Newb questions: "Niche" model success? Also... naming.

[SenaLuna]

So, judging by the front page of MFC, it looks like a lot of the models are... pretty normal. I'm into things like latex, cat/fox girls, and an alternative aesthetic. Conversationally my interests revolve around "nerd" things like anime and gaming, but not the kind of pop culture stuff a lot of people are into like BBT, Nintendo, Marvel movies, pretty much any game for the current and previous generation of consoles, and a lot of the stuff that modern anime fans are into.

I guess I'm just a little worried I both won't be able to connect with my fans, and will scare average/normal people away from my room. I feel like if I were to be myself I'd be too niche and while I might get a tiny handful of loyal fans, I'm going to have almost no appeal to much of the camgirl customer base and this will hardly be worth it.

Second question! Naming. I've got a fake name to go by, but I don't know what username to use. Currently I'm using the same name I have on this board but I'm not a camgirl profile yet. Most MFC models seem to have a username based off their own name, which I presume makes it easier for people to have something to refer to them. :lol: Would having a username not based on my camgirl "real name" deter people?

 

[BarbieLuv]

So, judging by the front page of MFC, it looks like a lot of the models are... pretty normal. I'm into things like latex, cat/fox girls, and an alternative aesthetic. Conversationally my interests revolve around "nerd" things like anime and gaming, but not the kind of pop culture stuff a lot of people are into like BBT, Nintendo, Marvel movies, pretty much any game for the current and previous generation of consoles, and a lot of the stuff that modern anime fans are into.

There's a place for everyone in camming, no matter how niche - However you're correct that most of the top models on MFC are 'vanilla' girls, not fetish. If you want to focus more on fetishes, I would recommend Streamate or starting a C4S. As for talking about anime and gaming, there are lots of models who do that all the time. Think of nerdy girls as a niche fetish that's gradually becoming less niche and more mainstream.

I guess I'm just a little worried I both won't be able to connect with my fans, and will scare average/normal people away from my room. I feel like if I were to be myself I'd be too niche and while I might get a tiny handful of loyal fans, I'm going to have almost no appeal to much of the camgirl customer base and this will hardly be worth it.

This is the internet; there are guys who are interested in every type of girl, and every fetish. Doesn't mean the 'normal' guys won't talk to you, but you're right that they might not become your regulars. But if you're catering to a fetish niche, then why would you want the guys who aren't interested in what you're selling in your room? Better to have 2-3 devoted regulars who tip than 50+ freeloaders asking to see pussy.

Second question! Naming. I've got a fake name to go by, but I don't know what username to use. Currently I'm using the same name I have on this board but I'm not a camgirl profile yet. Most MFC models seem to have a username based off their own name, which I presume makes it easier for people to have something to refer to them. :lol: Would having a username not based on my camgirl "real name" deter people?

Don't use 'goat-tit' as your model name, first off. :lol:

Secondly, most MFC models do NOT have usernames based off of their real name! In fact, most girls use names that are about as far away from their IRL moniker as possible; this is for safety reasons, and is definitely a good idea. I think you might have meant that they have names that sound 'real' (so first and last, like mine!) which is certainly the case. It's much better to have a 'real-sounding' name than using 'SugarTits69' or something else generic, it allows viewers to connect with you better. Pick something that you think you can live with for the rest of your camming career, that you like, and will sound good rolling off the tongue. You can make it porn-ish if you want, but I wouldn't recommend it - subtlety will get you further than naming yourself 'SaraLovesDick' or 'LaylaFuckwhore'.

 

[Fay_Galore]

we're all snowflakes! seriously, go have a look around at MFC beyond the first 3 rows, you'll see the weirdest stuff! there's some pretty outrageous fetish stuff and anime geekery going on. as long as its within the MFC rules, there's a place and an audience for it. (hoewever, that audience might be small depending on how obscure the fetish is) if you're set on strictly doing your own thing, making videos at clips4sale could be your perfect fit!

 

[hapa74]

Secondly, most MFC models do NOT have usernames based off of their real name! In fact, most girls use names that are about as far away from their IRL moniker as possible; this is for safety reasons, and is definitely a good idea. I think you might have meant that they have names that sound 'real' (so first and last, like mine!) which is certainly the case. It's much better to have a 'real-sounding' name than using 'SugarTits69' or something else generic, it allows viewers to connect with you better. Pick something that you think you can live with for the rest of your camming career, that you like, and will sound good rolling off the tongue. You can make it porn-ish if you want, but I wouldn't recommend it - subtlety will get you further than naming yourself 'SaraLovesDick' or 'LaylaFuckwhore'.

This SO much! I think having a name that feels "real" with a little bit of your personality thrown in is an amazing thing. It goes a long way to seeming relatable. If I see a name that strikes a chord, and also helps me connect to the model, it already puts you in the plus column. It's one of the first impressions members get of you. :-D

 

[SenaLuna]

Oh, goat is just a placeholder name taken from my Dumblr until I figure things out and take the plunge into camming, lol. I figure it'd probably be a bad idea to use it on a real cam profile because not everyone is going to have the same sense of humour as me and might find it off-putting.

I'm also aware that you shouldn't use your real name in camming (hence the quotation marks). Didn't really know another way to put it. I guess it technically could be considered a pen name. :lol:

What I'm mostly asking is, what's more appealing and more likely to draw people in? A username which involves the model's pen name, like most of what I see on the main page of MFC? Do people dislike it when a model has a username that doesn't involve her pen name?

Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[DivSavel]

Aww... :love9:

To play devil's advocate for weird names, an unrealistic name is ok too so long as it isn't unflattering or controversial.
If you decide to not have a realistic name, keep in mind "How are people going to shorten my name?" For example, my room doesn't call me Divahkiin. They call me "Div", which is the name I've been keeping throughout my camming career. I thought of nicknames and I fell incredibly in love with being called "Div".

Side note: If you ever change your name, do it infrequently (if ever) and keep something standard throughout your usernames. I was SweetDivalia awhile back and changed to Divahkiin to reference something from my favorite video game series of all time.

Some people may need personal sounding names to connect, but there are plenty of people who dig weird names too! Ultimately everyone knows that models are using pseudonyms, and most people are cool with it. Though you may get more "What's your real name, bb?" than Amber or the other realistic named ladies!

As for having niches, go for it!! There are plenty of guys out there who like latex, cat/fox cosplays, anime, and all sorts of things. There are members/models for everyone and you'll help fill in the blanks for what current models provide. Though keep in mind seeing everyone as "normal" is likely because you're in between times. The girls who do niche shows aren't doing it all the time. You may very well have passed by a girl before she started playing with latex or tail butt plugs and thought "She's normal, let me keep looking". It's a fact about camming, no one truly knows what you're about unless they stick around long enough to see more.

edit: missed some bits

 

[BarbieLuv]

What I'm mostly asking is, what's more appealing and more likely to draw people in? A username which involves the model's pen name, like most of what I see on the main page of MFC? Do people dislike it when a model has a username that doesn't involve her pen name?

Think of it as more of a 'brand' name than a pen name. That name defines you, it's what people are going to remember, and it's also their first impression when entering your room. I'm a firm believer in always using your model name as your screen name (exception might be a 'change my username for x amount of time' contests, but those are fairly rare) because it really sets the tone and nobody ever has to ask what they're supposed to call you. Your name is right there, easy to find, and hopefully will stick in their brain.

It's also a really great idea if you use Twitter to advertise to use your model name as your Twitter handle - continuity across all platforms so people always know who you are/how to find you is really important. If nothing else it makes it so that if you get screencapped or something that potential paying customers can Google your model name and find your official sites/Twitter really easily!

 

[Leon_Omega]

From a member's point of view: Don't get hung up on something that's not all that significant in the long run. It's much easier to come up with a good name than a bad one. I can count the models who I checked our purely on the strength of their name on one finger, and despite the fact that it is what prompted the initial contact, what keeps me coming back to Div's room is not her name.

Creativity does help, though, and not only in terms of your name, but also the font and font color you choose to display your name. A quick glance at the front page right now, shows that the most-used colors are bright red and basic-blue, meaning that darker/lighter shades of those or different colors like green or purple stand out more regardless of the name attached to the model.

Try to stay away from overused terms or names as they may cause you to get lost in the shuffle. It's not an automatic dealbreaker, of course, but surely it would be better to be the first face to pop into someone's head when a first name comes up rather than to be one of the already four girls that I think of when someone says Lily (for some reason this seems to be a very popular camgirl-first-name). Similarly, lot of girls already use Sexy, Hot, Cute, etc. in their screen names, ideally you want a name that stands out all on its own.

 

[RubyDimples]

Don't worry you'll scare off members on MyFreeCams. There is all sorts of women on MFC and all sorts of men that will enjoy what you have to offer. Be confident in yourself and the rest will follow.

 

[Sansa]

Never ever choose a name that is too much like your IRL name! Most members know that we use stage names, if someone asks or is persistent, either ignore it or tell them that you don't give information out like that.

That aside, think of your name like a brand, like if someone googles your cam name, they should be able to find your twitter, tumblr, anything else like that if you wish. Fitting your name to your camming personality is also a good idea, since you mention being a little more offbeat, don't pick a name that's super common unless you really identify with it.

And ditto on not picking an overused name. When I started I really thought about using Lolita since it's one of my favourite names, but it's way overused. Tallula had a similar feel, so I went with that instead. A memorable name will help you stand out a little!

 

[JessieWolfe]

I'd also suggest not using another porn stars name. I googled a bunch of names before creating mine, making sure it was somewhat unique so people would find me first in google

 

[PinkiePixi]

I wouldnt suggest picking a name that has two separate but equal "parts" (like mine) if that makes sense. Guys never know what to call me. Half of them call me Pixi, half call me Pinkie. I dont mind either (though I prefer Pinkie fyi ) but for some unknown (likely weird mental) reason it irks me to not have that sort of consistency and clarity. I picked my name in a rush, based on My Little Pony and my wing tattoos, and I like it, but at the same time I really wish I would have thought it out better.

 

[SenaLuna]

Thanks for you help and advice, everyone. I think I've settled on a name but I'm also going to give some more thought to this whole "profession" and do as much research as I can before starting.

After all, I still need to buy a cam and redo my room, which currently has a paintjob from the previous homeowner which looks like someone slapped raw steaks on the walls, so I certainly have some time, lol.

 

[KyraFortune]

Glad you settled on a name! I'm a little late to the party in regards to this thread, but I wanted to throw this out for anyone going through naming things. I used ensure a couple usernames I wanted were free across social media stuff.

http://namechk.com/