started with natural light and Home Depot clamp lights (~$7 for clamp lamp + ~$5 bulbs).
I started with a webcam (because I don’t think camera phones were good enough yet at that time).
I started with a webcam (because I don’t think camera phones were good enough yet at that time).
You can stand in front of a window for your lighting. Clouds = natural diffuser so your lighting will be clean (no harsh or unflattering shadows). No clouds? No worries. Step away from where the direct sunlight hits so you aren’t getting that harsh lighting.
You don’t need to spend hundreds or thousands on lighting, wardrobe, cameras, etc before you start. Sorry but in this house, that’s an excuse if I ever heard one. You got floor or table lamps? You got windows? You got clothes? You got a phone? What’s stopping you then?
Investing in yourself should ONLY happen *when* it is financially responsible to do so.
You can make good money using the tools you already have.
You can make good money using the tools you already have.
I’m leaving makeup off this list because I see plenty of folks rocking a more natural look which you can achieve with drugstore makeup. And if you’re lucky & have great skin you may not even need makeup.
You can get away with cheap mascara, eyeliner, etc.
You can get away with cheap mascara, eyeliner, etc.
Now that we’ve covered that you can do this work with what you already have, now we can talk about how investing can and will help you.
Investing in yourself, whether that’s better tools to do the job, better shoot quality makeup, or classes/consultations... IT WILL HELP.
Investing in yourself, whether that’s better tools to do the job, better shoot quality makeup, or classes/consultations... IT WILL HELP.
You don’t need Botox or fillers or extensions or elective surgery or whatever to do well. Will some of that help? Maybe. I’ve seen a number of women say that when they invested in bigger boobs, their income increased.
But you know what else will help? Education: Learning how other people do things and applying their tips & tricks to your business.
Camera: while it’s not necessary to drop $$$$, you can get a better phone with better video quality.
Lighting: good lights will enhance quality.
Camera: while it’s not necessary to drop $$$$, you can get a better phone with better video quality.
Lighting: good lights will enhance quality.
IMO, you can do this job and make good money long before you start buying $$$$ worth of tools.
But if you’re stagnant in your earnings & at a point where you can invest more... I would recommend doing so. Every step forward will help.
But if you’re stagnant in your earnings & at a point where you can invest more... I would recommend doing so. Every step forward will help.
Also, it’s important to note that investing is not always financial.
You can invest time too. Time investment tends to be educational in my experience. Reading helpful threads, competitive research, fetish research, how to videos, etc.
You can invest time too. Time investment tends to be educational in my experience. Reading helpful threads, competitive research, fetish research, how to videos, etc.
If you are stagnant in earnings and can’t invest money, invest time instead. Teach yourself something by researching it. Maybe it’s a new to you Fetish. Maybe it’s makeup or lighting techniques.
Anyway. All of this is to say... you don’t need to invest money in yourself right away. Get comfortable first. Invest time when you’re able. Invest money when you’re financially comfortable.
But don’t you dare say money is holding you back from SW bc it ain’t true.
But don’t you dare say money is holding you back from SW bc it ain’t true.
Thanks for listening! 
If you’d like to invest in a 1 on 1 consultation that is tailored to YOU and your needs, please consider me to help you grow. Appointments available 6 days a week w/ accessible options available. http://sydneyscreams.com/swer-consultations/
If you’d like to invest in a 1 on 1 consultation that is tailored to YOU and your needs, please consider me to help you grow. Appointments available 6 days a week w/ accessible options available. http://sydneyscreams.com/swer-consultations/
