In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become a new avenue for making money. Among these platforms, Instagram has emerged as one of the most popular choices for individuals looking to earn a side income or even a full-time living. However, one common misconception about making money on Instagram is that you need to have a massive following to do so. The truth is there are numerous ways to earn money on Instagram without having a large number of followers.
You’re in luck if you’re wondering how to make money on Instagram without followers. This article will explore strategies and techniques to help you monetize your Instagram account, even if you have a small following. From selling your intellectual property to becoming a micro-influencer, we’ll cover everything you need to know to start earning money on Instagram. So, whether you’re a blogger, photographer, or simply someone who enjoys using Instagram, read on to discover the secrets of earning money on this popular social media platform.
Why Having Followers Isn’t Necessary to Make Money on Instagram
You may be curious about the number of followers you need to make money. To be honest, the number of followers you have on Instagram is not always a determining factor in your ability to make money. Brands and businesses are looking for engagement and conversions, not just the number of followers. They want to work with people who have a targeted audience that is interested in their products or services. So, even if you have a small following, if you have an engaged audience that fits a brand’s target audience, you can still make money on Instagram.
How to Make Money on Instagram Without Followers – 10 Effective Ways
1. Sell Your Intellectual Property
Selling your intellectual property is one way to make money on Instagram without a large following. If you’re a photographer, videographer, or musician, you can sell your work through stock photo websites or your website. You can also create and sell digital products like presets, filters, or music tracks. Even if you don’t have a large following, your work can still be valuable to people looking for high-quality content for their projects or businesses. You can promote your work on Instagram by sharing samples or teasers and linking to your website or online store in your bio.
2. Participate In Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is another way of how to make money on Instagram without followers. As an affiliate marketer, you promote other people’s products or services to your audience in exchange for a commission on any sales that result from your promotion. You can sign up for affiliate programs in your niche, such as beauty products or fitness gear, and promote them on Instagram by sharing photos or videos of yourself using the products or explaining their benefits. You can also use affiliate marketing networks like ShareASale or Amazon Associates to find products to promote.
3. Sell Your Crafts Or Products
If you’re a maker or craftsman, you can sell your products on Instagram even without a large following. Many makers have found success selling their products through Instagram by using hashtags, engaging with potential customers, and offering special deals or discounts. You can also set up an online store or use a platform like Etsy to sell your products, and promote your products on Instagram by sharing photos or videos of your work.
4. Sell Your Services
Another way to make money on Instagram is by selling your services. If you’re skilled in graphic design, social media management, or other services, you can offer your skills to businesses or individuals who need them. You can promote your services on Instagram by sharing your portfolio or examples of your work, and using relevant hashtags to reach potential clients.
5. Participate In Paid Surveys Or Product Testing Programs
Some companies pay Instagram users to participate in paid surveys or product testing programs. While the pay may not be high, it can be a way to earn a little extra money without a large following. You can find these opportunities by signing up for a survey or product testing websites or following brands offering these programs on Instagram.
6. Enter And Win Instagram Contests
Many brands and businesses run Instagram contests that offer cash or prizes as rewards. While the odds of winning may be low, entering contests can be fun to engage with your audience and win some money or prizes.
7. Participate In Paid Focus Groups Or Product Research Studies
Some companies may pay Instagram users to participate in focus groups or product research studies like paid surveys or product testing programs. You can find these opportunities by following research firms or companies that offer these programs on Instagram.
8. Test And Review Products On Instagram
Some brands may send you products to test and review on Instagram. If you have a niche audience that aligns with the brand’s target audience, you may be able to receive sponsored posts or brand partnerships in exchange for testing and reviewing their products.
9. Sell Virtual Products
If you have expertise in a certain area, you can create and sell virtual products like e-books or online courses. You can promote your products on Instagram by sharing testimonials or previews and linking to your website or online store in your bio.
10. Become A Micro-Influencer
Finally, you can become a micro-influencer by partnering with brands to create sponsored content and promote their products or services to your engaged audience. While you may not have a large following, your engaged audience can still be valuable to brands who are looking for targeted and authentic promotion.
What Are Micro-Influencers On Instagram?
Influencer marketing has taken the marketing world by storm, and with the rise of social media, it has become more accessible for everyone. Being a micro-influencer is an excellent way to make money and build your personal brand. A micro-influencer is someone who has a smaller following than a traditional influencer but still has a dedicated and engaged audience.
How To Become An Instagram Influencer?
Becoming a micro-influencer and turning followers into money takes time and effort, but it’s an excellent way to build your personal brand and make money doing something you love. With these steps, you can start your journey to becoming a successful micro-influencer.
1. Find Your Niche
Before you start creating content, you need to find your niche. Your niche is what makes you unique and different from other influencers. You need to identify your passion and what you can offer to your audience. It could be anything from fashion, beauty, travel, or food. Once you have found your niche, you can start creating content that appeals to your audience.
2. Build Your Brand
Building your brand is crucial to becoming a successful micro-influencer. Your brand should reflect your niche and your personality. Being authentic to yourself is essential, as your audience will connect with you personally. Your brand should be consistent across all your social media platforms, from your profile picture to your bio and content.
3. Create High-Quality Content
Creating high-quality content is essential to building an engaged audience. Your content should be visually appealing and provide value to your audience. You don’t need to invest in expensive equipment, but it’s essential to have good lighting and a clear background. Your captions should be informative, entertaining, and engaging.
4. Engage with Your Audience
Engaging with your audience is crucial to building a loyal following. You should reply to comments and messages and ask for feedback. You can also run polls or quizzes to encourage engagement. Engaging with your audience shows that you care about them and appreciate their support.
