Getting money from Instagram is achievable by leveraging its vast audience. At money-central.com, we’ll show you proven strategies to transform your Instagram presence into a revenue stream, utilizing techniques like sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and selling your own products to boost your financial profile. Unlock your financial potential by monetizing content creation and building a thriving online business, and explore diverse income streams, optimizing financial returns and achieving financial empowerment.
1. Partnering With Brands on Sponsored Content
Do you want to make money on Instagram by collaborating with brands? Partnering with brands on sponsored content can be a win-win for both businesses and creators. Brands gain authenticity, while influencers get paid for their content. These collaborations must feel genuine to be effective.
According to Rachel Karten, a social media consultant and author of the Link in Bio newsletter, brands often seek creators who are already fans of their products. To land these partnerships, creators should proactively pitch their favorite brands, suggesting recurring styles or series that seamlessly integrate the brand.
For example, Alix Earle’s “get ready with me” videos are a natural fit for makeup brands.
When pitching a brand, highlight your audience’s demographics and demonstrate how the product fits your existing content formats. Consider listing yourself on influencer marketplaces like Shopify Collabs to signal your availability for collaboration. If you’re a business owner, suggest formats that align with the creator’s style rather than pushing them to create unfamiliar content.
Alix Earle’s Instagram reel
No matter how authentic your collaboration feels, Instagram requires you to use the paid partnership label for all branded content.
2. Selling Your Own Products or Services With an Online Store
Are you leveraging your influence to sell your own products or services? If you have an online store, Instagram can be a powerful tool to promote and sell your products. Creators can also leverage their influence to sell physical goods, services, or digital items as an extension of their brand.
Use your content to demonstrate the value of your product to your audience, then use Instagram’s selling tools to provide an easy checkout experience. The lines between creator and entrepreneur are blurring, with more individuals seeking independence and ways to monetize their craft.
Consider Loki the Wolfdog, a pet influencer who turned Instagram success into his own brand, Loki Naturals.
Loki The Wolfdog product page with CBD dog treats
You can sell products and services online through various platforms and methods, including:
| Selling Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Shopify | Set up a full-fledged online store with Shopify and integrate it with your Instagram account for seamless selling. |
| Etsy | If you sell handmade, vintage, or unique items, Etsy can be a great platform. Link your Etsy shop to your Instagram for direct sales. |
| WooCommerce | For WordPress users, WooCommerce is a flexible e-commerce plugin that allows you to create and manage your online store. |
| Digital Downloads | Sell digital products like e-books, courses, or templates directly through platforms like Gumroad or SendOwl. |
| Service Bookings | If you offer services like consulting or coaching, use apps like Acuity Scheduling to allow clients to book appointments through your Instagram profile. |
| Affiliate Links | Partner with other businesses and promote their products using affiliate links. Earn a commission for every sale made through your unique link. |
| Instagram Shopping | Utilize Instagram Shopping to tag products directly in your posts and stories, allowing users to purchase without leaving the app. |
| Live Shopping | Host live shopping events to showcase products, interact with customers in real-time, and drive sales directly during the broadcast. |
| Custom Merchandise | Create and sell custom merchandise through print-on-demand services like Printful or Teespring, integrating your designs with your brand. |
| Memberships/Subscriptions | Offer exclusive content or benefits to subscribers through platforms like Patreon, linking it to your Instagram to attract and manage your member base. |
| Auctions | Host auctions for unique or limited-edition items using Instagram Live or Stories, creating excitement and driving up prices among interested buyers. |
| Giveaways/Contests | Run giveaways or contests to increase engagement and attract new followers, potentially converting them into customers. |
| Collaborations | Partner with other influencers or businesses to cross-promote products or services, expanding your reach and tapping into new audiences. |
| Dropshipping | Sell products without holding inventory by using dropshipping services like Oberlo, focusing on marketing and customer service through your Instagram presence. |
| Social Commerce Platforms | Use platforms like Poshmark or Depop to sell clothing or accessories, leveraging their existing marketplaces while promoting your items through Instagram. |
| Link in Bio Tools | Use link-in-bio tools like Linktree to create a landing page with multiple links, directing followers to your online store, affiliate links, or other relevant destinations. |
| Sponsored Posts | Partner with brands to create sponsored posts or stories, showcasing their products to your audience while earning a fee for your promotional efforts. |
| Loyalty Programs | Implement loyalty programs through apps like Smile.io, rewarding customers for repeat purchases and engagement, fostering long-term relationships and brand loyalty through Instagram. |
3. Designing Merch for Your Personal Brand
Are you thinking about designing merchandise for your brand? According to Chris Vaccarino, founder of Fanjoy, selling products is a natural extension for creators due to their abundance of content. This approach eliminates the need to create separate brands and products from scratch.
