How do I get started?
First off, I’d like to congratulate you for embarking on this exciting journey. You’ve decided to take charge of your future, create additional income streams and journey towards financial independence and freedom. Camming is a fun and potentially lucrative career that you have chosen for yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back!
It will be fun, but it will also be work. You will get what effort you put into it. There is no secret to success and no shortcuts – consistency is key. You may get lucky at first, as many do from the use of new tags; your goal is to channel and maintain that “luck” throughout your career.
What equipment do I need?
This one is easy to overthink. We may fool ourselves into thinking we need a high-end, professional streaming setup, when the truth is that even if you have nothing but a cell phone you may still be successful. Granted, it’s harder to read chat or set up room goals on a phone, so a computer with an attached camera is the way to go.
Computer
You’ll use a computer for a lot of the work you’ll be doing. From camming to sharing files to video editing, it’s best to have a workstation you’re comfortable with.
Computers marketed as gaming computers tend to fit a streamer’s needs pretty well – lots of RAM, lots of disk space, a fast processor and a good video card.
Do you need an amazing computer to start? No. But once you get going, it will be one of the tools you will use every day and need for success.
- Minimum 8 GB RAM
- Windows 7 or newer / Mac OS 10.12
- Intel i5 processor or better
It’s not necessary to get a video card beyond integrated graphics for streaming, but I would strongly recommend it for a smoother experience and faster video editing processing time. A high-end gaming card isn’t mandatory. Anything that isn’t “Intel integrated graphics” will do. You’re looking for the brands Nvidia GeForce 660 or higher, or AMD Radeon 7870 or higher.
Lots of laptops will check all the boxes for this criteria for right around the $1000 price point. I do not recommend chromebooks or other tablet style laptops as they won’t have quite enough power to do what you need for your work.
Camera
A webcam is a quick, easy way to get started. While webcam quality is not all that great, they offer a dependable, fast, lightweight solution with low cost of entry.
If you choose not to use a webcam for streaming, you can always use your phone. You’ll get excellent video quality, however there will be a bit of setup and wires and of course you won’t be able to use your phone at all while you are streaming.
Please be advised that while webcams are great for streaming, you’ll likely want to use a better device such as your phone for clips and video recording.
Most sites will consider you HD if you are streaming in at least 720p resolution or above. The goal is 1080p. There are models that stream in 4k, however these tend to be established models with amazing internet connections that can sustain those kinds of speeds – the last thing you want is people leaving due to a choppy, unreliable stream.
One of the best and most reliable webcam companies out there is Logitech. The most popular model is the C920x – many camgirls swear by it.
1080p Cameras
- Logitech C920x
- Logitech C922 Pro Stream
- Razer Kiyo
- Microsoft Lifecam Studio
- Elgato Facecam
4k Cameras
- Logitech Brio
A 4k webcam will capture your video in 4k and will look excellent when downsampling to 1080p. I liken this to the last webcam you’ll need before stepping into the world of DSLR cameras.
I do not recommend any of the noname brands on Amazon as they tend to have poor lighting sensitivity and a fish-eye lens style distortion.
Remember – it’s okay to look a bit amateur. An amateur setup carries great charm and approachability, and your regulars will love to watch your quality grow alongside your experience. And, amateur is one of the most searched for and clicked on tags on social media platforms!
Microphone
It is not necessary to use anything beyond your webcam microphone when starting out. Your quality won’t be the best, but for the sake of inclusivity I will list a few decent microphones to upgrade your experience once you are ready.
- Blue Yeti
- Shure MV5
- Samson Meteor Mic
Toys
You can be a model that does not use any toys, or even a non-nude model. That’s up to you! However you will have to be skilled in other ways. Charisma is important for any model, some of the most popular non-nude models have an excellent grasp on interactivity, have special custom games to play and involve their audience in a way that is captivating, keeps them returning, and tipping.
One of the big appeals for webcam viewers is interactivity. If you’ve watched any cammers you’ve likely seen a “pink tail.” This is most likely a Lovense Lush bluetooth vibrator, the most popular toy for webcam models. The great thing about this toy is it can be linked to tips in your room – meaning when your viewers tip, you’ll get a little pleasant buzz. Is it mandatory to have a Lovense Lush? No. Will you get random tips because of it? Yes. They tend to pay for themselves very quickly.
There are many Lovense toys. The Domi is popular and versatile as a “wand” style toy, popularized by the Hitachi wand massager and can be used in conjunction with the Lush. The Nora is a pink rabbit, great for solo play. There are even buttplugs (Hush), prostate massagers (Edge) and sleeves (Max) for those with penises that can even sync up with other toys. For now, I recommend the Lush to start out with as it’s the most recognizable and carries the highest demand.
- Lovense Lush
- Lovense Domi
- Lovense Nora
- Lovense Max
- Lovense Hush
- Lovense Edge
- Bluetooth Adapter
Beyond a bluetooth capable vibrator, it’s also recommended to get a flesh colored dildo. You will likely end up with a few of these in varying sizes. It’s important to pay attention to what your dildo is made of – you are always looking for body safe silicone. This is not a time to skimp – if you use a cheaper toy made of TPE or other porous plastics, you are opening yourself up to infection. These cheaper materials cannot be sanitized and will harbor bacteria, and often times begin melting and losing shape. Buy it nice, or buy it twice.
[Dildo]
What do I need in my room?
I always recommend looking at other streamers for an idea of a room setup. Don’t just look at cam models, check out streamers on Twitch Just Chatting. Your room is a reflection of your personality. Ideally you will have an organized setup with lots of light and room to stand, sit and lay down. If you will be doing a bit of play, you will want to lay down a towel and have lube nearby. A hand-washing station just off screen is ideal if you don’t have easy access to a sink (baby wipes or a cup of water and some paper towels will do).
You’ve got your computer, a camera, some lighting and a few toys. You’re ready to begin!