As the coronavirus pandemic sends American unemployment levels soaring to record highs, thousands of people have turned to OnlyFans and similar independent-creator platforms, such as Patreon, in hopes of making up for lost wages. In recent weeks, OnlyFans has seen a 75% increase in sign-ups, with more than 170,000 new users each day, according to a company email. Patreon reported 50,000 new creators in March — its fastest ever rate of growth.
Some users sell artwork; others sell workout routines, writing services or cooking tutorials. Many sell naked pictures.
To her surprise, Rae added, she has already made about $1,000 through subscriptions and tips on OnlyFans. Isabela has earned somewhere in the range of $250 to $300 in a matter of days — enough to keep food on the table for at least the next week, she said.
Yet even as OnlyFans and Patreon emerge as potential revenue streams for many struggling through this time of economic crisis, the platforms’ surge of new members is also disrupting business for some established creators. Longtime nude models, speaking to Vice, described feeling as if their work is being undermined and warned that digital content production — including sex work in particular — isn’t as easy as people think.
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