OnlyFans earnings for beginners: Reality check on income potential

Discover the reality of earning potential on OnlyFans for beginners, with insights, strategies, and success stories.

Ever scrolled through social media and felt a little envious seeing Creators showing off their latest haul from OnlyFans?

You're not alone. 

But let's get real for a second.

While the glitz of top earners can be alluring, if you’re looking to start an OnlyFans, here’s a reality check. 

It’s not only about posting hot pics or shooting videos.

It's just as much about building a brand, engaging an audience, and crunching some numbers.

If you’re starting your OnlyFans because you want to turn your passion into profit, this guide will help you get a good overview of what you can expect to earn as a beginner.  

So, let's set aside the myths, roll up our sleeves, and take a look at how much you can actually make on the platform starting out. 

Understanding OnlyFans

First of all, let’s go over the basics of what OnlyFans is.

OnlyFans is a content subscription service that has blown up in the last few years.

Creators earn money from users who subscribe to their pages and by offering special services.

How much you charge is completely up to you.

You decide on your monthly subscription costs, what your services cost, and if you want to offer sneak peeks for free.

You can even get money from tips from your fans.

OnlyFans will take 20% of your earnings, but the remaining 80% goes to you.

You’ll likely also have to pay taxes on this money. You can read more about that in our guide to declaring your income.

But making it on OnlyFans isn't just about posting content and waiting for the money to roll in.

It's also about building a community with your followers, posting regularly, and nailing how you promote what you do.

To be successful, you need to connect with your audience and deliver content that provides real value.

It's about turning those views into a vibrant community of subscribers who are eager to see what you'll do next.

Beginner incomes on OnlyFans

We know it's easy to get caught up in stories about overnight success, but the truth is that OnlyFans doesn’t make you money right away—it’s a lot of hard work.

The most important thing to know is that earnings on OnlyFans vary a lot. If you're just starting out, it's best to keep your expectations realistic.

The average spicy Creator makes around $180 a month. 

Something that can help you to set realistic expectations is checking out what other Creators are saying.

For example, this Reddit thread by u/Shearsandsunflowers is a good start. 

Remember that success is relative and isn’t always measured in monetary gains, especially in the early days. 

As you build your presence, also focus on creating genuine connections with your subscribers.

A small number of loyal and dedicated fans can sometimes be more profitable than a larger number of less engaged followers. 

Be prepared for the ebbs and flows. Subscriber counts can fluctuate, and so can income.

Saving money as a buffer can help you manage the months with less revenue without creating extra stress for yourself.

Factors affecting earnings

Audience size

One of the simplest ways to boost your income on OnlyFans is to increase your subscriber count.

The best way to connect with potential subscribers is through promotion.

You can promote your account on social media platforms like X, Instagram, Snapchat, or DeviantArt. 

It can be tempting to think that the more followers you have, the more you’ll earn, but this isn’t necessarily the case. 

If you have 1000 followers, and 1% of them pay $15 monthly for exclusive content, that only amounts to $150.

If you instead have a paid account with 25 subscribers who each pay $15 monthly in subscription fees, you’ll be making $375 per month. 

OnlyFans subscription pricing

When you set the subscription price for your page, there are a few things to consider. 

When you’re just starting out, avoid making your subscription price too high.

If you’re a celebrity or have droves of fans from the start, you might get away with it, but most subscribers won’t pay $49.99 (OnlyFans’ highest subscription price) for a Creator they don’t know.

It can also be tempting to start low to make your page appeal to more people, but we would advise against that.

You can risk losing fans if you decide to raise your prices later. It’s better to start with a price you feel good about.

Redditor and OnlyFans Creator u/motherspicymoney shares the following subscription prices and advice:

How to make money as a beginner on OnlyFans

So, what factors make that leap from average to exceptional? 

Some of the most important factors are setting the right subscription price, creating content that gets people talking (and subscribing), and mastering how you promote your content and brand.

Let your personality shine

If you want to stand out among the thousands of cute, hot, and sexy Creators on OnlyFans, you have to make something that relies on more than just your looks.

Luckily, your best tool here is simply being yourself!

Creating content that cranks up the heat is important, but your distinct personality and life experiences will set you apart.

Injecting your content with your interests, passions, and quirks can transform your OnlyFans page.

These personal touches will make you seem authentic and give your fans a reason to choose you over countless others. 

But it's not just about what you share on OnlyFans.

Your charm and personality should shine through on the other social platforms that you use to promote your work 

This especially applies to platforms with stricter content guidelines like TikTok and Instagram.

