Adult Movies - "taboo" business

[Paidpal]

Hi everyone.

It's been some time I've been working, more or less intensively, on my project. Idea is old and simple - adult webpage with weekly (or twice a week) uploads, monthly membership plan etc.

We aim to focus on very specific type of eroticism (particular fetish, not a mainstream pornography). Because of that, the target group is limited (still big enough to make a decent profit, especially in USA, Japan, Germany and Italy), yet we're confident we can make it, for the fact is our main concern is very good quality and, actually, fulfilling customers' needs rather that our own.

The hard part of the preparation process, was to find women with abilities and willingness to play, but that, hopefully, seems to be done by now (women, with all their adorable qualities, are to emotional for me to be 100% certain they will do it).

So that's where I'm coming from, now to the point.

I am doing it with my business partner from another EU country. He's got some equipment, unfortunatelly, due to personal problems, hardly any money to put into business. We need approximately 8.000 GBP to start and run the business for 2-3 months (that is - uploading new movies and photos). I happened to collect enough money to cover all that expenses by myself, but, honestly, I don't want to take the whole financial risk on my back. At the same time, I don't want to delay the project with such silly reason as lack of money.

Hence we were considering if there is a way to get a grant for start up e-business? The project is very specific and taboo on one hand, on the other - probably I won't find a single person on that message board who has never seen any porn or erotic movie, which makes me believe that such thing is equally rare and common.

Does anyone know if I can get a grant for that, what grant I can aim for, or if there's any professional financing advice or company who can help us to get necessary money (or information) to start the project?

Important note: It goes without saying, but all women are over 18 years old, no animals or any other sick perversion involved. And I do hope this topic will not turn into sententious discussion

Thanks everyone!

 

[Cloughie]

I can't see you getting a grant for it given the nature of the business, but I must admit I have no idea how and what qualifies for a grant.

If you are very confident it will work, borrow the money on a credit card and tell your business partner that you'll hire his equipment and you will have 100% of the company. He's not really bringing much to the table if he only has equipment.

 

[Naughty Vend]

Business type aside you need to justify your investment to any investor or grantee, I can't see what you need eight grand for...

Studio Hire (if applicable) £0 > £500
Model Release Forms £0 > £25 each
STI / Health Certification £0 > £75 each
Compliance Statements £0 > £25 each
Make Up Artist £45 > £150 for one
Techy, Light & Audio £150 > £450 for three
Model Fees £150 > £300 each

You have the equipment and I assume software from a business partner, you need a web location with high bandwidth I'd imagine and assuming the niche is probably "nasty" you'll need to be in Belize or Ukraine etc., at a push after model fees you would be looking at two grand for a professional job and that's on 100% not a share as any grant or investor would be eligible toward. You have £8k available, so you fund the £2k and your partner gives the equipment... place a value upon that if you were to hire / purchase it and apportion the share pro-rata as you both agree or perhaps you don't need him/her anyway. What else are they bringing to the table?

It's a saturated market and you'll need to be experienced in film making to make this work, you will not get a grant for this but you should speak to a distributor before you start. This is a heavily saturated market even in niche. How many units and upsells can you make in an online world which expects it free, is the niche that unique and what's the longevity (life cycle) of the niche i.e. before some spud offers free content of that niche?

 

[MikeJ]

Given the amount of free pornography that's available on the web, I'm amazed that anyone thinks this is still a viable business.

 

[What If]

LOL. you want a grant to make a porno!

£8k isn't a big amount to get, have you tried family and friends? Could you not max out a your credits cards for a few months? If your that confident about this why are you not willing to take the financial risk? (its not a huge amount of money)

 

[Paidpal]

Cloughie - yeah, this "nature of the business" is pure discrimination. Honestly, I see no reason why this is such a taboo, since this is literally fulfilling the needs, core human needs.



Naughty Vend - your list of expenses is pretty fair, only you missed one point - it's a webpage with monthly subscriptions, which means we'll need to upload few short (10 - 20 minutes) movies per month rather than makin one boring long one.

