
How to start an OnlyFans with ZERO followers
Build your fanbase from scratch with these expert tips.
Savannah
Jul 24, 2024
With the freedom to express yourself and the promise of financial independence, it's no wonder people from all walks of life are diving into OnlyFans.
But what if you're starting from scratch without a social media following? Can you still carve out a niche and thrive on OnlyFans?
In this guide, we'll explore the details of how to kickstart your OnlyFans journey from the ground up, even if you have zero followers.
So, buckle up and get ready to unlock the secrets to launching a successful OnlyFans, regardless of your current social media standing.
Can you be successful on OnlyFans without having an existing following?
Many aspiring Creators wonder if it's possible to succeed on OnlyFans without an existing following. The answer is a resounding yes!
Many of the platform's top Creators actually started their OnlyFans careers without a significant social media presence or a pre-established fan base. If they can do it, why can’t you?
Having a fan base from the start can definitely give you an advantage in the early stages of your OnlyFans journey, but it’s not a prerequisite.
If you’re starting without a following, you’ll have to be ready to put in some effort, because OnlyFans isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme—finding success on the platform takes a lot of hard work.
Do your research
Before diving headfirst into your OnlyFans journey, you have to do your homework. Understanding the platform, your target audience, and promotion strategies can have a major impact on your success.
A great way to start your research is to look to more experienced Creators and hear what they have to say.
Reddit is one of the best platforms to find advice from other Creators. OnlyFans Creator and Reddit user u/_vanessacherry posted about her experience on OnlyFans without any previous following.
You can also check out YouTube for advice. There are tons of OnlyFans Creators on the platform who have designated channels for sharing their tried-and-true tips.
Build your brand
Creating a strong brand for your OnlyFans is a key part of finding success on OnlyFans.
Define your persona
Your persona is the personality you present to your audience. It should be authentic to who you are but also tailored to resonate with your target audience. Consider what makes you unique and how you want to be perceived by your fans. Are you mysterious and seductive, bubbly and outgoing, or something else entirely? Define your persona and let it shine through in your content and interactions.
Find your niche
Finding a niche is crucial for standing out in a crowded market. Consider your interests, passions, and expertise. If you have genuine enthusiasm for your content, it’ll show.
What sets you apart from other Creators? Narrowing down your niche will help you attract a dedicated audience interested in your specific content.
On OnlyFans, there's a niche for every interest. If you want some inspiration, check out the subreddit r/onlyfansadvice and explore how other Creators found their niche.
Know your audience
Understanding your potential audience's preferences and desires is key to crafting content they’ll love. Use analytics tools on OnlyFans and other social media platforms to gather insights into your audience demographics, engagement patterns, and content preferences. Tailor your content to their needs and interests to foster loyalty and a deeper connection.
Develop your brand identity
Your brand identity encompasses your visual aesthetics, tone of voice, and overall style. Choose a consistent color palette, font, and images that reflect your persona and resonate with your target audience. Your branding should be cohesive across all your content and promotional materials to make everything you post memorable and recognizable.
Leverage social media
Mastering the art of promoting your content is a crucial part of making sure your OnlyFans gets noticed.
Don’t be discouraged if you're starting from scratch with zero social media following. Start by creating profiles on each platform, optimizing them with relevant keywords and your OnlyFans link (when it’s allowed).
Consistency is key, so aim to post regularly and engage with your audience authentically. As you gain traction and build relationships within each platform's community, you'll gradually attract followers and drive traffic to your OnlyFans account.
Here are tips for each of the major social media platforms:
Instagram is a visual platform that’s ideal for showing your personality and your SFW content. Utilize relevant hashtags so that people in your niche can find you. Engage with your audience through comments and direct messages. Don’t link directly to your OF because it could result in a ban.
X (formerly known as Twitter) is great for real-time interaction and sharing spicy content. The platform tolerates nudity and sexual images, so it’s perfect for directly promoting your OnlyFans. Use trending hashtags and participate in conversations relevant to your niche to increase visibility and attract followers.
TikTok's short-form video format is perfect for grabbing attention and going viral. Start by creating entertaining and engaging videos related to your niche. Use trending sounds and challenges to increase your reach and attract followers. Engage with other Creators and participate in stitches to expand your audience further. Remember that linking to your OF account is prohibited on TikTok, and you can’t show or discuss anything sexually explicit on the platform.
Reddit is a platform driven by its community, where users share and discuss content within interest groups called subreddits. Start by finding subreddits related to your interests and engage in conversations by offering valuable insights and content. Steer clear of spamming or self-promotion as Reddit users generally don't appreciate it. Instead focus on fostering connections and providing value to the community. Occasionally you can share links to your OnlyFans account in discussions or participate in subreddit promotion opportunities.
For most Creators, Instagram, Reddit, X, and TikTok are the go-to platforms for promoting their OnlyFans. But you can also explore smaller platforms like Snapchat or DeviantArt to reach your niche.
For more tips, check out our article on how to promote your OnlyFans.
Produce compelling content
To create engaging visual content, you’ll have to invest in quality equipment. Your phone might cut it in the beginning, but if you can afford it, choose a dedicated camera and pair it with an editing tool like Adobe Lightroom.
Another important part of creating eye-catching content is learning how to use light the right way. Whether you use a ring light or natural light, the right lighting can take your content to the next level.
Treat these purchases as business investments and don’t forget to write them off come tax season.
Experiment with different content formats and topics to see what resonates best with your audience.
Network for success
Build a network for yourself by tapping into the OnlyFans community.
Network within the OnlyFans community
Engage with other Creators and subscribers within the OnlyFans community to increase your visibility and attract followers. Participate in forums, groups, and discussions related to your niche, share your insights and content, and collaborate with like-minded Creators to grow your network and audience.
Collaborate with other Creators
Partnering with fellow Creators in your niche can help you reach new audiences and gain exposure. Consider collaborating on joint content projects, cross-promoting each other's accounts, or participating in shoutout exchanges to expand your reach and attract followers.
Engage with your audience.
Building a loyal following on OnlyFans requires actively engaging with your audience on a daily basis. Respond to comments, messages, and feedback promptly, and show genuine interest in your subscribers' preferences and interests. By fostering a sense of community and connection, you'll encourage followers to stay engaged and spread the word about your account.
The power of analytics
Analytics can be very helpful in understanding your audience and boosting your following. OnlyFans itself provides some built-in analytical features, but specialized tools like Infloww go even further.
With Infloww you can:
Track growth trends: Keep an eye on how your follower count evolves and identify which types of content leads to new subscriptions.
Analyze engagement patterns: Discover when your posts receive the most attention to fine-tune your posting schedule.
Understand revenue streams: Determine which content is monetizing best and tweak your strategy to maximize earnings.
Armed with this knowledge, you can craft your content to better match what your subscribers want.
Conclusion
Having a major online following isn’t a prerequisite for finding success on OnlyFans. Many of the platform’s Creators started from scratch and were still able to tap into a dedicated audience.
Coming in with an existing fan base will give you a head start, but in the end, your promotional strategies and the quality of your content will determine your success.
Do your research, make a plan, invest in good equipment and data analytic tools, and be ready to put in the hard work—there are no shortcuts to success.