More and more Gen Z are using content creation as a way to earn a living outside of the 9-5. A 2022 Adobe study found that 45% of Gen Z creators wanted to monetize their content.
But recent social media chaos has worried creators. Meta has stopped the Reels Play bonus, and there’s a possibility of a TikTok ban. Creators are in a pickle. The study also found that 60% of Gen Z creators rely on TikTok as their main income platform, so the future of the app is looking shaky.
Fanfix: A New Monetization Platform for Gen Z Creators
As creators look for alternative revenue streams, platforms like Fanfix are stepping in to offer new opportunities for influencers to get paid. Fanfix is a subscription-based platform, a clean, creator-focused space where Gen Z influencers can monetize their work without relying on ad-driven algorithms or the volatility of traditional social media platforms.
A Gen Z Alternative to Patreon
Launched as a direct competitor to Patreon, Fanfix is focused on the growing community of Gen Z creators. What sets it apart is the clean content—Fanfix only allows creators to post content that meets its strict guidelines, so the platform is a safe and ad-friendly space. This has resonated with creators and their fans, especially younger audiences looking for more intimate ways to connect with influencers outside of mainstream social media.
By being a subscription-based platform, Fanfix allows influencers to get paid directly from their followers without relying on fluctuating ad revenue or brand sponsorships. Fans can subscribe to their favorite creators for exclusive content and a more personal and intimate experience. This model not only creates a stronger bond between creators and their audience but also more stable and predictable income streams.
Fast Growth and Big Earnings
Despite being only two years old, Fanfix has already attracted 10 million users and 3,000 active creators. According to the company’s data, active creators earn an average of $70,000 per year, so the platform is looking like a solid income stream for influencers. For many creators, Fanfix is a way to turn their passion projects into full-time careers, bypassing the uncertainty of ad revenue-dependent platforms like YouTube or Instagram.
Fanfix has already paid out $11 million to creators and expects to hit $50 million by the end of 2024. Their current revenue run rate of $35 million means they’re on pace to keep growing and growing. Co-founder Harry Gestetner told TechCrunch they expect to be profitable by Q1 2024—a big goal for any startup, especially one in the creator economy.
Creator Economy in a Shaky Social Media Landscape
Fanfix is rising at a time when the social media landscape is shaky. Many creators are concerned about the recent changes on the big platforms. Meta just discontinued its Reels Play bonus program, a main source of income for short-form video creators. The potential of a TikTok ban in the US has creators on edge since 60% of Gen Z creators rely on TikTok as their main content monetization platform.
This uncertainty has driven creators to look for alternative platforms, and Fanfix is one of them. It gives creators more control over their content and revenue streams, protecting them from platform policy changes or political regulations. With clean content, Fanfix also allows creators to tap into younger, more brand-aware audiences, a safer space to operate without the pressure to go viral at all costs.
Fanfix’s Roadmap: Profitability and Growth
Fanfix has found its niche in the creator economy. By Q1 2024, it expects to be profitable, a significant milestone for a two-year-old startup. With a growing user base, big payout numbers, and a subscription model that gives creators more financial stability, Fanfix is set to become a big player in the creator economy.
Fanfix Monetization Tools for Creators: More Revenue Opportunities
Fanfix provides creators with a stable income through subscription-based content and additional features to help them maximize their earnings and engage more with their fanbase. These features make Fanfix a robust platform for Gen Z creators.
To answer common questions about the platform, Fanfix provides clear answers about how it works and who can join. For example, many users ask about the requirements for becoming a creator on Fanfix. The platform requires creators to have at least 10,000 followers across multiple social media channels so they can convert their audience into paying subscribers.
“Tip-to-DM”: Personalized Messages
One of Fanfix’s biggest features is “Tip-to-DM,” where fans can pay for private one-on-one conversations with their favorite creators. Fans can pay anywhere from $3 to $500 to send a direct message to creators, giving influencers a way to monetize their personal interactions. Creators can build a deeper relationship with their fanbase and earn more through these exclusive interactions.
More Features to Earn and Engage
Besides “Tip-to-DM,” Fanfix recently added two new features:
One-Time Purchases: Fans can now buy exclusive content or experiences without committing to a monthly subscription. This gives creators the ability to offer special content, behind-the-scenes access, exclusive photos or custom videos, and fans more control over their purchases.
