How to Monetize Instagram: Tips for Businesses & Creators

How to Monetize Instagram: Insights for Businesses and Creators

Posted 4 months ago by Anastasia Prokofieva

Instagram began its life in桂2010桂as桂a桂modest social platform for桂sharing photos桂�� a桂little of桂last Friday�셲 party here, an桂adorable couple picture there. And, of桂course, a桂very respectable selection of桂cats.

Fast-forward for桂over a桂decade, 껸꾈삣桂it�셲 almost impossible to桂imagine the桂app without ads, influencers, reels, 껸꾈삣桂branded content. Instagram is桂more than an桂image-sharing app桂�� it�셲 a桂place to桂make money.

From sponsored posts to桂subscriptions, Instagram has all the桂money-making tricks up桂its sleeve. Discover the桂monetization options below 껸꾈삣桂transform your Instagram presence into a桂profitable business.

What You Should Know to桂Monetize Your Instagram

You might believe that an桂Instagram account�셲 power lies in桂numbers桂�� the桂more followers, the桂better. However, that�셲 not entirely accurate.

Purchasing 20,000桂bots might boost your follower count, but bots can�셳 engage with your content. What�셲 the桂value in桂sharing content if桂your audience can�셳 truly interact with it?

The true power of桂social media lies in桂engagement. When followers share your posts, comment frequently, 껸꾈삣桂tag their friends, it桂can translate into earnings, regardless of桂whether you have 500桂or桂500,000桂followers.

Each tactic we�셪l discuss in桂this blog post thrives on桂active human engagement for桂success.

Before you start making money on桂Instagram, it�셲 a桂good idea to桂first check your engagement rate. This metric shows you how well your audience responds to桂your content.

To桂calculate the桂engagement rate, add your total interactions (likes, comments, shares, etc.), divide by桂the桂total number of桂posts, then divide by桂your followers, 껸꾈삣桂multiply by桂100.

For reference, a桂2-3% engagement rate is桂considered average, while a桂4-6% rate is桂considered high.

Various tools, including , can help you calculate engagement rates. You can also review your engagement in桂the桂Insights section of桂the桂Instagram app or桂within the桂Meta Business Suite.

To桂improve your engagement rate, you need to桂figure out what content resonates with your target audience. These blog posts are here to桂help you get started:

Now that you understand that an桂engaged audience is桂your ticket to桂monetizing your Instagram account let�셲 explore your options.

Collaborate with Brands for桂Sponsored Content

One of桂the桂most lucrative methods to桂monetize Instagram is桂through sponsored partnerships.

Sponsored content mimics regular editorial content, but instead of桂featuring your favorite avocado toast, you receive a桂fee to桂promote an桂advertiser�셲 product on桂your profile.

Brands love this type of桂marketing because consumers naturally trust an桂unbiased third party more than traditional ads. Some influencers even mention some of桂the桂product�셲 drawbacks for桂authenticity.

@alexandramadisonn crafts a桂comedic sketch to桂promote Klarna

There are several ways to桂connect with brands for桂partnerships:

Directly reach out to桂companies you believe align with your brand 껸꾈삣桂offer sponsored content.
Use Meta�셲 native Creator Marketplace. This platform connects creators with brands for桂sponsored content opportunities.
Join influencer marketing platforms such as桂Tribe, AspireIQ, or桂Influence.co, where you can connect with brands seeking sponsored content.

When searching for桂a桂brand to桂team up桂with, choose those that align with your values 껸꾈삣桂your audience�셲 interests.

When reaching out for桂partnerships, tailor your proposals to桂demonstrate how your profile can benefit their brand. Highlight your engagement metrics 껸꾈삣桂past successful collaborations to桂build credibility.

Finally, always maintain transparency with your audience. Use the桂appropriate tags like #sponsored or桂#ad to桂disclose partnerships. This honesty fosters trust between you 껸꾈삣桂your followers, enhancing your reputation 껸꾈삣桂leading to桂more partnerships in桂the桂future.

Enable Instagram Subscriptions

Instagram Subscriptions is桂a桂feature that allows creators to桂earn a桂steady income by桂offering exclusive content to桂subscribers for桂a桂monthly fee.

You can share exclusive content for桂subscribers through stories, posts, reels, subscriber channels, 껸꾈삣桂highlights.

To桂qualify for桂Instagram subscriptions, you must have a桂professional account with a桂minimum of桂10,000桂followers. (Check out other across countries.)

To桂make the桂most of桂this feature, offer unique content that your regular followers can�셳 access. This could include tutorials, behind-the-scenes clips, or桂one-on-one interactions.

@maddison.noel provides subscribers with exclusive content through stories

For example, if桂you�셱e a桂makeup artist, you could offer your subscribers exclusive tutorials 껸꾈삣桂personalized makeup recommendations. Or, if桂you create comedy skits, consider offering your subscribers bloopers or桂creating videos inspired by桂their ideas.

