How To Make Money Using Instagram: Monetize Your Online Presence

With over two billion users, Instagram has quickly turned from a fun photo-sharing app to a serious business opportunity. 

Today, everyone is taking their piece of the cake by learning how to make money on Instagram. Of course, with almost unlimited opportunities, one can get overwhelmed quickly.

From a variety of niches you can pick to the different content forms and the new features popping up every day, you can get distracted and become a jack of all trades. 

Don’t worry, though. We’re here to keep you focused! To help you navigate the busy Instagram environment and learn how to make money using Instagram, we’ve prepared the ultimate guide.   So, buckle up – we’re getting started!

How Do You Make Money on Instagram?

Essentially, there are three verified ways you can make money using your Instagram platform:

You can become an influencer and get paid for posting about brands and other stuff. 

You can also work as an affiliate marketer and make money by selling physical products or services from other people.

The third, and perhaps the most tempting option, would be to become a brand of your own – this way, you can set up your own Instagram shop and sell your own products.

Interested in learning more about these opportunities?

You’re on the right track. We’re gonna break down the three strategies we’ve mentioned and explain them in more detail.

Monetizing Your Instagram Account as an Influencer

Instagram influencers are new-age brand promoters, steering the purchasing decisions of millions through relatable, engaging posts and product insights. 

Their endorsements often deliver significantly higher ROI for brands compared to traditional advertising, forming a symbiotic relationship that benefits both parties.

However, becoming an Instagram influencer isn’t an overnight process – it requires careful planning and a well-thought-out social media marketing strategy.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re on your way to becoming an influencer:

Determine Your Niche

In the realm of online business, specialization is key. Choose a niche that genuinely interests you to maintain authenticity in your Instagram content. 

For example, if you’re into makeup, you should focus on a specific product or unique technique to stand out in a saturated market.

Monetizing as an Influencer

Becoming an expert in your niche is one thing, but earning from it is another ball game.

Right off the bar, you need an audience to influence. 

Once you’ve found your niche, you must start building a follower base. 

A common benchmark is to grow your followers to about 10,000 before reaching out to brands.

Here’s a pro tip: Regular posting increases your discoverability and improves your standing with the Instagram algorithm.

Invest in the best Instagram growth services to augment your follower count organically and safely. 

Once you hit your follower target, boost your credibility by getting verified on Instagram. 

While not directly beneficial, this enhances your respect and credibility in the influencer space.

Sealing Brand Deals on Instagram

As your influence grows on this social media platform, brand collaborations become more achievable. 

There are two primary methods:

Grow and Wait: Many influencers believe that they just need to build a own brand, and collaborations will naturally follow. Although this can happen, it doesn’t hurt to be proactive. 

Engage with other influencers, use relevant hashtags, and join influencer communities to attract brand attention.

Direct Pitch: As you gain more confidence, reach out to brands that you admire. Share information about your audience, engagement rates, and mission to portray your professionalism and industry knowledge, regardless of your experience.

Making money as an Instagram influencer requires dedication and effort, but the rewards are well worth it!

Persevere through initial challenges until you achieve momentum and secure your first deals.

Patience and consistent effort are key.

Monetizing Your Instagram as an Affiliate

Affiliate marketing is an effective strategy to earn money on Instagram – either as an influencer or solely as an affiliate marketer. 

This involves sharing Instagram posts with unique product links, tracing any purchases made, and earning a commission or a fixed amount for each sale.

This method can seem spammy if done incorrectly, but on the other hand, it can also be a lucrative venture for aspiring Instagram users, especially with the help of the direct checkout feature. 

There are many actionable steps you can take to elevate your Instagram affiliate marketing to the next level, but if you’re not quite sure where to start, here’s the affiliate marketing process broken down:

Choose a Niche

The first step involves selecting a specific niche you are knowledgeable about. 

Focusing on a single niche allows you to establish a targeted audience that is more likely to purchase a product or service using your codes. 

Many affiliates actually begin by reviewing niche products, subsequently catching the attention of brands and securing affiliate deals.

Explore Affiliate Opportunities

While the Amazon Associates program is a common starting point, don’t neglect direct brand deals. 

They often provide discount codes and instant Instagram post placements – a feature not possible with Amazon links that are restricted to the Instagram bio or story for an Instagram business account.

Maintain Transparency 

As you earn through affiliate marketing, it’s essential to disclose your affiliations in your posts. 

Adhere to FTCASA regulations for affiliate marketing. Remember, your audience will accept promotional posts (#AD) if they receive worthwhile deals and product recommendations.

Monetizing Your Instagram as an Entrepreneur

The most prevalent method of earning from Instagram involves selling your products or services. 

With Instagram’s shoppable posts, Instagram stories, and the recent addition of IG checkout, entrepreneurs can create a comprehensive shopping experience within the app.

