Feeling inspired to celebrate your body, share your sexual prowess, and empower yourself to create the art you love?

Adult entertainment is a multi-billion-dollar industry that has provided opportunities for many individuals to explore thriving careers. At Pornhub, some of our top Models earn $25K per month on ad revenue alone by actively uploading content and monetizing it through our Tiers Program!

Whether you’re drawn to the industry for financial freedom, creative expression, or personal empowerment, becoming a Model requires preparation, professionalism, and self-awareness. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to get started in porn and create a lifestyle that reflects your unique personality and goals.

Start with Why

When you understand why you want to become a Model, it can help you stay focused on your purpose and make decisions that move you closer to your goals. Think of it like your North Star; there to guide the brand you’re building, the content you’re creating, and the opportunities you’re pursuing.  

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

1. Beyond money, why do you want to become a Model?

2. What stories or experiences have shaped your life?

3. What value do you want to bring to the porn industry?

4. What impact would you like to make in the world?

5. What motivates you to keep going through tough times?

Once you’ve answered these questions, try to turn the most significant points into one or two sentences and keep it somewhere you can see it —whether that’s a sticky note on your laptop or a little brand booklet you’ve created for yourself. An example of this could be: 

I want to create authentic lesbian content that empowers individuals to embrace their sexuality without shame and promote body positivity and confidence. My goal is to provide high-quality, genuine experiences that cater to the LGBTQIA2+ community, rather than straight men, and allow people to explore their fantasies in a safe and respectful way. 

You can then use this as the foundation for all your business decisions moving forward.

Research the Industry

For those wondering how to get started in porn, it’s important to know that becoming a popular Model on Pornhub (and beyond) doesn’t happen overnight. From learning legalities and monetization strategies to understanding different niches, platforms, and content types, you’ll need a solid understanding of the industry to build a sustainable and thriving business.

Here’s what to consider:

Realistic expectations:

Before you learn how to start making porn, do you have a clear picture of the work involved, including the time, effort, and investment required to build a successful career?  

In a recent interview with popular British Model Gal Ritchie, she shared:

“As much as I love being in the industry, once you film your first scene it’s out there forever. You can’t take it back. So, I would say make sure you've weighed all the pros and cons, and you are 100% sure of your decision...You should treat it with as much respect and discipline as you would a business. Be careful with your money, save and don't spend it all. Always speak up for yourself. Never be afraid to say no.”

Legalities:

It’s important to familiarize yourself with Pornhub’s Policies and Community Guidelines surrounding consent, age verification, copyright, and the type of content you can create. For example, we don’t allow any videos that display chunky vomit or non-consensual interactions. And to become an active Model on Pornhub, you (and any performers shown in your scenes), need to be fully verified with government issued ID and real-time selfie scans.

Monetization:

There are many ways to make money as a Model, from ad revenue to monthly contests. Pornhub is the perfect platform to post your free content, get discovered by millions of new fans, and build multiple revenue streams. Learn more on this in our blog How to Make Money on Pornhub.

Branding:

A strong brand is the foundation for any successful enterprise. Think CloseUpFantasy known for creampie content or Alex Adams (featured below) famous for his POV content.

Research helps Models identify gaps in the market or untapped niches where they can stand out. This could involve exploring a new take on a popular genre, innovative content styles like vertical videos on our Shorties Feed, or emphasis on a physical asset, personality trait, or sexual skill you believe makes you unique. The great thing about porn is there are many types of content that anyone can create, regardless of orientation, sexuality, or individual looks!

Health and wellbeing:

Always be aware of industry standards for sexual health, safety practices during shoots, and mental health resources. For example, regular STI testing is a must for anyone performing in adult scenes. At Pornhub, we also partner with organizations like The Cupcake Girls and Pineapple Support to help consensual sex workers access additional support if needed.

Explore Independent Content Creation

Many new Models choose to create their own content at first rather than trying to get their foot in the door at large studios. This approach not only offers more control and flexibility, but also allows creators to tap into the demand for amateur content, which was one of the most searched-for terms in 2024.

Here are 8 crucial steps to start publishing your own content, building your fanbase, and turning your passion into a business:

Develop a budget:

You may already have a smartphone to record on, but it’s good to think about your finances and where you want to invest money to improve your content. For example, you might want to buy a backlight to enhance your best assets, some vibrators and anal plugs for heightened pleasure props, or a subscription for editing software to ensure your production is high quality.

Create a stage name:

Choose a memorable stage name that reflects your brand while safeguarding your personal identity. Remember this name could potentially follow you through your career and even make it into reputable publications, so take your time and select something memorable that represents who you are and what you stand for. Try to avoid trends that may not resonate over time. For example, something life-like such as Blake Blossom and Johnny Sins or something with an element of fantasy like Alina Angel.

A few things to consider when choosing your name are:

1. Double ups: make sure no one has the same (or similar) name to avoid confusion

2. Longevity: ask yourself if your name will stand the test of time. For example, in gay porn, someone who appears young is considered a “twink”. However, if you use this in your stage name you may have to change it in years to come.

