Making money on Instagram is a process that takes time and effort. However, if you are willing to put in the work, you can see quality results.
In this article, we will discuss all the different ways that you can make money on Instagram.
We will talk about how to sell products and services, how to use affiliate marketing, and how to earn revenue through sponsored posts and partnering with influencers.
If you want to know how to make money on Instagram, read on.
What Are the Requirements for Making Money on Instagram?
There are a few things you need to do to successfully make money on Instagram.
First, you need to build a large following. The more people who see your content, the more likely you are to make sales.
Second, you need to post high-quality content that is engaging and visually appealing.
Third, you need to remain active on the platform and interact with your followers regularly.
Fourth, you need to find creative ways to promote your products and services. Or, you can monetize via sponsored posts or ads.
Finally, you need to stay patient and consistent. Making money on Instagram takes time and effort. However, it is possible if you are willing to put in the work.
Tips To Increase Your Followers and Reach on Instagram
If building a following and gaining more reach with Instagram users creates success in generating revenue, then you should understand how to operate well in these two areas.
There are several ways to increase your followers on Instagram. You can use hashtags to make your content more discoverable. You can also post interesting and engaging content that will encourage users to follow you. Additionally, you can partner with other users or brands to cross-promote each other's content.
To increase your reach and attract Instagram followers, don’t only use hashtags and partnerships.
Additionally, you should consider putting paid advertising into play to boost your reach. Paid advertising allows you to target specific users with your content who are most likely interested in what you have to say.
How Much Do Instagram Influencers Make?
Instagram influencers are users who have a large following on the social media platform. Brands often partner with these users to promote their products and services.
How much an Instagram influencer makes depends on several factors, such as how many followers they have, how engaged their followers are, and what type of content they post.
Some IG influencers make thousands of dollars per Instagram post, while others may only make a few hundred dollars.
However, most Instagram influencers earn somewhere in the middle. If you are looking to make money on Instagram, it is important to remember that it takes time and effort to build a following and gain reach. The key to success in using an Instagram business account is to commit to using the platform long-term.
How Many Instagram Followers Do You Need to Make Money?
While some influencers have a million followers, you don't need that many Instagram users to pay attention before earning revenue. It is possible to make money on Instagram with a smaller following.
Focus on building an engaged and active group of followers. You can earn more money with fewer followers if you take care in this area. Always work to attract engaged followers who express a genuine interest in solving the problem your product or service solves.
Doing this will improve the number of sales conversions you make per 100 or 1,000 followers of your Instagram account.
How To Make Money on Instagram
Let's now dive into all the ways you can leverage an Instagram account for business revenue.
Decide on Your Path to Revenue
The first step is how you'll convert your brand into cash. Generally speaking, there are five ways to generate revenue when you're learning how to make money on Instagram.
- Sell your products or services
- Sell other people's products or services
- Make money as an influencer
- Use an Instagram shop
- Monetize your content
What follows are ways to make money on Instagram using these five strategies.
How To Make Money on Instagram Selling Your Products or Services
Selling your products or services is the most direct way to make money on Instagram. If you have products that you sell, you can post pictures and videos of those products, as well as provide a link to where users can purchase them.
If you offer services, you can use Instagram to generate leads for your business. For example, you can post a video explaining what you do and how it can help users. You can then include a link to your website or contact information.
Here are examples of product and service types you might sell on Instagram.
Products:
- Clothing
- Accessories
- Beauty Products
- Home Goods
Services:
- Freelance Services
- Consulting
- Coaching
- Courses
Do a Launch
Whether you want to earn money via products or services, use your Instagram account to perform a launch. A launch is when you release a new product or service to your audience. Doing a launch is an effective way to make money on Instagram because it helps you to reach a larger audience and generate more sales in a shorter period.
Use Instagram to build anticipation for the launch by posting sneak peeks, teasers, and other content related to it.
When the time comes, you can then post about the official launch on your account. Include a link to where users can purchase what you're offering.
Use Direct Messaging To Conduct Sales Conversations
Direct messaging, or DMs, is a great way to connect with potential customers on Instagram. You can use DMs to answer questions, provide more information about your products or services, and close sales.
To make the most of DMs, consider using them to build relationships with prospects. Take the time to get to know them and their needs. Once you've established a rapport, you can then start pitching your products or services.
Make sure to remain helpful and friendly throughout the entire process. It will make it more likely that users will want to do business with you.
