How did this happen? Maybe it's just the natural course of events. Look at it: 1) Stay-at-home job 2) good income 3) less work 4) new technology 5) new culture 6) fame 7) public demand. How do these women (some guys too) decide to join in a burgeoning industry?

Let's work backward in the list.

PUBLIC DEMAND -Porn of various types has always been around. Good or Bad? There are some arguments for both sides of this question - which I won't go into now. But let's face it, images of nude people and people engaging in sexual activities have been a multi-billion dollar industry. Record sales of sex aids are posted every year. These are used primarily for self stimulation (no moral comment here).

FAME -Some of these women become stars because of their niche offerings, or mainstream posing in the nude, for digital images or digital movies. Aside from webcams, this kind of material is available free of charge on the world-wide-web, or can be visited/downloaded for a range of prices or membership fees. Some girls freelance with boyfriend or husband or girlfriend to set up a low-cost website then acquire a following. They may take requests for types of posing, clothing, or activities.

NEW CULTURE -Or old? Although these images are much easier to distribute via website to satisfied customers, these new stars are doing the same things that have always been done. It's just that with web technology any woman can be a porn star. Some stars remain anonymous, others use their real name - even make guest appearances on television or at festivals. The web permits more anonymity to viewers as well.

NEW TECHNOLOGY -And growing everyday. Webcams, syndication feeds for new photosets or new stars, CD and DVD rent or sale, MPEG via internet, even cell phone images of supposed voyeuristic images. Now the model/star's voice can be marketable with movies. Lingerie sites have picked up on this and sell more merchandise to girls and guys.

LESS WORK -It's easier to make and upload pics than to work downtown in an office or store - although some of the most popular stars do both. Special lighting, backgrounds, settings, or makeup may be used but this is up to the star and her following. With blogging and CSS webpages available there is little work needed to maintain a site with customer log-in, etc.

GOOD INCOME -These cottage industry stars have very little overhead to subtract from their income. Many stars have told me that they were surprised at how much attention/money they received after startup. Some thought they couldn't compete with movie stars' pics or established hardcore sites or XXX - DVDs. The incomes reported range from very high to very little, but they all said it was good enough for what they put into their work/business.

WORK AT HOME -Aside from using a natural mountain setting or expensive hotel room, most of these women use their homes, or a disguised version of the backyard or kitchen. Some viewers prefer rich, impeccably clean surroundings - others like the naturalness of the home or garage. Some of these ladies have children, some live alone, some have roomies.

The "small-business websites revolution" has a major new trend - which might be the hottest of all cottage industries.

Arthur Browning began his career teaching technical writing in a small Midwestern university for 15 years. He later edited and published a national professional journal for some ten years. He is now an investor. His interests include art collecting, web marketing, writing.

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