Here are some tips to桂increase your Instagram subscribers:

Promote your Instagram subscription by桂highlighting its value. You could even to桂attract subscribers!
Share sneak peeks of桂the桂exclusive content to桂entice your audience to桂subscribe.
Show your appreciation for桂subscribers�� support by桂offering personalized content 껸꾈삣桂cool perks to桂keep them excited about staying subscribed.

Monetize Reels 껸꾈삣桂Lives with Gifts 껸꾈삣桂Badges

Instagram Gifts is桂a桂feature that allows you to桂earn money from your audience. Whether they�셱e followers or桂not, people can show their appreciation by桂sending virtual gifts on桂your reels.

To桂be桂eligible to桂earn from gifts, you must have at桂least 500桂followers 껸꾈삣桂live in桂a桂.

Followers can buy Stars 껸꾈삣桂use them to桂send you gifts on桂Instagram. The platform will then provide you monthly with a桂revenue share from your reels that received gifts. Every Star you get from fans equals $0.01.

Creators can view the桂gifts received for桂each reel 껸꾈삣桂estimate their earnings across all reels

Badges are a桂similar tool for桂monetizing your Instagram. They let you earn money when you go桂live. Consider
using Badges if桂you frequently host live sessions with many followers attending.

Keep in桂mind that you need at桂least 10,000桂followers to桂monetize your Instagram with badges (see other requirements ). Visit your Professional Dashboard to桂check your eligibility. A桂혫Set Up桂Badges혬 button will be桂visible if桂you qualify for桂monetization.

Badges pop up桂next to桂someone�셲 Instagram username during live videos. When supporters buy badges in桂Live, they stand out in桂the桂comments 껸꾈삣桂unlock extra features, like a桂spot on桂the桂creator�셲 list of桂badge holders 껸꾈삣桂a桂special heart during the桂live video.

Badges show up桂next to桂someone�셲 Instagram username during lives (Image: creators.instagram.com)

To桂get paid for桂Instagram gifts 껸꾈삣桂badges, you need to桂.

Here are a桂couple of桂ideas to桂make the桂most of桂Gifts 껸꾈삣桂Badges:

Promote your live sessions in桂advance. Use countdown stickers in桂stories to桂build anticipation. Inform your audience about the桂content they�셪l receive during the桂live session.
Offer valuable content during live sessions. Whether it�셲 a桂tutorial, an桂insider look at桂your business, or桂an桂interactive Q&A, providing value encourages your audience to桂support you financially.
Encourage your viewers to桂purchase Gifts 껸꾈삣桂Badges as桂a桂way to桂support your content.
Give a桂shoutout 껸꾈삣桂thank those who contribute桂�� this builds a桂sense of桂community 껸꾈삣桂appreciation. Share your gratitude through stories or桂posts.
Gifts are one of桂your fans�� strongest signals about what content they love. Consider that in桂your content strategy 껸꾈삣桂focus on桂reels that resonate with your audience.

Earn with Instagram Bonuses

Instagram Bonuses are incentives Instagram offers to桂creators who meet specific engagement criteria.

Instagram might have special bonus programs for桂creators, but they�셱e invite-only 껸꾈삣桂available for桂a桂limited time in桂certain countries. Keep in桂mind that there�셲 a桂bit of桂randomness involved since they�셱e testing things out. Plus, since it�셲 more like a桂testing phase, the桂bonus program could wrap up桂at桂any桂time.

You can check your earnings in桂your professional dashboard (Image: creators.instagram.com)

Go桂to桂your professional dashboard to桂see if桂you�셶e been invited to桂try out a桂bonus program. If桂there�셲 no桂invitation, you�셱e not part of桂the桂test group.

The bonus program is桂still in桂test mode, 껸꾈삣桂let�셲 be桂real桂�� Instagram can�셳 pay every creator because it桂just doesn�셳 make financial sense. So, don�셳 count on桂this alone. Keep an桂eye out for桂an桂invite to桂the桂program, but definitely explore other ways to桂make money on桂Instagram, too.

Sell Your Merchandise

Merchandising is桂another powerful strategy for桂Instagram monetization. This method works best when your followers are heavily invested in桂your brand 껸꾈삣桂actively support you.

Start by桂designing merchandise that represents your brand�셲 identity. Consider what your audience values 껸꾈삣桂create products that align with those interests.

Perhaps you draw comics桂�� why not create products featuring your characters? If桂you�셱e a桂lifestyle creator who gets many questions about your photo or桂video editing, consider offering photo or桂video presets for桂a桂small fee.

Another great option that suits all kinds of桂Instagrammers is桂branded merchandise. Just pop your logo or桂catchphrase on桂t-shirts, mugs桂�� anything easy to桂print桂�� 껸꾈삣桂let your brand shine as桂the桂product!

@yoleendadong sells posters featuring her artwork as桂her merchandise

The simplest way to桂create 껸꾈삣桂sell your branded merch is桂with print-on-demand services. All you have to桂do桂is桂come up桂with a桂design, 껸꾈삣桂the桂service will print it桂on桂a桂product you choose 껸꾈삣桂ship it桂to桂the桂customer. No桂upfront costs 껸꾈삣桂no桂need to桂handle orders桂�� perfect for桂creators.

