UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - Hundreds of webmasters, content providers and newbies converged at the Universal Sheraton hotel for the start of Webmaster Access West.
Early arrivals were treated to a golf outing Wednesday, as well as receptions and parties that evening. But business began Thursday as attendees participated in the seminars "Where's the Traffic?" and "Newbies: Keys to Success."
Among the topics discussed and debated were whether to include free content, whether to consider working with legitimate torrent sites, how to find quality traffic and what it takes to be successful while learning the adult industry.
"You always have to think of this and treat it like a business, first and foremost," said Lea Busick of TopBucks.
She and other panelists urged newcomers to take time to make business and marketing plans, just as they would for mainstream businesses, but realize there are some differences between the adult and mainstream worlds.
One of the biggest differences, the panelists noted, is that adult-industry competitors can work together in what Jeff Random of Throb called "co-opetition." Mainstream competitors would never send customers to one another, Random said, but in the adult industry, competitors can be good sources of both traffic and business tips.
"This is a relationship-based business," added Reena Patel of Playboy.
While relationships are important, so is traffic. A seminar covered topics such as where to find traffic, what to do with it and how to take advantage of it.
Among the hot topics were finding quality traffic and new traffic.
SilverCash Albert said the momentum of free content made available, even just in the past year, has been wonderful for consumers - especially new consumers - while challenging for webmasters and affiliate managers.
Offering a tip for finding free traffic, Benoit Le Chevallier of Express Pro suggested learning about viral marketing and search engines.
"If you know how to take advantage of search-engine traffic, there's quality traffic out there," he said.
Thursday's activities continue with the "Get Lucky Late Night" party - presented by SexEntertain.com and MatrixContent.com - starting at 10 p.m. at Lucky Strike Bowling Lanes in the Hollywood & Highland Center.
Webmaster Access West continues Friday with the seminars "Content is King" and "Processing Updated," a networking barbecue presented by SafeCharge and FlashCash, and the "Playboy Mansion PJ and Lingerie Party," which is by invitation only.
For more information, visit WebmasterAccess.com.
