Onlyfans Review: What Do Creators Really Think?

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With over 1.5 million creators on OnlyFans, the platform is one of the fastest-growing subscription websites on the Internet right now. And while there are plenty of reviews on the user experience, what do OnlyFans creators have to say about making money on the platform?

While not all creators post X-rated content, OnlyFans is notorious for its racy and naughty NSFW and adult content. And in many cases, this is where the money is. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what OnlyFans creators have to say about making money on the site, the inner workings of the platform, and whether or not it’s worth your time and effort.

How to Become a Creator on OnlyFans

Let’s start with the sign-up process. Nothing deters people faster than a complicated or tedious registration process. Good thing for you (and other creators like you) getting started on OnlyFans is relatively quick and painless.

First, simply provide your real name, email address, and password. Once you’re registered on the site you can start creating content and pricing your subscription fees. OnlyFans prides itself on providing a secure and safe work environment for creators so you’ll also need to verify your identity by submitting a photo ID. When it comes time to post content, you can use whatever name and images you want. That means you can remain anonymous on OnlyFans and use an alias. This is one feature that many OnlyFans creators love.

Because creator safety is so important, creators claim that getting approved can take quite a while. The teams at OnlyFans thoroughly scour over all of your information and data while performing extensive background checks to verify your identity. At this point, all you can do is be patient and wait for the approval. One way to expedite this process is by attaching all of your social media accounts to your application. The more platforms you provide for cross-reference, the faster your account will be validated.

Setting Reasonable Prices and Gaining Followers

Setting a fair and reasonable subscription price is another challenge for many creators. Price your content too high and you may scare off potential fans. Price it too low and it’ll take an eternity to make money. Most beginner accounts on OnlyFans charge between $4.95 and $10.95 per month. As you become more well-known, you can up your prices as high as $44.95 per month, however, this is usually reserved for the most famous and popular creators.

Some creators also suggest starting with a free account to build your customer base. Once you gain a decent amount of fans, you can either switch to a paid account or launch a second account. If you choose the latter, it means managing two accounts at once. Post basic, teaser content on your free account that entices fans to subscribe to your paid account for access to your exclusive content. Although some creators claim this is double the work, it may also deliver double the reward. 

A lot of creators offer subscription bundles, discounts, and other incentives that help attract new fans and subscribers. Most OnlyFans creators report that their first fans on the platform come from social media, so maintaining this connection and overlap is important to your success. For example, people who have followed you on Instagram for months will be more than happy to pay a monthly fee on OnlyFans for the opportunity to interact with you directly. The more engaging and fun your personality and posts, the more eager fans will be to pay for extended access to your content and you!

When it comes to getting paid, the website will ask for your banking details before letting you choose a payment schedule – weekly or monthly – depending on your personal preferences and needs. You can also set up manual payouts where you withdraw the money as needed.

Choosing Your Niche and Engaging with Followers

With millions of creators on the platform, standing out and being unique is one of the only ways to make it on OnlyFans. Just ask creators who have done it! While the platform supports countless niches and categories including fitness, food, and beauty, there’s no denying that adult and NSFW content reigns supreme.  

If you decide to go this route, you have a few decisions to make including the type of content you plan to post and how far you’re willing to go. OnlyFans creators claim that regardless of what you post, it’ll never be enough for some people. One creator explained that she doesn’t post porn or even nude photographs but receives requests constantly. She said, “People will always ask for more and are never satisfied.” Her piece of advice is to only post what you’re comfortable with, don’t let any fans or followers pressure you, and block anyone that gets overly aggressive. 

Other successful creators claim that focusing on a specific niche and interacting with your fan base are two key components for succeeding on the platform. For example, one creator portrays herself as the “girl next door” while another targets younger guys that are into MILFs. The secret is to strike a balance between a niche that sets you apart but is also universally appealing. 

Without a loyal fanbase, your OnlyFans account will be dead in the water. Creators admit that fostering a following is a lot of work but worth the effort in the end. If someone contacts you, respond as promptly and politely as possible – even if they're making an unreasonable or outlandish request. Creators on OnlyFans explain that “reputation is everything”. People are paying for direct access to your content but that also includes your personality and interactions. They want a front-row seat in your life. While you can draw them in with your sexy looks, it’s your awesome personality that keeps them hooked, coming back for more and referring you to friends. 

Adopting a Consistent Posting Schedule

Without fresh, new content, your OnlyFans page will quickly get overlooked and, eventually, forgotten about. Creators report that in order to make a steady income on the platform, you post often and post quality content that your fans want to see. Everything you post should also coordinate with your niche and what you promise in your bio and profile. There’s nothing worse for a fan than expecting one thing once they subscribe and getting something very different. Clickbait tactics will kill your chances of making it big on OnlyFans.

Some of the most successful creators recommend posting at least a picture or video every single day. But they also warn against thinking this is all it takes to gain a loyal fanbase. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes. For example, taking photos, filming videos, editing, replying to subscribers, posting on other social media accounts, and brainstorming content ideas. Some creators post lengthy videos that are 15 minutes or longer. These take time to not only create but edit and perfect before posting. 

When you’re not posting every day, your account can easily go stale and you’ll lose all those fans you worked so hard to attract. Another way to ensure you are relevant is to promote yourself across several different social media platforms. This also takes time, consistency, and market research. As with any business, you need to put in the work to reap the reward and many OnlyFans creators will tell you it’s A LOT of work. But, if you find yourself in the very small percentage of top earners, it may be worth it. 