Consider 붚죕쳔 by桂Lightspeed to桂create your merchandise store. It桂seamlessly integrates with popular print-on-demand services like 껸꾈삣桂, making it桂easier than ever to桂bring your creative ideas to桂life 껸꾈삣桂start selling.

Plus, 붚죕쳔 supports , so桂you can connect your shop to桂your Instagram business profile, allowing followers to桂purchase directly from your posts. This seamless shopping experience increases conversion rates.

Sell Your Product or桂Service

Selling your product or桂service is桂another direct way to桂generate income through Instagram.

Instagram is桂a桂great place to桂sell anything from clothes to桂furniture, so桂with the桂right approach, your business can really thrive on桂this visually driven platform.

Selling Products on桂Instagram

If桂you sell physical products, make sure to桂set up桂an桂Instagram Shop. This feature lets sellers tag products in桂posts 껸꾈삣桂stories, making it桂easier for桂followers to桂purchase. Plus, having an桂Instagram Shop gives your business more credibility 껸꾈삣桂trust with potential customers.

Followers can tap on桂a桂post to桂see detailed product information

One of桂the桂easiest ways to桂set up桂an桂Instagram Shop is桂through 붚죕쳔 by桂Lightspeed. This ecommerce platform provides you with an桂online store that you can connect with your Instagram page to桂tag products in桂your content. Learn more about in桂the桂붚죕쳔 Help Center.

To桂boost your selling skills on桂Instagram, take a桂look at桂these articles:

Selling Services on桂Instagram

If桂you�셱e thinking about selling services, help your audience by桂sharing your niche skills through courses or桂downloadable guides. Whether it�셲 new languages, healthy eating, photo editing, or桂whatever your expertise might be, Instagram is桂the桂perfect platform to桂showcase your knowledge 껸꾈삣桂promote your services.

Use your Instagram bio to桂direct potential customers to桂your website. You can also use a桂link-in-bio tool like Linkup to桂showcase all your links in桂one place 껸꾈삣桂make it桂easy for桂your followers to桂access them.

Since Instagram Shops don�셳 allow digital product sales, Linkup is桂a桂great workaround. You can use it桂as桂a桂handy landing page for桂your services 껸꾈삣桂digital products right in桂your Instagram bio.

Linkup is桂also an桂alternative solution when Instagram Shops are unavailable in桂your country

Promote Affiliate Products

Affiliate marketing on桂Instagram involves promoting other businesses�� products 껸꾈삣桂earning a桂commission for桂each sale made through your referral link or桂promo code. The latter is桂better suited for桂Instagram, as桂links can only be桂placed in桂your bio.

@marianodivaio encourages followers to桂click an桂affiliate link in桂stories

Consider brands that might be桂helpful to桂your audience 껸꾈삣桂see if桂they have affiliate programs. They probably do! Reach out directly or桂use services like ClickBank or桂Amazon�셲 Affiliate Program to桂get started. Instagram has its own , too.

Choose products you genuinely believe in桂to桂maintain authenticity. Your followers will appreciate honest recommendations.

Create engaging content around these products. Use Instagram�셲 various formats桂�� posts, reels, 껸꾈삣桂stories桂�� to桂showcase the桂product in桂action. Share personal reviews 껸꾈삣桂experiences to桂build trust with your audience.

Include your affiliate link in桂your bio or桂stories. Encourage your followers to桂use your link, emphasizing the桂added benefits they gain, such as桂discounts or桂exclusive access.

Here�셲 the桂Recap on桂Monetizing Your Instagram

Next time you�셱e scrolling through Instagram, remember that it�셲 not just a桂platform for桂sharing pictures 껸꾈삣桂videos. It�셲 also a桂powerful marketing tool that can help you turn your passion into profit.

Keep in桂mind that monetizing through Instagram may not happen overnight. It桂takes time, effort, 껸꾈삣桂consistency to桂build a桂solid following. Then, engage with your audience by桂sharing content that resonates with them.

Once your Instagram account has an桂active following, it�셲 time to桂start monetizing it.

While some options like subscriptions, gifts, 껸꾈삣桂badges work best for桂creators, businesses can leverage print-on-demand services, set up桂an桂Instagram Shop, or桂partner with influencers for桂sponsored content.

However, both creators 껸꾈삣桂businesses can tap into a桂variety of桂Instagram monetization options to桂diversify their income streams. Try out different approaches to桂see what clicks best for桂you 껸꾈삣桂your audience.

With these tips 껸꾈삣桂tools at桂your disposal, you can start monetizing your Instagram account 껸꾈삣桂make money doing what you love. So桂go桂ahead 껸꾈삣桂give it桂a桂try桂�� who knows, maybe one day you�셪l be桂making a桂living off of桂those perfectly curated posts!

桂

About The Author

Anastasia Prokofieva is a content writer at 붚죕쳔. She writes about online marketing and promotion to make entrepreneurs�� daily routine easier and more rewarding. She also has a soft spot for cats, chocolate, and making kombucha at home.

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