The essential guide to how OnlyFans works for beginners

Are you considering becoming an OnlyFans Creator?

Entering the world of OnlyFans is more than just an opportunity to make money—it's about having a blast while expressing yourself and connecting with fans. 

It's important to understand that success on OnlyFans involves more than just posting sexy content and watching the likes roll in.

As someone just stepping onto the scene, you’ve got a whole journey ahead of you: from setting up your space to developing a killer content strategy

It might sound overwhelming, but don't worry—you're not on this journey alone. We've been through it all and are here to pass on our knowledge.

Our beginner's guide is going to break it all down for you. So grab your favorite drink, get comfy, and let's and let's dive into it together. 

Your OnlyFans story is just beginning, and it's going to be epic!

What is OnlyFans?

OnlyFans is a content-sharing platform that allows you to monetize your talents and interests by connecting with subscribers. 

As a Creator on OnlyFans, you can offer exclusive content—ranging from instructional videos and personal blogs to behind-the-scenes footage and niche content—to subscribers who pay a monthly fee.

What sets OnlyFans apart from other social media platforms is its focus on exclusive, premium content and the ability to let Creators set their own subscription prices. 

That means you get to decide how much people pay to see your content.

You don’t have to pay to use the platform, but OnlyFans takes a 20% cut of all the money you make.

Entering the OnlyFans community means you’ll be joining a diverse group of content creators who are leveraging their skills and passions to build a paying audience. 

How to start an OnlyFans

Make a plan

Before diving into OnlyFans, having a plan is crucial. Here is a list of things you should decide on before starting your OnlyFans career:  

• Choose your niche: Think about what you're passionate about and what kind of content you want to create.

There are countless niches out there, so find one that truly represents you. The list is endless, from furries and foot fetishes to cosplay and powerplay.

• Pick a persona: Decide on the persona you’ll adopt on OnlyFans. This is the character or image you'll present to your audience. It is also good to make your persona fit your niche. 

• Set your subscription prices: Decide whether you’ll offer your content for free or charge a subscription fee. If you opt for a paid subscription, set a price that matches the value of your content, keeping in mind that OnlyFans takes a cut of your earnings.

• Equipment: Producing high-quality content is key to attracting fans. Research what tools you’ll need to create your content.

• Promotion: Think about how you’ll promote your OnlyFans. To get started, choose a social media platform where you already have a following.

If you’re keeping your OnlyFans anonymous, you’ll need to find creative ways to promote yourself without using your personal social media accounts.

• Make a schedule: Consistency is key on OnlyFans. Create a schedule that involves posting regularly to keep your audience engaged. 

Setting up your OnlyFans profile

Take the time to create a compelling OnlyFans profile to make a great first impression on potential subscribers. 

Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Get verified: To set up your OnlyFans account, you’ll have to verify your identity and payment details. You’ll submit a photo ID and provide your real name and bank account details. Don’t worry; OnlyFans will only use this information to verify your identity and won’t share it publicly. 

Step 2: Choose a username and display name: OnlyFans will give you a random username when you sign up. This will act as your profile's URL, and you can change it manually. You can only change it once, so take your time when picking a username! Your display name, on the other hand, can be changed as often as you like to reflect your brand or persona.

Step 3: Pick profile and banner images: Use high-quality images that represent the content you produce. Your banner should be in landscape format and can be a collage of enticing photos. Featuring multiple photos increases the chance of visitors seeing something they like. Your profile should be hot and reflect who you are, but don’t share your most explicit material—save that for paid subscribers!

Step 4: Hide your likes and followers count: Onlyfans has an option to hide your likes and followers count. When you’re starting out, both of these numbers will be zero. This can be a red flag for some potential subscribers, so you can turn these counts off until you have numbers that you’re proud to share.

Step 5: Craft a compelling bio: Your bio is important because it acts as a space where potential fans can learn what they can expect if they subscribe to your page. Don’t make it too long, and use fun, flirty language. 

Step 6: Write a welcome message: This is the message that fans will get the second they subscribe to your account. There’s no rule for what you should write here, but it can be a valuable tool if you use it right. For example, you can ask flirty questions about what your subs are into so you can make content that caters to their desires. You can also offer to send them free content if they like a certain number of your photos. 

