guide to camming start modeling

CAM MODELING BASICS: LEARN IT FAST

There are so many intangibles to consider when first getting into cam modeling, but let’s move past them and focus on the material things you’ll need to get yourself out there. The tools of the trade, so to speak. Here’s what you’ll need to begin your modeling adventure:

A Good Internet Connection

Cable Broadband is the go-to for cam models, especially if you can pony up the cash for the highest speeds. It is widely available, and you never have to worry about data usage. The main drawback is that bandwidth is shared with your neighbors, so you may see some slower speeds at high-traffic times of day. DSL is not shared, so your speed is more constant, but it’s not capable of the same top speeds as cable. Fiber-optic is an ideal combination of the two. You get a dedicated line that’s faster than both cable and DSL. The main drawback of fiber optic is that it isn’t available in all areas. You’ll have to check with your local provider. For a more detailed breakdown, check out this article.  Also, here’s a link to review.org’s list of best Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

Pro-tip #1: When shopping for an ISP that’s good for camming, I recommend an absolute minimum speed of 5.00-10.00 Mbps. Of course, the faster the better.

Pro-tip #2: Wi-Fi is ok. It can allow you to move easily around your broadcast space, which customers like. But a hard-wired connection is always preferable. It’s way more consistent, and customers appreciate this even more.

A Capable Computer

The choice between a laptop or desktop, PC or Mac is entirely up to you. Again, laptops offer a certain mobility and flexibility customers are sure to like. Desktops are more affordable, and offer more bang for your buck. But no matter your choice, here’s a few important attributes your computer should have.

  • Minimum of 8 GB of RAM. Have enough RAM to make sure you’re running smoothly while having multiple tabs open for broadcasting and streaming your music.
  • 1 TB hard drive. This will make sure you have enough space to store your saved videos, which are large files.
  • Intel Core i7 or equivalent processor. A strong processor is crucial when streaming video.

A Decent Webcam for Modeling

Such a no-brainer that I almost forgot to mention it! Some cam models start out with their laptop’s internal webcam, but good HD cams have become so affordable that you’re really better off upgrading. As far as brands go, it’s hard to go wrong with Logitech. At around $50, the C920 has been Amazon’s top seller for some time. But if you want to start smaller, the C270 is also immensely popular and easy to use.

Warm Lighting

It’s hard to lure customers into your chatroom when they can’t see your pretty face. A minimum of two lights, one in front and one behind, should reduce shadows, but for the best results, many working cam models recommend a 3-point lighting set-up. Test out your lights while on cam and make sure they’re positioned well.  For a great crash course in lighting, check out this post on Cam Girl Wiki and this awesome tutorial on webcam4money.com.

Pro-tip: Paper shades or thin cloth sheets are great for softening light and reducing glare. Just make sure any covers are not in direct contact with the bulb or things could get hot!

Something to Play With

Toys are not essential for modeling. Some models do well without them. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say they are in high demand and hugely popular with customers. Even if you’re starting on a limited budget, I highly recommend you invest in good-quality toys. Cheap toys tend to be porous, require deeper cleaning, and have to be replaced often. This ends up costing you time and more money in the long run. In an upcoming post, I’ll highlight some popular toys for guys and girls. Stay tuned for that.

Costumes and Undies

For female models, sexy lingerie is an obvious draw. For men, most have the privilege of keeping it simple. Snug boxer briefs are hugely popular and comfortable. But some other great things to have on hand: A flattering thong. A jock strap. Tighty-whities (yeah, I know, ick). Uniforms can be great for your role-play scenarios. Check out my post on some popular cosplay props and costumes to have on hand.

Modeling on Site

Choose the best site for you and your modeling style. This is by no means easy. Each site has its own interface, commission structure, policies and rules. To get you started, check out our reviews of the top camming sites here.

Once you’ve got the above covered, get on cam and start entertaining. As with anything requiring determination, your first-hand experience will teach you what works and what doesn’t. Your start may be slow and your early performances may feel a bit bare bones, but don’t be discouraged. This is par for the course for most of us.  At least now you have the tools to jump in and try.

