IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Klixxx Magazine

Klixxx Magazine has acquired a winner recently! Kathleen Blackwell, or better known as “Kath” on the industry chat boards, recently landed the position of Senior Writer for the publication after having been a writer since its launch back in 2000.IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Klixxx Magazine

Klixxx Magazine has acquired a winner recently! Kathleen Blackwell, or better known as “Kath” on the industry chat boards, recently landed the position of Senior Writer for the publication after having been a writer since its launch back in 2000. If you’ve never had the pleasure of meeting Kath at a trade show or doing business with her online, there is no better time than the present!

LAJ: First of all, allow me to give you a heartfelt public congratulations here, Kath. I’ve for the longest time considered you one of my friendliest competitors out there. Klixxx is fortunate to have you. I notice that there is more going on online with you guys than ever before. What else do you do over there?

Kath: Thanks! I am also the Web Development Coordinator for Klixxx.com – a brand new online presence for the magazine. We just recently launched our new site and Webmaster feedback forum in February 2003. I wear a lot of hats! I also just recently signed on to do some marketing and consulting for the international traffic website SexMoney.com.

LAJ: Congrats to you on that as well! Tell all of the newer Webmasters out there who might not be familiar with Klixxx what you guys are all about and whom you are targeting.

Kath: Klixxx Magazine’s target audience is the adult Webmaster. We are here to keep Webmasters informed on current events, educated on new trends and technologies and just generally “in the loop” on absolutely everything that is going on and happening in the adult Internet industry. Our articles, features, regular columns and interviews focus in on important issues that affect all of our businesses as well as give informational and tutorial value – teaching the Webmaster new skills and helping him to brush up on old ones. Klixxx is all about helping to further the education and business of the average Webmaster.

LAJ: I’m sure you are well aware of the fact that there are tons of Webmaster resource sites out there, and others which purport to offer resources. Some offer news that have little to do with Webmasters. Can you give us examples of what you primarily focus on, and how you stay centered on the Webmaster?

Kath: Well, Klixxx.com is not intended to be another Webmaster resource. It is more of an online presence for our print magazine. This will give us a way to give our readers daily news, current events and an interactive way to respond to our writers and ask more questions about the topics discussed in our issues.

In Klixxx Magazine we offer information on other Internet trends such as gaming, international trends, trade shows and even e-commerce skills, but everything is geared toward the Webmaster – not the non-industry curious. When we do interview a porn star – someone like Jenna Jameson for example – the focus is on her web-based work at ClubJenna.com and her thoughts as a web developer. Most people don’t realize that she is surprisingly knowledgeable about the ‘Net and about business in general. Our readers – Webmasters, industry business owners and amateurs that “star” in their own sites – have a lot to learn from Jenna, her experience and her innovative business style.

LAJ: Ahh… very cool. I’ve noticed that your magazine has transformed quite a bit over time.

Kath: Klixxx Magazine has grown a lot since its first issue was printed. Under the careful direction of our editor Joe Devlin, we always remember that the Webmaster is our target, and we stay on top of the trends and issues that are most important to the industry. This is what our readers have come to expect when they tear open the cover on a new issue. Every article, tutorial and feature is dedicated to the advancement of the Webmaster.

LAJ: That’s a good philosophy to have. I may have to challenge you guys to an arm wrestling match though given that we have very similar philosophies…

Can you give us a side of Kath that most people in our industry don’t know about? Perhaps take us for a little trip down memory lane and give us a serious look into your past if you dare?

Kath: I grew up in a very small northwest Ohio town. We moved to southern California when I was in high school where I met and married my husband. I went to real estate school and worked in property management for several years (at one time managing an 892-unit property in San Francisco) before deciding to take a break from my career to come home and home school my children. Eventually I found the Internet and built up a mainstream empire of websites and launched my own home school support group. During this time I was published in several grass-roots magazines (under a different pen name) and was quoted in a couple of parenting resource guides. My very first e-commerce websites really started out as a way to make some extra cash so I could afford to enroll my kids in art classes and community sports programs.

Which begs the question… what is a nice lady like you doing in an industry like this?

Kath: I started writing erotic stories in my spare time – I needed a grown-up hobby after working with kids and parents all day long – and eventually began building websites to house my stories. Writing has always been my passion. I was first published in the Toledo Blade when I was six years old. Ever since then, that’s all I’ve really wanted to do. Somehow, I went from spare-time erotic-story writer to Webmaster almost over night. In 1999 I started working with Webmaster resources and worked in that end of the industry until December of 2002.

I’d been writing industry articles and features for Klixxx Magazine since its first season back in 2000, and in January of this year I came to work for them full time as Senior Writer of the magazine and Web Development Coordinator for their new online initiative. I feel that I am fortunate to work in such a diverse industry, so full of opportunities and challenges. I’m very excited about what we’re doing at Klixxx.com and am very positive about our future!

LAJ: What do you do to get away from all the porn now that you have been fully trenched in it for some time?

Kath: Reading, writing and playing the piano. I am a voracious reader. When I pick up a book I can’t set it down until I’ve read the whole thing. I’ve played the piano since I was in Junior High – it’s a great way to relax and de-stress myself after hours of work.

