OnlyFans Creators React to Pornography Ban

Webcam Startup got the chance to chat with creators impacted by the pornography ban on OnlyFans

The adult community has been in a state of disarray in reaction to the news that OnlyFans would be banning content containing “sexually explicit” depictions. Although on August 25th, 2021 OnlyFans backtracked and has claimed they will no longer be banning pornography, it is important to acknowledge the stress and financial burden that OnlyFans shoved down the throats of performers throughout the past week and to still view this situation with caution as there is no guarantee OnlyFans will stand by their word regarding not banning pornography. Let’s dive in and get to know some adult creators that have been personally impacted by OnlyFans throughout the past week.

Interview Guests Iris, Cenedra, Imani, and Trent.

Please introduce yourself, tell us about your activity in the adult industry!

Trent: I’m Trent and I go by TransTrent on social media. I’m a 27 year old pansexual transman, and I’ve been working as an online sex worker since December 2020 when I launched my onlyfans. I currently make solo content, that I produce with my partner.

Iris: My name is Iris, I’m 29, and a sex worker. I have done both online and offline sex work since about 2015. I’m currently an adult performer with focus in solo content.

Imani: I am Goddess Imani Seduction, performer and producer of Imani Seduction Productions. The content I make is hardcore Black porn that includes fetish such as cuckolding, ass worship, foot worship, lesbian domination, etc. I have a couple of phone sex hotlines and do live cam shows. I also film and edit all My videos and for other porn companies under My film company XXXplicit Conduct. I offer marketing, branding, and promo services for various adult companies or content creators. I provide dominatrix sessions, hosting swinger parties, adult podcasts interviews, and stripper / oil wrestling featured shows. I published an erotic novel called “A Woman’s Worth, A Gentleman’s Desire” under the pen name Trayre Inkubus. I’m currently putting out My own music and I will make porn visuals for each song. I’m very heavy in the industry. I love being a businesswoman.

Cenedra: Hi there and no problems, I’m Cenedra a 20-something year old Australian industry worker and content creator. I’ve been in the industry in person as well as online and creating since 2011/2012 . A bit of an all rounder I’ve worked as an escort, masseuse, topless barmaid and more. When I’m not creating I’m usually found with a book or in the garden.

Why did you select OnlyFans as your fanclub of choice?

Trent: I selected OnlyFans for a very simple reason, it’s the only one I knew of and it was the most mainstream fanclub on the internet. Consumers trusted the site, and the user interface was easy to learn.

Iris: I decided to use OnlyFans primarily because of its huge buyer market. I felt like my chances of making a reliable income were higher because there was more traffic on the site than elsewhere.

Imani: I made an account with OnlyFans because I started to get a huge request from potential customers to open an OnlyFans account. Also, at the time before the pandemic, I noticed the traffic it was getting and they seemed to be very open to allowing adult content on their platform, especially fetish.

Cenedra: Initially I chose OnlyFans as my primary/sole fanclub after the fall of Tumblr. I’d tried a few other sites but the traffic and subscriptions seemed the simplest platform for both creator and consumer. Everything I needed to work was online in one place and so I nestled in and got comfy.

How did you gain success on OnlyFans?

Trent: I worked my ass off, day and night to create and edit content, both sfw and nsfw. I posted to sfw platforms like Instagram and tiktok, and semi nsfw platforms like Twitter, Snapchat, and Reddit multiple times a day. I have posted every day on every single platform I have since the end of December. I posted at least once a day on onlyfans, and by April of 2021 was posting on other nsfw sites as well, but gaining no income from them. I always had a suspicion that one day onlyfans would ban us.

I first started having success around the three month mark on my free onlyfans page through ppv sales, in locked posts and locked dms. After this success on my free page, I reworked my VIP paid platform, lowered the monthly price slightly, started doing regular first month discounts, and introduced ppv once a week. My best months were April and May of 2021.

I have not gotten a new subscriber on my paid onlyfans page since the onlyfans porn ban was announced, and this is the longest I’ve gone without a new subscriber in many, many months.

Iris: My success on OnlyFans came as a result of gaining a large Twitter following and promoting my fanclub platform consistently for a year.

Imani: I gained success from using OnlyFans when I started using it as an extension to My personal website and social media. I offer each new subscriber a free solo custom video for subscribing and it allowed Me to build not only My content up but a dedicated new longterm follower. Then I started to get real creative with coming up with TikTok like videos specifically for OnlyFans. Also, it takes time to edit a full video, but I can easily use OnlyFans to quickly post a BTS clip or pictures. I shoot so much content, I get stuck trying to decide what to put out next. Oftentimes, when I post a preview to what I just shot, a fan will let Me know that they want to buy the video immediately. So then it was great for Me to use My OnlyFans subscribers as a test study. I love how easy it is for Me to interact with subscribers. I can quickly message fans and I would organize their interest in groups. I also gained popularity with My live cam shows.

