Monetizing on Instagram is easier than ever, and these stats highlight its significance. In 2023, Instagram boasts a massive 2.35 billion active users, with users spending almost 30 minutes on the platform daily.
Whether you’re an influencer or not, there are plenty of ways to make money from your Instagram account. You can set up monetization tools on Instagram and use affiliate links, sell your products or skills, post sponsored content, and team up with brands.
To dig deeper into how to monetize Instagram and find some success stories, check out our blog.
What Is Instagram Monetization?
Instagram monetization refers to the process of earning money or generating revenue through your activities on the Instagram platform.
This can be achieved through Instagram monetization features or other activities, both for influencers and content creators, as well as for individuals and businesses.
How To Monetize Instagram?
Making money on Instagram can be tempting but it takes time and effort. Before you dive into the monetizing methods, prepare for the journey.
How to Make Money on Instagram by Monetization Tools
Hopefully, Instagram is one of the most business-friendly platforms among other social media. It provides many features that allow you to make money, including:
You may also like: how much Instagram pays for 1,000 followers
Instagram Branded Content
Branded content or sponsored posts involve content creators collaborating with brands in exchange for payment or valuable perks. When they create these posts, they typically tag the brand or business partner.
What’s noteworthy is that you don’t need a massive following to enter the world of brand collaborations. Many nano-influencers, with fewer than 10,000 followers, are successfully monetizing their content.
I highly recommend checking out the @Creators page on Instagram. You’ll find valuable tips from actual creators, just like this one:
Source: Instagram
Another way to collaborate with brands is by becoming an Instagram brand ambassador. You can discover opportunities on job platforms like Fiverr or Upwork and earn some cash.
When it comes to sponsored posts and collaborations on Instagram, there are some best practices to keep in mind:
- Be clear about paid deals: Always let your followers know if a post is sponsored. Use hashtags like #sponsored or #ad to be upfront.
- Choose partnerships wisely: Only team up with brands that match your values. It keeps your audience’s trust intact.
- Nail the content quality: Ensure your sponsored posts look great and fit your style. Keep your audience interested with top-notch content.
- Get fair pay: Don’t settle for less. Negotiate with brands to make sure you’re paid what you deserve for your sponsored work.
- Stay organized: Keep track of your sponsored content, payments, and deadlines. It helps things run smoothly and avoids missing important details.
Note: Instagram branded content is also available for personal accounts.
Instagram Paid Subscription
Instagram Subscriptions are designed for professional accounts with more than 10,000 followers and require users to be 18 years or older. You must also live in one of the 45 eligible countries.
Through this feature, you can offer exclusive content to your most engaged followers in exchange for a monthly fee. Essentially, they subscribe to access your premium content.
Let’s see how @maddison (a fitness trainer) uses an Instagram subscription.
Source: Instagram creators page
Instagram Creator Marketplace
Partnering with brands is a smart way to make money on Instagram. That’s why Instagram has made it super easy for creators and brands to link up. The Instagram Creator Marketplace is like a matchmaking spot for brands.
They can filter their search by things like age, gender, follower count, and interests, making it a breeze to find the perfect influencer for their gig
Instagram Reels Ads
Instagram ads are an excellent means of monetizing your Instagram account, as evidenced by the ad revenue statistics from Statista.
In addition, Reels stand out as an exceptionally effective way to connect with your target audience, regardless of whether they follow your account. It’s a powerful method to expand your reach.
It’s important to mention that Reel ads share the same format as Instagram Stories, featuring a vertical, full-screen layout and a duration of up to 30 seconds.
Instagram Live Badges
Instagram livestreams are incredibly popular, with impressive numbers from Earthweb:
- Over 100 million people watch Instagram Live every day.
- 26% of Gen Zs and Millennials enjoy Instagram live streaming.
So, if you’re 18 or older, have more than 10,000 followers, and live in the U.S., you can earn money through live badges.
