OnlyFans has exploded in popularity over the last few years as a platform that allows creators to monetize their content by charging fans a monthly subscription fee. For many, OnlyFans appears to be an easy way to earn an income from home just by posting some photos or videos. However, the reality is that making real money on OnlyFans requires a lot of work.
What is OnlyFans?
OnlyFans is a content subscription service that launched in 2016. Creators can join OnlyFans for free and charge their subscribers (called “fans”) a monthly fee to access their content. This content ranges from something as innocent as a cooking tutorial to adult material like nude photos and videos. OnlyFans takes a 20% cut of creator earnings.
The main appeal of OnlyFans is that it allows creators to earn money from subscribers who want to pay for exclusive, premium content. This gives OnlyFans creators an advantage over those who use free platforms like Instagram or YouTube where monetization options are limited.
How much can you make on OnlyFans?
Earnings on OnlyFans can vary widely:
- Top OnlyFans creators can earn over $1 million per month
- Established creators tend to earn $3,000 – $10,000 per month on average
- New creators often earn less than $500 per month when starting out
The top 1% of OnlyFans creators make 33% of the total money earned on OnlyFans. The top 10% of creators make 73% of the money. This means the majority of creators are not earning significant income from OnlyFans.
Factors that affect OnlyFans earnings
Several factors impact how much money a creator can make on OnlyFans:
- Subscriber count – More subscribers means more income
- Subscription price – Prices typically range from $5 to $50 per month
- Paid content – Pay-per-view content and tips bring in additional revenue
- Engagement – Keeping subscribers engaged boosts long-term earnings
- Work effort – Active accounts with frequent, high-quality posts earn more
- Market saturation – Having a niche helps stand out in a crowded market
Simply signing up for OnlyFans does not guarantee income. Generating substantial earnings requires building a large, engaged subscriber base and putting in consistent effort to produce content.
How much work is required?
Succeeding on OnlyFans requires a significant amount of time and work. Some key work requirements include:
- Content creation – Taking high-quality photos and videos on a regular basis
- Interacting with fans – Messaging subscribers, responding to comments etc.
- Promotion – Marketing your account on social media, recruiting new subscribers
- Managing your account – Posting content, setting subscription prices, payouts etc.
On average, top OnlyFans creators spend 30 hours per week or more working on their account. New creators should expect to spend 20+ hours per week to start seeing income. OnlyFans is far from passive income – it requires constant effort to keep subscribers engaged.
Main challenges of earning money on OnlyFans
Some of the biggest challenges OnlyFans creators face include:
Gaining subscribers
It can be very difficult to stand out and get noticed as a new creator. Marketing yourself and recruiting initial subscribers takes a lot of work. Most new creators start out with only a handful of subscribers.
Creating content consistently
Producing high-quality photos and videos on a regular basis is challenging. Many creators struggle to come up with new content ideas that will interest their subscribers.
Putting in the time
Being successful on OnlyFans requires a massive time investment. Many new creators underestimate the effort required and end up burning out quickly.
Dealing with trolls and harassment
Unfortunately, being an OnlyFans creator often means facing criticism, harassment, and struggles with mental health. Developing a thick skin is necessary to handle negativity.
Censorship and account bans
OnlyFans has been known to suddenly crack down on certain types of content or suspend accounts without notice. This unpredictability creates financial uncertainty for some creators.
Tips for earning money on OnlyFans
Here are some top tips for actually making money on OnlyFans:
- Have a niche – Pick a specific niche or fetish that is underserved
- Engage with subscribers – Respond to messages, post Stories, go Live
- Promote outside OnlyFans – Market your account on other social platforms
- Offer paid content – Charge for pay-per-view posts, tips, custom requests
- Set affordable prices – Price your subscription below $10 when starting out
- Post consistently – Aim for multiple posts per day, especially when launching
- Analyze your metrics – See which types of posts boost subscribers and earnings
Should you try earning money on OnlyFans?
Here are some key considerations when deciding if you should try to earn money on OnlyFans:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Ultimately, earning real money consistently on OnlyFans requires an enormous amount of time and effort. But for some creative entrepreneurs willing to put in the work, it can become a full-time income source.