LAJ: Your husband and parents cool with what you do?

Kath: My husband is very supportive. It might sound old-fashioned but before I got started in this business, we sat down and had a long talk about it. My husband is in law enforcement – I come from a long line of women who ended up marrying cops – and I didn’t want my “hobby” to be a problem with his career. We looked at it from all angles, made up a “pen name” for me to use online so no one could “connect the dots” and the rest is history.

My parents are another story. It took me about a year to tell them the whole thing. I let it out bit by bit – but they were very supportive and understanding. When my brother found out he wanted me to get him a job as a photographer – and my sister thought it was cool that her big sister had a “dark side,” as she called it.

LAJ: Hahaha… excellent. Well, you’ve done very well for yourself, so they should be proud of you.

Who were some of the most influential people in our industry once you got started?

Kath: I cut my teeth at CONDOM Project – back in the “old days” when it was a Webmaster co-op kind of deal. I was very lucky to have so much help from industry legends such as Meatman, Greenguy, Tommy, 12Clicks, Serge and many more people than I can even name. So many people took the time to help me build better performing sites, learn to think “out of the box” and take chances on new ideas. Their support – and constructive criticisms – helped me to carve out my own niche within the industry.

LAJ: Any war stories or lumps you received along the way?

Kath: I made a typical “stupid newbie post” on the CONDOM boards one day and got flamed beyond belief. I was hit with emails, ICQs and chatroom attacks for being so “stupid” according to my attackers. I honestly don’t even remember what I said, but it was one of my first posts on the board and I apparently stepped on some toes. I was ready to quit, close down all my sites and go back to mainstream with my tail tucked between my legs. Meatman called me on the phone and talked me out of it. He told me that many newbies started out that way and that I shouldn’t give up and should keep trying. Thank goodness I listened to him!

LAJ: That certainly has happened to the best of us. Truly arriving in this industry isn’t possible unless you’ve gone down in flames on the boards at one time or another early on in your adult Internet career. A truly humbling experience. In actuality, the earlier it happens to you the first time (and hopefully ONLY time), the better!

Given that you’ve been around for quite some time and are very observant about our industry, I’d like to hear some of your comments and observations as of late. Anything especially pissing you off or impressing you lately?

Kath: I’ve seen the industry change in many ways since I was a newbie. Some changes have been for the better – others haven’t been so good. All change is hard and I think that overall we’ve weathered the storm fairly well. Our biggest challenge – outside of legal obstacles, our “dear friend” Ashcroft and others who would like to see us shut down – is the segregation of our industry. It used to be that there were just a few main message boards, chatrooms and communities where Webmasters could come to ask questions, shoot the breeze or discuss industry issues. Now there are more boards than you could shake a stick at – and new ones are popping up every day. I miss the days of close-knit community that we used to enjoy. Sure, there’s always been piss on the boards – but it was nice knowing that everyone was all working together toward the same goal. Ideas were shared, problems were conquered and deals were made because of those conversations that we contributed to on those boards. Today, there are too many cliques and hostile communities fighting each other for Webmaster traffic – they’ve lost sight of the real purpose behind a Webmaster community.

LAJ: I couldn’t agree with you more on that. It’s ridiculous, and I could discuss that for hours with you. In fact, I’ll be sure to hassle you on ICQ late some night about it, or corner you at the next trade show.

How do you think we could make this industry a better place, and perhaps build back the communities that used to exist?

Kath: I think Webmasters should find ways to work with as many people as they can. Don’t limit your contacts to just a small group of Webmasters. Expand and explore your horizons. In the old days, Webmasters would build relationships with other Webmasters via link trades and other bartering arrangements. This not only strengthened their own businesses, but it strengthened the ‘Net. Whenever possible, Webmasters should get out to as many message boards as they can, attend industry conferences and expos, listen to Webmaster radio networks and find out who’s who and who’s doing what. Stay informed, work with others and regain our sense of community.

LAJ: Not only is that some good newbie advice, but also a good primer for a more seasoned Webmaster who hasn’t given much thought to all of that lately. It’s very easy to become discouraged, overwhelmed and jaded in a very short time in this business.

Kath: I would advise all new Webmasters to find some kind of community support. Whether it’s a real life support group with people in your local area, or if it’s online in chatrooms, message boards or through industry conferences. Get support, stay informed and always keep your mind open to learn new things. If a Webmaster thinks he knows all he can possibly know, he might as well kiss his career good-bye. Always keep the attitude of a newbie and look for new ways of doing things. Don’t be afraid to be different and always keep a healthy thirst for knowledge.

LAJ: Great advice. A lot of the complacent Webmasters out there should take heed of that!

Where are we going to see you next, Kath?

Kath: You can see Klixxx Magazine at the upcoming Phoenix Forum, AOE Amsterdam, AWM Hamburg, summer Internext Expo, and of course our own Island Gathering this fall. Stay tuned to our print magazine and our website for details and launches!

LAJ: Thanks for your time this week Kath! Everyone, go check out Klixxx.com and Sexmoney.com and get to know Kath!

Do you know a Webmaster with a great story to tell? Someone innovative, unique or perhaps even entertaining? Tell us about this person for future consideration to be “In The Spotlight” here at YNOTNews!