Instead, develop relevant designs and print them on merchandise like mugs, t-shirts, and art prints. Color Me Courtney sells branded merchandise to her fans using Fanjoy.
Influencer Color Me Courtney wearing her own merch to make money on Instagram
There are several ways to create and sell your own merchandise:
- Print-on-demand services: Use services like Printful or Teespring to handle production and shipping.
- Dropshipping: Partner with suppliers who ship products directly to your customers.
- Full-service merchandising partners: Work with companies like Fanjoy that manage everything from design to fulfillment.
4. Starting Affiliate Marketing
Do you want to earn commissions by promoting products as an affiliate marketer? As an affiliate marketer, you promote brands and products, earning a commission for every sale that results from your unique affiliate link. Brands provide trackable links or promo codes to attribute sales to specific creators.
Unlike influencers who often receive a flat fee, affiliates only earn when their efforts lead to a sale. To get started, approach brands directly or explore popular affiliate programs.
To promote affiliate brands, use a mix of links in your Instagram bio, Instagram Stories, and on your link-in-bio page. Share promo codes in post captions to maximize sales opportunities.
Instagram fitness influencer Caullen Hudson promotes multiple brands, such as MVMT, in his content, directing users to his link-in-bio page where his affiliate links are housed.
| Affiliate Program | Description |
|---|---|
| Amazon Associates | One of the largest affiliate programs globally, offering a wide variety of products and commission rates. It’s a good starting point for many niches due to its extensive selection and brand recognition. |
| ShareASale | Known for its diverse range of merchants across fashion, home & garden, and business niches. It is user-friendly, making it a favorite among both new and experienced affiliate marketers. |
| CJ Affiliate | Another large network that hosts many well-known brands. It is especially strong in the retail and technology sectors, providing affiliates with robust tracking tools and reporting. |
| Rakuten | Offers access to a variety of top brands and retailers. Rakuten is known for its focus on providing detailed data and insights to help affiliates optimize their campaigns and increase their earnings. |
| ClickBank | Specializes in digital products, such as e-books, software, and online courses. It offers high commission rates, making it attractive for affiliates focused on digital education and informational products. |
| Awin | Features a wide range of merchants, from fashion to finance. Awin is known for its strong presence in Europe and offers solid support and tools for managing affiliate campaigns effectively. |
| eBay Partner Network | Allows affiliates to earn commissions by promoting listings on eBay. It’s a good option for those interested in promoting a wide array of products, including unique and vintage items. |
| Etsy Affiliate Program | Focuses on handmade, vintage, and craft supplies. It’s a great choice for affiliates who target audiences interested in unique and artistic products. |
| Target Affiliates | Offers commissions on a wide range of products, from clothing to home goods. Target’s broad appeal and recognizable brand make it a good option for many affiliates. |
| Shopify Affiliate Program | Specifically designed for those who promote Shopify’s platform to new users. It offers a substantial commission for each new user that signs up through your affiliate link, making it suitable for those in the e-commerce space. |
| FlexOffers | Provides access to a large number of advertisers across a variety of industries. FlexOffers is known for its responsive support and easy-to-use platform. |
| AvantLink | Offers a focused selection of outdoor and adventure brands. AvantLink is ideal for affiliates targeting niche markets with high-value products and customers. |
| Impact | Features partnerships with major brands across many sectors. Impact provides advanced tracking and automation tools to help affiliates manage and optimize their marketing efforts. |
| PartnerStack | Specializes in software and SaaS products. PartnerStack is designed to help affiliates manage and grow their relationships with software companies, offering tools for tracking leads and commissions. |
| Bluehost Affiliates | Ideal for those in the web hosting and blogging niche. Bluehost offers generous commissions for each referral and is a well-known name in the web hosting industry. |
| StudioPress Affiliates | Focuses on promoting WordPress themes and plugins. StudioPress offers high commission rates and is ideal for bloggers and web developers. |
| Kinsta Affiliates | Offers affiliate partnerships for promoting managed WordPress hosting. Kinsta is known for its premium hosting services, making it a good fit for those targeting a more technical audience. |
| Elementor Affiliates | Specializes in website building tools and WordPress plugins. Elementor provides affiliates with resources and support to help them promote its visual page builder effectively. |
| Constant Contact Affiliates | Focuses on email marketing services. Constant Contact offers competitive commissions and is a great choice for affiliates targeting small businesses and marketers. |
| Semrush Affiliates | Targets digital marketing tools and SEO software. Semrush offers high commission rates and is ideal for affiliates who work with online marketers and SEO professionals. |
5. Selling on Social
Do you want to sell directly on Instagram using its built-in shopping features? Instagram has evolved into a platform where users can directly purchase products they discover. Features like Instagram Shopping tags allow users to move seamlessly from product inspiration to product information.
