Wish you could make money on Instagram? Though it sounds like a dream, it could actually be a reality.
You don’t need millions of followers to profit off of an Instagram post. There are plenty of ways to make money on the platform, with less followers than you think.
So how do you get started?
Let’s take a look at all the ways you can see more green thanks to Instagram:
Make Money On Instagram With Sponsored Posts
One of the most obvious ways to earn money with Instagram? Sponsored posts. Brands love to pair up with Instagram users to help sell their product.
It’s an easy way for a company to reach new people. And all you have to do is use their product in a post.
Here’s an example from former “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” star, Kim Zolciak Biermann. She’s simply posing with the product, leading to a big pay day.
These days, companies pay for both sponsored posts and sponsored Instagram stories.
Here’s the best part:
You don’t need hundreds of thousands of followers to do this. Brands are looking for users with good engagement.
If your followers interact with you and like your posts, you’re a great candidate. An Instagram analytics report will help you show your worth to brands.
This lifestyle account @jamiefleetwood has 10,000 followers. Though that’s not a huge number, brands want to work with Jamie because she has real follower engagement.
How do you find these brands?
Sometimes you get lucky and brands reach out to you. Other times, you’ve got to start digging. Try and find companies that have a similar vibe to your feed.
Mainly posting about fashion? Maybe there’s a local boutique looking to get some exposure. Is cooking more your scene? Reach out to some food delivery services.
There are also places you can promote yourself as a potential influencer. These range from Instameets with other Instagram users to websites that let you market yourself. Famebit, Grapevine, Shoutcart and Influence.co are just a few of these types of sites.
So how much can you make?
The amount for sponsored posts ranges. And it can also be negotiated. Most influencers starting out say they make around $200 to $400 per sponsored posts. Others just receive the product for free, which can sometimes be worth way more!
You can ask for extra to also post in your Instagram story if the ad is on your feed. You can also charge extra to post links.
More followers definitely means more dough, but don’t be discouraged. Sponsored posts could also bring you new followers interested in the product!
And don’t forget:
Make sure to add #ad or #spon to your post. You want to make sure your followers know you’re being paid to promote the product.
Make Money On Instagram By Becoming An Affiliate
Becoming an affiliate is a little different from sharing sponsored posts. Instead of helping the brand get seen, you help the brand sell things.
How does this work?
Instead of being paid to post, you make a commission off products sold.
The brand will give you a unique link or a promo code. That way they know how many people bought the product because of your post.
Many online retailers are open to being affiliates. For example, Amazon’s Affiliate program offers 10% commission.
Simply share a post and provide a link for followers to purchase products. Talk about easy money!
Make Money On Instagram By Starting An Online Store
You’ve worked hard to build your own audience. Why not think of your own product to sell them? After all, you definitely know what your followers like!
Parody and meme accounts are great examples to follow. For example, the account @officialseanpenn opened up its own store with plenty of pop culture products that she knew her followers would enjoy.
That way, you’re receiving all the profits. And you don’t even have to pay yourself to post!
What’s the best way to get started?
Figure out what type of product you’d like to sell.
Interested in creating a t-shirt that represents your Instagram vibe? Find print-on-demand services to help create your product. Once it’s developed, simply post a photo of your masterpiece and let followers know the shirt is available.
If services are what you’re selling, make sure followers know how to contact you.
Maybe you’re an amazing graphic designer wanting to profit off of your gift. If that’s the case, make sure you have a website up and running where potential customers can let you know what they need.
Are you an amazing photographer? Chances are, if you’ve got a good follower count you’re pretty good at taking pictures.
If you’re wanting to make money off this talent, let your followers know! That’s as simple as listing an email or phone number where they can reach you.
If your Instagram pictures deserve to be framed and treated like art, there’s another way to make some cash. You can sell prints of your best work online. Just let your followers know that it’s an option, and you may be surprised at the response.
What’s The Bottom Line?
There are many ways to make money on Instagram. And you don’t need to be an influencer with a million followers.
The best way to get started is to continue to work on your feed.
Make sure you have active engagement with your followers. Stay true to your brand. Figure out your niche in the world of Instagram.
And once you’re ready to start turning likes into cash, stay humble. Your followers will see through any posts that don’t seem authentic.
If you make sure you’re only selling products you truly love, you’ll gain more fans and followers because of it.
