If you haven’t heard of OnlyFans, then may we ask what rock you have been living under for the entirety of 2020?
So in case you didn’t know, OnlyFans (OF) is a subscription service that allows content creators to monetise their talents. While it is open to creators across all industries, including fitness and food, it is mainly used by sex workers both amateurs and professionals.
And thanks to COVID, lockdown and job losses, the number of people using OF has skyrocketed. In fact, its COO told Buzzfeed News back in May that the site was seeing about 200,000 users every 24 hours. That’s a lot of people.
So undoubtedly it’s something on a lot of people’s minds. So if you’re thinking about taking things further than “I have seven quid in my account, let’s start an OnlyFans!” and actually want to do it, where on earth do you start? Thankfully, erotica subscription service, LVH, is here to help. They’ve spoken to real-life OnlyFans creators on how to kickstart your new sexy side hustle.
Do your research
And don’t jump in blind.
A lot of people turn to sex work as a way to ‘get rich quick’. While it can be a profitable side hustle, for every successful story you read on social media where someone earns five figures a month, there are others earning much much less than that. It’s not a guaranteed winner.
Before you decide to join OF, make sure you do your research properly. Follow other sex workers on social media, read about the ups and downs of the industry and use all your newfound knowledge to make an educated decision on whether or not it is something for you.
Whether you want to support your main income through a side hustle or are shifting your entire career into sex work, it can be difficult to know whether OF is the right move for you to make. So put in the work first to learn as much as you possibly can.
And make sure you’re prepared. As our Anon cam worker tells us, there’s a lot more that goes on behind the scenes than you think!
“There can be a lot of work including buying and setting up your equipment, getting your profile and pictures on point and making sure your work space and appearance is just how you like it, not forgetting making sure you have plenty of toys and props if you want to do these kinds of shows.”
Find your niche
What makes you stand out from other OF users out there? And there’s a lot of them. As of August 2020, OF had more than 50 million registered users, and 700,000 content creators. That’s a heck of a lot of competition you’re up against.
And if you’re planning to use OF for sex work i.e. selling nudes or sex videos, then don’t forget that you’re also up against the likes of free porn sites.
Don’t let that put you off, though! It’s really all about finding something that will set you apart from the rest. What makes you different? What can you offer viewers that the next user can’t?
That, my friends, is called your niche. Whether it’s group work, masturbation, BDSM, feet… Whatever it may be, you can always find something.
Worried your ‘niche’ might be too niche? Don’t.
One male Onlyfans worker, aged 29 and based in London (who wished to remain anon) says:
“Someone out there loves your niche. They’re turned on by it and will want to pay for it – either once or on a sub basis. My subs are also really into the whole homemade and unprofessional look. The more homemade it looks the better for them.”
Have your boundaries
What are you comfortable doing? Is there nothing off limits, or do you have certain things that you absolutely will not do? Consider these your no-nos, and you need to be firm in these. Maybe you don’t want to post full nudes and want to stick to lingerie shots only. Maybe you want to stick to solo work, or perhaps you have an agreement with your partner to only post with them.
Whatever your no-nos may be, you can either communicate them when someone messages you or you could have them listed on your profile.
If you don’t feel comfortable doing something then make that a boundary you don’t cross, no matter how much they offer you.
If you work with others, make sure you trust them
Many people on OnlyFans are lone wolves; they only post content of themselves and like to work alone. But sometimes collaborations happen on OF. Why?
Firstly, it can be fun. And second, there’s often more money to be made when you add a second, third or even a fourth to the party. Just ask our friend from OF Anon: he said the most he has made in one go was £250 for a 10 minute video. The subject, you ask? An oral threesome.
But don’t just work with anyone, it’s got to be someone you know and trust. And remember, trust is a two way street.
Anon says it’s one of his golden rules: “A lot of it comes down to trust. I only shoot content with girls I know and trust. I make sure they are happy for me to use the content I make. Always with their consent. If they don’t want me publishing stuff, I don’t use it.”
Be patient
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your OnlyFans won’t bring in thousands overnight. Just like everything in life, give it your all and be patient.
Our full time cam girl, Emma White from Off The Record management, gives her two cents on getting started:
“If you want to start as a side hustle, you need to give a little time to make some good money. Don’t get disappointed if on the first day you don’t make too much. Think positive and you will be met with success.
“Before I signed up with my agency, I made myself a different account thinking I’ll earn more as I don’t need to share commissions, but that was a mistake. I’m so happy I went with an agency as my earnings can grow, the team is so lovely and helpful, the training helps a lot. I speak and get advice from the other models. If you want to sign up, choose the right group and do some research as some of them might take your documents and use them somewhere else.”
Enjoy it!
One last word from our Anon cam girl:
“My last piece of advice would be simply, do it! If it intrigues you and you want a life you are in control of with the added benefit of amazing money potential then find an agency that works for you.”
