Should artists start an Only Fans?

I’d never heard of Lizzy Capri until today when The Publish Press wrote about the popular Youtuber's major announcement this week.

For context, Capri has nearly 7 million subscribers on her YouTube, which in the past made bubble-gum vlogs, goofy challenges, and prank videos geared toward a younger audience. If you don’t know about her, ask your pre-teen daughter, and if she knows, then maybe it’s time to have a chat.

Last month, Capri made a video talking about how she had matured and stepped away from some of the (potentially toxic) people in her life and that she would start making more mature videos reflective of who she is now. Capri shared that she wasn’t expressing her true self in the past and wanted to begin sharing that side of herself with the world.

And then this week, she dropped a bomb and announced she had started an Only Fans account so she could share content similar to what she posts on YouTube but of a more adult nature.

All preconceived notions you may have about this decision aside, I wonder if by her making this leap, we will see more influencers and content creators doing the same.

With the following Lizzy has, garnering millions of views every month, I believe it’s fair to say a small percentage of those people will follow her lead.

And this makes me think about you.

Ok, not really you, but the types of people who read my posts. How many creative people have thought about doing something similar, not just for the money, but because it’s in their nature to be a free spirit and show a spicier side of themselves?

I’m not necessarily talking about artists painting in the buff while cameras roll (if that’s your thing, get down with your bad self), but also anyone who creates art, design, or craftwork that is more NSFW.

#Freethenipple wasn’t just about women going braless on Instagram. Thousands of artists had their artistic nude work flagged for showing tasteful nudes, some even getting their accounts permanently banned. I believe the restrictions have lightened up a bit since, but there’s still plenty you cannot share on IG or Facebook without getting a serious slap on the wrist or worse.

NOTE: The #freethenipple hashtag has been banned from Instagram

With Patreon, Gumroad, and other platforms moving away from allowing certain adult content, it only makes sense that many creative people will be looking for a new platform to share their adult-oriented art. With popular content creators like Lizzy Capri making the jump to Only Fans, will that move become the catalyst for other creatives to do the same?

I doubt we’ll see mass hordes of artists running off to Only Fans anytime soon, but I wouldn’t be surprised if doing so becomes more socially acceptable for creative people in the near future.

I would assume that Capri would lose some followers over this decision, but looking at her data on Social Blade, you wouldn’t know it, gaining over 500,000 new subscribers since January.

Before you ask, NO! You won’t see me painting in the nude with nothing but an art apron on anytime soon… I mean, unless the money is right.