Become an Instagram Coach or Consultant
If you don't have products to sell, why not learn everything there is to know about how to make money on Instagram? Then, sell your knowledge in the form of coaching or consultant services.
You can use your Instagram account to attract clients and then provide them with the help they need to grow their businesses. It is a quality way to make money on Instagram as you become an expert in the field.
To get started, post helpful content related to Instagram marketing. Provide a link to your website or call booking page in your Instagram profile. You can also use DMs to reach out to potential clients and offer your services.
Sell Instagram Caption Services
You can even hone your services down into a specific area of Instagram marketing. For example, you can offer to write captions for other Instagram users.
You can make money on Instagram doing this because it's a service that not everyone knows how to do well. It's also something that can make a big difference in the performance of an Instagram account. People will pay for performance in this area.
Other ways to offer niched-down Instagram services include the following ideas.
- Posting and managing Instagram Stories for businesses
- Planning and executing an entire Instagram marketing strategy
- Creating beautiful, on-brand images for businesses
To get started, create a list of the services you'll offer and how much you charge. Then, post it on your Instagram bio. You can also target qualified businesses and use DMs to make contact with decision-makers.
How To Make Money on Instagram as an Affiliate
You don't need to sell products and services created by you. Instead, you can become an affiliate for others. Affiliate marketing is when you promote someone else's product or service and earn a commission on every sale you make.
It's a way to make money on Instagram that doesn't require a lot of follow-up work. Once you've found a product or service you want to promote, all you need to do is post about it on your account and include your affiliate link.
Then, you can start making money with every sale that comes from your Instagram posts.
To get started with affiliate marketing, find products or services you want to promote and then sign up for their affiliate program. Once you're approved, you'll get an affiliate link that you can share on your Instagram account.
As an affiliate, you can get into business immediately by selling courses, coaching services, and other types of products for others. The fact that you don't need to fulfill anything after the sale represents one of the biggest advantages of this marketing model.
Think of yourself as the middleman. Your only job is to build your brand, attract a target audience, promote affiliate links, and earn commissions.
If customers have questions after the sale, the company you sold for handles them. You also don't worry about refund requests or handling the abundance of questions all customers ask.
As we discuss specific ways to use Instagram to earn money via affiliate networks, understand that you can use these same techniques to sell the products and services you create.
Use Instagram Stories To Sell Products or Services
Instagram Stories is a feature that allows you to share photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. You can use Stories to give your Instagram followers a behind-the-scenes look at your business. Or, you can use the marketing technique to show them how others already use affiliate (or your) products or services.
You can also use Stories to conduct sales conversations with potential customers. For example, you can post a video about a new product and include a link to where users can purchase it.
Make sure to use Instagram Stories regularly to keep your followers engaged with your content. And, if you're selling products or services, make sure to include a call-to-action (CTA) so that users know how they can buy what you're offering.
Utilize Instagram Live To Sell Affiliate Products or Services
Instagram Live is a feature that allows you to stream live videos to your followers. You can use it to show off your products, give demonstrations, or answer questions about what you're selling.
When using Instagram Live to sell products or services, make sure to have a clear CTA at the beginning and end of your video. You can also include a CTA in the description of your live stream.
To get the most out of Instagram Live, promote your live stream in advance on your other social media platforms and with an email blast to your list. It will help you to get more viewers for your live stream, which could lead to more sales.
Use IGTV and Instagram Reels as an Affiliate
IGTV is a feature on Instagram that allows you to upload long-form videos. These videos can be up to an hour-long. They give you plenty of time to show off your products or services and how they can help your target audience.
IG Reels is a feature on Instagram that allows you to create short, entertaining videos. You can use them to show off your products or services in a creative way.
When people click on the affiliate link that you provide, you'll earn commissions after they purchase the product or service you're promoting. You can also use Reels to drive traffic to your affiliate website or blog. From there, you can continue to educate visitors until they make a purchase.
Sell Drop Shipped Products
Drop shipping is a different form of affiliate marketing. With affiliate marketing, you can choose to sell information products, physical products, or services. With drop shipping, you'll focus on physical products.
When someone buys the product from your Instagram page, the company that you're dropshipping for handles the fulfillment process. You don't need to carry any inventory or fulfill any orders.
To conclude our discussion on affiliate marketing with Instagram, think about using this method when you're newer to setting up a business account with Instagram.
Learn the marketing aspect of IG first. Don't worry about how many followers you have. Use each Instagram post as a way to increase your follower count.
