I started with just 1,500 followers and made my first $200 through affiliate marketing on Instagram. As my engagement grew, brands reached out for sponsored posts, and I launched my own digital products. If you’re wondering how to make money on Instagram, focus on valuable content and multiple income streams!
How to make money on Instagram? You can earn through brand deals, affiliate marketing, selling products, and Instagram’s monetization features. Focus on engagement, valuable content, and multiple income streams to turn your Instagram into a profitable business!
Stay tuned as we share the best tips on how to make money on Instagram! Don’t miss out on strategies to grow and monetize your account!
Can you make money on Instagram?
Yes, you can make money on Instagram, and you don’t need to be a celebrity to do it! Many people, from small creators to big influencers, are turning their Instagram accounts into income streams. If you’re wondering how to make money on Instagram, there are plenty of ways to do it—whether you have 1,000 followers or 1 million.
You can partner with brands for paid collaborations, sell your own products, promote affiliate links, or even offer exclusive content through paid subscriptions. Some people make money by selling their photos or artwork, while others get tips from fans through Instagram Live badges.
The best part? You don’t need millions of followers—what matters most is engagement and trust with your audience. If you consistently create valuable content and connect with your followers, you’ll find multiple ways to make money on Instagram and turn your passion into profit!
How many followers do you need to make money on Instagram?
You don’t need millions of followers to make money on Instagram! Even with as little as 1,000 engaged followers, you can start earning through sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, or selling your own products.
Here’s a rough idea of how much influencers can earn based on their follower count:
| Influencer Type | Followers | Potential Earnings per Post |
| Nano-influencer | 1K–10K | $10–$100 |
| Micro-influencer | 10K–50K | $100–$500 |
| Mid-tier influencer | 50K–500K | $500–$5,000 |
| Macro-influencer | 500K–1M | $5,000–$10,000 |
| Mega-influencer | 1M+ | $10,000–$1M+ |
The key is engagement, not just numbers. A smaller but highly engaged audience is more valuable to brands than a large following with low interaction. If you want to know how to make money on Instagram, focus on building a loyal community that trusts your recommendations.
What are the best ways to make money on Instagram?
There are many ways to make money on Instagram, whether you’re a creator, influencer, or business owner. Here are the best ways to monetize your Instagram in 2025:
Sponsored Posts & Brand Deals
One of the easiest ways to make money on Instagram is by collaborating with brands for sponsored posts. Companies pay influencers to promote their products through posts, Reels, or Stories. You don’t need millions of followers to start—micro-influencers (10K–50K followers) often land great brand deals.
Tip: Reach out to brands you already love and offer a collaboration to make your promotions feel more authentic.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing allows you to earn commissions by promoting products through affiliate links. Every time someone buys through your link, you get paid. Programs like Amazon Associates, Shopify Collabs, or RewardStyle are great places to start.
Tip: Place your affiliate link in your Instagram bio or Stories for easy access and higher conversions.
Sell Your Own Products
If you have your own products to sell, Instagram is a perfect platform to open an Instagram Shop and promote physical or digital products. Whether it’s handmade crafts, clothing, e-books, or online courses, Instagram Shopping makes it easy to reach potential buyers.
Tip: Use high-quality images and videos to showcase your products and attract more sales.
Sell Custom Merchandise
For creators looking to monetize their brand, selling custom merchandise is a great option. You can design and sell branded merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases. Print-on-demand services like Printful or Teespring let you create and sell with no upfront costs.
Tip: Design merch that reflects your personal brand and resonates with your audience to increase sales.
Get Paid Through Instagram Live Badges & Gifts
Instagram allows creators to earn money through Live Badges and Gifts. When you go live, your fans can send you badges (tips) to support your content. Instagram also offers Gifts, where viewers send Stars, which can be converted into cash.
Tip: Engage with your viewers during live streams to encourage more interaction and support.
Offer Paid Subscriptions
Another way to monetize your Instagram is by offering paid subscriptions. You can charge followers a monthly fee for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, or private groups. Instagram’s Subscription feature allows you to monetize directly.
Tip: Provide value to your subscribers with tutorials, Q&As, or early access to new content to keep them engaged.
