How to increase revenue +10% with one vault folder
This post is a part two of last week’s thought experiment of, “how do I increase the average amount of money a subscriber spends?”
If you haven’t read it already, start with last week’s lesson: Most people overlook this crucial metric - it lays the foundation for what we’re going to talk about today.
We ended last week by brainstorming different ways that somebody might go about trying to increase their LTV. Over the last 1.5 years, I have tried SO many different ways of increasing LTV. Some worked out marvelously, others not so much 🙃
One of my absolute favorite ways to increase LTV though, is what I call the “girlfriend folder”. Out of the dozens upon dozens of ideas intended to raise LTV, this is one had an incredibly high impact: it raised revenue by ~10% once introduced to subscribers.
What is the girlfriend folder and why is it so magical?
A girlfriend folder is vault folder filled with content (photos, videos, audio messages) that follows a chronological narrative, that SEEM like they were taken in real time. The flow of the media tells a story, one that feels so effortlessly and authentically captured, it’s as if your girlfriend was simply sending it to you throughout the day.
Not only does the girlfriend set increase revenue, if it’s curated properly, it prevents you from having to take a real “in the moment” photo. After the girlfriend set, I have literally never, not even once, had the need for a photo or video that was taken in that moment and sent to them. Not once. Not while sfw chatting OR nsfw chatting.
I’ve found that the ideal girlfriend set is ~20-30 pieces of mixed media items, all pre-made and crafted intentionally to be part of a natural, flowing story.
By having just ONE folder like this, you can find ways to direct subscribers toward this narrative and earn revenue as you get them to unlock content. The first few pieces of content are meant to be benign, relatively sfw, and free. Then, when you have them interested and chatting, you can begin locking content as you continue down your narrative.
The pre-planning allows you to create an incredible fantasy that the subscriber came for: one that feels totally natural and casual, despite being a fantasy. It’s a wonderful experience for both of you: the subscriber gets to feel special, and you get to work efficiently.
How to create the perfect girlfriend folder
Key trait #1: The vibe here is to be casual, so that it feels real - like a girlfriend experience. I’d argue that this is NOT the time to be perfectly dolled up & flawless (though, if that’s your branding don’t let me convince you otherwise!!). It’s a time to feel more authentic. Think about why your subscribers come to you — deep down, what do they want and need? What element of their fantasies are they hoping you’ll fulfill? I think for most subscribers, there’s a deep desire for connection, attention, and feeling like they matter to somebody beautiful and interesting.
Key trait #2: It’s important that the first few pieces of content are free - you want them to enjoy talking to you so that they feel compelled to unlock to see more explicit content. If you start the girlfriend set off locked, you’ll likely turn them off. They’ll immediately see the exchange as transactional and feel that you’re “just looking to make money”. Take it slow. The very vast majority of people I’ve sent the free messages to, have also purchased a paid message within that narrative. Most people who begin the narrative end up completing it (which results in a few hundred dollars of revenue in about 20 minutes).
Key trait #3: Have a mix of media. Start with photos to make it easier for the subscriber to unlock, while they get further and further into the narrative you’ve created. After they’ve unlocked a few, it’s much easier for them to justify spending more to unlock a video. Sprinkle in some flirty audio messages asking them if they’re ready for (blank), or complimenting how they make you feel. Use videos as your highest value pieces of content.
Key trait #4: Incorporate cliffhangers into the videos. For example, you can remove your clothes but keep your underpants on - but ask at the end of the clip, “do you want me to remove these too?”. Send a voice memo that says, “I really want to show you X, but I want a little convincing”.
Key trait #5: Being able to allow the subscriber to “choose their own adventure” to some degree is incredibly powerful. Ask them what their favorite part of your body is, and know that no matter what they answer, you have a follow-up clip that shows that part off. Ask them if they want to see X or Y next, and have them pick. The illusion of choice is so powerful in making the fantasy even more enjoyable for them. They know they’re here to participate in the fantasy, but those choices make the experience feel flowing and organic.
Themes for girlfriend folders
To get your mind really imagining how these narratives play out, here are the beginnings of some scenarios that I love. Imagine each of these concepts and how they could play out if a subscriber messages you looking to chat (or, you can message everybody who is online!). In other words, imagine each introduction below as the segue from a message you receive that says, “hey what’re you up to rn?”
Here are 4 different scenarios:
You’re bored in bed, just reading a book. You’re curious what their favorite book is. The one you’re reading is interesting, but you want to do something a little more fun. Maybe you should play together. You ask him what his favorite part about your body is (knowing that whatever he answers, you have a video clip for that).
You’re relaxing at home, just waiting while watching tv before seeing your girlfriends in a few hours. Does he like to watch tv? What shows? Now, you’re feeling like distracting him while he’s at work. You hope he doesn’t mind — you wonder how much you can get away with while he’s at his desk. You love being bad, knowing he’s supposed to be working.
You just got back from the gym, you’re still in your gym clothes! You talk about what you’re focusing on in the gym. Ask him what he thinks about your progress. You ask him if he wants a peek underneath your gym clothes. But, only if he asks nicely. He does, of course, ask nicely. Then, you tell him that you want to give him instructions to follow (in the form of many video clips).
How funny that he messaged you just now, you’re actually unboxing a new dildo you literally just got from the mail box. You show it to him while it’s still in the box, doesn’t it look big? You’ve never tried it before. Now you’ve opened it - you show it to them with the packaging clearly in the background. You show them how big it is compared to your forearm. You weren’t planning on using it rn but…maybe you should? Does he want you to? Does he want to watch?
Other benefits of the girlfriend folder
It strengthens the friendship between you and the subscriber. If done correctly, the experience is so sweet and you’ve done an incredible job fulfilling their fantasy. That wonderful experience can leave a lasting impression on them. If all goes well, they’ll come back to you for more. They also may be more likely to purchase future content, because the quality of their previous experience was so high.
A set like this only has to be made ONE time but can bring in ~$300-$500 each time you use it. You can reuse it constantly with new subscribers, so as long as you keep bringing new people to your page, it will always be valuable. Plus, you can make new ones in the future for anybody who has already gone through this particular narrative.
Subscribers can have this spontaneous experience without having to book a session. I find that many subscribers don’t want to “book” anything because of some kind of stigma (maybe it makes it too real for them that they’re purchasing sex work?) while they’re totally okay with a more spontaneous experience like this. I am not a therapist so I won’t get into the psychoanalysis here, but it’s an interesting observation I’ve noticed.