Instead of worrying about building a product and learning marketing all at once, focus on adding more followers each month. As you do, link your Instagram audience to affiliate offers. Let each merchant take over responsibilities after the sale.
Eventually, you might decide to build a product or service of your own after becoming an influencer.
How To Make Money on Instagram as an Influencer
You can decide to use influencer marketing as your main revenue generator on Instagram.
An influencer is someone with a large following on Instagram and other social media platforms. They're considered experts in their field.
As an influencer, you can charge brands for promoting their products or services via sponsored posts.
To get started with influencer marketing, you need to grow your follower count and engagement rate. As we mentioned above, don't assume that you need a million followers to get accepted by companies willing to pay for sponsored posts.
Many brands will want you to share their products on a Story, Reel, or sponsored post if you can show that you can get the brand in front of an engaged audience.
There are a few ways to get started as an influencer. The first is to reach out to companies that you already love and use. Ask them if they have any influencer openings that you can fill.
When you're starting, it's a good idea to sign up for an influencer marketing platform. These platforms connect brands with influencers. Using one will give you access to a larger pool of brands and opportunities. You can feel confident that all brands connecting in this manner have budgets for sponsored posts.
Examples of these platforms include the following.
Once you've built up your following, you can start charging brands for a sponsored post, product placement, or another monetization opportunity.
Here are some general tips to keep in mind when making money as an influencer on Instagram.
Always be professional: It should go without saying, but it's important to be professional when working with brands. It means being punctual, responsive, and easy to work with.
Work with brands that you genuinely like: You will enjoy the process more if you follow this tip. As well, your followers can tell if you're taking money to promote a product that you don't believe in.
Don't accept every offer: You don't have to accept every offer that comes your way. Brands will respect you more if you're selective about the products and services that you promote.
Negotiate your rates: When working with brands, always negotiate your rates. They will usually be open to negotiation, especially if you have a large following.
Be creative with your content: This is one of the most crucial tips for influencers. If you're creative with your content, you'll stand out from the rest and get more opportunities.
Negotiating as an Influencer
Negotiating rates always makes new Instagram marketers nervous. They don't want to seem pushy or unprofessional. Remember that you're providing a valuable service. If a brand isn't willing to pay your rates, you can always walk away from the deal.
Here are some tips for how to negotiate rates with brands.
Do your research: Know how much other influencers with a similar following are charging. It will help you to come up with a fair rate.
Start high: It's always better to start high and then negotiate down. You won't end up undercharging yourself.
Remain flexible: If a brand can't meet your rates, negotiate in good faith. You can offer a lower rate in exchange for other forms of compensation, such as product placements or shoutouts.
Be confident: If you don't believe in your worth, the brand won't either. Remember that you're providing a valuable service and that you deserve a fair payment.
Politely decline: If a brand isn't willing to meet your rates, it's OK to politely decline. It's better to walk away from a deal than to end up underpaid.
Set up an Instagram Shop
The next way to make money is to use an Instagram shop.
An Instagram shop is a place where people can buy products directly from your posts and Stories. To set up an Instagram shop, you need to have a business profile. You can also connect it to a Facebook catalog.
After setting up your Instagram shop, start tagging products in your posts and Stories. When people see a product that they like, they can click on the tag and go to the product page.
If you have a lot of followers, you can start charging brands for product placements. You can also run ads to the shop on your posts and Stories.
Instagram shops are fully customizable. Many Instagram shops will use themes like the following.
- Seasonal trends
- Gifts
- New arrivals
Set up product descriptions where your target audience can see product descriptions and pricing information. Shops set up on Instagram accounts let you sell directly from the platform's eCommerce store or over on your website.
Other features brought to you by Instagram shops include the following.
Instagram shop tab: The Instagram shop tab is a place where people can go to see all the products that you're selling.
Live shopping: With live shopping, people can buy products directly from your live videos. Any product you tag during a live stream event shows up at the bottom. Attendees interested in Instagram shopping can tap and immediately purchase from your store.
Shoppable ads: Shoppable ads are Instagram posts and Stories that you turn into ads. When someone sees an ad that they're interested in, they can tap on it and see the product details. If they want to buy, they can click on the “Shop Now” button and go to your website or Instagram shop.
You don't necessarily need an Instagram shop to sell as an eCommerce business from your Instagram profile. You can also link Instagram users to any online store. For example, if you already have a Shopify store, you can link to it from your Instagram profile.