Thank you for dropping by. As you may or may not know, we specialize in addressing your cam needs. Our team is dedicated to educating models, customers, and studios as to the exciting and creative trade of being a professional cam model. Interested in reading more? Check out our article on the best budget-friendly webcam of 2018.

LOGITECH C920: Tech Review

logitech webcamYou’ve fired up your system and you’re ready to broadcast. But, sadly, your webcam quality, when streaming, is not good… Customers comment on this. Your image freezes. You lose business. You hang your head and commit to investing in a cam that’s going to help escalate your show quality to a higher level. Ever striving. Ever bent on improving. Well, we have the answer to what cam will help you bring a better quality to your shows….Logitech C920!

Today, I’d like to talk about a high quality budget-friendly webcam for you to get crazy with in 2018. That cam is the Logitech 920C! This webcam is, in our opinion, the industry standard for quality. And, it’s not cheap. It’s not expensive. Instead, it falls somewhere right in between, hitting that sweet spot of budget-friendliness and high quality goodness. Overall, it’s probably the best webcam to get you up and running.

Logitech C920 Webcam

Also, Logitech is known for their webcams, and, generally speaking, across the board, they are a solid backbone of industry trends and, whether it’s the 920C or otherwise, probably have a cam that will fit exactly what you’re looking for.

Check out this review of the Logitech C920 to see what makes this cam a great bargain:

As we can see by this video, we are truly in good hands when considering webcams. Remember, when camming, it is of vital importance to have a high quality stream. Of course, a cam alone won’t help unless you have a solid upload speed, a good processor, and a high amount of RAM. But, make no mistake, the Logitech C920 will get the job done. And done well.

Interested in more articles about being a webcam model? Check out our article on the gig economy. In this article, we expand upon the idea of the “gig economy” and why modeling on cam is a viable and smart option for those who wish to earn precious extra income as well as enjoy themselves in front of a worldwide audience.

GIG ECONOMY: CAM FOR CASH

It’s no secret that now, more than ever, people are taking their creative and professional lives into their own hands, and making the most of what they have and of what they can do. It’s all about the gig. Webcam modeling as a way to earn extra money in this “gig economy” is not only smart, but absolutely enjoyable and unique.

A GOOD GIG

What makes webcam modeling a great choice for extra gigs is that you can do it right from the comfort of your own home. Depending on the site, the sign-up process is usually pretty quick, and some webcam companies have excellent service in terms of walking new models through the process of signing up and thriving on site.

WORLDWIDE AUDIENCE

Also, camming is great, because it opens you to a worldwide audience. If you’re a taxi driver, you’re bound by the actual physical location of where you work from (i.e. your car). Not so with camming. You can cam from anywhere (given the rules and regulation of your platform of choice), and you can connect to a huge audience consisting of people from all around the world. You can also control which countries and/or states you don’t want to see you. “Geo-blocking” is what it’s called. A lot of models do it. It’s all about building your brand and how you want to be seen (and where you want to be seen from).

SET YOUR HOURS

gig economyAnother reason why camming is so great in the gig economy is that you can set your own hours. Don’t like waking up early to clock in on time at your office job? No worries. You can cam over your morning cup of coffee. Also, you can cam in the shower. Third, you can cam from the comfort of your own bed. Now, not many other professional opportunities can boast that level of freedom. Truly, camming is one of the most innovative and easy-to-start paths you’ll ever encounter.

EXPRESS YOURSELF

Finally, camming allows you to express yourself in ways that more traditional jobs do not. With camming you can develop yourself as a public speaker, an entertainer, a dancer, a singer, and on and on. Fans will love coming to your room to spend time with you. You’ll become someone special to people all over the world. As a model, they’ll look up to you and love being with you. It truly is a unique experience as you learn the personalities and stories of so many people around the globe.

Interested in upping your cam game? Check out this article.

GAME ON: CONVERSE LIKE A PRO

Playing games on cam can increase the engagement in your room. Try it. In doing so, you might be quite surprised. In addition, games can also make your room come to life with humor, excitement, and fun! Truthfully, who doesn’t like having fun? Well, we at Guide to Camming love fun. When camming, it’s wise to consider that some fans love the excitement of entering into a game-like experience with you. And, from your point of view, it can be such a fantastic way to set up tip targets and tip-related goals. 

games guide to cammingPlus, games give purpose to your time on cam. Also, having a purpose is important. Let’s say you’re looking to change up your normal routine, why not try a game. Here are some links you can study to increase your understanding of what kind of games might work best for you. Remember, playing games on cam is not for everyone and sometimes members will try to alter the rules or take advantage of a competitive situation. The more aware you are of that possibility the more you can work your game-time to your advantage.