This is an extremely lucrative venture, and we’re here for it.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to earn money on Instagram as an entrepreneur:

Product Development

The initial step requires a business plan, which includes the creation of a product or service. The good news is you can convert your expertise into a viable business. 

For instance, if you’re a marketer, you could create and sell services and digital products such as online courses. If you’re a fashion influencer, though, designing a clothing line could be your next logical step.

Infrastructure Establishment

Before you initiate selling, it’s vital to have all the necessary infrastructure in place. 

Ensure that you have a business Instagram account optimized for Instagram shopping, and either prepare a product catalog or link your Instagram to your e-commerce website.

Effective Promotion

Attracting customers on Instagram can be challenging, especially for new entrepreneurs. Given the complex nature of Instagram’s algorithm, you’ll need to invest in promotional strategies. To start, focus on brand awareness. 

Running occasional paid ads can effectively reach your target audience.

Additionally, collaborating with influencers can introduce you to a wider audience. 

Here are some influencer collaboration methods:

Instagram Giveaways and Contests:  Partner with a popular influencer who shares your target audience and host a giveaway featuring your physical products. 

This tactic increases your brand’s visibility and engagement and introduces your brand to new potential customers.

Instagram Takeover: Allow an influencer or industry expert to manage your Instagram account for a day or week. 

Takeovers can be conducted in any format and are excellent for product promotion, audience growth, and boosting engagement, which can lead to increased sales.

Partnerships: Recognize your business partners or fellow influencers for their exceptional work. This promotes positive relationships and reciprocity. 

Utilize Instagram’s business sticker to highlight your favorite businesses and influencers, encouraging mutual support.

What’s the overall message here?

Instagram offers numerous opportunities to monetize your passion and expertise. 

While trends may evolve, these basic principles can guide any creative entrepreneur to success on the platform.

4 Bonus Tips for How To Make Money From Instagram

Here are 4 bonus tips that’ll help you maximize your Insta-profits!

Impeccable Customer Support

It’s crucial to view your account as a main channel for customer support. 

Make it a priority to respond promptly to comments and direct messages. 

This level of interaction showcases your commitment to your customers and often leads to increased trust and loyalty. 

Remember, in a digital age, swift and personal engagement is not just appreciated; it’s expected and could set your brand apart from others.

Keep an Eye on the Competition

Always keep one eye open!

In the ever-competitive world of Instagram businesses, success is often determined by your ability to differentiate from competitors. 

Make it a habit to conduct regular research on your competitors, noting their strategies, their engagement tactics, and what their followers respond to.

This way, you can consistently offer unique value to your followers, staying ahead of the curve. 

The world of social media is fast-paced, and to succeed, you must strive to stay one step ahead.

Cross-Promote on Other Channels

Even with a strong Instagram presence, expanding your reach through cross-promotion on other social media platforms can greatly enhance your overall influence. 

Identify the social media channels where your audience spends their time outside of Instagram and make these platforms work to your advantage.

Use them to direct traffic to your Instagram account, thereby growing your audience and boosting engagement.

Remember, each social media platform offers unique ways to connect and engage with different segments of your audience, so leverage these opportunities to augment your Instagram presence.

Stay on the Safe Side of Things

We get it; it’s getting more challenging to grow amidst so much competition on the platform that it doesn’t take long before one wonders:

What would happen if I could just buy a couple of thousand followers?

Not every growth service is your friend. Some of them are nothing more than red flags.

It’s simply not worth sinking your reputation over a metric you could improve organically. 

Instagram is onto these schemes, and it’s a matter of time before you find out you are banned from Instagram for succumbing to this easy way to success.

There are much safer alternatives if you want to speed things up. 

For example, Flock Social is designed to organically bring more relevant and real followers straight to your followers’ list without breaking any Instagram rules and getting you banned from this platform – all for a friendly price. 

How Much Money Can You Make Using Instagram?

The financial potential of an Instagram influencer is vast and variable. 

For beginners, the occasional $100 might be a good start. Yet, for established influencers, the sky’s the limit, with some earning hitting millions.

In the world of influencer marketing, one’s follower count often dictates earning potential. Micro-influencers, those with a follower count between 10,000 and 50,000, can expect annual earnings ranging from $40,000 to $100,000.

Those with a million followers or more can command considerably higher rates. 

Top-tier influencers may earn tens of thousands per post, with their annual income running into hundreds of thousands, if not millions. 

This income is generated through a mix of sponsored posts, brand partnerships, and endorsements.

To give a sense of scale, it’s rumored that Kylie Jenner, one of Instagram’s top influencers, receives a staggering $1 million per sponsored post. 

Consequently, it’s not far-fetched for influencers who leverage their huge following effectively to generate a six-figure income or more.