We want to avoid boredom, hence approx 5 models required. Ukraine seems to be a clever option, the snag is the law - pornography is banned there (not only production, but also posession!), and since there's no clear, sharp definition of pornography there, the risk is to big. Which means we may need to pay additional visa and flight cost (unfortunatelly, qualities we are looking for are very rare in UK, hence our urge to get girls from east europe). Now, after paying all that, we want to use it fully, so make minimum 4 movies per girl.

Do I need partner? I do, can't handle task myself (phisically!), and also to maintain the quality, the experience we both have is a must. Advantage is that he's got the space, equipment and very fast connection so that the serwer and bandwich costs are reduced almost to zero.

I assume I won't get a direct grant for the adult business (discrimination as I said), but perhaps there's indirect way? Grants for e-business? Grants for international cooperation?

by the way Naughty Vend - you seem to have significant experience in that field, am I right?

 

[JElder]

When I looked last year, there were very few grants available at the moment. They few that were around were for creating permanent employment in certain areas of the country.

Given the nature of the business, I suspect that you will not be taking on any employees.

Also, grants can take months to be approved, then more months to come through. It delay things hugely.

 

[maxh]

Given the amount of free pornography that's available on the web, I'm amazed that anyone thinks this is still a viable business.

The money is in those live chat things you see. And ultra niche porn

 

[Paidpal]

MikeJ - as I said, it's about a niche (trust me, you can't find it in internet, I tried! ) and quality. Fulfilling fantasies rather than watching busty blonde groaning.


What If - as I wrote, I can cover all expenses myself, but simply I don't want to, especially if there are creative ways of finding funds. The question is - what are these ways, and that's (also) what I am trying to learn in here, so all ideas appreciated (more than put downs)

 

[What If]

yeah, this "nature of the business" is pure discrimination. Honestly, I see no reason why this is such a taboo, since this is literally fulfilling the needs, core human needs.

Discrimination - seriously! Your on another planet if you believe that. And I don't think you can say that watching a fetish porno is 'fulfilling core human needs'. It might be yours but it certainly isn't mine (food, shelter etc).

£8k is nothing! if you really believe in this then get a job (maybe 2) and save up! It really sound to me like you're expecting the government to pay you to 'get your kicks' filming naked women.

 

[Paidpal]

Thank you what if, but seriously, the last thing I expect from you are sententious advices and monologues. If you have nothing useful to ad to the discussion, thanks for your time, but don't involve me in that pointless discussion, for I have better things to do. No offence.

 

[Paidpal]

JElder - Thanks for useful info. I surmise your last year research was not related to adult industry... or was it? In any way, what (or who?) was for you the best source of desired informations?

 

[What If]

Thank you what if, but seriously, the last thing I expect from you are sententious advices and monologues. If you have nothing useful to ad to the discussion, thanks for your time, but don't involve me in that pointless discussion, for I have better things to do. No offence.

Non taken.

But if you don't expect a response like this then you shouldn't come on a UK forum asking how you can get grants from UK taxpayers, just so that you're financial protected (You've stated you've got the money!). Its not even about the nature of the business. Its the fact the you believe that you've got a right to do this and that you probably won't get a grant due to 'discrimination'.

I've already said this twice (but here we go again) 'IF YOU REALLY BELIEVE IN THIS YOU WOULD INVEST YOUR OWN MONEY!' I could understand if we were talking about a substantial amount, but it £8k.

 

[Paidpal]

What If - Apparently UK taxpayers are not that much concerned about public spendings, so please, stop debating over not "substantial amount", if millions are spent on benefit thieves and lazy procreators.

Besides, unique idea is always better than yet another candy, yet another clothing brand, yet another kebab take away etc. but anyway, that's not an object of discussion.

 

[Naughty Vend]

The money is in those live chat things you see. And ultra niche porn

Not as much as you would think, to answer PaidPal's question earlier about my experience and quantify your own... look for CamHoo.com which is a site I operate as part of my e-com businesses. I've learned alot from it over the years and know several people in the more 'direct' end of the industry.

