Arrrrrr there any pirates out here?
I am not going to lecture, don’t worry. This is only a discussion on an interesting topic.
A topic that pretty much no one cares about except for the business’s it effects…so I suspect this will be my least popular blog entry ever *smile*. Although a blog I did a year ago on a similar topic generated quite a few comments: http://www.mistresst.net/blog/uncategorized/pay-what-you-want/
I recently tweeted a link to an article written by a video game producer who conducted an experiment on piracy: http://www.greenheartgames.com/2013/04/29/what-happens-when-pirates-play-a-game-development-simulator-and-then-go-bankrupt-because-of-piracy/
It was a fascinating social experiment but I don’t think I got a single comment on that tweet. Why? Because nearly everyone participates in file sharing in one way or another (music, movies, TV shows, video games…PORN, etc.) & its become so normal for most people that we don’t even think of it as being wrong or illegal. Even I am guilty of it.
Here’s a great quote from that video game article: “To be fair, there are still individuals who either can’t make a legal purchase because of payment-issues or who genuinely cannot afford the game. I don’t have a quarrel with you.”
I echo that. For a variety of reasons, for some guys it is just not possible to buy my vids through clips4sale or to join my site. Here’s a nod to the guys who actually mail me cash to join my site or make other efforts to pay when options are limited.
I contract the services of not one but two different companies to scour the internet for my illegally distributed content & they get thousands of links removed weekly. THOUSANDS. My stuff is very popular it seems…but despite that, business is good. Would it be better with less piracy? Who knows.
Some argue that those who watch the free stuff would never pay anyway…and some argue that the free stuff IS promotion & it brings paying customers to me. Those two statements contradict each other yet they are the two most common responses I get when discussing piracy with those who engage in file sharing. Kind of funny.
We’ve seen how the internet & file sharing has impacted the music industry. Musicians have had to change their business model to adapt.
Netflix was created in this new environment. Before Netflix I streamed TV shows illegally. I didn’t feel good about it but I didn’t have a television anymore & it seemed like the only viable option. When Netflix came along I was happy to pay $8/month to get a good quality option for watching TV shows & movies.
So what will happen to porn? How can we adjust to the changing behaviors of the consumer? How do we continue to make a living when more & more porn consumers get used to getting their jerk fix for free? If the majority of porn watchers don’t pay…& many porn producers stop producing porn…then there won’t be porn to share & watch for free. That seems logical, doesn’t it? Or does it?
Things are actually fine for me right now & I don’t lose sleep over piracy. I do worry about the future though. I worry about the generation that has never paid for porn & believes that full access to endless free porn is their right. I have had too many conversations with guys in their 20’s who think paying for porn is for suckers. They find the thought appalling.
Here’s another great quote from that video game article: “We are not wealthy and it’s unlikely that we will be any time soon, so stop pretending like we don’t need your 8 dollars! We are just two guys working our butts off, trying to start our own game studio to create games which are fun to play.”
I know some of you see me as a celebrity but I am not a big faceless Corporation. I’m basically a one-woman show here. I produce my own vids (I set up the scene, lights, & put the camera on a tripod). I edit my own vids & do all my own marketing. I deal with all my own email, custom vid requests, twitter, blog, etc. I use the services of a few people to do what I can’t do: a webmaster, an accountant, bookkeeper, lawyer, graphic designer and a couple of companies to help me deal with piracy. I occasionally pay performers in the traditional sense, I usually trade services. I live humbly on a fraction of what I make & save/invest the rest knowing that there is a fast-approaching expiry date on the face & body y’all love to jerk off to. Long before I’m mentally ready to retire I will not be able to do this job anymore & I will only be about half way through my life. I got a late start in this business, when many porn stars retire at 30, I was just getting started. I’ll soon be 38 & you can probably count on 1 hand how many years I have left in front of the camera. No, I’m not sure what I’ll do after. I’ll probably have more options than the average retired porn star but at this point I don’t have a firm exit plan.
So keep that in mind if you’ve enjoyed my vids…but realize you’ve never paid a cent for that pleasure.