Cenedra: Success through OnlyFans was all dependant on how much work I put in, the more creative I got, the higher rates of subscriptions and return customers,  I’d like to think that the success I created was also due to relentless marketing via Twitter and Reddit with snippets of content shown and discounts applied on occasion.

What services did you offer through OnlyFans? (Basic posts to timeline, customs, video sales, sexting, etc.)

Trent: I post daily to my feed and story on both of my onlyfans pages. Sfw or censored nsfw posts on my free page, and nsfw content on my paid page. In addition, I create locked ppv posts and dms daily on my free page. I send one full length ppv dm a week on my paid page, usually something on the kinkier side that might not be for everyone.

In addition to feed and ppv content, I offer sexting, custom pictures and videos, as well as written, audio, and video genitalia ratings. On occasion I would sell videos through campaign contributions, but not regularly.

All of my services and ppvs are discounted through my paid page as a bonus for subscribers.

Iris: On my page, I offered photosets, full length videos, pay per view videos, sexting, chatting, and custom audio/video content.

Imani: I provide everything on My OnlyFans. I mostly get tips for custom videos, video sales, and private FaceTime/ Skype cam shows. I also will get tips to do dick ratings, custom foot pics, or audio clips. I love it when fans pay to get My attention. They will thankfully tip to show their appreciation for My high quality work.

Cenedra: My Onlyfans had a fair array of option with; Timeline posts, Polls, Live Streams, Voice Clips, Custom Content, Premium Snapchat, Sexting, as well as the option to book Virtual Dates. I did apply PPV occasionally but found keeping my timeline full was a better option.

What was your highest percentile rank on OnlyFans and can you estimate what percentage of your total income came from OnlyFans?

Trent: I believe my top percentage was 11% on my VIP page, I was never able to break the top 10%. I tried not to pay attention too much to the percentage because it could change drastically if a celebrity joined the site and made a million dollars in a day. For the last six months I have been around 14-16% on average. My free page is another story, it varies wildly month to month.

Not including side assisting gigs, onlyfans made up 97.77 percent of my income to date. With assisting income (based partially on helping other onlyfans creators) it made up 89% of my income

Iris: My highest OnlyFans percentile rank was 3.2% and approximately 90% of my total income came from the site. My sales on other platforms were minimal despite my efforts at promotion.

Imani: I got up to 3%. OnlyFans is probably 30% of My income. It’s a great passive income for Me.

Cenedra: The highest percentile rank was top 13% and that was during the initial pandemic lockdown surge, As I do work in other face to face parts of the industry OnlyFans usually makes up the majority of my online income (about 90%).

What would you like to express to OnlyFans after receiving the news they are banning pornography?

Trent: My first instinct is to tell them to fuck off and eat a bag of shit. My second instinct is to tell them this is a terrible business decision.

I want to say, how dare you? The bitterest pill to swallow is the fact that you told the media first and lied to us for over 24 hours. Not only did you take away our livelihood, you made us look like fools in the process and made fans question their trust in us. It didn’t have to be that way.

Onlyfans gave so many people an opportunity to make money in a safe and accessible way, and you’re turning your back on the people who made you a multi-billion dollar corporation.

Iris: I’m unsurprised at the new Terms of Service at OnlyFans, but I certainly didn’t expect to hear about losing my income from a Bloomberg article. The changes were handled unprofessionally by OnlyFans and have had a catastrophic impact on the sex work community. They have made a huge mistake in abandoning the very demographic that built their empire.

Imani: Onlyfans have lifted the porn ban, but this happens too often where they will drastically change the TOS. I want OnlyFans to respect the community that helped build them up. They need to pay more of a higher percentage to keep sex workers from leaving and fix their tech problems on thesite. Also, faster customer support will be great. Have sex workers become brand ambassadars and board members. I want stock in the company.

Cenedra: Disappointment, honestly. I know myself and a lot of my peers across the industry put time, energy and marketing into boosting OnlyFans traffic and Revenue. It was through the resourcefulness of Porn Creators and Sex Workers that OnlyFans is where it is today. And instead of supporting us like we have supported them, they discarded us as soon as it became too hard to compromise.

Will you continue with another fanclub and if so what will be your new preferred fanclub?

Trent: I started posting on two other sites back in April, just as a backup plan because I always knew onlyfans would do this one day. I started posting on a fourth site in June that I actually really like called Fansly, and I will be spending most of my time here. (Trent on Fansly)

In addition I’m focusing on sfw ventures like twitch, and more nsfw avenues with internal traffic like clip sites.

