Smutlancer Spotlight: Cameron Glover
Editor’s note: We are so happy to be able to bring back the Smutlancer Profile series! Smutlancer contributor Chelsea Hamlet (she/her) pitched the idea to revive it and help showcase the depth and breadth of smutlancers who are creating content and writing about sex — and making money doing it! This monthly column would not be alive today without Chelsea’s help and hard work.
After taking a small hiatus, we are back with a brand new Smutlancer Profile! Yay! This month, we’re spotlighting the one and only Cameron Glover (she/her).
Cameron is a Black femme from New Jersey, who has built a career creating her own path as a writer, podcaster, and business coach for sex educators. If you don’t follow her on Instagram or Twitter, you’re truly missing out.
Cameron’s writing has been featured in publications such as Playboy, Healthline, Bitch Media, ZORA (Medium), Slate and Allure. She has a podcast, Sex Ed in Color, that talks about life as a sexuality professional who’s a person of color. And as a coach, Cameron teaches sexuality professionals to make a profitable, scalable business with her various products, courses, services, and coaching.
As you can see, she’s a powerhouse. We talk about all that and more during her interview. Check it out below!
How do you make money as a smutlancer? What topic and/or type of content do you get paid to create?
I’m a Sex Ed Business Coach, and my work is centered around supporting sexuality professionals in building profitable and sustainable online businesses. I lead a business coaching program, The Sex Ed Business Academy, and create digital products to share my information and knowledge.
How long have you been a smutlancer? When did you get interested in sex and creating content about it?
I’ve been a sex educator for the last 4 years. I’ve always been fascinated by the ways that sex shapes our worldview. In my previous career as a freelance writer, I was able to explore how sexuality interlaced with culture at large. But it wasn’t until I underwent my own certification process that I realized how important it was to create resources on the business of sex education.
Are you a full-time or part-time smutlancer? Do you have a day job?
I work full-time as a Sex Ed Business Coach.
Are you open with anyone about the work you do? Do you only tell close friends and family or are you public about your work? Do you work under a pseudonym?
I’m completely open about the work that I do. I think it’s important that not just other sexuality professionals see the importance of providing business support to the field, but that those outside of the field recognize it as well.
When and how did you realize this was what you wanted to do professionally?
I had a major “AHA” moment during my sex educator certification process. I was really struggling to narrow down my niche but knew that I had so many questions about the business of sex ed. Even though my certification program was great, I couldn’t find any dedicated resources — within or outside of it — that talked about navigating a career as a sexuality professional as a full-on career option. And after realizing that other sex educators had the same questions, I decided that this was too big of a necessity to ignore.
How did you get started and how long before you felt like you had “made it” (by any definition you choose)?
I didn’t pressure myself too much with expecting full-on success when I started. So I broke it down with experimentation. How can I try something new and see how the people that need the solution will respond? My first digital product was my Becoming a Sexuality Professional eBook about how to get started in the field. I created the eBook using the tools I had (at the time, Google Drive and a free Canva account), put the link up for sale on my website, and let my community know that I had this for sale. In the first month, I made $1700, which was a lifechanging amount to me at the time because it was in addition to my work as a part-time sex educator and freelance writer. But that also proved that I could create valuable digital products that people would be happy to pay for, without me having to sacrifice time, energy, or my ability to do other things and still earn money.
What’s one thing you wish you had known when you started creating content about sex or became a smutlancer?
The biggest thing to me is that it’s so important to be specific rather than wanting to reach everyone. Even other sexuality professionals assume that sex is the niche itself when it’s the umbrella term for SO MANY other related topics. So being as specific as possible with what you’re building expertise on and who you want to reach with that information is so important because content is the key to helping you build your community, connect with your audience, and building your expertise. So you want to be able to utilize it in the best way, rather than working harder.
What does a typical day look like for you when you’re smutlancing?
There’s definitely no two typical days when you’re running your own business. But generally, I navigate my schedule like this:
I prioritize my own self-care in the morning. I meditate, shower, make a good breakfast, spend time with my partner before they start their full-time job. I also check my calendar and social media to stay on top of what’s ahead for the day.
Outside of any time-sensitive tasks, I check in with my clients first and foremost. I respond to any emails that are outstanding. And the rest of the day depends on what’s on my schedule. I like to divide my days to general tasks — content creation & scheduling for the week. Preparing for client calls. Prepping for things that need to go out for the Sex Ed Business Academy.
What, if anything, is your favorite content to create or type of smutlancing work to do?
This is a hard one. My comfort zone is definitely in writing, but I’m also having fun creating audio files (podcast-style) for my clients and my podcast, Sex Ed in Color.
In a perfect world, what would you want your legacy to be as a smutlancer?
The legacy that I’m building is what I’m focused on. I want sexuality professionals to know that they can be successful on their own terms. That doing this work isn’t just something you have to grind endlessly at making less than what you want. And for Black sexuality professionals in particular, I want them to know that they are in charge of their legacy, and that premium sexuality business brands can be created by us as well.
What do you absolutely need to have when you’re ready to sit down and work to be productive?
A good podcast — I have a few shows that I have lined up to listen in the background as I work. I also focus a lot more intentionally when I’m putting in some effort in my appearance: changing out of my pajamas, washing my face, putting on hoops and red lipstick. Even if I’m just doing written computer work where no one’s seeing my face, it helps me get into the mindset of taking myself seriously. And I really thrive when I can motivate myself with breaks or snacks in-between tasks.
Who or what inspired you to become a smutlancer?
I think I was inspired more by what I didn’t see that gave me the motivation to become a Sex Ed Business Coach. I didn’t see anyone doing this work in the specific way that I do, and that reassured me that this work was still viable and necessary to do.
Follow Cameron Glover on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. Also, check out her podcast Sex Ed in Color and her coaching site The Sex Ed Business Academy.