How much money do top OnlyFans creators make?
Here’s a look at how much some of the platform’s top creators earn:
Bella Thorne – $2 million in one week
Former Disney star Bella Thorne briefly joined OnlyFans in August 2020. She earned $2 million in her first 7 days on the platform by charging $200 for pay-per-view content.
Cardi B – $8.2 million per month
Per celebrity net worth estimates, rapper Cardi B earns $8.2 million per month from OnlyFans. She charges $4.99 per month for subscriptions.
Tyga – $7.2 million per month
Rapper Tyga supposedly makes $7.2 million per month on OnlyFans. He offers subscriptions for $20 per month.
Blac Chyna – $20 million per month
Reality TV star Blac Chyna reportedly earns $20 million per month on OnlyFans. She charges $50 per month and additional fees for pay-per-view content.
However, these extreme earners are celebrity outliers who brought in big crowds of existing fans. For non-famous creators, these income figures are unrealistic.
OnlyFans creator earnings statistics
Here are some key OnlyFans creator earnings statistics:
- Average OnlyFans earnings per month: $180
- Median OnlyFans monthly earnings: $145
- Top 1% of creators earn 33% of all OnlyFans revenue
- Top 10% of creators earn 73% of OnlyFans revenue
- Over 300,000 total creators have earned money on OnlyFans
- Over 1 million people have paid for OnlyFans content
These stats demonstrate that the top creators on OnlyFans dominate the earnings. The typical OnlyFans creator is not getting rich or making a full-time living from the platform.
OnlyFans creator earnings distribution
This table shows how OnlyFans earnings are distributed among creators:
| Creator Earnings Percentile | Monthly Earnings |
|---|---|
| Top 1% | $9,100+ per month |
| Top 10% | $2,500+ per month |
| Top 20% | $1,000+ per month |
| Top 40% | $500+ per month |
| Bottom 60% | Under $500 per month |
This breakdown shows how tremendously skewed the earnings distribution is. The top creators have managed to build massive subscriber bases that earn huge incomes. But the majority are struggling to get their accounts off the ground.
Tax implications of OnlyFans income
If you do manage to earn money on OnlyFans, you have to pay taxes on that income. Here are some key tax factors to keep in mind:
- OnlyFans does not automatically withhold taxes from creator earnings
- You must report OnlyFans income on your tax return and pay estimated quarterly taxes
- All OnlyFans income is considered self-employment income
- You have to pay self-employment tax of 15.3% on earnings
- Expenses like equipment and props can be deducted to lower taxable income
- If earnings are over $400, OnlyFans reports them to the IRS via 1099 forms
Failing to report OnlyFans income and pay taxes can result in penalties, interest, or even tax evasion charges if serious enough. Be sure to keep accurate records of earnings and expenses to calculate taxes owed.
Building a successful OnlyFans account
Here are some top tips for creators looking to build a successful, money-making OnlyFans account:
1. Find your niche
Pick a specific, underserved niche that sets you apart rather than competing with general creators. Cater your content to subscribers with particular interests or fetishes.
2. Promote relentlessly
Market yourself extensively on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit. Run contests, do collaborations with similar creators, offer promotional discounts.
3. Engage with your subscribers
Reply to comments and messages, ask for suggestions, encourage two-way conversations. Make subscribers feel special and valued.
4. Post new content frequently
To keep subscribers renewal and get them to purchase pay-per-view content, you need to post new photos and videos multiple times per week or per day.
5. Offer paid extras
In addition to a monthly subscription fee, sell pay-per-view content, charge for customs, and accept tips to maximize revenue.
6. Provide an experience
Don’t just post photos – give subscribers a unique experience. Go live, chat with them, share your personality and life.
Building a stable OnlyFans income takes time and consistent effort. But it is possible for those who strategically cater to a specific audience and put in the work.
Conclusion
Earning substantial money consistently on OnlyFans is extremely difficult for most creators. While a select few top creators earn millions per month, the typical OnlyFans account makes less than $200 per month. Making big money requires massive amounts of time and effort to build a large subscriber base and keep them engaged. OnlyFans can provide income for some, but it is far from easy money for the vast majority of creators.