How to Build a Global Career as an Adult Creator with Cecelia Sommer

SWCEO Interviews Cecelia Sommer

Blog Post Written By: MelRose Michaels

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In a recent podcast conversation, MelRose Michaels sits down with Cecelia Sommer to break down what it really takes to grow internationally. Cecelia shares how she built her career across North America and Europe, what creators need to research before traveling, how global audiences spend differently, and how to stay future-proof in an industry that never stops evolving.

MelRose Michaels: Welcome back to On the Whorizon. I’m your host, MelRose Michaels, here to share what’s worked in building my adult creator business, and to make yours just a little bit easier.

Today, Cecelia is breaking down what it means to build a global career as an adult creator, plus the mindset it takes to thrive in it. Cecelia, thank you so much for joining us today. I’m so excited to have you on here.

Cecelia Sommer:

Thank you for having me.

MelRose Michaels:

I’ve seen you in passing at so many conferences. I think the first thing we should do is have you share a little bit about who you are and what your journey in the industry has looked like so far, so everyone has context.

Cecelia Sommer:

I worked in spas briefly and hated it. I eventually became independent and raised my standards in terms of safety protocols, pricing, and who I was seeing.

Then 2020 hit and I started joining modeling meetups. I made myself an Instagram, did collabs with other models and photographers, and started networking online. When COVID hit, I moved everything to Zoom calls. I had never done camera content creation before.

In December 2021, I made an OnlyFans. I wasn’t sure how I felt about being public and face out, but it opened a lot of doors. With OnlyFans and my modeling Instagram, I was noticed by Ayla Adams, who asked me to interview for Naked News, and I got the job.

Now I’m doing professional shoots, collaborations with other professionals, and here we are.

MelRose Michaels:

You’ve worked across Canada, the U.S., and Europe, and they handle sex work so differently. When you compare those markets side by side, what stands out?

Cecelia Sommer:

What it comes down to is how sex work is viewed. That impacts safety and working conditions. Canada is mostly decriminalized. The model aims to protect workers and criminalize the client or fan. Europe tends to have more widespread acceptance. Many countries are fully decriminalized, like Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Some provide standard labor rights, which opens up better online environments.

The U.S. is a stark contrast. They’ve shut down major advertising sites and placed heavy restrictions on online platforms for users on both sides. That drives sex work underground.

Each approach impacts the market, and that impacts the worker.

MelRose Michaels:

Do audiences feel different depending on the region? Like Europe vs. North America?

Cecelia Sommer:

Yes, it varies depending on cultural values, economic factors, and social norms.

In more conservative regions, fans need privacy and anonymous payment methods. They may make smaller, more discreet payments.

In higher-income countries, fans typically have a higher spending capacity. In North America, fans often spend more through subscriptions and tipping.

In Europe, privacy concerns are more common, so price points are often lower. That can affect North American creators’ income depending on where their fan base is.

In Latin America, there’s a strong community culture. Fans value connection, but because of lower disposable incomes, payments are often smaller, like micro-tips.

MelRose Michaels:

I’ve thought a lot about strategic ways creators could target different regions, especially now with AI dubbing. Have you seen creators do that?

Cecelia Sommer:

I haven’t personally heard of creators doing that, but it’s a good point. It’s a smart way to expand your audience and create connections across cultures. It could help bridge shame and stigma too.

MelRose Michaels:

When your audience became global, did you shift your content, tone, or boundaries?

Cecelia Sommer:

I didn’t change my approach or boundaries. I wasn’t catering to a region. I was catering to a personality archetype that exists across cultures.

For me, the biggest thing is authenticity and attracting fans who connect with you regardless of where they’re from.

MelRose Michaels:

That speaks to my soul. I feel like I need to improve being authentically myself online. Is there anything you do that helps you show up more authentically?

Cecelia Sommer:

I’ve done cringy things online. I look back and I’m like, that’s not even me. It becomes this weird persona that takes over.

I’ve had to dial it back and catch myself. Sometimes I record content and watch it back and ask, “Is this me?” and retrain myself.

