Let’s play a quick game.
Scenario A: You spend 3 weeks building a screen-accurate, full-plate armor set from a niche RPG game that came out in 2005. You look incredible. You post it. You get 200 likes from hardcore fans, but zero new subscribers.
Scenario B: You spend 2 days modifying a bodysuit for the “villain of the week” from the hottest new anime on Netflix. You post a teaser. You get 5,000 likes and 50 new subscribers in one night.
What happened?
The difference isn’t your talent. The difference is Market Demand.
One of the hardest lessons for a cosplay creator to learn is that what you love isn’t always what sells. If you want to run a profitable business, you need to stop picking characters based on nostalgia and start picking them based on strategy.
Here is the 3-Step Formula we use at Velvet for Women to help our models choose the best cosplay for OnlyFans.
Step 1: The “Hype Wave” Check (Surfing the Trends)
The internet has a short memory. The “hottest” character changes every season. To make money, you need to be part of the conversation right now.
Ask yourself:
- Is there a new Anime season airing right now? (e.g., Demon Slayer, Chainsaw Man, Arcane).
- Is there a massive video game release this month? (e.g., A new Final Fantasy, GTA, or Valorant agent).
- Is a character trending on TikTok?
The Strategy: Use Google Trends or simply scroll through TikTok. If everyone is talking about a character, there is a massive wave of search traffic looking for that character. Ride that wave.
Step 2: The “Lewd-Ability” Factor
This is practical business advice. Remember, you are creating content for OnlyFans, not a costume contest.
While full armor is impressive, it is difficult to monetize in an adult context. The most profitable cosplay ideas usually allow for:
- Easy modification: Can you easily take layers off?
- Appeal: Does the character design naturally lend itself to “fantasy” scenarios? (Think: Succubus, Nurse, Teacher, Villainess).
- Mobility: Can you actually pose seductively in it, or are you trapped in stiff foam?
Pro Tip: Villains often sell better than heroes. Fans love the “bad girl” aesthetic.
Step 3: The Niche Fit (Do You Look the Part?)
This is about authenticity. Even if a character is trending, if it doesn’t fit your body type or vibe, it might flop.
- If you are petite/cute: Lean into high-energy anime characters or “little sister” tropes.
- If you are tall/curvy: Lean into “Ara Ara” energy, Mommy types, or powerful villains.
- If you are alt/goth: Lean into darker, edgy characters (e.g., Wednesday, Cyberpunk).
Don’t force a square peg into a round hole. The internet loves authenticity. Find the trending characters that look like you.
Interactive Checklist: Will This Character Make Money?
Before you buy the wig, run your idea through this “Profitability Test”:
- [ ] Is it relevant? (Are people searching for this name today?)
- [ ] Is it recognizable? (Will a casual fan know who I am instantly?)
- [ ] Is it flexible? (Can I shoot a SFW set for Instagram AND a spicy set for OnlyFans with this outfit?)
- [ ] Does it turn me on? (If you feel sexy in it, the camera will capture that energy. If you feel silly, it won’t sell.)
If you checked all 4 boxes, you have a winner.
Why Do This Research Alone?
You are an artist. You shouldn’t have to spend your nights analyzing Google Trends and researching video game release calendars.
That is our job.
En Velvet for Women, we provide our creators with monthly “Trend Reports.” We tell you exactly which characters are spiking in popularity, which keywords to use, and even suggest costume concepts that fit your specific body type.
- We spot the trend.
- You create the look.
- We sell the content.
Stop guessing what the internet wants. Let us give you the data to succeed.
