Updated July 31, 2024

How to Make Money on OnlyFans

Is It Difficult to Make Money on OnlyFans?

While it may come easy for some creators, it generally takes effort to monetize an OnlyFans account. Begin by strategically planning and building a fanbase, which is vital to your earning potential.

Meanwhile, these are the specific steps to help you get there:

Establish Your Niche

Although OnlyFans gained fame as a hub for adult entertainment, it has a lot of subcategories that help creators stand out from an already saturated market.

For example, a male OnlyFans creator who goes by the name Teddy Bear took full advantage of the fact that there aren't too many men in the SW space. He sells himself as the hairiest guy on the platform.^[1]

Whatever you decide to do, be sure to have a unique selling point that'll interest viewers enough to pay for it. It could be a distinctive personality, a signature move, or an underexplored topic. Staying on brand can lead to more loyal fans, which translates to a stabler income stream.

Furthermore, you must genuinely enjoy creating your content to keep you motivated and engaged in the long run.

What sells best on OnlyFans?
Aside from adult material, here are some content ideas you can make money off on OnlyFans:

lifestyle and fitness
behind-the-scenes
educational content
photography
cosplaying
product reviews
creative writing
coaching

What type of content do you think earns the most on OnlyFans?

Promote Your OnlyFans Account

You've probably heard about actress Bella Thorne blowing up OnlyFans in 2020, generating $1 million within her first 24 hours.^[2] But is that just an outlier?

A few days before launching on the platform, she promoted her OnlyFans account to her 25 million-plus Instagram followers. It paid off big-time!

Use different social media platforms to invite people to OnlyFans and become your "only fans." But, you should match it with great content.

Pro tip: View trending posts in your target niche and recreate them.

For example, TikTok's algorithmic content discovery makes it possible to go viral and bring at least a good fraction of that audience to pay for your OnlyFans page.

OnlyFans agency owner Kyle Plummer recommends having 3 TikTok accounts and posting a minimum of 3 pieces of content for each for maximum impact and income potential.^[3]

Consider OnlyFans' built-in promotional campaign feature. It allows discounted subscriptions of up to 90% to attract new users from a pool of 300 million+ fans worldwide.^[4] Simply go to your Promotions or Profile page, click Add A Promotional Campaign, and set your desired discount percentage.^[5]

Offer Paid Subscription-Based Content

Paid subscriptions are the lifeblood of most online creators. You get to earn more money when fans shell out to access your exclusive content every month.

You can set your monthly subscription price, starting from $4.99 to a maximum of $50.^[6] You can also offer different subscription tiers according to varying levels or perks.

OnlyFans superstar Bryce Adams has three accounts on the platform, two of which are paid subscriptions. One sells for $6.99 per month while the other is her VIP account which costs $30 per month. She makes 8 figures from OnlyFans.^[7]

When pricing your OnlyFans subscription, look at how much similar creators in your niche charge. Consider the frequency and quality of their content as well to come up with a competitive price.

Unless you are already famous and influential, asking people to pay for your content right away may not be the best option for an OnlyFans rookie. Try offering your content for free, at least in the first month. Free accounts allow everyone to view your posts. If they enjoy it, they may be more inclined to trust that your paid content will provide even more value.

Activate Tips

Interacting regularly with your audience can get your tip action going. Set tipping goals to spice things up and give your fan a little nudge. In return, whip up exclusive content to say thanks.

And here's the lowdown for newbies: your fans can tip up to $100 for a single transaction, which increases to $200 if they've been on the platform for more than 4 months.^[8]

Famous OnlyFans celebrity Bhad Bhabie showed screenshots of her phenomenal earnings of nearly $53 million from April 2021 to April 2022.^[9] She received a total of over $160,000 in tips during that period. Talk about making it rain!

How do you make $10,000 a month on OnlyFans?
If you have 2,005 paid subscriptions to your OnlyFans content, you're guaranteed a minimum of $10,000 per month in gross earnings. And that's not including tips and PPV revenues. Meanwhile, OnlyFans charges a fixed commission of 20% of your total income on the platform.^[10]

How crucial are subscriber interactions for your OnlyFans?