When you do this, make sure that your website is mobile-friendly. People should be able to easily purchase your products from their phones.
Use Instagram ads to Promote a Shop
After setting up your Instagram shop, don't forget to use paid ads as one of your marketing channels. When you use ads, you can reach a larger audience and increase your sales.
Here are some tips for how to use IG ads to promote your shop.
Choose the right objective: When creating an ad campaign on Instagram, you need to select the correct objective. The objectives that work best for promoting a shop are “conversions” and “traffic.”
Select the format: The best ad formats for promoting a shop are single image, video, and carousel ads.
Use attractive visuals: Make sure to use high-quality visuals in your ads. It will help you to capture people's attention and get them interested in your products.
Include a call-to-action: Make sure to include a call-to-action in your ad. It increases the chances of people taking the desired action, which is visiting your shop.
Target the right audience: When creating your ad campaign, make sure to target the correct audience. You can use targeting options like demographics, interests, and behaviors.
Monetize Your Content To Make Money on Instagram
You can use ads and other methods to directly monetize your Instagram content without promoting products, services, or eCommerce stores.
IGTV Ads
With IGTV ads, you can run mid-roll ads in your videos. These are video ads that run in the middle of your IGTV videos. Your income depends on how many views you get on each video. You must use original content. If you use music, you must own the rights.
To start running IGTV ads, you need to apply to be an IGTV Partner. You can do this from your Instagram Creator Studio.
Live Badges
If you go live on Instagram, you can enable Live Badges. These are little icons that viewers can buy to support you while you're live streaming. It's a feature that's similar to how TikTok and Twitch operate.
To enable Live Badges, go to your Instagram settings and tap “Live”. Then toggle on the “Live Badges” option.
Teach Your Audience and Get Paid
You can also monetize your content by teaching your IG audience topics of interest. Accomplish this through live videos, for example.
When you provide value to your audience and help them to learn new things, they'll be more likely to want to support you. After teaching concepts in your niche to your Instagram audience, you can earn money by sending them to Patreon, for instance.
Patreon is a membership platform that allows you to get paid for your content. On Patreon, people can sign up to be your “patrons”. They pay you a monthly fee to access your exclusive content. The amount they pay is up to them.
To start using Patreon, create an account and set up your profile page. Then start creating and sharing exclusive content with your patrons.
Use Instagram to get people over to Patreon. For example, if your IG account focuses on fashion, you can share style tips with your followers and then send them to Patreon for more exclusive content.
Or, if you're a travel influencer, you can share photos and stories from your travels on Instagram. From there, send people to Patreon for more in-depth content, like videos of the places you visit.
Additional Ways To Make Money on Instagram
If you're still looking for ways to earn money on social media platforms like Instagram, here are a few more ideas to consider.
Become a Virtual Assistant to an Influencer
One of the best ways to learn the ropes on Instagram is to see behind the scenes of an influencer's business.
As a virtual assistant, you'll help an influencer with tasks like scheduling posts, replying to comments, and managing their DMs.
To become a virtual assistant, start by reaching out to influencers in your niche. Ask if they're interested in hiring a VA. Find out what they're willing to pay for your services. Once you've found an influencer to work with, start helping them to grow their business.
You'll gain valuable insight into how marketing on Instagram works. As you learn, apply your paid education to your Instagram account.
Sell Old Items
Do you have old clothes, furniture, or electronics that you no longer use? Do you like finding items to sell at garage sales? If so, you can sell them on Instagram.
To do this, create an account on a site like Poshmark or Mercari. Then start taking pictures of the items you want to sell and post them on Instagram.
On your IG account, include the price of the item and a link to where people can buy it. When someone buys an item from you, ship it to them and earn money.
Selling old items is a way to make money on Instagram as you grow a larger following. You'll need large numbers of sales to create a decent living this way.
Conclusion
There are many different ways that you can make money on Instagram. By using the strategies in this article, you can start earning more revenue from your IG account today. Just remember to focus on creating high-quality content and engaging with your audience. Sell affiliate products. Promote sponsored posts. Keep adding new strategies over time. The rest will fall into place.
Gaining followers, likes, and views quickly is the only thing that might keep you from meeting your revenue goals. If you'd like help in this area of buying likes and followers, we invite you to contact us. We'll show you how our services in these three areas can help speed up the process.
Or, if you'd rather learn a bit more first, head on over to our Frequently Asked Questions area.
