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