Send Pay-Per-View Messaging (PPV)

Pay-per-views add a layer of exclusivity to your offerings, which can be an effective strategy to augment your OnlyFans income.

Jade Nicole, a mom of 2, is said to have made $1 million on the platform, even if she only had around 1,000 subscribers.^[11] The secret is — you know it — PPVs!

PPV Pricing Guide:

Photo - $2 to $5
1-minute video - $5 to $10
5-minute video - $20 to $50
Chatting package - $50 to $250

*The above price range is based on how much several adult creators charge on OnlyFans.

To start, you can use templates with PPV unlocks that follow a sequence of a conversation or story. Then set ascending fees as you progress from one template to another.

You may also consider having 2 OnlyFans accounts, one free and one paid. You can offer select content from your subscriber account to your free account fans as PPVs.

Ultimately, your paid messages have got to be worthwhile. Otherwise, you might turn away fans and incur a chargeback or credit card dispute.

During her first foray into OnlyFans, Bella Thorne charged $200 for direct messages (now there's a price cap of $100^[8]). But fans were disappointed when they found out they weren't getting more than just an alluring photo of her. This resulted in a wave of chargebacks from the unhappy fans.

Stream Live

Live streams provide great value to your subscriptions, PPVs, and tips. They offer real-time, unfiltered interaction, making your fans feel they've gotten past the velvet rope into the hippest club in town.

Whether you're belting out tunes as a musician, owning the stage at a public gig, or just doing your thing, live streams add that personal touch your audience craves.

At one point, Marie Dee earned close to $5,000 when she streamed live on OnlyFans for 3 hours.^[12] She recommends promoting your live stream at least 1 to 3 days beforehand.

To monetize your livestreams, you can offer them behind a paywall. At the same time, you may collect tips, especiallly when a viewer requests a specific action such as a shoutout to them. You may also do a private stream, which can essentially be a video call that you get paid to do as a special accommodation.

How quickly do you get paid on OnlyFans?
Once you request your OnlyFans payout, you should be able to receive it in your bank account or e-wallet within 3 to 5 business days.^[13] Although rarely, it may take up to 10 business days. You can follow up by email if it's longer than that.

Create Custom Content

Custom content is exactly what it is — content you make specifically for someone. It's like serving an off-the-menu dish in a restaurant because that's what your customer wants.

This offer is particularly helpful when you're still growing your account and don't have a lot of fans yet. But as your page grows bigger, so should your custom content price.

Typically, you price custom content depending on how complex or how long it would be. It could be anywhere from $10 to $50.

For example, Kayla (knicoledz), an adult content creator, sets a minimum of 3 minutes for customs, at around $20 per minute ($30 if it mentions the fan's name).^[14]

She says if that fan unsubscribes after several months, she will reuse the unnamed custom content by sending it as a mass message. This allows her to continue making money without requiring anything more than what she already has. Now that's working smart.

What content is not allowed on OnlyFans?
While many would assume that you can post anything on OnlyFans, here are some of the don'ts for creators:^[15]

No sexually explicit material
No violence
No hate speech
No real blood
No nudity around animals or in public
No underage participants
No untagged participants
No gross misuse of an object
No real weapons
No illegal activity (as considered in your country of residence)

Provide Referrals

Aside from your OnlyFans content, you can also make money off of others through a referral program. To get your unique referral link, just go to your My Referrals on your drop-down menu.

Share the link on your socials, websites, and blogs with snippets of your content. This will give potential new creators a glimpse of what they may gain by joining.

You get 5% of their total earnings (capped at $1 million or $50,000 for the referrer) for the first 12 months.^[16] But before May 2020, referrers can rake in their 5% commission for as long their referral earns on the platform.^[17]

Although there's a cap on commissions, the number of referrals you can make remains unlimited. Those creators, however, must input your referral code upon signing up, or you lose the referral benefits.

Does OnlyFans do affiliate marketing?
Currently, OnlyFans does not have an affiliate marketing program. Instead, its creators can earn extra cash for up to 12 months by referring new users to the platform. The amount will depend on the earnings (if any) of the referred creator.