I’ll catch little habits too, like giggling after everything. It’s not funny. I’m trying to seem bubbly, but then I’m laughing like an idiot. So I just try to be more normal. It’s hard, especially if you started off one way and now you’re shifting into being more yourself. The audience has to come on that journey with you.

MelRose Michaels:

I think creators mimic trends the same way people mimic each other dancing. You watch something online and your brain thinks you should do it. And now it feels like social media rewards authenticity and originality, which are hard to achieve.

Cecelia Sommer:

Exactly. It’s subconscious. You don’t even notice you’re doing it.

MelRose Michaels:

What operational differences do creators need to think about when crossing borders? Currency, payout systems, taxation?

Cecelia Sommer:

Yes. For example, when I went to the UK I had to get a Wise account to receive payment for shoots. I was also offered a lower rate in the UK, but it was industry standard there. And because the Canadian dollar is low, the exchange rate made it worth more for me anyway.

In the U.S., work visas are a big issue. I haven’t been able to shoot professionally in the States because of visa restrictions, which was less of an issue in Europe.

For taxation, living in one country and earning on platforms tied to another can raise questions. Luckily, Canada has a U.S. tax treaty that prevents double taxation for self-employed business profits.

But I’ve still run into issues. I made a product and couldn’t receive payment until I completed a W8-BEN form as a non-U.S. person. That was something I didn’t expect.

MelRose Michaels:

Expanding globally can be intimidating if you don’t have support or people to guide you. Did you set out to build a global career, or did it happen naturally?

Cecelia Sommer:

It happened naturally. Canada doesn’t have many production companies or creators compared to places like the States.

When I traveled to Europe, I reached out to companies and said, “Hey, I’m in your country. Do you want to work together?” Sometimes it came through word of mouth.

It was exciting to get professional experience. Making your own content means wearing every hat. Being on set and just being the talent is a cool experience.

MelRose Michaels:

How is the recession showing up in the adult space right now?

Cecelia Sommer:

It’s affecting income, especially for smaller creators and mid-low earners.

Canada is taking a hit. A lot of people lost jobs and have less disposable income. Fans are cutting back.

I also realized some Canadian fans were paying the U.S. exchange rate on content, so they were paying more than the listed price.

The top 0.1% of creators take a disproportionately large share of the revenue. Most creators make very little. Fans can’t afford to subscribe to multiple creators, so they cut down to their favorites and you might not make that cut.

MelRose Michaels:

Do you think collaborations become a survival strategy during economic downturns? What makes collabs work?

Cecelia Sommer:

It helps with visibility, but it depends. Audience compatibility matters. Collaborate with people who share your aesthetic, niche, and fan overlap.

Clear expectations before the shoot are important, especially around content pricing, release schedule, and what’s being exchanged.

Social media influence is huge. Posting with someone is like being vouched for.

Also, don’t take rejection personally. If someone doesn’t respond, move on. Stay professional and build credibility so other creators want to work with you.

MelRose Michaels:

For creators feeling overwhelmed by change, what can they do to feel more future-proof?

Cecelia Sommer:

Diversify and branch out. Email newsletters, YouTube, Discord groups, building a core audience.

Even if you don’t want to use AI, understand it.

To stay grounded, make a goal. Remind yourself why you’re doing the work. Focus on one goal when you feel overwhelmed. That goal becomes your calm. Everything else is noise.

MelRose Michaels:

Can you plug your socials so people can find you?

Cecelia Sommer:

Sure. On Instagram: cecelia.s.official. On Twitter: CeceliaSommerNN. My links are on my pages.

MelRose Michaels:

Thank you so much for being here. You dropped so many gems.

Cecelia Sommer:

Thank you for having me. This was fun.

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Some parts of the above interview have been condensed or edited for clarity. For the full interview, listen to the entire podcast episode here

P.S. If this conversation lit a fire under you to take your creator business seriously (and protect it while you grow), you’ll love the CEO Society. It’s our creator community for strategy, support, and real behind-the-scenes business advice you can actually use.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the interview are those of the guest speaker and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SexWorkCEO or MelRose Michaels. Anything said or written is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone else.