How to Make Money on Instagram - 5 Simple Ways to Earn From Your Insta Following

Instagram is more than just a platform for sharing pictures and memories, it has also become a lucrative business opportunity for many individuals looking to make money online.

With over 1 billion monthly active users, there's never been a better time to start earning money on Instagram.

Whether you're a content creator or influencer, or just have a large following, there are plenty of ways to monetize your profile and turn your passions into profit. In this blog, we'll be exploring these 5 simple ways to make money on Instagram:

As you can probably tell, all these methods have got to do with promoting or advertising something. So, let’s, start with a quick list of Instagram features you can use to promote a product or service among your followers.

Useful Instagram Features for Marketing

Instagram Feed Posts: You can post photos or videos on your Instagram feed to promote your product or service. You can use creative captions and hashtags to increase visibility and reach.

Instagram Stories: You can create and share temporary content, such as photos or videos, that disappear after 24 hours. You can use features like filters, polls, and quizzes to engage with your audience

Instagram Reels: Reels allow you to create 15-60 second video clips set to music or other audio. You can use this feature to show off your product or service in an entertaining and creative way.

Instagram IGTV: IGTV is a feature that lets you upload longer-form video content, up to 60 minutes. You can use this feature to provide in-depth product demonstrations or tutorials.

Instagram Live: Instagram Live allows you to broadcast live videos to your followers. This can be a great way to connect with your audience in real time and answer any questions they might have about your product or service.

Instagram Ads: Instagram offers a variety of ad formats, including photo and video ads, Stories ads, Reels ads, and IGTV ads. You can use these ads to reach a wider audience and drive conversions.

Using a proper combination of these features will help you get the most out of whichever of the following methods you choose to make money from Instagram:

1. Sponsored Posts

You can collaborate with a brand and have them pay you for uploading posts that promote or advertise their products/services on Instagram. Such posts are called sponsored posts.

If you are passionate about your niche, have a strong brand image, and consistently upload quality content, sponsored posts is could be well-paying you can make money online through sponsored posts.

To attract brands to tie up with you for sponsored posts, you need to:

• Build your audience: To be an attractive influencer for brands, you need to have a large and engaged following. Focus on building your audience by posting high-quality content regularly and engaging with your followers.
• Define your niche: Brands are often looking for influencers in specific niches, so it's important to have a clear and defined niche. This could be a particular industry, such as fashion or beauty, or a specific topic, like travel or fitness.
• Create a strong brand image: Make sure your Instagram feed looks professional and consistent. Your profile should clearly showcase what you are all about and what you offer. Use high-quality images and keep your brand image consistent.
• It is also advisable to create a media kit. A media kit is a document that provides information about your audience, reach, and engagement on Instagram. It should include your follower count, demographics, and engagement rate. This will help brands understand the value you bring to their campaigns.

Once you have got all these down, use these tips to close the deal with a good brand related to your niche:

• Thoroughly research brands in your niche and reach out to them to offer your services as a promoter. You can send them an email, direct message, or connect with them through a platform like AspireIQ.
• You can find potential brands by searching for relevant hashtags and looking at similar accounts to yours. You can also use influencer marketing platforms to connect with brands and find paid sponsorship opportunities.
• When connecting with brands, it's important to be professional and provide them with clear information about your services and rates. Try to present yourself as a knowledgeable and experienced Instagram marketer, and provide examples of your work if possible.
• When you have found a brand you would like to work with, make sure to negotiate the terms of the sponsored post in detail. This includes the type of content you will create, the fee you will receive, and the date the post will go live. Make sure to also include a disclosure statement that the post is sponsored.

Once you have agreed to the terms, make sure to create high-quality content that is relevant to your niche and the brand you are promoting. This will not only help you get paid for the sponsored post but also increase your chances of working with that brand again in the future.

You should also regularly evaluate the success of your sponsored posts by keeping track of the engagement and reach of your sponsored posts. This will help you understand what works and what doesn’t and help you make better decisions in the future.

