5 Things You Must Do for Successful Collabs with Your Fellow Talent
I just reached down to check my phone and saw a Gmail notification. “Ah, yay,” I thought. “‘Horny Tattoo Wives Hit the Pussy Jackpot’ sold!” After setting my phone down, I started thinking back over my seven-plus years of sex work and everything I’ve learned along the way about working with other models.
As someone who’s had the pleasure of working with many talent over the years, I’ve always tried to work with people whose content resonates with me. Some models specialize in things I’ve always wanted to do or content that is a favorite kink of mine. Some just have the same energy as I do or we just vibe well. I can’t emphasize enough what a huge difference it makes when I’m shooting with someone I really mesh with.
1. Get the Basics Down
While working with someone who shares the same turn-ons helps, what’s really important to discuss right off the bat are your hard “no” limits. Knowing your own value and what you bring to a shoot also matters, as no one knows you or your own value better than you do. Also, each site of course has its own rules and terms of service in model agreements. Most of the time, the bulk of my content goes on ManyVids, so I follow their rules. Paperwork like model releases must also be signed because you both have to be allowed to distribute the same content.
2. Hitting Them Up for a Collab
Before getting into filming logistics, you must first reach out to another model, which can be difficult. I’ve found the best way is to DM them and ask if they are open to making content together and, if so, what type of content. Your message might say something along the lines of, “Hey, my name is so-and-so, I usually make XYZ content, I’ve noticed that you make ABC content, would you be interested in working together?” Then give them the option to discuss that via DMs or ask which platform they prefer to chat on. For me, it’s Twitter, as I’m most active there. Hitting them up at live events like adult expos can also work.
3. Be Clear About Pricing
Saying what you want/expect and agreeing on a price that works for both of you is ideal. Normally my husband edits, I work on graphics/screenshots from the video for the trailer/cover graphic and write the description, and then I send the file to the other model. But you can also agree that you will both edit your own versions or write your own descriptions. The most important thing is matching price and tags, for those fans who price-browse or search for certain keywords.
4. Cross-Promotion
You can also tag each other, which helps build both of your brands. When I think about building my brand, I think about whom my fans would enjoy seeing me work with, whom I would like to work with and how teaming up could benefit both of us. It’s also important to discuss cross-promotion, posting/tweeting and reposting/retweeting for one another. Since the goal is to reach as many people as possible, mutual promotion is the best!
5. Set Boundaries for Yourself and Others
One of the last things I want to touch on is things to avoid. Don’t ask to collaborate with someone who isn’t going to mesh with the type of content you make. Also, don’t say yes to working with a model you don’t want to work with, just because they asked. Saying “no” can be hard, but you can either be direct and say something along the lines of, “I appreciate the offer but I’m not interested in making that kind of content” or else you can just say that you’re just too busy, or something to that effect. Also, don’t ask a lot of people at once, since you might miss messages/offers. This also should go without saying, but you shouldn’t make any content you don’t agree to do or wouldn’t do on your own. Don’t work with anyone who isn’t tested via talent testing services, or at least agree to no fluid swapping if you’re willing to take the risk. Stick to your “no” list and don’t let others pressure you into breaking rules or doing something you don’t want to do.
By following my do’s and don’ts, I’ve been able to avoid negative experiences — and I have had the pleasure of working with, in no particular order, talent like Bea York, Stella Von Savage, Athena Blaze, Jade Leigh, Epiphany and Tigger Rosey. Girl/girl content is my favorite to make and I’d love to make more for my fans. Collaborating with another model should be a fun and enjoyable experience for you both, so I hope that my do’s and don’ts help you and whoever you work with create some hot content for your fans.