Viewers can buy badges during your Live in $0.99, $1.99, and $4.99 increments. @charleeatkins used this method to monetize her Instagram account.
How To Get Paid on Instagram With Other Methods?
The good news is there are tens of ways to monetize your Instagram account. The choice is yours to pick the one that aligns with your goals and resources.
Influencer Marketing
The top platforms for influencer marketing are TikTok, with 56% of brands, followed closely by Instagram at 51% (source: influencer marketing hub).
Even nano and micro-influencers with fewer than 10,000 followers can successfully earn income, as demonstrated by individuals like Jalyn Baiden, who has a following on both Instagram and TikTok. 10k followers on Instagram money may vary from person to person, depending on what field they work in.
If you want to give influencer marketing a try, we recommend using Ainfluencer, a powerful and free influencer marketing platform. Ainfluencer allows brands and influencers to connect and collaborate in a safe and user-friendly environment, with advanced features and tools designed to optimize your marketing campaigns.
This free, end-to-end marketplace is the best option for brands and influencers of all sizes to discover new opportunities to monetize their online presence and increase brand awareness. If you’re looking for a shortcut to reach your fullest potential in no time, make sure to join Ainfluencer today!
If you’re interested in learning how to become an influencer and start making money, click here.
Top high-paid Instagram influencers
Source: hopperq
Affiliate Marketing
Whether you’re an influencer or not, affiliate links can help you make money. According to Influencer Marketing Hub, a whopping 65% of publishers use social media to connect with potential customers. Take a look at the example of affiliate marketing below:
In affiliate marketing, you earn a commission for every sale made through your unique affiliate link. Just share products that match your niche and audience, and you’re on your way to making some extra cash.
Instagram Shops
An astounding 130 million Instagram users engage with shopping posts each month. The beauty of it is that you don’t have to be a big brand to start earning money.
Products such as Cosmetics and makeup accessories, Jewelry, Artwork, Clothing, Fitness accessories, Bags, Shoes, and Sunglasses enjoy substantial sales on Instagram. Want to set up your Instagram shop? Read how.
Selling digital products
Wondering how to make money on Instagram by writing? Well, you can create and sell digital products such as ebooks, templates, checklists, guides, and more.
You can use handy tools like Chat GPT or Canva to create and design your digital products. Here are some digital product ideas that will sell on Instagram:
- Business cards
- Logos
- Mockups
- Email templates
- Stickers files
- Sound effects
- Social media graphics
- Video tutorials
- Printable calendars
Here’s a success story from @missdigitalceo who could make over $8,000 from her digital product, with only 4,370 followers.
Note: if you want people to pay for your content, talk about problems and offer a solution.
Online Courses And Workshops
You might think online courses and workshops are mainly for YouTube or platforms like Udemy. But guess what? Instagram can be a fantastic place to promote and market your courses, just like what @katiesteckly and @daniracancions are doing.
Dropshipping
If you’re after a low-risk business, dropshipping on Instagram is a smart option. It’s not resource-intensive. All you really need to get the hang of is managing your Instagram presence, including using hashtags, stories, and ads.
How to make money on instagram with 500 followers?
For beginners and those with around 500 followers, the good news is they can start making money on Instagram right now. So, the answer to the question “When can you monetize Instagram?” doesn’t have a precise timeline.
To make money on Instagram with few followers, try these methods:
- Affiliate Marketing
- Sponsored Posts (make sure it’s quality and valuable content)
- Sell Digital or Other Products
- Collaborate with Brands
- Host a Giveaway (Learn several giveaway ideas)
Instagram Monetization Best Practices
To kickstart your Instagram money-making journey, there are a few tips you need to consider:
#1. Optimized Instagram profile
Your Instagram profile is the face of your brand on the platform, so optimizing it for monetization and knowing how to make money on Instagram by writing is essential. This includes:
- Writing a bio that communicates your niche and value proposition.