Iris: I have spent the last 48 hours tediously transferring content to other fanclub platforms, and am hoping to watch all of them flourish. I’m currently using Fansly, PocketStars, and ManyVids. I hope to never have a “preferred” fan club again; it was a huge mistake for me to trust OnlyFans to do the right thing.

Imani: My main focus is on My own platform ImaniSeduction.com I’ve had My own website for years and I built My own membership site. I tell all of My fans to join My website ImaniSeduction.com so that way they will always be able to keep in touch with Me. I can have all of My porn videos on My website and make consistent passive money. I am looking into applying to other platforms to help bring traffic to My site. The ones that benefit Me the most will be the platform that I direct My fans to subscribe to as well.

Cenedra: I have already applied for verification on a few platforms at this point so I’m able to find platforms that best suit my content and client needs.

Do you have any suggestions for performers who will also be impacted by the OnlyFans pornography ban?

Trent: Be prepared for this to happen again, and never put all your eggs in one basket. Make sure you’re fans are following you on at least two platforms, one nsfw and one sfw. Go as far as to put your regulars on a private Twitter list so you can keep track and let them know where you will be next time this happens.

Talk about all your losing, be open about it. Historically, america in particular reacts to very visual stimulus of communities that are hurting. Show them what you’re losing and how your life is changing. Change comes when the public sees with their own eyes the harm being done to a marginalized group.

Iris: My biggest advice to performers who have also been impacted by this pornography ban is to be gentle with yourself during this time. Secondly, transition to multiple pages, find what works best for you, and watch which sites pull ahead in terms of buyer traffic. Learn about crypto exchange and the ways in which it can be implemented to protect sex workers from the overarching power of banks and credit card companies.

Imani: I highly suggest that performers create their own platform. The money you put into your own website is worth more than the money you’ll be Iosing from another OnlyFans ban or any other platform when the craze dies down.

Cenedra: As far as advice for other performers; Be kind to yourself, this is an incredibly stressful time for a lot of creators! Talk to your peers, if you’re able to tip for time and advice it’ll go a long way (for both of you), do your research and keep your fans and clients up to date with where you’re moving to and when they can sign up.

Has the OnlyFans pornography ban created emotional or financial distress for you or others that you know?

Trent: Honestly, I don’t even know where to begin because I could write 40 pages describing this and it makes me viscerally angry.

Every time I go on telegram I hear voice notes of a single mother unsure of what she’s gonna do next, or a disabled sex worker unsure if they’ll be able to get back on disability. Or a sex worker with a rare condition who cannot afford their meds, meds which they will die without. One sex worker I know is literally getting divorced to be able to qualify for state benefits, because they don’t have onlyfans to supplement their income. Or trans friends in the middle of the Bible Belt who cannot safely find work in person, that don’t want to go back to fssw.

We’ve all worked so hard to build this shitty company, and now we’re left absolutely fucked with one months notice and no severance pay.

I was finally getting to a sustainable place, a hope of running my own profitable small business that I have put the last year of my life into. I’ve never worked harder in my life, but never had more fun while working either.

I am an orphan who grew up poor, on food stamps, had a traumatic childhood, and a very rough upbringing. My life has only recently come to a place where I feel better. I’ve worked under some really shitty abusive bosses since I was 12 years old.

My last job I was literally physically threatened & verbally harassed on multiple occasions because I’m transgender. Online sex work has given me freedom from that, and ownership of my body. It’s helped me feel so much better about my physical self, gender, and sexual indentity.

It’s done the same for so many other creators (and fans too for that matter), and it’s really fucked up that the biggest platform for online sex work
@onlyfans

has taken that away from so many people because of evangelicals and
@Mastercard

I’m not the only person that onlyfans has provided a way to make money, in a way that provides freedom regardless of what cards they were dealt in life.

I feel betrayed, and I hope the people responsible have trouble sleeping at night because they’re having terrible sex (sorry gotta throw in a joke I’m not usually so serious). Except I’m not really joking :/

I’ve been working around the clock. Literally worked for 14 hours today, and I’ve been making about a 1/2 less than usual. I would be losing more money if not for a few very wonderful people that continually show me support.

I don’t normally talk about my personal life, and prefer to keep my online presence upbeat because I’m a creator here to entertain, I just so happen to occasionally do that with sex toys. But I think it is incredibly important to show not only what sex work has given to so many people, but also the stress, fear and anxiety it brings now that it’s all being taken away.

Iris: The new TOS released by OnlyFans has truly devastated the online sex work community. The majority of the platform was made up of survival sex workers–people who have turned to this field as a last resort, or who have very little to turn to outside of sex work. With the ongoing pandemic, offline sex workers–like dancers and full service workers–were able to turn to OnlyFans as a way of staying safe from COVID and still having the means to pay their bills.