Here’s what I ask:
#1. Don’t share my vids. (If you’ve watched them for free, at least don’t contribute to the problem more by passing them along.)
#2. If you have never paid & you have no way of ever paying: do NOT email me. I get dozens of well-meaning emails every day that in reality just waste my time. Do not add insult to injury by illegally watching my vids for free….then take up my valuable time emailing me to tell me how much you worship me. I don’t need your compliments. I know that sounds harsh but think about it for a minute.
#3. Feel free to email me links to my pirated content when you find it (but don’t expect a reward.) MsT@MistressT.net
#4. Promote me. Pirates often cut my watermark off & are careful to not say it’s a Mistress T vid. Fuck them. If there’s a place for you to type it (in the forum or comments on a tube site, etc.) tell them: “That’s Mistress T! She’s awesome!” If guys find my stuff thru piracy & want to figure out where to go to pay for it, at least give them a fighting chance.
#5. To be blunt: Pay. Support my efforts. If you really love what I do & want to support it there are numerous ways you can show your support. Email me & ask how if you’re not sure. I love getting emails from fans who want to show their appreciation through tributes or gifts. If you want to pay, no matter what the challenge (no credit card? discretion required? etc.) I will find a way to get your money *smile*.
To the vast majority of you who have been supportive of my work/art/passion: THANK YOU! Without you it wouldn’t be possible for me to do what I love. xoxox
Okay, sometimes doing what I love means causing some guy loads of discomfort. Oops. *smile*
Best,
Mistress T
Members site: http://www.MistressT.net
PPV: http://www.clips4sale.com/23869
Blog: http://www.MistressT.net/blog/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/MistressTdotnet
Mistress, having seen the work you do to create the amazing scenes you post to your website and clip stores firsthand, I can’t imagine taking content for free. Have I downloaded movies and songs before, I can’t lie and say I haven’t. Sometimes it was due to lack of availability of channels in our area (Canada) and sometimes to save a buck. Like you, I didn’t feel good about it. But when it comes to porn, real men pay for it. I’ve been one that has scoured for various Dommes to remove pirated links, and it’s so prevalent it is really discouraging for me. I can’t imagine how hard it is for them to see their hard work being taken for free. I salute you for posting this insightful post, and if it makes even a few guys hesitate before downloading illegal porn, then it’s well worth it. I hope that my featuring your kinkbomb clips on my blog from time to time, and by linking a banner to your incredible website (both in content and value), I’m helping a little. You are an amazing woman, and respectfully, I believe you will continue looking incredible and being irresistible longer than you suggest. Again, just my two cents, but REAL men PAY for porn.
Mistress,
It is a very difficult situation and I am sorry about the impact it has on you.
I have to admit that I knew absolutely nothing about you before today. I tend to prefer the classic porn movies from decades ago so I am not as familiar with many of the present day participants. But I was doing a search for a certain type of video on the web today and I accidentally came across a clip that had you in it. I was completely mesmerized and that is rare for me to feel that way. But I didn’t know who you were (as you stated, your watermark is often removed). Thankfully somebody made a comment underneath the video that said who you were so I could learn more about you. That is why I am here now. Odds are pretty good that I will make a purchase now that I am aware of you.
I can’t say with certainty if my example is a good or bad one. On one hand, you gained a likely customer. But I became aware of you because somebody else stole from you and that may be negating what I could contribute.
I can definitely sympathize with your dilemma.
Scott
That’s cool Scott. Thank for sharing & welcome! I’m glad you found me. Have you checked out Theenglishmansion.com (Sidonia Von Borks English Mansion). More classic FemDom themes & you’ll find me there as well. I go over to England to film with my friends at the Mansion a couple times a year.
Xo
Mistress,
Thanks for the welcome. I’m kind of new to FemDom stuff. Ultimately, I was completely blown away by your screen presence in the clip I saw today (I know that sounds like hyperbole but it really is true) so I had to check you out here. Once I find somebody I like, I tend to stick with it. So I suspect I’ll probably watch your work before thinking of other places. But I will check the other site out per your suggestion.