Message Blast: This feature allows creators to send a message to all their subscribers at once to update their fanbase on new content, upcoming events, or promotions. It’s a way for creators to stay in touch with their followers and drive more engagement and revenue.
Coming Soon: One-to-One Calls, Personalized Videos, Livestreaming
Fanfix is working on more ways for creators to engage with their audience and monetize their content. Here’s what’s coming:
One-to-One Calls: Creators will be able to offer personalized calls to fans.
Personalized Videos: Like Cameo, creators will be able to send custom video messages to fans who request them.
Livestreaming: Live broadcasts will allow creators to interact with their audience in real-time and create more immediate content.
These features will give creators more ways to engage with their followers and more revenue streams.
Analytics Dashboard: Performance and Earnings Tracking
Fanfix also gives creators an analytics dashboard to track their performance. This includes subscriber numbers, total earnings, and other engagement metrics. This is super useful for creators who want to build their brand and business by sharing their performance metrics with sponsors or brand partners.
By giving creators a transparent way to track their growth and engagement, Fanfix helps influencers make informed decisions about optimizing their content, potentially landing brand deals, and increasing their overall income.
Fanfix’s Revenue Model: 20% Commission
Fanfix makes money by charging creators a 20% commission on their earnings—a slightly higher commission than some of the other creator monetization platforms. For example, Fanhouse takes 10%, and Patreon takes 5-12%, depending on the plan you choose.
Despite the higher commission, Fanfix’s co-founders are confident about the platform. According to co-founder Harry Gestetner, “We offer a premium service that justifies the commission.” Unlike some other platforms that charge extra fees, Fanfix has no hidden fees, so our monetization is transparent for creators.
No Extra Fees, Just Premium Service
Many platforms charge creators extra processing fees or add-ons that eat into their earnings. Co-founder Simon Pompan said Fanfix differentiates itself by being upfront about how it makes money. “If you look at other platforms, many of them charge the creators a payment processing fee. So there are a lot of hidden fees, and we’re very transparent about how we monetize,” he said. This transparency is one of the reasons Fanfix has been able to build trust with creators.
Fanfix is the Leader in Gen Z Monetization
Gestetner added that creators on Fanfix are happy with the commission structure because they earn more money than they do on other platforms. “Fanfix is one of the only ones in this space that’s emerging as the leader in the clean Gen Z-first monetization space because our platform, very simply, has been the place where creators earn the most money,” he said. For creators, that means despite the 20% fee, they earn more overall, so Fanfix is a no-brainer.
How Fanfix Was Born: A Platform Founded from Personal Experience
Fanfix was founded in August 2021 by Harry Gestetner and Simon Pompan, who have been friends for a long time. The idea for the platform came about when Gestetner’s cousin went viral on TikTok with tens of millions of views but struggled to monetize that attention. After further research, Gestetner found that many creators faced the same issue – smaller influencers who struggled to turn their audience into a sustainable income stream.
After launching Fanfix, Gestetner and Pompan brought Cameron Dallas, a former Vine star, on board. Dallas’s experience as an influencer gave the young startup some credibility and helped it gain traction in the competitive creator economy.
Monetization Challenges for Smaller Creators
The creator economy has unique challenges for smaller creators, especially those who want to make content creation a full-time career. While larger influencers and celebrities can get big brand deals, smaller creators with loyal but niche followings struggle to get consistent, stable sponsorships.
Gestetner said brand deals underserve a vast majority of creators, so many don’t have the resources to sustain themselves. The lack of a stable revenue stream for smaller creators created an opportunity in the market for a platform like Fanfix. Gestetner and Pompan saw this gap and wanted to create a platform where creators could monetize directly from their fans without relying on third parties like brands, agents, or labels.
Gen Z Friendly Monetization
Fanfix was built for the Gen Z creator, a clean and family-friendly space where influencers could connect with their audience and get paid. “There was a gap in the market for a clean, family-friendly Gen Z fan membership platform,” said Gestetner, explaining how Fanfix differs from other monetization platforms. Unlike some of the other platforms that allow more explicit content, Fanfix is a safe space for creators and fans alike and has strict guidelines on what can be shared.
The Monetization Gap
Gestetner and Pompan’s vision for Fanfix came from understanding the challenges smaller creators face. In the ever-growing creator economy, platforms that enable direct creator-fan interaction (like Fanfix) are becoming essential for influencers who want more financial freedom. By giving creators the tools to monetize through fan engagement, Fanfix helps creators build sustainable income streams that don’t rely on the unpredictable nature of brand sponsorships.