This is where you can build your personal brand and connect with potential subscribers in a genuine way rather than posting NSFW content.

Don’t underestimate authenticity in a digital world that’s often dominated by filters and flawless edits.

Be real with your audience and let them see the person behind the persona. 

Also, when you create content that resonates with you, it shows.

Your enthusiasm is infectious, and your fans will want to share in it. 

By being true to yourself and letting your unique light shine, you’re laying the foundation for a loyal fan base that's there for more than just content—they're there for you.

You can find more tips on how to boost your profile in our article OnlyFans Hacks: 15 Tips and Tricks for Boosting Your Profile.

Offer both free and paid pages

Youtuber and OnlyFans Creator Nicole recommends that you consider having both a paid and free page. 

She first started with a paid page.

Then, six months later, she added a free page and nearly doubled her income.

Having two pages can be overwhelming, so start with a paid page, and then, when you feel ready, set up the free page. 

This can help you grow your fanbase by increasing your exposure.

Nicole recommends always starting with the paid page because some just subscribe to every free page without ever buying anything.

PPV content

A great way to make some extra money when you’re still trying to increase your subscriber count is by offering PPV content. 

PPV or Pay-Per-View content is content that subscribers have to pay extra to watch.

This is on top of the monthly subscription fee they already pay.

PPV content can consist of photos, videos, audio files, or texts, and the amount you charge is completely up to you. 

Stay consistent

Maintaining consistency is crucial in building a successful OnlyFans presence. Develop a content strategy that truly represents who you are, and stick to a regular posting schedule. 

This approach fosters reliability, cultivating trust and a sense of community with your followers. 

As you consistently offer glimpses into your unique world, your audience will become more attached and will eagerly anticipate each new update. 

This anticipation strengthens the relationship with your subscribers and serves as a key element in persuading them to stick around.

Beginner success stories

It’s always helpful to read about others’ experiences, so we’re sharing stories from two successful OnlyFans creators.

These stories should provide some realistic—but optimistic—perspectives on how much you can earn as a beginner on OnlyFans.

While these are both impressive success stories, there are many more to be found, especially in the comment sections of Reddit posts like this one 

u/Topsecretmouse

u/Topsecretmouse described their first year on OnlyFans in this Reddit post, which was posted in October 2022.

That year, they reached the top 1.2% of earners, and in their highest-earning month, they made $7,800. 

They accomplished this with an established social media presence beforehand. Instead, they credit their success to a good strategy and hard work.

Key strategies highlighted in the post include:

• Research: Use different forums to find advice and respect and listen to the experiences of experienced Creators.

• Marketing focus: Make sure to spend time promoting yourself.

• Limit sales pitches: Limit how much you try to sell your fans and offer an “opt out of PPV” option in their welcome message to new fans.

• Custom content pricing: Set prices on your custom content to compensate you for your effort. 

• Adapting: Be ready to shift promotion platforms if you realize your reach improves on another.

• Consistency: Be consistent in posting on all platforms, and don’t give up—results take time!

Marie Dee

OnlyFans Creator Marie Dee is one of the biggest success stories on the platform.

In 2023, she succeeded in making $100,000 in her first three months on the platform.

In her YouTube video, I MADE $100K IN 3 MONTHS ON ONLYFANS: What people don't tell you + my advice, she tells her story and shares her advice for how others can make it on the platform.

Key points from the video:

• OnlyFans is WORK: Treat your OnlyFans as a business, not a social media platform. Success didn’t come out of the blue, and it was the result of many long hours.

• Content creation: Make content that you love and are passionate about. 

• Own it: Don’t start an OnlyFans if you are not ready to be open about it. If you keep it a secret, people can blackmail you if they find it.

Check out her YouTube account if you’d like to hear more from Marie Dee.

Succeeding on OnlyFans as a beginner

Finding success on OnlyFans as a beginner is possible but requires a realistic mindset.

The potential for significant earnings exists, but success doesn’t happen right away—and there are no guarantees either. 

To succeed, you must know your audience, make quality content, and understand how to utilize monetization opportunities. 

While OnlyFans may not be a get-rich-quick scheme, it has the potential to boost your monthly income.

The key is to remain patient, persistent, and passionate. 

Embrace the process, be open to learning, and, most importantly, have fun!

You’ll eventually see that income grow.

If you would like to learn more about OnlyFans, check out our article Boost Your OnlyFans Actions and Increase Earnings in 2025