Sell Your Photos & Art
If you’re a photographer or artist, Instagram is a great place to sell your photos and art. You can sell prints, digital designs, or stock images by linking your store or using print-on-demand platforms.
Tip: Use hashtags like #BuyArt or #PrintsForSale to attract potential buyers to your work.
Social Selling & Dropshipping
Another profitable strategy is social selling and dropshipping, which lets you sell products without holding inventory. With dropshipping, you market the products while a supplier handles shipping directly to customers. By connecting your Shopify store to Instagram, you can streamline the process.
Tip: Choose trending or niche products to increase sales and stand out in a competitive market.
Sell Used Items (Closet Sales)
If you have fashion or home décor items you no longer need, you can sell them directly on Instagram. Many influencers run closet sales through Instagram Stories and DMs.
Tip: Create urgency by offering limited-time sales and exclusive deals to boost interest and quick sales.
Want to know how to make money on Instagram fast? Start with affiliate marketing or selling digital products—they require low investment and have high earning potential!
How Much Money Can You Make on Instagram?
Your Instagram earnings depend on follower count, engagement, and monetization methods. While some creators make a few hundred dollars per month, top influencers earn thousands—or even millions—per post. The best part? You don’t need a massive following to start making money!
If you’re wondering how to make money on Instagram, here’s a breakdown of potential earnings:
- Nano-influencers (1K–10K followers): $10–$100 per post
- Micro-influencers (10K–50K followers): $100–$500 per post
- Mid-tier influencers (50K–500K followers): $500–$5,000 per post
- Macro-influencers (500K+ followers): $5,000–$10,000+ per post
- Mega-influencers & celebrities: $1M+ per sponsored post
But brand deals aren’t the only way to make money. Many Instagram users earn through selling products, affiliate marketing, paid subscriptions, and Instagram Live Badges. The key is to choose the right monetization strategy for your audience and stay consistent.
So, if you’re serious about how to make money on Instagram, focus on engagement, valuable content, and multiple income streams. Whether you have 1,000 followers or 1 million, there’s a way to turn your Instagram into a profitable platform!
How Do Instagram Influencers Get Paid?
Instagram influencers make money through multiple income streams. Here are the most common ways they get paid:
- Brand Deals (Sponsored Posts & Campaigns): Brands pay influencers to promote their products through posts, Reels, or Stories. Payments can be per post, per campaign, or based on engagement metrics.
- Affiliate Marketing (Earning a Commission per Sale): Influencers share unique affiliate links or promo codes and earn a commission when their followers make a purchase.
- Instagram Live Badges & Gifts (Direct Fan Payments): Viewers can tip influencers with badges during live videos or send Instagram Gifts (Stars) on Reels, which convert into cash.
- Selling Products & Services (Merch, Courses, or Coaching): Many influencers create their own merch, e-books, online courses, or consulting services and sell them directly through Instagram.
- Instagram Subscriptions (Offering Exclusive Content for Paid Members): Creators can charge followers a monthly fee for access to exclusive posts, Stories, or private groups.
By combining these income sources, influencers can maximize their earnings and make money on Instagram in multiple ways.
How to Start Affiliate Marketing on Instagram?
Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to make money on Instagram without creating your own products. Here’s how to get started:
- Join Affiliate Programs: Sign up for Amazon Associates, CJ Affiliate, Shopify Collabs, or other affiliate networks that match your niche.
- Share Affiliate Links in Your Bio or Stories: Since Instagram doesn’t allow clickable links in captions, place your affiliate links in your bio or use a “Link in Bio” tool.
- Use Promo Codes in Post Captions: If the brand provides a unique discount code, mention it in your posts and Stories to drive more sales.
- Promote High-Ticket Items for Bigger Commissions: Focus on expensive products or recurring subscriptions, as they offer higher commissions per sale.
With the right strategy, affiliate marketing can become a passive income stream while you focus on growing your audience!
Can Instagram Pay You Directly?
Yes! Instagram offers several built-in monetization features that allow creators to earn money directly from the platform. Here’s how:
- Instagram Live Badges: When you go live, your fans can purchase and send badges (tips) to support you. Each badge has a different value, and Instagram pays you based on the total amount collected.
