random rambling Archives • Fetish Webmistress

A world without Twitter.

by webmiss | Aug 21, 2020 | random rambling

Considering all the forms of advertising that exist and have ever existed for sex work and related industries, the most powerful is, and always has been, without a doubt Twitter. I’ve been creating and marketing websites for sex workers since 2000. My first clients came to me because the era of the tart card was drawing to an end. The Tart Cards were like postcards and were mostly placed in London’s famous red phone boxes. They were adverts depicting the ladies and their sexual services along with contact details. The design work ranged from classy and cool to nasty and lewd and often the photos or artwork were clip art or had been cut out of magazines. The residents of London’s boroughs – typically Paddington, Kensington and Baker St – eventually won their way when they were banned in 2001 ~ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tart_card

Around this time there were rumblings of a new form of advertising via the WWW and websites were becoming a must-have marketing tool. At this point, although Google did not yet exist, there were various search engines – who remembers Ask Geeves?. Search engines were “the next big thing”: the clever girls knew it, and it was also the very beginning of the first online directories dedicated to promoting sex workers. I’m thinking of you Max Fisch and Dickie Virgin.

SEO principles back then were quite simple, and you really only needed a basic website. In order to hit the front page of the search engines, you could simply stuff your homepage with a huge list of service related keywords and locations – anything you thought your clients might type into the search engines… This practice is now frowned upon and Google may even penalise “Black Hat SEO” Times have changed!

Social Media and Censorship

As an adult industry based webmistress and marketer I have tried out all the Social Media platforms. Facebook has kicked me off more times than I can remember; blocking my access to well-crafted and nurtured fetish/femdom related Fan Pages that I’d been running for clients. The most aggravating case might have been when working with highly respected, BAFTA award-winning director, Stuart Urban. After the success of our first crowdfunded campaign to restore and remaster the original film of Preaching To The Perverted , Stuart’s hope to create a sequel of sorts was diminished by FB’s narrow minded politics. PTTP’s audience was prevalent on FB as a balance between mainstream and fetish scene fans. We were using FB ads to increase our reach by promoting the crowdfunding Kickstarter (who had accepted us, and whom we’d successfully used in the past campaign for PTTP). When the Tortured in the Orchard’s page and ads to raise capital were shut down at a crucial point in the funding campaign it meant we were unable to meet our target and dreams of producing a fun sequel crashed. The most frustrating part was not receiving an explanation or any reason why… except that it was adult content. Which it really was not, because BAFTA?

Facebook, now the proud owners of Instagram have never wavered on its no-female-nudity stance and now both platforms are wiped clean quickly via their magic algorithms that use image-metrics and can detect a female nipple. Even the mere mention of the word ‘boudoir’ my have you shadow banned. They’ve even gone as far as banning the use of emojis that possibly indicate sexual activity.

“Hundreds of porn stars and sex workers had their Instagram accounts deleted this year, and many say that they’re being held to a different standard than mainstream celebrities.” ~ https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-50222380

It would be funny if it wasn’t so ludicrous

So, how did we all end up on Twitter?

Icons made by Google from www.flaticon.com

When Twitter popped up in 2006, it was initially a baffling concept for me. Self-hosted online forums were still quite popular with plenty of space for debate and depending on the website – the owners and moderators – a fairly relaxed policy towards adult imagery and discussion. At this point, Facebook was only 2 years old and Instagram non-existent. So with a mere 140 characters to make a point on Twitter… how did we manage…?

Twitter and Censorship

Despite Twitter’s quite tight terms and conditions, it’s the largest free mainstream platform that is still quite open to sexual content. It seems that if you are diligent in indicating that your content may contain sensitive media ( you can do this under your Account > Settings and Privacy > Privacy and safety > Mark media you Tweet as containing material that may be sensitive) they willingly allow us to share and promote adult imagery and services within our profiles (though your header and profile image may not contain sensitive media).