If you have a Shopify store, the Facebook & Instagram app syncs your inventory and customer data between Shopify and Instagram, allowing you to manage Instagram orders directly from your Shopify admin.
Apparel brand Miracle Eye uses an Instagram shop to give fans one-tap access to its collections, in addition to its standalone website.
Side by side mobile screen shots showing an Instagram shop flow
You can customize your shop by creating collections or curating products into themes or gifting occasions, such as new arrivals, gifts for Mom, holiday decorating, and summer fun. Your Instagram shop is a mini version of your online store, featuring product images, pricing, and descriptions. Instagram users can buy directly on the platform.
Followers can buy your products throughout Instagram, thanks to features like:
- Shopping tags: Tag products directly in your posts and stories.
- Product stickers: Use stickers in stories to highlight products.
- Shop tab: A dedicated shop tab on your profile showcases all your products.
- Checkout on Instagram: Allow customers to complete purchases without leaving the app.
6. Selling Your Photos or Art Online
Are you a photographer or artist looking to monetize your work on Instagram? At its core, Instagram is a photo-sharing app, making it an ideal platform for artists and photographers to sell prints and originals.
Crop of a person
Here are a few ways to sell your photos or art online:
- Use a photo selling marketplace: Platforms like 500px allow you to sell your photos, and you can link your pages in your bio.
- Sell through your own online store: Sell original photos or art prints through your own online store and link to your Instagram bio.
- Use Instagram Shopping features: Sell items directly on Instagram using Instagram Shopping.
- License your work on stock image sites: Drive businesses to your work by licensing your photos on stock image sites.
- Use a print-on-demand service: Services like Printful and Teelaunch can print your photos or art on items like totes, mugs, and t-shirts, which you can then promote in your Instagram content.
Artist Adam Spychala uses his Instagram account to drive followers to his online store, where he sells prints of his work.
Side by side panels of mobile screens showing Instagram content and an art store
7. Livestreaming and Earning Badges From Fans
Have you considered livestreaming and earning badges from fans on Instagram? Instagram Live badges are like tips you receive from your fans for creating valuable content. If you’re familiar with tip-based features on Twitch and TikTok, you can easily start making money on Instagram by simply being yourself.
During an Instagram livestream, viewers can purchase badges (icons of varying monetary value) that pay the creator directly and unlock features for the viewer. Instagram users can buy badges in increments of $0.99, $1.99, and $4.99 to support a creator’s work.
You can also earn money from Reels via Instagram Gifts. Viewers purchase stars to gift creators, who then receive a monthly payout from Instagram at the rate of $0.01 per star.
8. Offering Paid Subscriptions
Are you looking to offer exclusive content through paid subscriptions? Rachel Karten suggests that creators and small businesses should focus on building awareness on Instagram rather than solely focusing on direct sales or sponsorships. Once you have a dedicated fanbase, you can offer them the chance to engage with exclusive content through paid subscriptions.
Instagram’s own subscription program is available to US creators over the age of 18 who have more than 10,000 subscribers. You can also use third-party tools like Patreon to earn money from subscriptions.
Substack is another option if you want to start a fans-only newsletter to accompany your Instagram page. You can even gate your online store to offer unique content for paid subscribers who sign in. These options provide the opportunity to build your email list and own your audience outside of the platform.
Creator and astrologer Aliza Kelly promotes both her Substack subscription, The Practice, and her paid community subscription, The Constellation Club, on her popular Instagram page.