Sell Merch

Referrals aren't the only alternative to paid content. You can also sell merchandise like hoodies, posters, mugs, and even digital downloads that feature your unique branding.

Marketing your brand through merch not only generates additional income but also strengthens your relationship with your audience.

And don't worry about doing the dirty work; you can use a third-party service to handle production, fulfillment, and customer service. One example is Spring Store, which can be integrated into your OnlyFans account.^[18]

Aside from merch, it's also common for adult creators to sell even their personal items. Rebekka Blue says that 20% of her total OnlyFans earnings come from this activity.^[19]

How do you cash out on OnlyFans?
You may initiate a request to cash out your OnlyFans Current Balance (minimum of $20) on-demand by clicking Request Withdrawal under Payout Requests page on your app.^[20] To do it automatically, you can set your payout settings to daily, weekly, or monthly on your Profile Page.

Set Up An Onlyfans Agency

Even if you're not a creator, you can hit it big in OnlyFans. By creating an OnlyFans agency, you'll manage and represent multiple content creators and get a cut from their income.

Running an OnlyFans account alone can be a lot of work for creators. That's why they might go to an OnlyFans agency that can take care of things they'd rather not do, like marketing.

For example, Sparks is an OnlyFans management agency that does 90% of the work, from advertising to content strategizing.^[21] They even have a team that handles clients' paid chatting services, working in 3 shifts 24/7.

Much like a regular modeling agency, you'll earn by charging a commission on the OnlyFans income of your talents. This can range from 30% to 60% of your creator's net earnings.

Is an OnlyFans agency legal?
An OnlyFans management or agency can be a legitimate business if it has fulfilled the business requirements of the country it operates in. On top of that, it should also comply with OnlyFans' terms of service and policies.

Collaborate With Other Creators

Collaborations and crossovers are nothing new on social media. However, they continue to be a power move for most, whether you're a new user or a long-time creator.

Teaming up with other creators may not only bring a fresh spin to your content but also help expand your audience (and your earnings). Even a shoutout from another creator can give your OnlyFans a push.

Co-streaming is live streaming that involves two creators, making content available on both pages. One of you has to be subscribed to the other to enable this feature. Bryce Adams often co-streams with other creators to stay on top of her game.

Remember, successful collaborations often present a genuine connection between collaborators. Fans can sense when it's forced or inauthentic, which can impact retention rates and engagement.

Can I make money on OnlyFans without showing my face?
While many lucrative OnlyFans accounts show their faces to their audience, you can also make good money by being anonymous. For instance, feet pics are pretty popular, which can be both artistic and alluring for fans.

How do you get paid on OnlyFans?

As an OnlyFans creator, you are compensated for your work directly by your paying subscribers, not OnlyFans. Thus, all earnings go straight to your OnlyFans account.

Given that it operates on a revenue-sharing model, you get the lion's share which is 80%, while the 20% serves as OnlyFans' commission. In other words, you don't earn anything if nobody pays for your subscriptions, posts, messages, and streams, including not receiving any referral commissions or tips.

Meanwhile, your earnings are only available for withdrawal on the 8th day from the time you earned them.

For example, if you earned $100 on Monday, you may request a withdrawal on Tuesday the following week.

Do OnlyFans creators have to pay taxes?
Just like any source of income, your OnlyFans earnings are subject to federal income tax, and sometimes state income tax. For US creators, you will automatically receive your Form 1099 NEC by mail if you've earned and withdrawn at least $600.^[22]

Other Ways to Make Money on OnlyFans

There are even more income streams associated with being on the OnlyFans platform. Here are some of them.

Sponsorships
A strong OnlyFans persona may attract sponsors effortlessly, especially if they are aligned with your niche.

You are now leveraging your image as an OnlyFans creator by monetizing it beyond the platform. For example, sportswear or supplement companies may approach you to promote their product within your OnlyFans content or outside it.

Conversely, take a proactive strategy by cold-emailing potential sponsors from smaller niche brands. Who knows — they may be open to the idea of partnering with influencers like you.

Ghostwriting
If you want to work behind the scenes instead and still make money online, why not be an OnlyFans ghostwriter?