Instances of possible censorship include having accounts deactivated (Madame Caramel claims to be on her 18th account) and shadow banning. However… I believe it might just be down to misbehaviour. A colleague has elaborated further on shadow banning and broken down Twitter’s T&Cs into relevant snippets on his website here eyemblacksheep.com

Twitter as a referral system

Twitter has opened up many business opportunities, which would not be possible otherwise. Social influence is not just restricted to mainstream celebrities: Twitter is the ultimate virtual word-of-mouth referral based system and between many of my femdom, sex work, BDSM and fetish clients the notion of the community over competition, is strong.

Furthermore, the idea that potential clients can interact with the Mistress in their sights, and to an extent get to know them from a distance, is priceless marketing that costs nothing except the time needed to nurture an interesting, well-crafted Twitter profile.

Get to the point, Miss May

It’s too easy to grow comfortable and rely on just one system for our promotion. We all know that “putting our eggs in one basket” is never a good idea, right?. And even since I have started to write this (end of 2019), the idea of Twitter – as we know it – is on shaky grounds…. SOSTA/FESTA was voted in the USA forcing Backpage to close down along with many other websites that were unsure of their position in the law. The word on the virtual-street was that Twitter would be the next to send their sex work profiles packing. I am pleased to say that so far, this has not been the case. In fact, I have stopped worrying about new censorship laws since the UK has forever been trying to force regulations that never quite make it through… different story. I won’t go there now.

Where do we go to in a world without Twitter??

After all the followers we’ve gained, and relationships nurtured, what happens if one day we are ALL booted off Twitter?

What’s your backup plan?

Twitter does provide a backup system of sorts. But it’s only an archive of your posts, media and interactions. I just downloaded mine and it looked like this:

So I can see all of my tweets, likes and direct messages but I do not get a back up of accounts that follow me and vice versa.

Go to your Account:
> More (it’s the circle with three dots)
> Setting and Privacy
> Your Account
> Download an archive of your data

Your Website is your business’s online home

If you are in business and on Twitter, I’d like to assume that you at least have a reasonably well thought out website and online business plan. You don’t have your own website? Read on.

Your website is the one thing you can count on if all things fail. Find yourself a web person you can trust. But definitely don’t make that person your current slave. No matter how much you trust them. In my two decades as a web designer, I have seen so many websites breaking down along with messy breakups. In the long run, it’s 100% worth paying a neutral party to deal with your professional affairs.

Please, make sure that your domain name is registered to YOU. Not to your webmaster, nor your best friend, and again, certainly not your current slave in service. This topic is a whole other post in itself but simply put YOU must be the registered owner of your own URL i.e domain name.

Make sure you have regular backups of your website being archived somewhere that YOU can access. My hosting company backs up all of my websites once a month. I also recommend a weekly (or more often) backup with a plugin like Updraft Plus(if you’re using WordPress).

Mailing List – Email Marketing

Who doesn’t love receiving a juicy email packed full of the latest news and photos of your favourite online person?

Your website and mailing list should be your major point of contact and therefore you should, at the very least, be maintaining it regularly via promotion and backing up. Promote it to increase your regular audience, back it up to secure that audience. Back up your mailing list regularly; ensure you will be able to regain contact with them in the event you lose access to it.

Of course, the repression and censorship of Sex Workers often work against us, so I am sorry to say it but MailChimp is not your friend and I have had clients lose their accounts in the past. There are however always other options! I have successfully set up clients on YMLP.com and someone else I know is using ConstantContact and has been for years. I am not going to recommend them with 100% confidence because, you already know it, adult sex work probably goes against their T&Cs. It is up to you to take the risk and always do that backup! Make it a weekly or monthly admin task. If you use WordPress there are lead generator and newsletter plugin options that I am currently investigating however, the setup may be arduous. Have a look at https://www.thenewsletterplugin.com/

So, to sum up the whole point of this rather drawn out article: In a world without Twitter to market ourselves on, the two basic tools you should be bulletproofing are your WEBSITE and your Mailing List! Do this now, and secure your present and future as a successful and smart business owner.

Need some help getting set up?
Contact Me for a no-obligation consultation.

Yours,

Rachel May

Don’t forget to follow me on Twit! @Miss__May

Miss May : Fetish Beginnings

by webmiss | Aug 8, 2018 | random rambling

fetish self portrait by Rachel May fetish webmistress

Fetish.com were curious about how I became the Fetish Webmistress, and invited me to an interview about my humble beginnings, running a business in the fetish and BDSM industry and my experience with the fetish scene, in general.

