Some of the most complex and challenging occupations are the ones that look seamless and simple to consumers. Webcam exemplifies this phenomenon perfectly.

Far from *just hopping online* when the mood strikes, it takes focus, ingenuity and full-time effort to grow and maintain a successful cam business. Even for models broadcasting via establish networks and utilizing fresh and engaging platforms, way more than meets the eye goes into it.

We spoke to Jessica Sage about what it takes to be a full time industry professional — part effortless webcam siren on one hand, part project managing taskmaster in the other.

YNOT: What goes into running the business of Jessica Sage?

Jessica Sage: Being a cam model is so much more than just showing up on cam. There is so much that goes into it, and if you want to be successful, then it’s necessary. I think a lot of people think you can just hop on cam and sit there and make money, and that’s just so far from the truth.

Camming, alone, takes a lot of time, effort and money. Buying lots of different outfits, toys and props for my room. Trying to figure out different games, activities or things that help make being online more fun and interactive. Plus, I’m trying to appeal to a large crowd of people, so I try to remember or take notes on what people like so that when I buy outfits or toys, I’m getting what different people like and want to see. There is so much planning that goes on behind the scenes, I’m not sure many people realize just how much thought is put into it.

On top of all of that, keeping up with your social media, having new pictures, engaging with fans and answering messages are things that go on all day. We don’t just sign off cam, and our workday is done. It’s really more of a 24/7 thing.

…but camming is just one source of income and interaction?

A lot of cam models, myself included, do other things to bring in income. Making videos to sell, running a premium Snapchat/Instagram/Onlyfans or even offering private shows to people. I personally only run a premium Snapchat and make videos [as additional streams of income].

Before I record a video, I think of an idea and make a plan. What do I want to do, is it going to be solo or boy/girl, what kind of storyline am I going to do with it? Then it’s getting an outfit, whatever props or toys I’m going to use and setting up the lighting and camera. Then, during filming, I get up and move the camera to get different angles and views. Once everything is said and done, then I have to transfer the files to my computer and edit everything. At the end of the day, the ten-minute video you see took me hours to complete from start to finish.

Running a premium Snapchat is kind of like clips making and camming combined in the sense that you’re putting on a show for multiple people at one time, but you can also redo a clip if it didn’t come out or fix something your didn’t like. It’s also trying to engage and entice non-premium members to want to subscribe to you.

It really is like running your own business. You need to create a brand, market it, make purchases for it and try to sell people on it. If you don’t put in the hours and energy it takes to run a business, then your chances of long term success will probably be minimal — and that goes for any business you want to create, not just from a camming stand point.

Called it an early night since cam was dead!

I'll be doing a shower show on my premium Snapchat instead!

Tip 200tkns or go to https://t.co/ZNjpRdqLPR pic.twitter.com/EUK47dM3fP

— Jessica Sage (@JessicaSage69) August 11, 2018

You also work for xblaze.com – What’s that like?

Besides all of the things I do for camming and clips making, I also work for Jeff Dillon on xblaze.com. Last summer, I had major pelvic surgery and couldn’t do much of anything for eight weeks while I recovered. In that time I began looking into other aspects of the adult community. I love working on computers and doing behind-the-scenes stuff. That’s always been a passion of mine and is something I really enjoy doing.

One day asked what type of behind the scenes jobs were out there on an [industry forum]. I had gotten quite a few responses, and Jeff was one of them. It sounded like an amazing opportunity and something in my gut told me that this what I should do. So, right away, I told him I would love to.

I really appreciate the opportunity that Jeff has given me and absolutely love not just working for him but working with him. I definitely look at him as a mentor and hope to learn and grow as much as I can from him.

Do you incorporate a lot of your camming skill set into this other corner of the business?

I think being a cam model and already having some experience with marketing myself and running my social media, plus making and editing my own clips helps with this job a lot. I also have a lot of people who watch me cam go to xblaze and sometimes they give me a lot of user feedback, which is awesome. I can let Jeff know what the consumers are looking for or what may need to be changed to help improve the site.

Some days, things vary on what needs to get done, but generally my responsibilities include uploading/approving content for the site and running some of the social media accounts — Twitter, Reddit and tumblr.

You mentioned health issues – How have you used your professional platform as a launch pad for advocacy work?

I was diagnosed with something called pelvic organ prolapse four years ago, and last year I had surgery to try to correct it. Making the decision to have this surgery was definitely not an easy one, especially because I’m so young and I will never be able to naturally have any more kids.

Before my surgery, I joined a group called APOPS. I found there were so many women of all ages — even some near my age — suffering from this. So many of them had never heard of it before, didn’t know what it was and what it meant for our futures.

A couple months ago, I decided that I really wanted to use my knowledge to help speak out about this and help educate other women, especially those in this industry. We use our bodies everyday for work and definitely use our vaginas a lot more than average people. I think if there was more talk about this, women would know what to look out for and how to help their bodies last them a long time.

I had no idea this was such a prevalent health issue…

When watching porn sometimes, I’ll notice a woman who has what looks like a minor prolapse going on, and I wonder if she any idea that this is even happening. I also know there is a fetish out there about prolapses, and I really would love to help educate those women and so that they can make an informed decision about what they’re doing.

I would love if this was something that was more talked about and I would love to use my knowledge and experience to spread word. There is no reason to feel ashamed or weirded out if you do have it because it’s believed that at least 50 percent of woman have a prolapse to some degree — but sadly, only a small percentage are ever diagnosed.

We explore our bodies sexually all the time, so why not learn to explore your body in a way that could help benefit it. You can easily check yourself for a prolapse, and I hope that my voice can reach woman so we can all learn to do this. If I could help someone out there and maybe prevent them from going through what I’m going through, then it would be so worth it.

I’m currently making a few different vlogs and a YouTube channel where I share my full story, how this has affected and impacted my camming career, as well as more information for woman to be able to learn more about it.

Find Jessica Sage on Twitter at @JessicaSage69 and on Stripchat right here.