Growth and diversity of the online solopreneur and sexpreneur

Abstract

The online sex industry expanded in the 21st Century with 'webcamming' (explicit video content for money) first categorised in 2016 [1] as sex work. Research shows sexual interactions more attractive to clients, online and offline, if conversation/dialogue facilitates perceived or real intimacy. Considering this alongside the success of social media influencers commoditising services, goods, and their intimate attention [2], the birth of fan sites became inevitable. This article proposes that experiences of fan site explicit content creators and those of individuals in entrepreneurial businesses overlap. The online sex solopreneur as a concept, therefore, opens new avenues for examination of online sex work within an entrepreneurial framework. The experiences of one should illuminate the other and further investigation is warranted.

Keywords: Explicit content; Fan site; Online sex solopreneur; Online sex work; Pornographic content; Sexpreneur.