How I Make Money As A Cam Girl: What Worked For Me

Note: This is for adults, 18+. Please follow laws where you live.

You know what? I didn’t plan on this job. I tried it one cold winter, when my hours got cut. I turned on my webcam. I was shy. I shook like a leaf. Then I learned the craft part. The money came after that. Here’s the real stuff I use, what I do, and what I’d change.

If you want the extended play-by-play of how those early experiments turned into steady income, I break it down in this companion piece over on Broke Girls Guide.

For a deeper dive into budget-friendly tools and extra income ideas, I often pull tips from Broke Girls Guide and fold the best ones into my cam routine.

My Setup That Actually Made a Difference

I tested a lot. Cheap, then better. Here’s what stuck.

• Webcam: Logitech Brio. Clear picture. Doesn’t freak out in low light.
• Lights: One ring light and one desk lamp. I set them at angles so I don’t look flat.
• Mic: Blue Yeti (USB). Clear sound. Fans notice good audio fast.
• Software: OBS Studio. Free. I run overlays and scene switches.
• Background: A tidy corner with a soft throw, fake plant, and a little LED strip. Cozy sells.

Tiny tip: I keep sticky notes near my screen. Names. Goals. A little “smile” note. Silly, but it helps.

Picking Sites I’ve Used (Real Talk)

I tried a few. They each feel different.

For another honest, numbers-first look at what finally covered the bills during my trial phase, see this diary-style recap: I Tried Camming to Pay My Bills—Here’s What Actually Made Me Money.

• Chaturbate: Big traffic. Good for learning. Tips can spike. But the chat moves fast.
• MyFreeCams: Loyal regulars. Slower start. Once you “click,” it feels steady.
• Fansly: Good for paid subs and bundles. Better for longer content.
• ManyVids: Handy for selling clips and customs. The search helps new folks.
• OnlyFans: Good DMs and subs. You have to bring your own traffic though.

BTW, if you’re leaning toward OnlyFans but prefer to keep your identity hidden, I documented exactly how I pulled that off (no face, no problem) in this write-up: I Made Money on OnlyFans Without Showing My Face—What Worked for Me.

I started on Chaturbate three nights a week. Then I added Fansly for subs and clips. That mix felt right.

What I Actually Earned

Money swings. That’s normal. Here’s my honest range:

• Slow month (January): around $1,400.
• Steady month: $2,500 to $3,800.
• Hot month (Halloween): I hit $6,200 one year. Costumes help. People love themes.

That’s all before platform cuts and taxes.

If your numbers still feel stalled, I pulled a lot of game-changing tweaks from this piece: Not making as much money as expected? Tips to boost your income.

My Schedule That Beat Burnout

I treat it like a shift, not a scroll.

• Tue–Thu: 7–11 pm.
• Saturday: 2–6 pm.
• Sunday: off unless there’s a holiday promo.

I show up on time. I post a schedule graphic in my bio. If I’m late, I drop a quick note on Twitter and Fansly. People respect that.

Snacks? Tea and plain crackers. Nothing crunchy in the mic.

Tip Menu That Doesn’t Feel Gross

Keep it fun. Keep it clear. Don’t add things you don’t want to do. My list stays clean in public rooms, and I keep adult parts private per site rules. Examples I use:

• 10 tokens: Tell a cheesy joke.
• 25 tokens: Polite roast (kind and funny).
• 40 tokens: Outfit change (cosplay top, hat, or glasses).
• 50 tokens: Spin the wheel (safe list of fun dares).
• 75 tokens: Short dance to a PG song.
• 100+ tokens: Song request or a special thank-you note.

I set a room goal like “New mic arm: 1,500 tokens.” I track it with a little bar on screen. People like to see the meter move.

Real Nights That Paid Well

• Payday Thursdays: I plan a theme. “Cozy Gamer Night.” I wear a hoodie and headphones. Chill music. My average tip jumps by 30%.
• Holiday Bundles: In October I did a “3 costume week.” I sold a Fansly bundle for $25. Thirty-four people bought it. That covered rent.
• “First 15 Minutes” Rule: I greet every new name. Say it right. Ask a light question. It sets the tone. On nights I skip this, I earn less. No joke.

Traffic That Doesn’t Feel Spammy

I don’t post explicit teasers on public socials. I stay safe and smart.

• Twitter/X: One schedule post in the morning. One goofy clip (me laughing, a pet cameo) in the afternoon.
• Reddit: I share SFW selfies in niche subs that allow it. Read rules. Always.
• Fansly/OF: I message new subs a welcome note. Short. Friendly. No pressure.

I tag content by vibe: “cozy,” “gamer,” “bookish,” “curvy,” “tattoos.” People search for vibes, not just looks.

Sometimes I also dip into discreet adult-dating communities to attract curious, already 18+ viewers who enjoy live interaction. A French-friendly option that delivered a surprising bump in high-tipping traffic was PlanCul—by listing a short bio and posting my cam schedule there, I reached a new crowd without cluttering my mainstream socials, and many of those visitors turned into regulars. On the U.S. side, a targeted classifieds board like Backpage Oak Creek can be a goldmine for regional viewers looking for real-time shows—you’ll find locals actively browsing for adult entertainment, which means less tire-kicking and more high-intent traffic heading straight to your room.

Safety First, Always

• I never share my real name, school, or city.
• I use a P.O. box for gifts.
• I turn off location on photos.
• I geo-block places where I might be recognized.
• I watermark videos with small text in the corner.
• I keep a separate email and a fresh number (Google Voice).

Someone rude? I mute or ban without drama. My room, my rules.

Money and Taxes (Boring, but it saves you)

• I set aside 30% of income for taxes. Every time.
• Tools I used: QuickBooks Self-Employed and a simple spreadsheet.
• I track gear costs: webcam, lights, backdrops, internet, a part of my rent. Talk to a tax pro about what counts where you live.

For a performer-specific breakdown of filing basics, I recommend this step-by-step read: Do cam models have to pay taxes? A performer-friendly guide.

Chargebacks happen. I learned to keep receipts and chat logs for custom orders. Clear terms in writing help a lot.

What I Wish I Knew On Day One

• You don’t need to be spicy all the time. People pay for warmth and routine.
• Audio matters more than 4K video. Fix sound first.
• Don’t change your rates every week. It confuses fans.
• Set hard limits. Say them out loud. Repeat them in your bio.
• Stretch between sets. My back thanks me now.

A Tiny Starter Plan You Can Copy

• Day 1: Make your stage corner. Light test. Mic test. Pick two outfits.
• Day 2: Create accounts on one cam site and one sub site. Fill bios.
• Day 3: Build a tip menu with only things you like. Keep it simple.
• Day 4: Post your schedule graphic. Tell folks when you’ll be live.
• Day 5: First stream: 90 minutes. Welcome each person. Thank tippers fast.
• Day 6: Rest day. Edit two short clips. Queue posts.
• Day 7: Theme night. Set a small goal. Celebrate if you hit it.

Gear I’d Buy Again (Quick Review)

• Logitech Brio: Crisp, true color. Worth it.
• Blue Yeti: Easy setup, rich sound. Use a pop filter.
• Elgato Key Light (or a cheap ring light): Bright but soft. No harsh shadows.
• OBS Studio: Free and mighty. Scenes, alerts, text bars.
• StreamElements: Alerts and overlays. Saves time.

If money is tight, start with good light and a phone cam app like DroidCam. Light beats expensive gear, every time