What’s involved in a game? Think of a way that you can quiz or challenge your fans to tip you. In return, when they (or you) do something “right,” you can or should be tipped. The game-like nature of your time spent together will fly by. Games erase the monotony of sitting and waiting for something to happen. Furthermore, games are fantasy. How? First, they engage your imagination. Second, they impose imaginary rules on a situation. Third, they introduce a purpose and a challenge to time spent. Cool, right?

GAME ON!

Next, here are some (hopefully) helpful links to game ideas and discussion ideas. In truth, at the end of the day a game will succeed or fail based on how you play it. Remember to have fun and keep things light.

Cam Games: http://www.howareyoubb.com/2016/05/23/games-play-fans-cam/

Protect Yourself: https://www.camgirlwiki.com/wiki/Protecting_yourself_during_contests_and_games

Nine Engaging Icebreakers: https://www.govloop.com/community/blog/9-easy-engaging-icebreakers-meetings/

Twenty Three Exciting Icebreakers: https://icebreakerideas.com/best-icebreaker-games-adults/

Two Hundred and Fifty Conversation Starters: https://conversationstartersworld.com/250-conversation-starters/

Interesting Conversation Starters: https://conversationstartersworld.com/interesting-conversation-topics/

Funny Questions to Ask: https://conversationstartersworld.com/funny-questions-to-ask/

Above all, thank you for reading. Most noteworthy, we, here at Guide to Camming, believe that the more savvy you are at how you spend your time in your chat room, the more money you can potentially earn. Also people want to spend time with other people who are engaging and interesting. Second, they want to spend time with people who listen to them, who ask them questions, and who know how to engage them in a worthwhile experience. Third, you become larger than life. Is that you? Well, we certainly think that it could be.

Finally, are you looking for more? Check out our article on using humor in your cam shows.

GET INTERACTIVE: SPICE UP CAM SHOWS

Camming is our life, and interactive is the future. We love doing it. Also, we love the rewards that come from it, the joy. We love giving our fans the types of awesome shows that keep them coming back for more each and every time we log on. That said, technology is growing and advancing every day. And the cam world is already at the forefront of such technological advancements. We have to be. It’s through our work that fans can truly “connect” with the models that they love. So, what better way to celebrate our unique position than to talk a little bit about three particular interactive toys (commonly called “sex toys”) that you can use in your cam shows to wow your fans and take yourself to the next level.

OhMiBod

To begin, the awesome OhMiBod devices are continually evolving with newer models and modified devices being developed on a regular basis. Generally speaking, what makes the OhMiBod such a fun toy to use while camming is its reaction to sound. The OhMiBod, when presented with a certain sound, can vibrate you to the throes of ecstasy. How cool is that? You’ve seen it before, and trust us, you’re going to see it again. A model is in his/her room with an OhMiBod in place. In this regard, a voracious customer enters and, suddenly, that customer starts tipping like there’s no tomorrow. With each DING, the OhMiBod reacts. How cool it is to be stimulated while being paid. Trust us, it’s very cool. There’s no greater feeling. Try it out today!

Kiiroo

It needs to be said that Kiiro cannot be ignored. With their truly satisfying “Onyx” and “Pearl” models, they are taking the interactive cam world by stom. Their Onyx dubs itself as “The only interactive masturbator that let’s you relinquish control.” That’s right. Imagine the sensation of when this device does the work for you. Yep, it’s that good. No, scratch that — it’s BETTER. Also, with their “Pearl” model, they say, “Pearl is a beautiful, technologically advanced G-spot vibrator designed to fulfil your most intimate needs in ways you never thought possible. You can have an evening for one or have an intimate experience with your partner online. However you choose to indulge, Pearl will take your breath away.” Get your Kiiroo “on” today!

 

Interested in reading more about how you can improve your cam experience? Check out our article on humor.