Becoming an OnlyFans creator is easy.
More than four and a half million people have signed up, verified their identities, and are either ready to start making money or already are as an OnlyFans creator. But building a business that generates enough income to live the life of your wildest dreams, replace that of your nine-to-five, or even pay your phone bill?
That’s another story.
Recent data tells us that the average OnlyFans creator makes about $165 per month. I don’t know about you, but even when I was struggling day-in-and-day-out at my soul-crushing retail job, I wasn’t blowing my top (or my load) over $165. But stressing out over a business that would replace me within twenty minutes of me dropping dead on the sales floor – didn’t feel in alignment with the life I wanted for myself. It was with that sentiment in mind that I became motivated enough to do whatever it took to turn my OnlyFans page into a real business, rather than a “side hustle”.
By the grace of the Porn Gods (and a lot of trial-and-error) I’ve found my way to the top 0.2% of creators on the platform. Along the way, I struggled: I researched, I tested, and I put in enough hours to put every person out there telling me to “get a real job” in a coma. More importantly, I learned a lot. And if sharing some of that knowledge could help change things for just one sad, broke, horny person out there who’s sick of hearing their manager say things like “we’re like a family here”, then I’m all too pleased to share some of what worked — and what didn’t.
TL;DR — Quick Summary of What Actually Helped Me Grow on OnlyFans
Growing on OnlyFans wasn’t about waiting to feel confident, chasing vanity metrics, or posting nonstop. It was about showing up before I felt ready, being unapologetically myself, testing what actually converts, building real relationships with high-quality fans, and treating this like a real business instead of a side hustle.
1.Waiting to Feel Confident vs. Faking it ‘til I Made It
What didn’t help:
Thinking confidence was a prerequisite. Waiting to lose three pounds, clear up my skin, or buy the perfect lighting equipment.
What actually helped:
Feeling scared, awkward, unsure – and realizing that confidence meant doing the thing anyways. I might have felt insecure about my hair, my body, my face, my outfits, or my image quality – but I produced content anyways, and I pretended to feel like the hottest person on the planet.
And you know what? People aren’t subscribing because you’re “perfect”; they’re subscribing because you’re YOU, and you’re a real person. When things started to pick up, and the money started coming in, I invested in things that made me feel more confident. And as great as that’s been, the best thing I ever did was to keep telling myself that I could do it when a part of me thought I wasn’t good enough.
2. Playing a Part vs. Being My Authentic Self
What didn’t help:
Pretending to be who or what I thought others wanted me to be. Doing things that made me uncomfortable. Dumbing myself down. Trying not to rock the boat.
What actually helped:
Saying “no” when I didn’t want to do something. Being my quirky, weird, awkward, silly self. Reading people for filth (or blocking them) when they were rude to me. Letting people see how intelligent and articulate I can be. Talking about politics or other topics that aren’t considered “sexy”.
The big takeaway here is simply a reinforcement of what I’ve already said: fans subscribe because you’re YOU. You ARE the brand, and keeping track of the intricate nuances of a made-up-character takes up way too much time and energy. Plus, anyone can find free porn of someone who looks a hell of a lot like you, any time they want.
This business is about connecting, building relationships, and letting your true self shine – and your freak flag fly, of course.
3. Posting Everywhere, All The Time vs. Posting The Right Things in The Right Places
What didn’t help:
Endlessly posting into the void.
What actually helped:
Posting an extremely high volume of content, comprised of different styles, over a wide array of platforms — and then letting the numbers tell me what was (and wasn’t) converting.
Yes, at first, I worked like a dog — and sometimes I still do, because I test new things regularly. But no matter how much I loved a certain type of content, or how good of a fit I thought I was for a certain subreddit — if it wasn’t working, I moved on and doubled down on what was.
In the beginning, I spent hours a day posting on social media. Now, I spend a few minutes.
4. Obsessing Over Vanity Metrics vs. Finding and Connecting with High-Quality Fans
What didn’t help:
Comparing myself to the creators with 100k followers and five thousand likes on every post.
What actually helped:
Once I found my tribe, I nurtured those relationships. I responded to every comment. I messaged people back. I engaged. I let people get to know me, and I got to know them.
Do you want a thousand subscribers who are only interested enough to subscribe for one month, immediately turn “renew” off, bust a nut, and vanish into the digital ether? No. You want a hundred FANS who actually care about you, are cheering you on, subscribe for a full calendar year, never miss a livestream, and tip you regularly. Quality over quantity, always.
5. Thinking vs. Doing
What didn’t help:
Overthinking, overplanning, overscheduling, and overanalyzing.
What actually helped:
Taking action. Pressing “mute” on my brain, sticking my iPhone on the tripod, and filming something. Making it up on the spot instead of writing a script. Just taking the pictures (no one cares if they’re perfect but you).
Sure, structure and strategy are great – within reason. But you never know when the video you slapped together in thirty seconds is going to outperform the one you spent four hours on (and it often will)! When you don’t feel motivated, reuse old reels that did well with new sounds. Copy something that performed well in a new outfit. Just keep pushing forward.
6. Going it Alone vs. Asking for Help
What didn’t help:
Thinking that I was the best person for every job. Going in blind. Figuring everything out by making mistakes.
What actually helped:
Seeking information, advice, and assistance. Watching YouTube videos, reading articles, talking to ChatGPT, and capitalizing on whatever resources I could. We live in an age when technology brings a plethora of data to our fingertips — take advantage of that.
Use AI to brainstorm ideas for reels. Google the things you’re struggling with (hot tip: the girls on the r/OnlyfansAdvice subreddit are more than willing to help, and you’d be hard-pressed to think of a topic that hasn’t already been discussed there).
Choose a friend to help you film posts for socials that feel interactive and from the viewer’s POV. Connect with other creators and find out what works for them. Collaborate. Shout each other out on social media.
Take online courses in digital marketing, content creation, and how to leverage AI. If you get to the point where you can hire a publicist or an assistant, do it. A side hustle consists of one; a successful business consists of many.
7. Living Large vs. Investing in Your Business
What didn’t help:
Ordering UberEats three times a day.
What actually helped:
Doing my own nails, making coffee at home, and using self-tanner instead of paying for weekly spray tans – so that I could test different paid advertising opportunities, hire an assistant, and invest in education and equipment. I’m not saying that when you get to the point where you’re able to reward yourself a little, you shouldn’t; lord knows I have.
But putting money back into my business has almost always paid off in the end. Be strategic with the money you make. Buy things you want, but that also helps your business: maybe a new piece of furniture will be a great way to elevate the aesthetic of your content AND the perfect thing to curl up on when it’s time to relax.
In my case, I started by upgrading my equipment and lingerie collection. I redecorated one space at a time. Then I started transforming my look with dermal fillers. And now? Louis Vuitton is on speed-dial and I’m jetting off to get a revision rhinoplasty in a few weeks!
Growing on OnlyFans: Final Takeaways
In conclusion, I’m sorry to say that there is no hack, shortcut, or magic formula here. I didn’t wait to feel confident, ready, or perfect — I acted first and let the results catch up. I was also willing to work my ass off if it meant being able to buy a new one.
OnlyFans can be a side hustle, or it can be a real business. The difference isn’t luck or looks — it’s intention, consistency, and the willingness to keep going when it’s uncomfortable.
You don’t need permission.
You don’t need perfection.
You just need to start.
