So why did I get into SW?
For years I had tried to work and only managed a month at traditional jobs, which I left due to heart palpitations and meltdowns. At the time, I had no idea I was autistic.
I remember in university my friend had mentioned "pay pigs" to me, so I would go home from work and post on the tag because I couldn't afford dinner.
Eventually, one of these guys who paid me suggested that I make an actual Twitter and research findom. I was -£1500 in my overdraft and willing to try anything.
So I started at the beginning of 2020. Undiagnosed autistic me hyper-focused HARD on trying to earn and get out of my overdraft, and it worked. I hit the tax threshold and signed up as self-employed. At this point, I had mainly been focusing on findom Twitter as it was the place that was earning me the most.
I got told to sign up to OnlyFans to age verify which I did, and I started posting there too.
During 2020 when the pandemic began, people had more time to browse these sites, more money and it was a honey-pot. I thrived that year, and this is what sucked me in.
Behind the Scenes
Here's what isn't advertised to those starting sex work,
How much grinding, work, and promotion you put in could all amount to.... £0 days.
Firstly, getting dressed for the content creation, finding the right outfits, makeup and hair, setting up the tripod and lighting.
then... taking the photos and videos. For hours, different angles. Different concepts. You'll have to research others to find inspiration and context.
After that? Sort through the content you took. Watermark every single thing. Edit the lighting.
Promote multiple times a day. Market yourself.
When you start Onlyfans, 100% of the marketing comes from YOU. These oversaturated markets on Reddit and Twitter become daunting. You have to post consistently throughout the day to be seen.
And even then... you can still get ignored because you aren't good enough.
The top creators on the explore page of sites such as LoyalFans and Finmessage are thin, white, gorgeous girls with already amazing photography and established branding. There's not much room for anything else. You internalise this. "Maybe I'm just not enough". Along with the 10-plus hours of work you've put in for the day and nothing to show for it? This drives the point harder.
Timewasters & Unsolicited Messages
Oh, you're a sex worker? That means you WANT to see my dick pictures and intense sexual paragraphs without consent, right? That's surely how it works. /sarcasm. My blood boils every single time I receive those messages, and they happen almost daily.
And the seemingly oh-so-innocent timewasters "just asking a question" only to go on and completely ghost you. You could spend 30 minutes discussing a custom or answering questions just for them to not follow it through.
This is why I have a tribute/talking fee of £30. The amount that pay is less than 1% before they enter my messages (the cheek of it).
Free Onlyfans
If you happen to go down the route of the "Free Onlyfans" where fans can unlock videos, messages, and tips without subscriptions? You're going to be the most frustrated that you can imagine.
These guys get off on the free previews. I have thousands following, my balance is currently at $80. Thousands. Of. Followers.
Shadowbans
Twitter is a great platform to be seen and discovered. Until you're shadowbanned.
I love the 100/10/1 marketing rule here,
of 100 that will see your post
10% will engage (like/rt)
1% will go ahead and subscribe or buy.
So what happens when that's restricted? You guessed it! No discovery, no income. This also frustrates you and makes you feel like giving up.
The Mental Health Affect
All of these factors eventually took a toll on me. Constant autistic burnout yet continuing to work, because the income is so unreliable.
Self-esteem is ruined by trolls, comparing myself to others, and comparing how I look to my income.
I took multiple breaks over the past almost 4 years. Daunted to come back to earn, but I had to because otherwise, I'd be worrying over taxes and bills.
If you've wondered what it is like to do Onlyfans or wanted to join, re-consider. It's not what it's advertised to be.