 

[Naughty Vend]

PaidPal I have to echo some sentiments about the grant, even though you may be eligible doesn't mean you need to claim that right, having self-worth to me is a more important factor in pride of ownership and bear in mind that sometimes these grants (even if you did lie through your back teeth to get one) are more hassle than they are worth.

On a business level, to give you an idea of fetish fulfillment and the life-cycle if you look at that website I published (assuming the link is still there) then you'll understand that the performers are capable of doing almost anything legal, within reason and if they choose to... Therefore once your niche is "out there" someone could ask our performers to do that whatever that is, which removes your unique selling point.

Consider that, we are not the only site of our type and can XML backfill from five other sites of similar content should be choose to.

 

[What If]

What If - Apparently UK taxpayers are not that much concerned about public spendings, so please, stop debating over not "substantial amount", if millions are spent on benefit thieves and lazy procreators.

Besides, unique idea is always better than yet another candy, yet another clothing brand, yet another kebab take away etc. but anyway, that's not an object of discussion.

I don't get the opportunity to tell them. However, I can tell you. You're wanting money even though you have the startup funds, in my eyes thats no different to a benefit cheat! Your willing to taking this money away from somebody who could really use. Grants aren't bottomless pits.

It's your business, you will reap the potential rewards. So you should invest your money and take the risk! Alternatively, get a loan (pay interest), find an investor (give up equity)!

 

[Barnie]

people still pay for porn

 

[Paidpal]

PaidPal I have to echo some sentiments about the grant, even though you may be eligible doesn't mean you need to claim that right, having self-worth to me is a more important factor in pride of ownership and bear in mind that sometimes these grants (even if you did lie through your back teeth to get one) are more hassle than they are worth.

On a business level, to give you an idea of fetish fulfillment and the life-cycle if you look at that website I published (assuming the link is still there) then you'll understand that the performers are capable of doing almost anything legal, within reason and if they choose to... Therefore once your niche is "out there" someone could ask our performers to do that whatever that is, which removes your unique selling point.

Consider that, we are not the only site of our type and can XML backfill from five other sites of similar content should be choose to.

I appreciate sentiments for as long as they are focused on the topic - like the ones you did. I'm having hard times understanding, why another short-term (let's be frank) kebab shop is more justified than long-term (I hope!) adult-related business. But that's not the point here.

The niche I'm talking about is not that much of a niche as it sounds - there's probably over 20 websites already (some of them on the market for almost 10 years now!). All of them are lacking of either quality or ideas (every so often - both), which is why I think we can break in and get the big piece of market.

So... yeah. There is a chance that you yourself can spot on that niche, and enter it with all your experience and money. But in order to spot the niche, you need to be aware of its existence first. And believe me - when it comes to fetishes, human fantasies are beyond any imagination!

Still - if you have any ideas how to rise some extra funds, please do let me know.

 

[QuickHomeBuyers]

Would you also be looking for actors to test you camera?

 

[JElder]

JElder - Thanks for useful info. I surmise your last year research was not related to adult industry... or was it? In any way, what (or who?) was for you the best source of desired informations?

You are quite correct - totally unrelated! It was for a new start-up marketing services company. We found some grants available for manufacturing set-ups, and some available in the North of England if you created permanent employment.

There are also some if you are in research and development - again, not relevant to you.

There may be local-based ones, related to regeneration schemes - there are quite a few in London, but none where we were.

 

[avantime]

Has the OP considered potential financing from Mr Rooney?!

 

[What If]

Would you also be looking for actors to test you camera?

Why are you interested?

 

[JElder]

Would you also be looking for actors to test you camera?

You may want to find out which 'niche' he's in first.




*cough* 2 girls 1 cup *cough*

 

[Paidpal]

Would you also be looking for actors to test you camera?

Pay me 1000 quid per episode and you're in.

 

*cough* 2 girls 1 cup *cough*

?????????????