When did you get the idea to start a fetish web design business? How much has changed since when you first began developing your business?

I met a chap called Alan by chance, in London in early 2000, who needed someone to help him out with a website he was about to launch called WhatsYours.com. The concept was to present fetish and BDSM in a friendly, non-threatening way, to educate the mainstream, and to encourage people to talk about – what was back then – a very taboo topic. Alan also had a web design business that catered to the kink community. I learned a lot with him and met a lot of people who became clients (and friends). Word-of-mouth meant that my clients have always been in the adult industry though I have had a few mainstream clients. So, I never really had the idea to start a fetish web design business, it just kind of happened!

So much has changed: Technology, design style, attitudes towards sex and kink, perception of the sex industry, fetish fashion, the law, the way we communicate, the way we meet people and nurture relationships. My confidence as a photographer has also of course been affected by the introduction of digital photography. I’m much more comfortable with the fact that I can verify my shots on the spot rather than waiting for a roll of film to develop!

What is your mission? Why should people come to you for their creative needs?

I aim to provide a professional, bespoke service for each of my clients. So, even though I do offer packages on my website they are very much tailored with regards to my clients’ needs. I create websites that can be updated by anyone, not just me, so if my client wants to do this themselves I offer a training period where I walk them through the admin aspects of their website. I now have 18 years of experience creating websites for the erotic industry so I know a thing or two about what works on adult websites, in terms of user experience. I also provide basic to advanced SEO to attract traffic from the various search engines available and can advise on which websites are the best to advertise on etc.

Were you interested in BDSM/Fetish lifestyle before pursuing business ownership in the lifestyle?

I was 17 and my mind was totally corrupted when Madonna published her SEX book. The way I thought about and experienced sex was never the same again. When I moved to London and found the fetish scene by accident in 2000, I knew I had found my spiritual home.

What kind of clients do you attract? What can people expect when the sit down to discuss their ideas with you?

My clients are super-professional, motivated and keen to take charge of their personal brand. They understand that the cheapest option is not always the best option. They are non-conformists and think outside the box rather than submit to society’s conventions.

I admire each and everyone of them for their creativity and individuality and they can expect 100% interest and involvement in the development of their product from me, whether it’s a website design or a photo shoot. All clients are different, some want to be more hands on others just want to hand the whole project over and let me get on with it. Either way is fine for me.

Working within the Femdom community has been a wonderful experience. The concept of sisterhood is strong and I have found great support from women who are not only clients but those whom I consider good friends. I appreciate the confidence they have in me, especially for photo shoots and the end results are always mind blowing!

Are you involved in the local kink community (events, festivals, markets, munches)?

I am a sponsor of the annual FemDom Ball and over the last 18 years I have attended and had different levels of involvement in various events including Torture Garden, Rubber Cult, Club Rub, Club Blackwhip, Club Wicked and The F Club and the now legendary Skin Two Rubber Ball.

I designed (and appeared in) the last few issues of Skin Two magazine – if you are interested in the history of the fetish and BDSM scene, a good place to start would be issue 1 which is available as a digital download from Tim Woodward’s online store KFS Media.

I am also the web manager for the LAM – London Alternative Market – website.

With thanks to Jacob Darkly and Fetish.com

Erotic and straight up kinky gift ideas!

by webmiss | Dec 20, 2017 | random rambling

I’ve been meaning to write a post about kinky gift ideas for years, and since Christmas is fast approaching, I thought I’d take the opportunity to suggest some quality erotic items produced by my very dear friends and clients. Some are great ideas for last-minute purchases as they do not necessarily involve a physical product.