Protect your privacy 

When you're sharing content online, especially on platforms like OnlyFans, protecting your privacy and your work is key. 

Here are some steps you can take to keep yourself safe.

• DRM protection: DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection prevents your videos from being recorded. To turn it on, go to your OnlyFans settings, click Privacy & Safety, and enable DRM video protection. This feature only protects videos that were uploaded after you turned DRM protection on, so complete this step as soon as possible. 

• Privacy & Security: In this section of settings, you can decide if there are geographical areas you would like to block. This is useful if you're worried about friends or family finding your account.

• Copyright protection: Worrying about your content being used and shared without your consent is normal. If you want to be extra careful, consider having your content copyright-protected. Redditor and OnlyFans creator u/motherspicymoney recommends the service Rulta.com.  It's designed to help you find and remove any of your content that's been shared without your approval.

Familiarize yourself with Onlyfans’ Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

We know—those long Terms of Service and Privacy Policy documents are extremely boring.

It won’t be the most thrilling reading of your life, but sitting down and reading through them will give you a huge advantage. 

Even though OnlyFans has fewer restrictions than platforms like Instagram and YouTube, there are still a lot of rules on the site.

Understanding what you can and can’t do will help you avoid any unwanted mishaps.

Tips for OnlyFans beginners

 Create your media library

The amount of content you have on your OnlyFans plays a big role in how appealing your profile is to potential fans. Your media library is the portfolio of content on your profile, including posts, photos, and videos.

The size of your media library is one of the first things potential subscribers will see,  and it plays a major role in whether they’ll decide to follow you or not. 

A good goal is to have around 100 pieces of media, with a nice mix of both videos and photos.

Once you hit the 100 mark, you can start to shift more energy into expanding your reach through social media and other marketing efforts.

Still, you’ll always have to provide new and exciting content for your subscribers on a regular basis. 

Promote your account on other platforms

Use your presence on other social media platforms as a springboard for your OnlyFans journey. Being active across various networks is a great way to draw more followers to your OnlyFans account.

Start by teasing your content on popular platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok.

Create engaging, shareable posts that give a taste of what you offer, prompting viewers to visit your OnlyFans to see more content.

Tailor your approach to each platform. 

• Instagram is visually driven, making it perfect for high-quality images and short video clips. 

• Twitter is ideal for engaging in witty, conversational interactions, and offers a great way to connect with your audience in real time. 

• TikTok offers you a place to get creative with catchy video snippets and engage in viral trends. 

• Reddit allows you to easily connect with niche communities and is great platform to use if you want to stay anonymous. 

Most other social media platforms have stricter content guidelines, so make sure you know the rules before posting. 

Don't forget the power of hashtags and trends. Participate in relevant challenges, use popular hashtags, and engage with your community to increase your visibility. 

Remember, promoting your OnlyFans account isn't just about broadcasting your content—it's about building relationships.

Respond to comments, collaborate with other Creators, and be an active member of the social media communities you're part of.

Listen to the experts

Learning from those who've already succeeded on OnlyFans is a great way for you to get some insight into how the world of OnlyFans works. 

Pay attention to how the top performers in your niche engage with their audience, what kind of content they post, and how they market themselves.

Subscribe to podcasts, join webinars, and read articles that offer insights into best practices for content creation and audience engagement on OnlyFans. 

Many successful Creators are open to sharing their tips and tricks in interviews or may even offer coaching services for up-and-coming OnlyFans talent. There is also lots of advice to be found on platforms like Reddit and YouTube. 

One great example is u/Mawldee’s post, where she shares her own experience as an OnlyFans newbie.

On YouTube, Creators like Alanah Cole share their own tips on how to succeed on OnlyFans. 

But while it's crucial to learn from the experts, it's equally important to adapt—not copy—their strategies.

What works for one Creator might not work for you. Your audience subscribes for your unique voice and style. 

Take the lessons learned and apply them in a way that works with your brand and resonates with your fans. 

Common FAQs