Building a Solid Pre-Porn Foundation
Steps you should take before shooting a porn scene which will help you make money later.

One of the main problems with the porn industry today in my opinion is that the performers often take the back seat when it comes to taking charge of, maintaining and progressing their careers.  Many simply do not know how, and many of the agents and studios don't put much effort into insisting that their performers do much more than perform - probably because many people in the porn business have the mindset that "a naive and un-educated performer is an easier to deal with and CONTROL performer".

I personally don't agree with the above mentioned mentality.

When you get into porn, you pretty much just have 1 shot, so make it count! The agents and studios will be making PLENTY of money off of your hard work, so why shouldn't you capitalize off that work as well both now and in the future? Being that most studios nowdays DO NOT PAY RESIDUALS on scenes you shoot, here are a few things you can do to ensure that when you're done performing, you still are making some money.

Pick 1 stage name and STICK WITH IT.  If a studio sees you and wants to hire you, having to track you down off a photo alone is hard enough, but if you are using multiple names and aliases it can be close to impossible. Also If a porn viewer/fan likes you, he or she needs to be able to go to google, type in the name (alias) you came up with for yourself and find you consistantly. That fan may be searching for your official website and if it's easy to find, that helps you both connect with that fan and earn additional money directly from that fan.

Try to pick an easy to spell (use the common spelling for whatever name you select), easy to remember yet unique stage name. Set yourself apart - in my opinion the porn industry has WAY too many girls with the name Jenna, Jenny, Brianna,  Brooke, Jesse, Lexi & Eva. There are tons of names - be at least a bit original.

Register and Buy your domain name for your stage name BEFORE you shoot your first scene or approach an agency. Why? Because if you don't someone else will and you'll have a hell of a time getting it back (that is IF they are willing to sell it to you). I suggest buying the .com and .net extensions of whatever your stage name is and/or YOURSTAGENAMEXXX.com as well.

It's not necessary that you build your website before you begin shooting porn scenes and movies (thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to do so). In fact once you buy your domain name and register it for however many years you choose, you can take as much time as you like before you begin developing your website. Just make sure you at least own your internet presence before you do anything in the porn industry.

Register your stage name on social networking sites. Why? Well because fans like to be able to feel like they know you and can connect with you on online networks like Myspace.com, RudeTV.com and Xpeeps.com. Be careful with this, often times networks like Myspace.com and Facebook.com have restrictions about what types of photos can be uploaded, but hey, if Jenna Jameson and Tera Patrick can have a Myspace, so can you. Online social networks are great ways to expand your fanbase and get your FACE out there!

Register on a webcam network and start doing live shows from home and record them if you can. If you happen to be one of the lucky porn performers who's career suddenly skyrockets, your "before she was famous" webcam shows will actually be worth something. Also everytime people see you live online even if you never become a "major porn player" can potential expand your fan base more and more day by day.

Start a blog of your experiences. Having a website, webcamming, and being on social networks isn't enough. Your fans in the future will want to not just know what you look like naked and having sex, they will want to feel like they know YOU and a blog of your experiences in the industry (or just bits and pieces of your day to day life) and thoughts is the perfect way to connect with them. Remember, the porn industry would NOT EXIST and you wouldn't make ANY MONEY IN PORN if it were not for the fans, so don't leave them in the dark! 

Begin building (or hire someone professional to build) your "Official Website". This website will be where your fans get to connect with YOU. This is where you could a membership area of which your fans could pay a monthly fee to have access to where you may have "exclusive" photosets or videos that you produce or you hire someone else to produce for you. Your website is where I'd suggest you do weekly webcam shows and have links as to how your fans can book private webcam shows with you. You will probably also want to have links to your social networking profiles, blog or studios where people can find your porn scenes.   

Your website is where in the long run, if the site is maintained properly, you will make money down the road long after you are done performing.

Attend Industry Events from time to time. You don't need to go to EVERY event and convention, but if you live in the Los Angeles area, it's a good idea to check sites like AVN.com or Xbiz.com for a listing of adult industry events, conventions and parties coming up so that (even if you're brand new to the business) you can get your photo taken on the "red carpet". Yes it's cheesy, but it's free publicity and getting to know the "Porn Paparazzi" (yes they do exist - hi Rick Garcia!) and networking with other adult industry professionals is always a good move.