My life has also been hugely impacted. I am a disabled single mother and turned to OnlyFans after the company I worked for went bankrupt due to COVID. I used the freedom of self employment as an opportunity to homeschool my child so they were protected from the virus. Without this income, I cannot pay my rent or utilities. I cannot provide healthy meals. I cannot survive.

Imani: I lost so many OnlyFans subscribers when the ban first kicked off, but then a couple days later I started to get more new subscribers. It’s weird. I’m not letting it stress Me out because I knew the momentum of Onlyfans would die down soon. I always make sure to have several sources of income. At any moment things can get slow or your account can be shut down, God forbid you can’t work due to health issues, it’s just something that you have to constantly be prepared for when running your own business. I’ve witnessed close friends and clients that I know lose their accounts to no avail or warning from OnlyFans. They audited Me as well and I had to take down several videos, although I had the proper 2257s and model release forms, they wanted Me to post only verified Onlyfans members in the videos. You can make money making specific niche videos then it gets banned, i.e. public videos were a popular trend then it got canceled. I had a foot fetish video taken down because they don’t allow “footing”. I’m just sticking My toe in My girlfriend’s ass. I’ve never heard of that term before. It’s just always something and you have to respond quickly or risk losing your account. It’s stressful especially when fans want to see Me post certain videos and I have to tell them no I can’t since it goes against TOS rules.

Cenedra: Simply put YES! The scramble for information when news vendors leaked OF TOS Changes was stressful, being notified by OnlyFans AFTER finding out through the press was infuriating. I acknowledge my privilege of maintaining a face to face job in the industry between lockdowns.

The emotional stress of having to shift platforms, delete content manually (with only 20% of content allowed to be deleted per day) before a deadline, manage the discord with fans to ensure they have continual access to the content they want and love.

Do you have any advice for industry newcomers for choosing a fanclub platform that is reliable?

Trent: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Being a nsfw content creator is like being a porn influencer, and you always have to be looking ahead to the next up and coming platform. The difference is that nsfw creators have companies chasing you off one platform and onto the other. Be ready for anything, save as much money as you can (and plan for your taxes!)

Research the companies you’re signing up for, especially now, there are new companies popping up right and left and many of them are predatory. Ask questions to the companies you are giving your personal information and porn. What security do they have in place against hackers? What do they do about chargebacks? Do they imprint the videos to prevent pirating? Read the terms of service for every site you join.

Set up a business and get an ein number from the irs so that you’re not giving your ssn to every site you sign up for.

Watermark everything, yes everything, and not just the watermarks created by the fan club. When someone steals your content (and it will happen), at the very least people will know who it’s from, and in my experience fans don’t really care about a big translucent transtrent on the picture cause they’re more focused on my naked body (which they should be!)

Stay authentic to yourself and your brand, make content that you enjoy, and set yourself boundaries that both you and your fans respect.

Iris: My advice at this time is NOT to choose only one platform. It’s important to recognize that these sites will always protect their assets before they protect their creators. If using multiple fanclub sites is overwhelming for you, outline some of your needs as a creator and find one that fits the criteria. Build an email distribution list of your long term subscribers, in case your website of choice is compromised and you have to rebuild elsewhere.

Imani: Never-ever rely on just one platform. I advise that you allocate your content around different platforms and try them all out. Do your research. See which one works best for you, specifically to your needs and niche. I will always strongly advise that you buy a domain url with your brand name and start your own website, more importantly on your own hosting server. Even if you don’t have all the money to do everything at once, put the money you made back into yourself and invest! It will make it so much easier for fans to always have a dedicated place to find you. I will continue to offer help in establishing a lucrative business in the adult industry and if anyone is interested in My web design or other services, I can be reached at ImaniSeduction@gmail.com

Cenedra: Keep an eye on sex worker outreach pages as they usually cover legislation and industry news. Do your research! Google, site searches, FAQ and also talking and tipping peers that have already done the hard work to put together guides. I know a few of the creators and partners of some fansites are offering Newbie Guides when using their referral codes. 

Webcam Startup was so thankful for our guests sharing their insights, here is how you can reach them:

• Trent: You can reach Trent on Twitter or on Fansly!
• Iris: You can reach Iris at any of the links found on their LinkTree.
• Imani: You can reach Goddess Imani at their personal website, Instagram, Twitter, or directly by email.
• Cenedra: You can reach Cenedra on JustForFans, AVN Stars, Fansly, ManyVids, and Twitter.

More resources for those struggling with the OnlyFans situation

We have many resources on-site for creators that are struggling with the OnlyFans situation and unsure of what websites to trust or if they will be deciding to stay on OnlyFans. Even though OnlyFans has suspended their initial plan to ban pornography, it is never a bad time to diversify your income and spread your eggs into different baskets. We have a list of websites offering transition assistance from OnlyFans to their platform as well as a comprehensive list of OnlyFans Alternatives.