Fanfix has filled the gap in the market for a Gen Z-first platform where creators can connect with fans and get paid in a clean and safe digital space.
Fanfix’s Safety First Approach: Protecting Young Creators and Fans
Fanfix’s main audience is Gen Z, 13-24 years old, which has shaped the platform to be a safe and family-friendly space. Given the younger demographic, the platform has strict content guidelines to ensure the safety of both creators and users. This includes no nudity and no content that promotes illegal activities, so it’s a clean and secure space for fan interaction.
Users Under 18
For users under 18, Fanfix goes the extra mile. The platform has robust safety protocols, including 24/7 human moderation and additional reporting tools. Private messages are monitored, and moderators oversee interactions to ensure the platform is a safe space. Fanfix also reviews creator accounts twice a day to ensure content is compliant with guidelines, giving all users an extra layer of protection.
“Safe Mode”
Fanfix also has a “safe mode” feature that can be enabled by any creator regardless of age for extra peace of mind. When safe mode is turned on, all messages sent to creators are reviewed by human moderators before they are delivered. This means creators are protected from inappropriate or harmful content and can interact with their audience in a positive and safe space.
Full Human Moderation
Unlike many platforms that rely on automated moderation tools, Fanfix is fully human-moderated. Every message, interaction, and piece of content is overseen by real people to ensure the platform’s safety. This hands-on approach means Fanfix can create a more controlled and user-friendly space for creators and fans alike, especially for the younger members of the community.
Fanfix’s Selective Creator Policy: Quality Over Quantity
Fanfix has specific criteria for creators who want to join the platform. To maintain a high standard and ensure the creators fit with the Fanfix brand, the platform only accepts influencers with a minimum of 10,000 followers. This ensures the creators can convert their followers into paying subscribers, which is key to the platform’s success.
A Creator’s Story: Savannah Rae Demers
Savannah Rae Demers, a 22-year-old creator, joined the platform in the spring of 2022. Since then, she’s done incredibly well on Fanfix, earning almost $100,000. Her subscription price is $8, and she gets $6.40 per subscriber per month. With 2,100 subscribers, she makes around $13,500 per month just from subscriptions alone, not including tips and private messaging.
Demers loves Fanfix: “I was immediately drawn to the overall idea of this platform—having a space to document behind-the-scenes content and not having to rely only on brand deals sounded pretty cool to me!” The platform allows her to connect more with her audience and followers.
Messaging
For Demers, the messaging feature on Fanfix is key. “Having a space to chat and connect with my community of followers truly is super special to me, and that’s exactly what Fanfix gave me with the messaging side of the platform,” she says. This allows creators to turn casual followers into dedicated fans.
Other Creators on Fanfix
Fanfix has several successful creators, including Madi Monroe, Brooke Monk, and Anna Shumate. All of them are using the platform to build their brands and make money. On average, each creator on Fanfix has around 200 subscribers, so there’s an active community of influencers who are using the platform’s monetization options.
Fanfix is Now Part of Super Ordinary
In June 2022, Harry Gestetner and Simon Pompan, co-founders of Fanfix, sold the platform to SuperOrdinary for eight figures. At the time of the acquisition, Gestetner was 21, and Pompan was 23. They are both super young and super successful.
SuperOrdinary: A Strategic Partnership
SuperOrdinary is an established player in the beauty and wellness space, partnering with over 140 brands, including Farmacy, OLAPLEX, and The Honest Company. This is a great opportunity for Fanfix creators, who will be able to partner with SuperOrdinary to sell products through their own online stores.
Gestetner says, “Being part of Fanfix, these creators get access to the whole SuperOrdinary ecosystem. Whether it’s access to the brands or whatever it is, access to a system that no other platform can provide”. This allows creators to add another revenue stream by leveraging SuperOrdinary’s network and resources.
SuperLink: Monetization for Creators
In November 2022, Fanfix launched SuperLink, a link-in bio platform focused on monetization that showcases a creator’s Fanfix page. This allows creators to centralize their online presence and make it easy for their fans to find their content. Creators also get 46% of the ad revenue from their SuperLink pages, another revenue stream.
SuperLink makes Fanfix creators more visible so they can promote their subscription content and leverage their online presence. This is in line with Fanfix’s purpose of enabling creators to monetize their content.