 

[Paidpal]

You are quite correct - totally unrelated! It was for a new start-up marketing services company. We found some grants available for manufacturing set-ups, and some available in the North of England if you created permanent employment.

There are also some if you are in research and development - again, not relevant to you.

There may be local-based ones, related to regeneration schemes - there are quite a few in London, but none where we were.

Thanks! Looks like there's a bit of research ahead to be done. Can you give me some links you used when looking for one? Or general idea?

 

[JElder]

I primarily used a service from Business Link, but also a general search for 'new business grants' and 'regeneration grants' as well.

Not sure if the business link site is still running: the .gov.uk portal may be your first port of call now.

Lucy: Don't search for the video. You'll regret it.

 

[Esk247]

?????????????

yeah..don't look for that..it's usually filed under '100 Bad Things To See On The Web'

to the OP if you're looking for grants, it's a tough one, you can go down the route of 'Job Creation' but still..it's going to be hard for the men in suits to get there head around this one, give it a go though and see what the feedback is.

When I worked on a website for a fetish/goth company we found it was very very difficult getting backing for anything, even from hosting companies and such, anything that is even slightly 'dodgy' is banned these days.

Also, did i read correctly in that you 'COULD' fund the project yourself? for around 8k? if so, i'd look at investing a small sum of that in testing this idea out, instead of trying to find an 8k grant and then jumping through ALL of the hoops they'll pass to you, literally, it's like training for the Olympics the amount of preparation and research you have to do just to get a small £500 grant these days.

 

[Paidpal]

to the OP if you're looking for grants, it's a tough one, you can go down the route of 'Job Creation' but still..it's going to be hard for the men in suits to get there head around this one, give it a go though and see what the feedback is.

When I worked on a website for a fetish/goth company we found it was very very difficult getting backing for anything, even from hosting companies and such, anything that is even slightly 'dodgy' is banned these days.

Great piece of advice, thank you!

Also, did i read correctly in that you 'COULD' fund the project yourself? for around 8k? if so, i'd look at investing a small sum of that in testing this idea out, instead of trying to find an 8k grant and then jumping through ALL of the hoops they'll pass to you, literally, it's like training for the Olympics the amount of preparation and research you have to do just to get a small £500 grant these days.

I got your point. The thing is that I can't start "testing", as there are companies out there with better equipment, greater range of better skilled models, more money. So our guess is that we must start "big" and have the material for at least 2 months of updates (and decent start-up amount of material). But what you wrote gave me an idea on how to reduce costs for about 30%, which is quite good!

 

[Psl]

Hi everyone.

It's been some time I've been working, more or less intensively, on my project. Idea is old and simple - adult webpage with weekly (or twice a week) uploads, monthly membership plan etc.

We aim to focus on very specific type of eroticism (particular fetish, not a mainstream pornography). Because of that, the target group is limited (still big enough to make a decent profit, especially in USA, Japan, Germany and Italy), yet we're confident we can make it, for the fact is our main concern is very good quality and, actually, fulfilling customers' needs rather that our own.

The hard part of the preparation process, was to find women with abilities and willingness to play, but that, hopefully, seems to be done by now (women, with all their adorable qualities, are to emotional for me to be 100% certain they will do it).

So that's where I'm coming from, now to the point.

I am doing it with my business partner from another EU country. He's got some equipment, unfortunatelly, due to personal problems, hardly any money to put into business. We need approximately 8.000 GBP to start and run the business for 2-3 months (that is - uploading new movies and photos). I happened to collect enough money to cover all that expenses by myself, but, honestly, I don't want to take the whole financial risk on my back. At the same time, I don't want to delay the project with such silly reason as lack of money.

Hence we were considering if there is a way to get a grant for start up e-business? The project is very specific and taboo on one hand, on the other - probably I won't find a single person on that message board who has never seen any porn or erotic movie, which makes me believe that such thing is equally rare and common.

Does anyone know if I can get a grant for that, what grant I can aim for, or if there's any professional financing advice or company who can help us to get necessary money (or information) to start the project?