How Many Instagram Followers Do You Need To Make Money on Instagram?

The number of followers required to start making money on Instagram isn’t set in stone. 

In theory, you can start monetizing your Instagram account with as few as 1,000 followers. 

The key is that these Instagram users should be active and genuinely interested in your Instagram content. A small, engaged audience can be more valuable to brands than a larger, less engaged one.

However, a larger follower count often correlates with increased earning potential. Some industry estimates suggest that influencers need around 5,000 Instagram followers to begin making a substantial income, potentially upwards of $100,000 annually.

Still, this number is not a one-size-fits-all threshold. 

It greatly depends on the unique characteristics of your follower base and how effectively you can convert their attention into action.

The path to monetization on Instagram isn’t exclusively about amassing followers; it’s about cultivating engaged followers that trust your recommendations and find value in your content. 

This approach opens the door to earning potential, regardless of your follower count.

How Much Does Instagram Pay for 10k Views?

The general earnings bracket looks as follows: Influencers with a follower base between 5,000 to 10,000 can expect earnings from $100 to $500.

If the follower count ranges from 10,000 to 25,000, the earning potential increases to between $500 and $800. 

Lastly, influencers who command a follower base between 25,000 to 50,000 could possibly earn from $800 up to $1,500.

Which Social Media Platform Pays the Most?

As the potential earnings from each platform can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, determining which social media platform pays the most can be challenging.

Here’s what we’ve come across:

Instagram

As one of the leading platforms, Instagram offers numerous revenue streams for many Instagram influencers. 

From sponsored posts and affiliate marketing to Instagram’s live feature that allows followers to purchase badges, the platform has made a considerable mark in the influencer industry. 

Also, IGTV ads provide an opportunity for creators to monetize their videos, which can be quite lucrative depending on the volume of views and engagement.

YouTube

YouTube has a longstanding tradition of content monetization through advertising revenue, affiliate marketing, and brand collaborations. The platform pays its creators based on views and subscribers, with some successful YouTubers earning significant amounts of money.

However, it’s important to note that YouTube has stringent criteria for monetization and requires creators to have at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months to qualify for its Partner Program.

TikTok

TikTok has risen rapidly in popularity and offers several ways for creators to earn money. The TikTok Creator Fund, for instance, rewards popular content with a share of a multi-million dollar fund.

Additionally, creators can sell merchandise directly through their channels or earn money from sponsored content.

Snapchat

Snapchat offers financial incentives for content creators through its Spotlight feature. Creators can earn up to $1 million daily for posting popular content on the platform. However, like YouTube, Snapchat has a stringent selection process for content that qualifies for monetization.

Twitter

While not as traditionally focused on monetization as other platforms, Twitter recently introduced the Tip Jar feature that allows users to receive monetary support from their followers. 

The feature is only available in English at present, but there are plans to expand it to other languages.

Facebook

Facebook offers multiple monetization avenues, including in-stream ads, branded content, fan subscriptions, and groups. 

However, revenue from Facebook is dependent on numerous factors, including content adherence to Facebook’s monetization policies.

Pinterest

Pinterest has a creator fund that provides monetary support to creators belonging to underrepresented communities. 

This support includes strategy consultation, ad budgeting, and direct financial rewards.

So, while each of these platforms offers unique opportunities for monetization, the earnings potential on each can vary greatly depending on the specifics of the creator’s content, audience, and strategy. 

Therefore, the platform that pays the most can differ for each creator.

How Can I Increase My Chances of Monetization on Social Media Platforms?

Increasing your chances of monetization on social media platforms is all about growing your audience and maintaining high engagement rates. 

Regardless of the platform, building a large, engaged following is key.

To do this, you must consistently produce high-quality, relevant content that resonates with your target audience. 

Interaction is crucial, too; respond to comments and engage with your audience to foster a sense of community.

Moreover, stay updated on each platform’s monetization policies and features. 

For instance, YouTube requires 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months to qualify for its Partner Program.

Finally, diversify your income streams. 

Don’t rely solely on ad revenue; explore affiliate Instagram marketing, brand partnerships, and fan-funding options, depending on what’s suitable for your content and audience. Remember, monetization success often takes time, so patience and persistence are crucial.

Key Takeaways

For those looking for a career on social media – you’ve made the right click. If your interests are directed towards Instagram, there are several promising ways that you can earn money here and monetize your online presence.

You can become an influencer, an affiliate partner, or a brand of your own – depending on your short and long-term goals, of course. The path to success, though, won’t happen overnight. 

You need well-thought-out strategies, killer content, and, most importantly, a targeted audience to present it to.

If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, be sure to follow the roadmap we suggested – you’ll start to realize how to monetize Instagram the best way. 

Oh yeah, and there’s one more thing. 

Sign up for Flock Social, your best friend for organic follower growth.