5. Collaborate with Other Influencers
Collaborating with other influencers is an excellent way to expand your reach and build your personal brand. You can collaborate with influencers in your niche or a complementary niche. You can do a joint giveaway, a live stream, or a podcast. Collaborating with other influencers can introduce you to a new audience and help you build relationships in the industry.
6. Join Influencer Networks
Joining influencer networks is a great way to find sponsored opportunities and collaborations. There are many influencer networks available online, and you can join them for free. These networks connect brands with influencers and help you find paid opportunities that fit your niche and audience.
7. Reach Out to Brands
If you have a brand that you admire and believe in, you can reach out to them and propose a collaboration. You can send them an email or a direct message and introduce yourself and your brand. You can offer to create content for them or promote their products or services in exchange for payment.
8. Use Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a popular way to make money as an influencer. You can promote products or services through affiliate links and earn a commission for each sale made through your link. Affiliate marketing is a win-win situation for both the brand and the influencer, as the influencer gets a commission, and the brand gets exposure to a new audience.
Becoming a micro-influencer and earning money takes time and effort, but it’s an excellent way to build your personal brand and make money doing something you love. With these steps, you can start your journey to becoming a successful micro-influencer.
9. Use AiGrow
In the previous parts, we showed you how to earn money on Instagram even if you don’t have many followers. But to get the best results it’s essential to plan long-term strategies to grow your Instagram audience over time and build community. However, if you are running a business and only have a little time to spend on Instagram daily, don’t worry; AiGrow is what you are looking for.
AiGrow is an Instagram management and growth service with all the essential features every professional Instagrammer needs. With AiGrow, you’ll be connected to a team of Instagram experts (growth managers, content creators, and designers) who know everything about the latest Instagram algorithm and changes. Here are some of the main AiGrow features:
- Target Instagram users: Hashtags, locations, and interests
- More than 300 organic and targeted users every month
- Content scheduler: posts, stories, and IGTV videos
- Analytical Report
- Score Card and Growth hacks
- Premium Direct Message Marketing
- Premium Bio Lin
Start Your Growth With AiGrow.
Tips For Earning Money On Instagram Without Followers
While having a large following on Instagram can certainly make it easier to earn money, it’s not the only way. Here are some tips for earning money on Instagram without followers:
- Find your niche: Instead of trying to appeal to everyone, focus on a specific niche. This will make it easier to connect with potential customers who are interested in what you have to offer.
- Utilize hashtags: Instagram Hashtags are a great way to get your content in front of more people. Use relevant hashtags in your posts to help people find your content.
- Collaborate with other accounts: Collaborating with other Instagram accounts can help you reach a new audience. Look for accounts that have a similar audience to yours and reach out to see if they’re interested in collaborating.
- Offer a service: If you have a skill or expertise, consider offering a service on Instagram. This could be anything from photography to graphic design to social media management.
- Sell digital products: Digital products like ebooks, courses, and printables can be a great way to earn money on Instagram. Create products that align with your niche and promote them to your audience.
- Use Instagram shopping: If you sell physical products, be sure to set up Instagram shopping. This will allow people to purchase your products directly from your Instagram posts.
- Utilize Instagram stories: Instagram stories can be a great way to connect with your audience and promote your products or services. Use stories to share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business and offer exclusive promotions to your followers.
- Be consistent: Consistency is key on Instagram. Post regularly and engage with your followers to build a loyal audience over time. With patience and persistence, you can still earn money on Instagram without a large following.
- Run Instagram and Facebook ads
How Much Do Influencers Make Per Post?
The amount that influencers can make per post on Instagram varies widely and depends on several factors, such as their following, engagement rate, niche, and the brand’s budget. According to a survey conducted by Hopper HQ, influencers with 50,000 to 100,000 (known as micro-influencer) followers can earn around $500 per post. However, these are just averages, and some influencers can earn much more or less than these amounts depending on their unique circumstances.
It’s important to note that the influencer marketing industry is constantly evolving, and the rates that influencers can charge for sponsored posts can vary greatly depending on the current market trends and demand. Additionally, brands may offer other forms of compensation besides payment, such as free products or services, which can also factor into an influencer’s overall earnings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, making money on Instagram doesn’t require a massive following. By creating valuable content, identifying your niche, and utilizing the right monetization strategies, you can monetize your Instagram account and earn a substantial income. In this article, we showed you how to make money on Instagram without followers organically and boost your audience over time.
FAQs
Can I Make Money On Instagram Without Followers?
While having a large following on Instagram can certainly help you make money as an influencer, it’s not the only way. You can still monetize your Instagram account even with a small following by creating quality content, establishing yourself as an expert in your niche, and leveraging other monetization methods like affiliate marketing or selling products.
How Do I Increase Engagement On Instagram?
There are several ways to increase engagement on Instagram, including:
- Consistently posting high-quality content that resonates with your audience
- Using relevant hashtags to reach new followers
- Engaging with other accounts in your niche by liking and commenting on their posts
- Hosting giveaways or contests to incentivize engagement
- Utilizing Instagram Stories and Reels to showcase your personality and provide behind-the-scenes glimpses into your life or business
- How much should I charge for sponsored posts on Instagram?
The amount you should charge for sponsored posts on Instagram depends on several factors such as your following, engagement rate, niche, and the brand’s budget. A good rule of thumb is to charge $100 for every 10,000 followers you have, but ultimately, you should set your rates based on your unique circumstances and the value you bring to the brand.
What Are Virtual Products, And How Can I Sell Them On Instagram?
Virtual products are products that are delivered electronically, such as e-books, courses, or digital downloads. You can sell virtual products on Instagram by creating a landing page or sales page for your product and directing your followers to that page through your Instagram bio or swipe-up feature. You can also use Instagram’s shopping feature to tag your virtual products in posts or Stories, making it easier for followers to purchase directly from your Instagram account.