Important note: It goes without saying, but all women are over 18 years old, no animals or any other sick perversion involved. And I do hope this topic will not turn into sententious discussion

Thanks everyone!

You say it is a particular fetish that you will focus on, which one? There are many niche markets and now micro niche markets in the fetish world.

As for getting a grant, not a chance, but I would love to be proved wrong though.
Why will you not get a grant? simple, the people making the decision to give you the grant will take the moral high ground because of your proposed business. In some cases the very same people who may well become clients of your site.

The idea is old and simple and still works to this day and makes a lot of people a lot of money, but the 20/80 rule applys even more in the adult industry, and reduces down to 10/90 when you get down to micro niches.Ater all the adult industry is worth and estimated $53 billion per annum.

I know people in the adult industry that will spend 8K on shooting new content per month. By the same token other site owners will spend as little as possible on shooting new content, hundreds of $$'s,guess which sites makes the most money?

Treat this like any other business and research your market, fully. Gone are the days of throwing up a site and waiting for the punters to buy a membership, content is king, SEO is the queen and marketing is the prince in the adult industry. Go to the shows that are held all over the world, join the dedicated adult forums and ask questions about your niche.It is a very ruthless marketplace you are getting into, just look at the tube sites and the amount of stolen content out there.

You may want to think of shooting the content and selling it to other well established sites in the niche. £8k will not last long in the industry you are looking at entering.

Check the laws on what you can and cannot sell in each country, it is a minefield to say the least.

There are many many other points that you must consider before you even launch your site.

Why am I qualified to make this post?
I have been supplying general and adult films to the hotel industry for many years now, the ones you see for rent on the in room hotel enetrtainment system. I have dealt with the adult industry for the same length of time, purchasing the license rights to films and then renting the films to the hotels groups. I have also visited most of the adult shows and know all the major studios and distributors worldwide.I have also met a lot of adult webmasters that own sites and seen a few get out of the business because it is getting harder every day to make the same money as ten years ago. I also act as a consultant to hotel groups and asssociated hotel companies, advising on what genre of adult content is legal/acceptable in each of the countries that thier hotels are situated in.

Good luck

 

[Paidpal]

Why am I qualified to make this post?

Haha, by the time I got to that question, I had no a single doubt you are! But I will refer to your amazing post after I'll mull it over!

 

[Paidpal]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/columnists/article-229238/Lord-Porns-blue-movies-NHS.html

Grant for supporting sperm donors? Not everyone's getting turned on watching regular porn.

 

[Beachcomber]

Do you cater for specialist niche's such as Dancing with Poodles?

 

[Paidpal]

You say it is a particular fetish that you will focus on, which one? There are many niche markets and now micro niche markets in the fetish world.

I have to keep it confidential for the moment, yet I've been watching the market for a long time now, and this type of fetish hasn't been actually called "fetish" yet, perhaps because it's not focusing on the particular item or part of the body.

As for getting a grant, not a chance, but I would love to be proved wrong though.

I wish I could prove you're wrong, really!

Why will you not get a grant? simple, the people making the decision to give you the grant will take the moral high ground because of your proposed business. In some cases the very same people who may well become clients of your site.

That is exactly my point. In UK, where sexual awareness is rather high and sex isn't a taboo anymore, still very few people will admit they do watch porn movies, they do pay for it online, they do rent dvds, and they do have unfulfilled fantasies - probably to weird to name them out loud. Which is why, instead of applaying for a grant directly, I am looking for a creative way (like creating new workplaces or international cooperation...)

The idea is old and simple and still works to this day and makes a lot of people a lot of money, but the 20/80 rule applys even more in the adult industry, and reduces down to 10/90 when you get down to micro niches.Ater all the adult industry is worth and estimated $53 billion per annum.

I wouldn't think of it if my goal wouldn't be being in that 10%. One thing I know for sure - if I won't try, I will never know for sure. I did what I could to learn about the market (including being customer!), ie befriending other website owners and getting info from them, checking alexa and pagerank stats (not very helpful unfortunatelly), I am aware of what these sites are lacking of, I know what are theirs great selling points, I have very good sense of aesthetics (my background), and I do have unique concept that has been done several times, but as a spice rather than the concept foundation.