9. Selling Used Stuff
Do you want to declutter and make money by selling used goods on Instagram? If you’re into fashion or home décor, consider using Instagram to sell used goods. Celebrities and micro-influencers alike use the platform to host post-decluttering closet sales.
Followers who admire your personal style may be excited about your used items, especially if you’ve featured them on your Instagram before. One way to sell on Instagram is to share available items on your Stories and ask followers to DM you to claim pieces on a first-come, first-served basis. Announce sales in advance to generate excitement.
If you’re a small business owner, you can use a similar tactic to hold virtual sample sales. Simply share images of imperfect items to your Stories for a limited-time sale.
Factors That Affect How Much Money You Make on Instagram
Several factors determine how much money an Instagram influencer makes. Smaller influencers targeting profitable niches can earn a good living, while celebrity accounts can earn millions for a single post.
Here are the most important factors influencing your earning potential on Instagram:
Follower Count
One common way to categorize Instagram influencers and their earning potential is based on follower count. As a general rule, influencer pricing corresponds with these numbers:
| Influencer Tier | Follower Count | Earnings per Post |
|---|---|---|
| Nano-influencer | 1,000–10,000 | $10–$100 |
| Micro-influencer | 10,000–50,000 | $100–$500 |
| Mid-tier influencer | 50,000–500,000 | $500–$5,000 |
| Macro-influencer | 500,000–1 million | $5,000–$10,000 |
| Mega-influencer | 1 million+ | $10,000+ |
Engagement Rate
How often do your followers interact with your posts? An engaged follower base increases the value of your content by promoting it. They share your posts and spark discussions, increasing the likelihood that Instagram’s algorithms will amplify your account.
Loyal followers are more likely to follow your calls to action, such as clicking on a partner affiliate link.
Affiliate Marketing Commission Rates
The commissions you receive when followers click on your affiliate links will vary based on your affiliate partners and the products you promote. As your account grows, leverage your larger following to negotiate better rates, increasing your earnings.
Niche
The niche you target significantly impacts your earning potential per follower. If your audience consists of unique demographics that are sought after by brands or are interested in expensive products, expect better partner offers.
Number of Income Streams
Affiliate marketing and one-off product promotions are common ways to monetize your account. However, your total earnings depend on the number of monetization streams you pursue.
Alongside these models, consider developing a product line, such as branded merchandise. Ongoing brand deals covering a program of posts and reels can also attract higher earnings.
Ready to Take Control of Your Finances?
Are you ready to turn your Instagram influence into income? At money-central.com, we provide comprehensive, easy-to-understand articles and resources to help you manage your finances effectively.
Here’s how we can help you:
- Understand Complex Financial Concepts: We break down intricate topics like budgeting, saving, investing, debt management, and credit improvement into digestible guides.
- Compare Financial Products: Our platform allows you to compare and evaluate various financial products, including bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and investment options.
- Use Financial Tools: Access our suite of financial calculators, including budget planners, compound interest calculators, and retirement planners, to help you make informed decisions.
- Personalized Financial Advice: Get personalized strategies and advice tailored to your financial situation, empowering you to achieve your goals.
- Stay Updated on Financial News: Keep up-to-date with the latest financial market trends, policies, and economic news.
- Connect with Financial Experts: Find reputable financial advisors who can provide expert guidance and support.
Take action today! Visit money-central.com to read our articles, use our financial tools, and connect with experts. Control your financial future and achieve your financial goals. For more information, contact us at:
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How To Make Money on Instagram FAQ
Can you get paid on Instagram?
Yes, you can get paid on Instagram through several methods. These include collaborating with brands on sponsored posts, becoming an affiliate marketer, driving traffic to your own site, creating an Instagram shop, and selling photos or art as prints. Each of these strategies offers a unique way to monetize your presence on the platform.
How many Instagram followers do you need to make money?
You can start making money with as few as 1,000 engaged followers on Instagram by creating sponsored posts. Rates are determined by factors such as the number of followers, engagement, content quality, brand recognition, audience demographics, and skill set. Building a dedicated and active audience is key to attracting brand partnerships.
Does Instagram pay you for likes?
No, Instagram does not directly pay users for likes. However, Instagram offers a limited-time, invitation-only bonuses program that allows creators to earn money based on the number of plays and views their content receives. There are numerous alternative and more lucrative ways to monetize your Instagram content, such as sponsored content, affiliate marketing, subscriptions, and selling your own products.