- Using a profile picture that reflects your brand identity and is easily recognizable.
- Creating highlights that showcase your writing skills and previous work.
- Adding a link in your bio to your website, portfolio, or other monetization channels.
#2. Understand Instagram Algorithms
The Instagram algorithm is constantly changing, so it’s vital to stay tuned and adjust accordingly.
A big shift is, for example, Instagram has increased the posts’ lifespan. Even months later, people can still see them. So, the key is to create evergreen and high-quality content. You can check out more updates in this Instagram post.
#3. Having at least 1000 followers
Get a solid bunch of followers. If you’re wondering how many followers to make money on Instagram, around 1,000 loyal followers is a good point to aim for. But remember, it’s all about having those engaged followers.
Having a massive following might seem cool, but it’s not Instagram’s algorithm favorite anymore. Even accounts with a modest following can reach millions. So, don’t sweat building a huge follower count.
To increase Instagram engagement, explore these tips!
#4. High-Quality Content (Esp Reels, Carousels & Stories)
To maintain your current followers and attract new ones, you need top-notch content. This includes high-quality images, engaging videos, captivating captions, and relevant hashtags that speak to your audience.
If you’re curious about what Instagram content gets more reach for the new year, just check out what Metricoolapp has for you:
Sign up for AiGrow’s content plan and let our expert team craft and design top-notch Instagram posts for you!
#5. Be Consistent
To keep your followers engaged, it’s crucial to stay consistent. Creating a regular content plan is a must. Trust me, just posting once and vanishing for a while won’t cut it.
Note: Being consistent doesn’t necessarily mean posting every day.
#6. Keep your followers engaged
To convert followers to customers, boost engagement: Keep these three golden rules in mind:
- React to their stories.
- Respond to their comments.
- Connect in DMs.
#7. Track your activities
Tracking your success on Instagram helps understand what’s clicking and what’s not in your monetization game. Here’s how:
- Tap into analytics tools: Instagram’s built-in analytics tools offer insights into your engagement and growth. For more advanced analytics, third-party tools are available, revealing follower demographics and post performance.
- Evaluate sponsored posts and collaborations: Measure the impact of sponsored content on your engagement and growth. Keep an eye on metrics like likes, comments, and follower growth to gauge success.
- Make decisions based on data: Use your success data to guide your content and partnerships. If a certain post type gets high engagement consistently, focus on creating more of that. If a brand partnership isn’t performing well, adjust your strategy or consider a change.
Keeping tabs on your Instagram success empowers you to make savvy decisions for a flourishing profile.
#8. Learn Some Skills
Discover some valuable skills to handle your moneymaking efforts on Instagram, such as Instagram marketing and affiliate marketing.
Additionally, familiarize yourself with Instagram’s monetization requirements and community guidelines, This knowledge can be a game-changer.
FAQs
Here are a few frequently asked questions about this topic:
Can I Monetize My Instagram With 1,000 Followers?
Sure thing! You can start making money with just 1,000 followers and then work on growing your follower count to boost your chances.
What Are Instagram Monetization Requirements?
- Professional account.
- Being 18 years or older.
- Living in supported countries.
- Having an adequate follower base and active presence
- Complying with Instagram’s community guidelines and monetization policies (not promoting banned products and spreading misinformation).
What Are The Best Niches For Monetization On Instagram?
Profitable niches on Instagram include beauty and cosmetics, fashion, fitness, travel, food, and lifestyle.
How can I set up monetization on Instagram?
To turn on monetization tools on Instagram, you should start by checking if you’re eligible. Here’s the drill: On your profile, tap the Professional Dashboard. Look under Your Tools, and you’ll spot the tools available to monetize your account.
When creating branded content, it’s essential to apply for brand approvals. Some brands automatically approve certain content creators by default.
How Much Money Can I Make From Instagram?
Income on Instagram can vary, but as a rule of thumb, you might earn about $10 for every 1000 followers you have.