Dealing with the Stigma

Regardless of the type of sex work you do, chances are, you’ll be faced with some resistance from your friends, family, and coworkers. Unless you plan to remain completely anonymous on OnlyFans (which is difficult, but not impossible), you need to have a thick skin. Countless OnlyFans creators admit to losing friends, significant others, and even jobs due to their activity on the site. While these instances are isolated to NSFW and adult content accounts, these are also the ones that make the most money. So, if you plan to explore the taboo world of NSFW content on OnlyFans, just know, it comes with a price.

Many creators urge that “This type of work isn’t for everyone,” and “If you can’t cope with the stigma of it, steer clear”. Even if you try your hardest to remain anonymous or keep your online career a secret, leaks happen. People take screenshots and in the digital world, once you post something, it’s forever out in cyberspace for all the world to see, get their hands on, and use as they see fit. This could result in some very embarrassing and compromising situations that not everyone is prepared to deal with. 

The Pros and Cons of OnlyFans for Creators

The best way to find out if being a creator on OnlyFans is the right choice for you is to hear directly from the creators themselves. Is this platform all that it’s cracked up to be or is the hustle not worth the reward?

Here, creators share some of the pros and cons of posting on OnlyFans so you can weigh your options.

Pros

  • Flexibility: You can make your own schedule and choose to work as much or as little as you want. You’re your own boss.
  • Work from home: Most OnlyFans creators work from home and view their online endeavor as a career.
  • Little to no overhead: Registering on OnlyFans is free and most creators spend less than $10,000 per year on overhead costs including props, equipment, and other essentials.
  • Rewarding work: They say if you do what you love for a living you won’t work a day in your life. Many successful OnlyFans creators find their work rewarding, both mentally and financially.
  • It’s scalable:  You can constantly restructure your approach choosing different business models and pricing tiers. The OnlyFans business model is fairly simple, making it a realistic option for most people.
  • Business connections and networking opportunities: You never know who you’re going to meet or what doors will open for you.
  • High margins: The gross margins of most OnlyFans creators are around 65%
  • Quick turnaround: It takes the typical creator between 6 and 10 months to establish themselves on the platform and start earning a notable income.
  • Unlimited potential: When it comes to making money and expanding, the sky is the limit!
  • Work from anywhere: The beauty of most work-from-home jobs, including being a creator on OnlyFans is the ability to work from anywhere.
  • You’re an inspiration to others: Countless influencers are born on OnlyFans. Without even realizing it, you have the ability to inspire thousands, or even millions, of people!
  • Make money in multiple ways: Once you get established on the platform and master its inner workings, you’ll discover endless ways to make money. OnlyFans also offers passive income for established creators.

Cons

  • Stiff competition (no pun intended): There are over 1.5 million creators on the platform and of those, only the top 10% make $1,000 or more per month. Those are some questionable odds.
  • The battle to stay relevant: What was hot yesterday might not be trending today, which means the business you’ve built could change overnight. You need to stay on top of your niche and be ready to adjust your business plan accordingly. 
  • No medical benefits: As a freelancer, it’s up to you to find medical coverage and health benefits which may be quite costly.
  • Manage your own taxes: Without a W2 form, you’ll be a 1099 employee and need to report your income to the IRS and pay quarterly taxes. Self-employment taxes are sometimes higher than traditional tax payments so be sure to factor this into your overhead when setting your rates.
  • Inconsistency: As nice as it is to have a flexible schedule, making money on OnlyFans is fairly inconsistent. You could have a few stellar months where you make thousands and then a dry spell that leaves you struggling to make ends meet. Learning to budget and save as an OnlyFans creator is a must.
  • Tedious work: While posting on OnlyFans can be thrilling, it can also get pretty mundane. Some creators complain that the work becomes repetitive after a while.
  • Struggle with a work-life balance: Being your own boss is a great thing but it can also mean your work life overlaps with your home life. To avoid this, set a work schedule and stick to it. Some OnlyFans creators report working well into the night and on weekends.
  • Takes time to gain a steady following: With so many scams online, people on the Internet have trust issues. That means it can take you quite a while to gain the trust of your fans and followers.
  • Push your limits and boundaries: Posting NSFW content online isn’t for everyone. If you choose to go this route, you may need to push quite a bit outside of your comfort zone. 
  • Lack of physical activity: Being an OnlyFans creator is definitely a sedentary job. With little movement, you’ll need to incorporate other physical activity into your daily life to keep yourself healthy, active, and in shape.
  • Open to criticism: OnlyFans can be a ruthless business. Many creators get slack, criticism, and even insults from not just online trolls but also friends and family. Be prepared for some backlash if you plan to explore this world of content creation. 

OnlyFans: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Like any career, being an OnlyFans creator comes with both positive and negative consequences. While the potential to earn money is high, so is the workload. You may need to get comfortable with doing uncomfortable things and subject yourself to some pretty harsh comments. On the other hand, you may discover you have hidden talents and love garnishing online compliments and attention.

Do you think you have what it takes to join the ranks of some of the top creators on OnlyFans or are you still looking for other sexy side hustle options? Click here to uncover even more ways to make money off your sex appeal.