Over the weekend, I received a message from one of my fans on Rude asking me if I was aware that some of my videos were on another site. I asked him to please send me the links so I could check it out because it was possible I was the one who "leaked" the videos. This was not the case in this particular instance, so now I was faced with a few choices
A) Do nothing
B) Get mad, feel violated, and holler and scream about how I just couldn't believe this was happening
or
C) find a way to convert the eyeballs looking at this stolen video into traffic back to me. One of them had over 12,000 views!
Here's the thing about stolen content, if you're going to be in this business, in this day and digital age, you're going to have to accept that your videos, pictures, etc. are going to be lifted by somebody, at some point. I don't understand why models get so surprised by this, like OMG I can't believe this happened to ME? Honey chile, what made you think you were so bootleg-proof? People download music illegally, watch copyrighted videos on YouTube, buy bootleg movies from the neighborhood bootleg man, and even have questionable copies of Windows OS running on their computers. If you're completely honest with yourself, you'll have to admit that you are partaking in one of these piracy activities too! Does it make piracy okay? NO. I'm not saying that at all. What I am saying is that once that you accept that it happens, you can make the decision to use it to your advantage, instead of b*tchin' and whining about it.
So, what can you do?
First, watermark all your content, including your pictures, videos, and live cam feed. You can do this using Photoshop, MS Paint, or watermarking software like EasySector. Go to Download.com and search for "photo watermark software". You can use ManyCam or WebcamMax's "text over video" feature to put a watermark over your live feed when you are broadcasting on cam sites. It can be your website link like myusername.cammodels.com or just your name, however, if you put just your name, be sure that if someone were to search your name on Google, they'll actually be able to find you. Otherwise there's no point. For example, if you go to Google and type in "Unique Passion" the first link is to my Twitter page and the second link is to a radio interview I did on the Motown Maurice show which has a list of my links in the description. Also, be sure to put the watermark somewhere on the photo, video, or cam feed that it can not be easily cropped out.
Marking your stuff doesn't necessarily mean it won't be swiped and circulated elsewhere, however, now if it is, it becomes a form of advertising back to you.
The second thing you can do, is ask your fans to let you know if they see your content other places on the internet. You could even offer a small incentive for them doing this, if you want. Most times, our fans know more places to get their perv on than we do, and are more than willing to be your scouts and report back if they see you on other places they look at porn.
Lastly, whenever you find that you are posted somewhere else, here's what you do:
Create a profile on the site where the picture or video is posted
Make a comment under the picture or video saying something like, "Hey this is UniquePassion, I am the performer in this video. If you enjoyed this clip/pic and want to see more of me, check out my website www.mywebsite.com. You can also follow me on Twitter @MyTwitterName. If you follow me, be sure to tweet me and say hello so I can say hello back! Thank guys."
If your content is posted on a forum of some sort, it may even be worth it for you to become an active part of the forum and build a relationship with the members there. They obviously are already enjoying your content and many of them could easily be converted to contributing clients if you took the time to make your presence know and be friendly with them.
Moral of the stolen content story: You can get mad, or you can get even. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!
A) Do nothing
B) Get mad, feel violated, and holler and scream about how I just couldn't believe this was happening
or
C) find a way to convert the eyeballs looking at this stolen video into traffic back to me. One of them had over 12,000 views!
Here's the thing about stolen content, if you're going to be in this business, in this day and digital age, you're going to have to accept that your videos, pictures, etc. are going to be lifted by somebody, at some point. I don't understand why models get so surprised by this, like OMG I can't believe this happened to ME? Honey chile, what made you think you were so bootleg-proof? People download music illegally, watch copyrighted videos on YouTube, buy bootleg movies from the neighborhood bootleg man, and even have questionable copies of Windows OS running on their computers. If you're completely honest with yourself, you'll have to admit that you are partaking in one of these piracy activities too! Does it make piracy okay? NO. I'm not saying that at all. What I am saying is that once that you accept that it happens, you can make the decision to use it to your advantage, instead of b*tchin' and whining about it.
Who is STEALING your videos?
The culprit may be closer than you think. Watch this video to learn more.
First, watermark all your content, including your pictures, videos, and live cam feed. You can do this using Photoshop, MS Paint, or watermarking software like EasySector. Go to Download.com and search for "photo watermark software". You can use ManyCam or WebcamMax's "text over video" feature to put a watermark over your live feed when you are broadcasting on cam sites. It can be your website link like myusername.cammodels.com or just your name, however, if you put just your name, be sure that if someone were to search your name on Google, they'll actually be able to find you. Otherwise there's no point. For example, if you go to Google and type in "Unique Passion" the first link is to my Twitter page and the second link is to a radio interview I did on the Motown Maurice show which has a list of my links in the description. Also, be sure to put the watermark somewhere on the photo, video, or cam feed that it can not be easily cropped out.
Marking your stuff doesn't necessarily mean it won't be swiped and circulated elsewhere, however, now if it is, it becomes a form of advertising back to you.
The second thing you can do, is ask your fans to let you know if they see your content other places on the internet. You could even offer a small incentive for them doing this, if you want. Most times, our fans know more places to get their perv on than we do, and are more than willing to be your scouts and report back if they see you on other places they look at porn.
Lastly, whenever you find that you are posted somewhere else, here's what you do:
Create a profile on the site where the picture or video is posted
Make a comment under the picture or video saying something like, "Hey this is UniquePassion, I am the performer in this video. If you enjoyed this clip/pic and want to see more of me, check out my website www.mywebsite.com. You can also follow me on Twitter @MyTwitterName. If you follow me, be sure to tweet me and say hello so I can say hello back! Thank guys."
If your content is posted on a forum of some sort, it may even be worth it for you to become an active part of the forum and build a relationship with the members there. They obviously are already enjoying your content and many of them could easily be converted to contributing clients if you took the time to make your presence know and be friendly with them.
Moral of the stolen content story: You can get mad, or you can get even. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!
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