Also referred to as chatters, ghostwriters on OnlyFans usually are the ones attending to a highly in-demand creator's private messages.

You may be paid by the hour and get a certain percentage or commission from any PPV sales you make while chatting with subscribers.

Private coaching
You will find some of the more established OnlyFans creators also dabble in the world of coaching. They get to help others who want to become creators themselves for a fee, which can be a lucrative source of supplemental income on the platform.

Aside from the referral incentive from OnlyFans, you can charge your clients an hourly fee for one-on-one sessions learning the ropes.

It's important that you have a proven track record to be a credible OnlyFans coach. Marie Dee, a top OnlyFans creator, charges $11 for would-be creators to access her blog which contains all her tips and advice. She claims to make up to $200,000 a month in creator earnings^[23]

How Do I Start An Onlyfans Account?

Here are the steps in setting up your OnlyFans account:

Sign up on OnlyFans.com (must be at least 18 years old).
Upload a valid form of ID (passport, driver's license, ID card).
Add your bank account or verified e-wallet details.
Choose your payout option for your creator earnings.
Start uploading your content!

To begin charging your fans, set your monthly subscription price from $4.99 to $50. Or, you can offer your account as a free subscription first.

Note that if you live outside the US, you may be asked for additional information, depending on your country.

Can I use a fake name on OnlyFans?
Yes, you don't have to use your real name as your OnlyFans username. Especially if you don't plan to show your face on any of your OnlyFans content to stay anonymous. However, you must present your valid name and details when registering on the site.

What's your primary means of income on OnlyFans?

Tips In Maintaining Your Onlyfans Account

Running a successful OnlyFans creator account involves a combination of creativity, consistency, and effective engagement with your audience.

Here are some things to remember about the platform:

Focus on what makes you unique.
The creator market on OnlyFans is highly competitive. You'll find that so many others are already doing the same thing as you.

It's important to establish your niche, determine what sets you apart, and inject that into your content. More importantly, don't forget to market your page.

Treat your page like a convenience store.
OnlyFans viewers may come and go—that's just the nature of the business. So, instead of worrying about customer retention, focus on bringing people to your page to purchase your content, even if they leave after that.

Repost content for newer fans.
The OnlyFans Vault provides cloud storage for all the content you have released on the platform.^[24] Thanks to this, you can easily pluck photos or videos for your new subscribers as a bonus or PPV.

Be consistent.
When you say you're going live at a particular time of the week, you should keep your word and deliver. Set aside extra hours because they can go longer, especially if you're freestyling.

Don't be shy to ask for tips.
Nobody wants to come off as being too greedy. But if you believe you're doing great work, fans can be more than happy to show their appreciation. You can even pin your tip menu on your profile page, which is best when selling multiple content.

Who is the top earner on OnlyFans?
According to unverified reports, Blac Chyna is the highest-earning OnlyFans creator. While OnlyFans boasts of having paid out more than 15 billion dollars to its creators, it does not publish their individual incomes.^[25]

OnlyFans alternatives

Many other platforms provide a way for creators in the adult space, among other themes, to monetize their content. Here are some of the popular ones.

Fansly
Fansly has pretty similar features as OnlyFans. However, it boasts more flexibility with its customizable subscription tiers and allows creators to maintain multiple subscriptions under one account.

It fares better with referral incentives, which are also extended to users and not just creators.

Another feature worth noting is having a For You page. This is where content of creators can be algorithmically promoted based on their account behavior.

Fanvue
If you're looking for a higher percentage share, Fanvue lets you have 85% of your earnings, at least for the time being.^[26] After 3 months, your take-home pay is reduced to 80%

In addition, creators can take advantage of improved tagging and search functionalities, enhancing discoverability. Here, users can actually type the creator's handle or username they want to locate.

Patreon
Patreon is another option that's not necessarily a haven for adult content. Instead, it is known to offer robust support for diverse content types like art, music, podcasts, and more.

It has internal discoverability features that allow searching of creators and exploring their pages. Notably, this platform charges a low commission rate that starts at 8% (5% for commerce sales) plus applicable fees.^[27]