Trade media, cam-specific publications, award nominations, industry conferences, and practical strategies for getting your name in front of the right people — all in one place.
These are the publications that producers, platforms, and professionals read. Getting featured — even in a brief mention — builds credibility and signals that you're a serious player, not just a hobbyist.
The longest-running and most widely cited trade publication in the US adult industry. Often described as the Billboard of adult entertainment. Covers performer interviews, platform news, industry trends, and product reviews. Hosts the annual AEE (Adult Entertainment Expo) in Las Vegas each January alongside the AVN Awards. Feature placements are competitive — having an active publicist or being nominated for an award dramatically improves chances of coverage.
The adult industry's leading business news publisher, covering digital media (XBIZ World) and retail/pleasure products (XBIZ Premiere). XBIZ publishes daily news, feature articles, market analysis, and interviews online. Arguably more B2B-focused than AVN — platform announcements, creator economy trends, and regulatory updates are regularly featured. The XMAs (formerly XBIZ Awards) are the industry's largest awards show. Pitching editorial is possible via their newsroom contact.
The most cam-model-centric publication of the major titles. Features model interviews, studio spotlights, platform news, and industry events with a strong focus on Eastern Europe and the independent creator space. Relatively accessible for interview submissions — models can reach out directly. Past features have included in-depth Q&As with working cam models on topics from earnings to relationships. A good first publication to target for direct outreach.
Digital-first publication focused entirely on the cam and creator economy. Covers fan engagement strategy, content monetisation, platform policy updates, and creator interviews. Part of the wider YNOT network which also covers affiliate marketing. YNOT holds its own annual awards. The editorial tone is practical and creator-friendly, making it a natural fit for performers who want to be quoted on strategy or featured in "how I built my business" style profiles.
The primary B2B trade journal for the European erotic and adult entertainment industry. Distributed to registered erotic industry traders and companies across Europe, with distribution to parts of North America and Asia. Covers manufacturer news, retail trends, and trade show coverage. Less performer-focused than BCAMS, but valuable for creators who are also building product partnerships or attending European expos like Venus Berlin.
Adult business magazine covering content creation, gaming, platform news, and industry events across Europe. Covers the Bucharest Summit and other regional expos. More accessible editorial style than SIGN — good for creators based in or targeting the European market who want regional trade coverage.
Independent print magazine featuring erotica and nude photography from established and emerging photographers. More artistically-oriented than trade titles — good for performers who want their work positioned within a fine art / erotic photography context rather than purely industry trade coverage. Submissions from photographers and models are welcomed.
Most major platforms run their own creator spotlight blogs, social accounts, and newsletters. Being featured by your platform directly — especially for top performer lists, milestone posts, or official case studies — provides high-visibility exposure to their entire user base. These are the most accessible placements: reach out to your platform's creator success team, hit their top performer metrics, or participate in platform-run contests and campaigns to get noticed.
Award nominations are one of the most effective credibility signals in this industry. Even being nominated — before winning anything — is bio-worthy, improves media pitch success rates, and builds fan engagement through voting campaigns.
Renamed from XBIZ Awards in 2025. The largest B2B awards show in the industry. Nominations are submitted by clients (studios, platforms, agencies) — you typically need a partner or publicist to submit on your behalf. Separate XMA Creator Awards specifically honour independent creators, cam models, and clip artists. Winning or being nominated in Creator categories is a major credibility marker.
Held during the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo (AEE) in Las Vegas, the oldest and most mainstream-recognised awards show in the industry. Modelled on the Academy Awards format with 100+ categories. Nominations include categories specifically for cam performers and digital content creators. Note: awards often favour consistent AVN advertisers — having a publicist who maintains relationships with AVN editorial helps significantly.
The first awards show dedicated exclusively to the live cam industry. Covers both performer and platform categories. More accessible for independent cam models than the bigger trade shows — nominations are open to all active cam performers and can be submitted directly or through fan voting. Categories cover broadcast quality, creativity, and community engagement, not just earnings.