I look forward to reading more of your insights here and seeing more of your work.
Scott
If it wasn’t for finding you on a link on a file sharing network I wouldn’t have known you exist. So I can see the argument about allowing the distribution of files to increase a potential customer base. However what I have found is a niche you produce that no one else can better. Your forced bi/cock worship scenes are fantastic and I have bought everyone that has perked my interest. At the end of the day it is generally under £5 per clip, and that isn’t a great deal of money to part with for the quality of the video. Anyway I have often highlighted links I have found in an email to you Mistress.
The musical band Radiohead had a similar idea, when they released their album In Rainbows. It was available to download directly from their website and you could pay whatever you liked for it including just downloading it for free. It was one of their most successful albums commercially as they did it themselves and cut out the record companies etc. There are quite a few psychological papers that can be found on the honesty jar principle.
However I do liken porn to liking music. I have never bought an album on a whim, I have listened to the music either on the radio or from a friend, and after falling in love with it. I then go about purchasing their albums and songs. After finding a clip of Mistress T I was hooked, and will forever remain a paying fan until you decide to move on from your current career.
Sadly they will always be people that will steal because they can and distribute material to others.
Anyway thought I would just add what I thought. Take care
@gaygirlygraham
I do think that the file sharing sites act as free advertising in some ways. There are so many femdom sites out there that it’s hard to find just what you’re looking for, but when you find it many of us will pay for more. I was lucky enough to find you through a pay site, but I found that pay site from a free clip of another mistress. That led to me subscribing to both that site and yours many times (under a different email, have to keep some secrets). So you’re right, piracy is rampant, people are viewing you for free, but a not insignificant number of those are going to want more, and be willing to pay for it. Thanks for your good works.
Thanks for your comment. I have heard that sort of feedback many times & I love it. If you consider the free sites as a way to sample before you buy…& you have quality product people will want to buy, great. That is one (positive) aspect of a very complex issue.
Dear Mistress,
Just wanted to say keep up the great work. Your videos are unique and have quality content. Although piracy may introduce new members, it eventually discourages people from purchasing videos. However, once they are exposed to you, they will come back for more and want to subscribe.
By the way, hope you make more religious fetish videos in the future. 😉
Best regards,
Daniel
Thanks Jimmy. Custom vids start at $150 of you want to make sure you get what you’re “hoping” for:-)
I never download pirated movies (or porn for that matter) but I have streamed clips from sites like *obviously, not sharing the name*. So I guess I am complicit.
For what it’s worth though, I found your site (and have bought a number of your videos) after watching one on *. I found out who you were via the comments and googled your site. I’ve found a few performers whose work I enjoy that way, and have subsequently bought some of their work.
Is there a particular clip on clips4sale you would like to see supported more? One that perhaps does not sell well (hard to imagine) and you would like to do better?
They’re all awesome:-)
Lots of good comments already, so I won’t attempt repeating some of the previous thoughts. I’ve been a member on your site for some time, and certainly love the content. You are very good at what you do, and you deserve to be rewarded. In my casual surfing I seldom come across free access to any of your content, but if I do find any in the future, I’ll pass it along. Generally many pay sites will provide some sample clips, so interested viewers can quickly determine if they want to take the next step and purchase content, or become a member. Quality content then keeps them coming back.
Myself I have never been a big fan of the “clips2sale” approach. I may search out performers there, and if I’m interested in the content, hopefully find their own websites and become a member. At times I may be disappointed if the performer does not operate their own website, and the sole source for acquiring content is C4S. I do understand the need for C4S, and for those that may want to purchase just individual clips there.
As for the length of your career MistressT, well you might be surprised as to how things may unfold. Some performer’s rely almost exclusively on their sexual beauty, and have little else to offer. Your talents go far beyond just the visual. Your voice, your creativity, your ability to get inside the mind of your viewers, contribute more than what you may realize. Age may channel you in slightly different directions, but your talents are much more than your beautiful exterior. Mind you I think you probably could be successful at just about anything you are passionate about.