Fanhouse, the safe-for-work creator monetization platform is being acquired by a rival startup named Passes. For many creators who have found a home on Fanhouse, this news is likely both surprising and unsettling. So, what’s next? Let’s explore some alternative platforms, weigh their pros and cons, and map out a plan for your future.

What Happened to Fanhouse

On July 13, 2023 Fanhouse announced it was merging with Passes in the following weeks. Creators will be able to opt-in to the transition by logging into Passes with their Fanhouse account and automatically have their Fanhouse content moved over. Subscribers will also have their active subscriptions and unlocked content carried over.

The Controversy with Passes

Initial reception of this change has been mixed, largely veering towards apprehension. Despite assurances from Passes, many creators are expressing reservations about moving. The hesitation stems from the uncertainties surrounding Passes; its operations are relatively unknown, still in the development phase, and some creators have raised questions about its motives.

While Fanhouse has been around since 2020 and raised $20 million last year, Passes is much newer, having raised $9 million in a round led by Multicoin Capital, a crypto-focused fund. Passes is currently in beta and prior to the Fanhouse acquisition, only 40 creators were using their product.

The hastiness over which this deal transpired is also cause for concern. Lucy Guo, the founder of Passes, told TechCrunch, “we only hopped on a call maybe 36 hours ago, and then we closed the deal 24 hours [before the announcement].”

Lowco

She/Her

Twitch Partner Lowco has been a full-time streamer for over seven years. She uses her experience to help others learn how to stream and hone their talents as the CEO of StreamerSquare. Formerly a client of Online Performer’s Group, she’s taken what she’s learned from working with sponsors to help streamers value themselves better. She’s worked with a variety of brands including Intel, Hershey’s, and Marvel. Lowco has an eye for how streamers can improve their channel, themselves, and strategic positioning to grow in this space.

“The fact that a deal moved this fast has me concerned that Fanhouse did not do proper due diligence. I don’t have faith that Fanhouse has their creators’ best interest in mind in this deal.”

Given the lack of clarity about Passes’ future direction, creators are wary of transitioning to a platform that could potentially disrupt the rapport they’ve built with their communities.

Platforms to Consider

In the wake of Fanhouse’s closure, there are several other platforms you may want to consider. The four main contenders are OnlyFans, Fansly, Patreon, and Ko-fi. Each of these has its own unique advantages and potential drawbacks.

OnlyFans and Fansly are primarily known for allowing NSFW content. These popular platforms offer creator discovery (something Fanhouse did not have) and a sophisticated, stable product with tons of features and permissions that allow creators to customize their offerings in detail. They both offer an 80-20 revenue split and a referral program.

Unfortunately, Brands and fans alike attribute a negative stigma to OnlyFans for the presence of NSFW content. This could affect sponsorships or other opportunities. It can be argued that Fansly does not carry the stigma as heavily as OnlyFans does. Either way, neither of these sites can be directly promoted or linked to on Twitch.

While users may not directly link to pornographic or sexually explicit content in their broadcasts, profile, or chat, users will not be penalized for linking to their personal websites or social media pages that may incidentally contain these links. –Twitch Community Guidelines

Overall, there isn’t a clear strictly safe-for-work alternative currently on the market. Although Fansly and OF undoubtedly have NSFW content, creators shouldn’t feel forced to create explicit content just because they are on a site that allows for it.

Bluejay

She/Her

Bluejay is a full time content creator that specializes in modeling and tabletop roleplay. She has been a Twitch partnered streamer for six years, playing a variety of games including Dead by Daylight, Stardew Valley, Dragon Age, and other simulation and roleplaying games.

Setting Boundaries

It’s about setting clear boundaries and being comfortable enforcing them. Making it clear in your bio, pinned post, welcome message, and then having the strength to moderate when someone is making you uncomfortable.

People will do the same things in any internet space- ‘why aren’t you playing x game, why don’t you stream with x person?’

Part of our job as creators online is defining our niche clearly for our audience AND making a safe space for ourselves and our community.”

The advantage that OF and Fansly have over other suggested alternatives is they are built for the same type of content that Fanhouse creators want to do. Most Fanhouse creators love posting selfies, doing photoshoots and cosplays, and other video/photo-based content. OF and Fansly have built their product to help creators like this excel. It’s possible to make Patreon or Ko-fi work, but revenue will be much stronger on these focused paywall-photo platforms.

Patreon and Ko-fi are popular creator monetization platforms that some creators are using as a Fanhouse alternative. These are widely accepted and understood platforms with NSFW content prohibited. They allow you to have tiered subscriptions, paywalled content, and integrate with Twitch and Discord. Fourthwall is another creator-focused platform that offers private-label solutions, merchandising, and only a 5% cut.

What to Consider When Switching Platforms

Before deciding on your next platform, there are a few key factors you should consider:

1. Audience Reach & Demographics: Consider where your audience is most likely to follow you. Many supporters of photo-based creators are likely to be familiar with and comfortable supporting on Fansly/OF while Patreon is safer for families.

2. Content Type: Depending on the type of content you produce, certain platforms may be better suited to you. For instance, if you produce YouTube videos or written work, Patreon’s environment may work well.

3. Monetization: Evaluate the monetization structure of each platform. Look at how much of your earnings you’ll get to keep, and whether the platform supports one-off tips, monthly subscriptions, or both.

4. Creator Support & Stability: Research each platform’s track record for stability and customer service. The last thing you want is to stick with an uncertain platform like Passes, and have this exact situation happen all over again. A stable and reliable platform is crucial for maintaining consistent content delivery and satisfying user experience. A supportive community can enhance your growth and success as a creator.

5. Feature Availability and Customization: Assess the platform’s available features and customization options. Consider the tools and functionalities offered by the platform that aligns with your content creation and presentation needs.

What Fanhouse Creators Should Do Next

Transitioning to a new platform can seem daunting. Here is a step-by-step guide to make the process smoother:

Step 1: Research potential platforms using the above guidelines. Assess each platform’s compatibility with your content and audience.

Step 2: Make a plan. Set up your new platform and have it ready to go. Make sure you are prepared to not only announce the change publicly but also be ready to answer questions from existing supporters.

When are you switching? What should your Fanhouse supporters do next? Will you be moving existing Fanhouse content over?

Step 3: Reach out to your community and let them know about the changes. Be transparent about your decision. Turn it into a positive experience for everyone to get your community excited about a fresh start!

Step 4: Begin the migration process. Update your profiles, start posting content on the new platform, and provide clear instructions to your fans about how to follow you.

Step 5: Monitor the transition. Are your fans following you? Are you experiencing any technical difficulties?

Step 6: Once the transition is complete, gather feedback from your community. Use this feedback to refine your approach on the new platform.

Navigating a platform transition can be a challenge, but it also opens doors to new opportunities. By carefully evaluating your options and planning your move, you can make the most of this change.