Dedicated to alternative adult performers — covers alt, goth, inked, fetish, kink, and non-mainstream niches. Fan-voted with open nomination periods. One of the most accessible major awards for performers outside the mainstream who wouldn't otherwise be recognised at AVN or XMAs. Categories include Best Cam Model of the Year, Best Clip Artist, Best Inked Clip Artist, Fan Favourite, and more.
Fan-voted awards run directly by ManyVids. Open to all active MV sellers — one of the most accessible major award paths because voting is done entirely by your existing fanbase. Winning or being nominated boosts profile visibility within the platform. Categories span video niches, creator type, and community engagement. Running a dedicated voting campaign among your fans during nomination periods is standard practice.
Fan-nominated and fan-voted awards for cam performers. Nominations are submitted via Twitter/X by fans following the @CammyAwards account. One of the most community-driven award processes — the entire campaign happens on social media, making it a strong opportunity for performers with engaged Twitter followings. Works well as a co-promotion with the AltAwards.
Part of the Bucharest Summit conference — Europe's largest webcam industry gathering. Award categories recognise both studios and individual models, with a strong focus on the live cam sector. Being based in or connected to the Eastern European market is an advantage, but international performers are regularly nominated. The summit itself is a major networking event worth attending separately from the awards.
Awards ceremony held as part of Lalexpo, the Latin American adult industry conference in Cali, Colombia. The 10th edition in 2025 attracted over 5,500 attendees and 120+ sponsors. Strongly Latin American-focused but increasingly international. Key opportunity for Spanish-speaking performers and studios, and for anyone targeting the LatAm market. Nomination process opens several months before the event.
Jury-selected awards held at the Venus Berlin trade fair — Europe's largest consumer adult expo. The Jury Prize for Best Webcam Celebrity is a notable recognition in the European cam space. Being present at Venus in person significantly improves visibility for the awards. Categories span webcam, film, and product.
Part of the YNOT network's annual awards covering cam, affiliate, and digital media. Best Emerging Platform / Company categories alongside creator recognition. Useful for performers who are also building platform or brand partnerships, not just solo content.
Awards specifically celebrating performers of colour in the adult industry. Fan-voted with open nominations. One of the few major shows with explicit recognition for diversity across race, gender identity, and niche. Nominations can come from fans or be self-submitted.
Part of the AW Summit conference in Sofia — a major affiliate marketing and adult digital media event. Awards cover platform performance, best emerging platform, and creator categories. Particularly relevant for performers who are also active in affiliate marketing or have built their own funnels and referral structures.
Most major publication features, brand deals, and award campaigns start with an in-person conversation at a conference. Attending — even as a first-timer — puts your face in front of editors, platform reps, and peers who make referrals.
The flagship US consumer and trade expo. Runs alongside the AVN Awards ceremony. Combines a large trade floor with fan meet-and-greets, brand activations, and industry networking. One of the highest-concentration events for media contacts, platform representatives, and potential brand partners. Attending as a creator (rather than just a fan-facing performer) opens B2B conversations that don't happen online.
XBIZ runs multiple annual conferences targeting the digital creator economy. XBIZ Miami hosts the XMA Creator Awards — the most creator-focused of the major XBIZ events, covering cam models, clip artists, and premium social media personalities. XBIZ LA is more B2B-focused with seminars on legal, marketing, and technology. Both include networking sessions, panels, and workshops. XBIZ conferences attract attendees from over 60 countries.
Europe's biggest adult entertainment conference, merging with the X3 Expo format from 2026. Brings together creators, performers, producers, webmasters, brand execs, and developers in a multi-floor venue. Features the XMA Europa Awards. Speed networking sessions, Mix & Meet Markets, and cocktail receptions are specifically designed for relationship-building. Past shows have hosted attendees from 40+ countries.
Europe's largest dedicated webcam and creator economy conference. Particularly strong for live cam performers, studio operators, and platform developers. Runs over several days with business conference sessions, awards gala, and parties. Strong Romanian/Eastern European industry presence but draws international attendance. Pineapple Support maintains a wellness space at the Summit for performers.