I know people in the adult industry that will spend 8K on shooting new content per month. By the same token other site owners will spend as little as possible on shooting new content, hundreds of $$'s,guess which sites makes the most money?

The more you put in, the bigger the outcome, but my guess in adult industry this rule is exactly the opposite. But I am itching to find out what the answer is?

Treat this like any other business and research your market, fully. Gone are the days of throwing up a site and waiting for the punters to buy a membership, content is king, SEO is the queen and marketing is the prince in the adult industry. Go to the shows that are held all over the world, join the dedicated adult forums and ask questions about your niche.It is a very ruthless marketplace you are getting into, just look at the tube sites and the amount of stolen content out there.

What else I can do to fully research the market?
I am also aware that the content can be stolen (and if it's good - it will be stolen). I hardly can prevent it, which is why, rather than fighting windmills, I want to give something very unique for the members. Can't say what that is, but I hope it will work out.

You may want to think of shooting the content and selling it to other well established sites in the niche. £8k will not last long in the industry you are looking at entering.

Not an option. I do have a clear vision of everything, from the webpage desing to the videos concept. I even had this proposition from one website owner: yeah, you'll make the video, I'll put that on my webpage. Not a chance, my other fetish is to build a brand from the scratch. But thanks for the advice!

Check the laws on what you can and cannot sell in each country, it is a minefield to say the least.

I did some research on that, but can you tell me more?

There are many many other points that you must consider before you even launch your site.

Feel free to name them! And thanks!

Why am I qualified to make this post?
I have been supplying general and adult films to the hotel industry for many years now, the ones you see for rent on the in room hotel enetrtainment system. I have dealt with the adult industry for the same length of time, purchasing the license rights to films and then renting the films to the hotels groups. I have also visited most of the adult shows and know all the major studios and distributors worldwide.I have also met a lot of adult webmasters that own sites and seen a few get out of the business because it is getting harder every day to make the same money as ten years ago. I also act as a consultant to hotel groups and asssociated hotel companies, advising on what genre of adult content is legal/acceptable in each of the countries that thier hotels are situated in.

Good luck

I'd LOVE to pick your brain on that!

 

[mike.davis]

Say goodbye to any money you put into this idea. Whether its 8k or 80k.

 

[Cloughie]

Say goodbye to any money you put into this idea. Whether its 8k or 80k.

lol, what a silly, silly thing to say. It could be insanely profitable for all you know.

Come on guys, you don't even know WHAT it is, so don't beat this guy up because his business makes you feel uncomfortable. If you cane some up with a product/service that meets human needs and people are willing to pay money for it, as long as it's nor hurting or swindling anyone out of anything, its a goer from my perspective.

I agree about it being an innapropiate use of a grant though.. Personally I think grants should be used for ideas that stand to better the world we live in and communities etc... The adult industry isn't one of those. So stump up your money man

 

[Paidpal]

Say goodbye to any money you put into this idea. Whether its 8k or 80k.

Sounds like competition. Try harder if you want to discourage me.

 

[mike.davis]

lol, what a silly, silly thing to say. It could be insanely profitable for all you know.

No, saying "it could be profitably for all i know" is a silly thing to say.

This business has been sown up by the multi million £ businesses offering this stuff for free, but having so much traffic the advertising pays them a fortune.

You literally cannot compete, and you WILL fail miserably.

Infact the only thing dumber than this idea would be to try and make your own search engine.

 

[Psl]

No, saying "it could be profitably for all i know" is a silly thing to say.

This business has been sown up by the multi million £ businesses offering this stuff for free, but having so much traffic the advertising pays them a fortune.

You literally cannot compete, and you WILL fail miserably.

Infact the only thing dumber than this idea would be to try and make your own search engine.

You obviously know nothing about the industry. The multi million pounds businesses as you put it,have sown nothing up, let alone niche and micro niche fetish markets.