3. Unique characters: avoid character like $, @, &, or strings of the same letter (like XXX) since this isn’t great for SEO and people may find it hard to remember you on search.

Create solo masturbation videos:

Starting with solo content is a great way to explore your style and comfort zone while keeping production simple. It helps you discover your best angles and become more comfortable in front of the camera. ShyBlanche is a great example of this, who focuses solely on masturbation content with a touch of cosplay and has gained over 34 million views. That’s because solo videos are often in high demand and can be a stepping stone to more elaborate projects.

Models can also check out our 2024 Insights to see what’s popular, such as step mom and JOI (jerk-off-instruction) content.

Create teaser content:

One unique element of Pornhub is that we encourage Models to add links on their profiles to their other fan sites, as well as 3rd party watermarks on their uploaded videos. Creating teaser content allows you to leverage huge amounts of traffic from our platform and send them to your Official Website URL or other platforms to pay for a longer feature.  

A great place to share teaser content is on our Shorties Feed, which allows you to add a link like your OnlyFans account through our More of Me button (shown below). You can also share teaser content on social media platforms to help build brand awareness.

Find a Collaborator:

Filming scenes with a Co-Performer can add variety to your content and expand your audience by tapping into their fanbase. Just make sure you always establish clear boundaries and expectations before filming. Read more about how to develop content collaborations in our recent blog.

Use social media:

Social media is a great (and completely free!) place to network and build your fanbase. In a recent Model Spotlight with Serenity Cox, she shared:

“Social plays a big role in the promotion of my content. X and Reddit for my not safe for work (NSFW) promotion, and Instagram for my more SFW posts. Social is a nice way to let your followers know you have new content out, enticing votes for a contest/award, or even just a gentle reminder that you are still there and to check out your older content.”

Engage with your audience:

Many Models keep engaging with fans at the forefront of their marketing strategy. They believe it’s what sets them apart as they build a personal relationship with their audience and let their feedback guide their content strategy. Ultimately, the people watching your content are the people you want to understand and keep happy! Interacting with them directly, for example responding to comments on your Pornhub videos, is one way to achieve this.

Build a schedule, create a content library, and stay consistent:

Regular uploads, updates, and promotions are key to keeping your audience interested and growing your fanbase. Think of it like any other job, and create a daily schedule for things like shooting, editing, scheduling uploads, as well as attending networking events.

When you stay consistent and plan regular content, it also becomes possible to move to a higher Tier on Pornhub and increase the percentage of ad revenue you are eligible to earn. This is an important goal when learning how to turn your passion into a business. Stick to a regular schedule that allows the quality of your content to remain high.  

It’s also important to note that before you join Pornhub, it’s beneficial to have a library of content ready to go. For example, 10 scenes ready to upload; one per week for the first 10 weeks. This will give you 10 more weeks to create new content so that you can gain momentum with potential new fans, just like a business product launch.

If you’re looking to work with agencies and studios, make sure you seek out those with positive reputations and strong support for their Models. Be cautious of agencies that require upfront fees or pressure you into scenes you’re uncomfortable with. You can attend industry events or connect with other Models online to learn about trusted studios. Check out out latest video here in collaboration with The Cupcake Girls for more information.

Keep Developing Your Brand

Lastly, it’s important to keep developing your brand to stay relevant and keep growing your audience based on the insights you gain. A strong, evolving brand helps you stand out in a crowded market and keeps fans engaged over time. Here’s how:

Develop your content:

If a piece of content didn’t perform well, ask yourself why and what you can do differently next time. If there was a scene that viewers loved, how can you adapt it in another scene to make it slightly different while still giving your audience what they love?  

To keep track of your analytics, make sure you head to your account dashboard (as shown below) to monitor your performance such as view counts, visitors by country, and more.

Keep marketing:

Sometimes when we’re building a business, it can be difficult to create the content and plan the next scene and network and keep up with the marketing...However, it’s important to understand where your audience spends time online and how you can reach them in order to promote your brand and videos effectively.

Diversify your revenue streams:

From ad revenue to entering monthly contests on Pornhub, explore the different ways you can make money online and build your revenue. Read more about this in our blog How to Make Money on Pornhub.

Keep learning and adapting to changes:

The adult industry is constantly evolving. Whether it’s refining your performance, upgrading your filming setup, or mastering marketing techniques, continual improvement keeps you ahead of the curve. Stay updated on emerging trends, platforms, and policies to keep your brand fresh and relevant.

Build a support system:

From family members and peers to mentorships, surround yourself with people who can offer guidance, share insights, and provide emotional support. Having a solid support system can help you navigate the challenges of building a business and grow more confidently in your career. There are also organizations like Pineapple Support who offer 24/7 emotional support online, as well as free and subsidized therapists to those active in the adult industry.

TL;DR Final Thoughts on How to Get Started in Porn

Like any career, becoming a high-earning Model doesn’t happen overnight. By preparing thoroughly, setting clear boundaries, and focusing on professionalism, you can navigate the industry safely and successfully. Most importantly, remember to stay true to yourself and your goals while building the life you’re proud of.

Not yet a Model on Pornhub? Sign up today to share your content and get discovered by millions of new viewers.