The 10th edition in 2025 attracted 5,500+ attendees, 120+ sponsors, and government representatives. The largest adult industry expo in Latin America, covering live cam, content creation, studios, platforms, and affiliates. Pre-sale tickets available for 2026. Strong focus on Latin American markets but growing international profile. Key event for anyone building a presence in or targeting Spanish-speaking audiences.
Europe's largest consumer adult entertainment trade fair, running since 1996. Mixed trade and consumer event — both fan-facing and industry-facing. Home of the Venus Awards. Strong presence from European performers, studios, and product manufacturers. Good for building both fan relationships and trade contacts in a single event. Attended by major international brands and media.
Getting into publications and winning awards rarely happens by accident. Here are the practical approaches that consistently work for independent creators building their public profile.
Before reaching out to any publication, have your materials ready. Editors don't have time to ask follow-up questions for basic info.
Award nominations are marketing events, not just industry recognition. Use every nomination period as a dedicated content cycle.
Most adult trade publications are understaffed and actively looking for interview subjects. A well-timed, well-formatted pitch gets replied to.
Brand ambassador deals with toy companies (Lovense, We-Vibe, Kiiroo) or platform partners often come with PR support baked in.
Conference panels are the fastest way to build industry credibility. Panellists get press coverage, are quoted by media, and become go-to sources for future stories.
Journalists and editors who cover the adult industry follow Twitter/X and Bluesky closely. Being vocal, quotable, and consistent on public social builds an ambient media profile.
If you're starting from scratch, this is the logical order of operations for building a public profile without wasting energy on opportunities you're not ready for yet.
Write your bio in 3 lengths. Gather 3–5 approved high-res photos. Document your platform stats and any existing recognitions. None of the following steps work without this foundation — it's what media contacts will ask for, and what brands will evaluate before saying yes.
The easiest placements are on your own platforms — creator spotlight blogs, newsletter features, and social media shoutouts from your platform's official accounts. Reach out to your platform's creator success team. Participate in official platform contests and campaigns. These are low-barrier and build a track record you can cite in trade pitches later.
Start with ManyVids Community Awards (if you're on MV), the Cammy Awards (Twitter-based, any platform), or the Live Cam Awards. These have the lowest barriers to entry and fan-voting mechanics that don't require industry contacts. The act of running a nomination campaign builds audience engagement regardless of outcome.
These two publications are the most accessible for direct creator outreach. BCAMS has a regular Q&A format that's been used by models at all career stages. YNOT Cam actively covers strategy-focused creator stories. A short, well-formatted pitch email with a clear angle gets genuinely considered. Use any award nomination or platform milestone as your hook.
The combination of one in-person conference appearance and active follow-up on social does more for your professional profile than a year of online pitching. Bucharest Summit (if you're Europe-based), XBIZ Miami (if you're US-based), or Lalexpo (if you're in LatAm) are the recommended entry points. The AVN Expo is the most high-profile but also the most crowded and expensive.
AVN and XMA nominations in performer categories typically require a combination of: industry recognition (prior awards or nominations), an existing publicist or studio relationship, and active presence in trade media. These come after the foundation is built — having 2–3 trade features and a prior nomination or two makes the path significantly shorter. Think of it as a 12–18 month build, not a single application.
The adult industry's primary mental health nonprofit. Provides free and subsidised therapy, support groups, and emotional support to performers and producers. Has 600+ registered sex-worker-affirming therapists across 5 continents in 19 languages. Has supported over 12,000 industry workers since launch. Maintains a wellness presence at major industry conferences including AVN, XBIZ Miami, XBIZ Amsterdam, and the Bucharest Summit. Free to access — you don't need to be at a crisis point to benefit.
Annual online mental health summit specifically for adult industry performers. Features therapists, experts, and performers speaking on mental health, coping strategies, and industry-specific pressures. Free to attend. Held each December. Also a legitimate speaking opportunity for performers who have a story to share around mental health advocacy — Pineapple Support actively invites performer panellists.
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