- Instagram Gifts: Viewers can send Stars as virtual gifts on your Reels, which Instagram converts into real money. The more engagement you get, the more gifts you can earn.
- Reels Play Bonus Program: A limited, invite-only program where Instagram pays eligible creators based on the number of views their Reels receive.
While these methods provide direct payments from Instagram, creators often combine them with brand deals, affiliate marketing, and product sales to maximize their earnings.
How Do I Sell Products on Instagram?
Instagram is a powerful platform for selling products, whether you’re a small business or an influencer launching your own brand. Here’s how to get started:
- Set Up an Instagram Shop and Link It to Your Shopify Store: This allows you to showcase your products directly on Instagram, making it easy for followers to browse and purchase.
- Use Shoppable Posts & Stories with Product Tags: Tag your products in posts and Stories so users can tap and shop instantly.
- Run Instagram Ads to Drive Sales: Invest in Instagram ads to reach a wider audience and boost conversions.
- Offer Discount Codes & Exclusive Deals to Followers: Special promotions encourage more purchases and reward your most loyal fans.
With the right strategy, you can turn your Instagram page into a full-time business and make money on Instagram effortlessly!
How to Get Brand Deals on Instagram?
Brand deals are one of the best ways to make money on Instagram, and you don’t need millions of followers to land them. Here’s how to attract brands and secure paid collaborations:
- Grow an Engaged Audience (Quality > Quantity): Brands prefer influencers with loyal, engaged followers over those with just big numbers. Focus on authentic interactions, comments, and shares.
- List Yourself on Influencer Platforms: Sign up on Shopify Collabs, Upfluence, and AspireIQ to connect with brands looking for influencers. These platforms help brands discover and hire creators for sponsored posts.
- Pitch to Brands via DMs or Email with a Media Kit: Don’t wait for brands to reach out—contact them directly! Send a professional pitch showcasing your audience, engagement rate, and past collaborations.
- Create High-Quality Content to Attract Sponsors: Brands love working with influencers who produce visually appealing, engaging, and creative content. The better your content, the more deals you’ll attract.
If you want to make money on Instagram with brand deals, start by posting valuable content, engaging with your followers, and reaching out to brands that align with your niche!
Does Instagram Pay for Likes or Followers?
No, Instagram does not pay for likes or followers. However, high engagement (likes, comments, shares, and saves) increases your reach, making it easier to land brand deals, sell products, and monetize your account.
The Instagram algorithm favors engaging content, so the more interaction you get, the more your posts will be shown to new audiences. This helps you grow your page organically, making you more attractive to brands, advertisers, and potential buyers.
Instead of focusing on just getting likes or followers, work on building an engaged community, and you’ll unlock more ways to make money on Instagram through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and product sales!
FAQ’s
1. Can I make money on Instagram without showing my face?
Yes! You can earn through affiliate marketing, selling digital products, running a theme page, or posting photography and quotes—all without showing your face. Tip: Focus on engaging visuals and storytelling captions.
2. What are the easiest ways to make money on Instagram for beginners?
Beginners can start with affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and selling digital products like e-books or templates. You don’t need a huge following—just create engaging content and use Instagram Stories & bio links to promote offers.
3. Can I make money on Instagram with 1,000 followers?
Yes! Even with 1,000 engaged followers, you can earn through brand deals, affiliate marketing, and selling services. Brands value smaller audiences with high engagement and trust.
4. How can businesses use Instagram to make money?
Businesses can sell products via Instagram Shop, run ads, collaborate with influencers, and offer exclusive deals. Service-based businesses can book clients through DMs and Instagram Live.
5. What are the best niches to make money on Instagram?
Top Instagram money-making niches include fitness, beauty, personal finance, travel, tech, and self-improvement. These attract brand deals, affiliate sales, and loyal followers.
Conclusion
If you’re wondering how to make money on Instagram, the opportunities are endless! From brand deals and affiliate marketing to selling products and subscriptions, you can start earning with any audience size. Focus on engagement, consistency, and multiple income streams, and your Instagram can become a profitable platform.