Erotic and Fetish Art

Michael Manning creates some of the kinkiest, bizarre erotic art on the planet! I myself am so proud to have provided Michael with some inspiration for his art with my Puss in Boots persona that I used to play around with when I was fetish clubbing regularly a few years ago. That is another post entirely but here are two of the illustrations: That’s me, the kitty cat 😉

pony play fetish illustration by Michael Manning

Puss in Boots by Michael Manning fetish artist

I can’t think of a more perfect gift than an original artwork and you can commission Michael to create one in your loved ones likeness. There are also many other soecial pieces for sale on his website. Michael’s cool-as-fuck Spider Garden and Tranceptor graphic novels and Inamorata are also available to purchase too. His website is: www.thespidergarden.net and for a virtual gift why not sign up your loved one for a monthly fix of fetish art on his Patreon

Femdom Art

If you’re a “true” slave you should have, by now, commisioned the great Sardax to call into existence your Mistress’s favourite femdom fantasy in art form.

Likewise, a copy of Sardax’s Venus in Furs should occupy a space on any dominant woman or slave’s bookshelf.

BDSM B&B Getaway in London

London’s Hoxton Dungeon Suite, owned by the magnificent Madame Caramel, is a kinky haven set in the grooviest part of east London. Go with your partner, mistress, lover. Don’t just stay one night as it is simply not enough to truly experience all this pervert’s paradise has to offer.

Erotic, Fetish and BDSM Bookstore

If you want to view a collection of some of the best kinky books, magazines and DVDs ever published, then KFS MEDIA is where you should go! Tim Woodward, founder of the famous Skin Two magazine personally curates and manages KFS Media himself. I highly recommend a look at the Troupe of Slaves book – if you like your BDSM with a healthy dose of humour this book is a real page-turner.

Femdom, Fetish and BDSM and VANILLA Photoshoots

Purchase a photoshoot with me, Miss May, for your Mistress or your lover and I will send you a personalised gift certificate that you can send to their inbox on Christmas day, Valentine’s day, their b’day etc.

However, I don’t only offer photoshoots for Mistresses – everyone is welcome and should experience at least one in their life, a professional photoshoot. I love photographing women and women with their loved ones, children and grandchildren.

The photos are printed on beautiful fine art paper and are presented in a beautiful handmade leather or leatherette folio which becomes an heirloom for future generations to enjoy and treasure.

If you would like to hear more about my mainstream portraits service, please do not hesitate to contact me and if you would like to see some of my photography of my prodomme clients you can visit this gallery

Tart Cards and a very brief history of the sex industry on the WWW

by webmiss | Nov 27, 2015 | random rambling

Some of my first regular sex industry clients came about after the Tart Cards were banned in London’s phone boxes in 2001. Tart Cards were advertisements the size of a postcard that usually had illustrations or fake photos and some brief details about services offered and the phone number. They were tacked to the walls of phone booths by “carders” throughout London or outside the doors of the walk-ins.

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Fetish Social Networks and Dating Sites

by webmiss | Jul 28, 2014 | random rambling

There’s a multitude of fetish and BDSM Social Networks and dating sites but do they really work? Well it depends on the way you want them to work for you, I guess. I’m on several; Facebook (not originally intended for us perverts!), Fetlife (aka dirtydollbaby) and a number of others that are more visual based like Instagram and DeviantArt.

I’m not on them to meet the love of my life, or even a play partner. My dance card is already full. But I have met nice people on there, particularly Fetlife, and those people have since become real-life friends – some of the best friends I have, in fact.

I have, however, witnessed quite a few romantic success stories through the use of these networks and dating sites; friends who have met their lovers, play partners and even spouses. Oh, and one serious D/s relationship that I believe is still going strong.

The age of online communication is very real, from Skype dates to Snapchat, people are hooking up with potential partners from all over the world. Social Networks are bridging the gap and there is a Social Network for everyone, whatever you may be into whether it’s the spicy kinky type you are looking for or, the ‘vanilla’ variety.

I’d recommend all of the above, by the way and here are a few others that I am yet to check out: Kinkaholic – a blend of BDSM and alternative swingers’ community and another; XXX Sex Guides – a dating site with worldwide listings for kinksters.

If you are thinking about starting a profile on a Social Network or dating site, my best advice is to be as open and honest as you possibly can, and don’t be creepy or unnecessarily pushy. Add some genuine writing in your About Me section and upload some real photos of yourself (wear a mask if you want to keep your face concealed for privacy reasons). Interact! Comment on some other photos that you like, and participate in the group discussions. Most of all, enjoy and don’t take it all too seriously!