2. Recruitment Marketing

One of the best ways to monetize your Instagram following is to join an online recruitment marketing program where you can make money by sharing information about job openings with your followers.

Synkdup Headhunter program is one such program, best suited for people looking to generate passive income from their Instagram accounts.

The best thing is that you don’t necessarily need a huge following to make money online through this method. With the right type of following, you can generate a decent income even with a modest following.

How it Works

• The first step, obviously, is to visit the website and sign up to be a Headhunter.
• You get a personalized Headhunter dashboard that you can access by logging in to your account.
• On your dashboard, you can find numerous web links to job openings all over the United States.
• You just need to share these links on your Instagram wherever you can including in Instagram stories, reels, and feed posts.
• You get a handsome commission for every candidate who applies to a job using a web link you shared.

The commission per applicant is usually about $25, however, it can go up to $50 as well and by using Instagram to promote the job openings properly, you could be making up to $100 every day.

Benefits of Headhunting

Here are some advantages headhunters have over other Instagram marketers:

• As it works on a commission-based model, you get complete work freedom and flexibility to work on your own time from anywhere.
• You don’t have any quotas or deadlines to meet.
• As the offered commodity is neither a product nor a service but rather an employment opportunity, you don’t need to make as many promotional efforts as you would need to with other forms of Instagram marketing.
• You don’t need a niche following to promote job openings.
• You get to help your community grow while making money online at the same time.

So, if you are based in the U.S. or a significant portion of your followers are based there, you no longer need to wonder how to make money on Instagram.

3. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a popular business model that allows you to sell products online without having to worry about the functions of stocking inventory and order fulfillment. If you want to sell something online but don’t have the resources for storing inventory or packaging and delivering the products, you should certainly consider dropshipping on Instagram.

Like most other methods, Dropshipping on Instagram starts with identifying your niche. It could be any industry like beauty and fashion, automobiles, home decor, pet products, etc.

After you have identified a niche for yourself, follow these steps to start dropshipping:

1. Find a supplier/drop shipper: First, you need to find a supplier who offers products you want to sell and agrees to drop ship for you. Make sure you do your research thoroughly and find a reliable supplier. You can use websites like AliExpress, Oberlo, or SaleHoo to find suppliers.
2. Create product descriptions and pricing: Once you have entered into a business agreement with a supplier, create product descriptions and pricing for the products you want to sell. Make sure to choose products that are in high demand and have a good profit margin.
3. Choose a dropshipping platform: You need to find a dropshipping platform that aligns well with your products and target audience. This platform will take care of the order fulfillment and payment process for you. Some options worth considering include Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce.
4. Set up your store: Use the platform you selected in step 3 to set up your e-commerce store. Choose a theme that represents your brand, add your products, and customize the checkout process.
5. Connect your store with Instagram: Use the Instagram shopping feature to connect your store to your Instagram account. This will allow you to tag products in your Instagram posts and stories and make it easy for customers to purchase directly from your Instagram page.
6. Start promoting your products: The next step is to start promoting your products on Instagram. You can do this by creating visually appealing posts, using relevant hashtags, and engaging with your audience.
7. Take orders: Once you receive an order, the supplier will fulfill it for you. You will need to keep track of inventory and monitor your suppliers to ensure that orders are shipped on time.

Tips for Efficient Dropshipping on Instagram

Keep these points in mind while establishing a dropshipping business on Instagram:

• Create a professional and visually appealing Instagram account that showcases your niche. Make sure to include a clear bio, profile picture, and content that aligns with your niche.
• Make sure your profile is optimized for conversions by using a clear profile picture, a bio that highlights what you sell, and a call-to-action in your bio.
• Once you have started selling your products, make sure to monitor your sales and customer feedback. This will help you identify any issues and make necessary changes to improve your business.
• Offer proactive customer support by promptly responding to customer inquiries and addressing any issues that may arise.

With the right niche, products, and marketing strategy, you can build a successful dropshipping business on Instagram and make a substantial income. Keep in mind that building a successful dropshipping business takes time, so be patient and persistent.

4. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a popular marketing model that allows brands to use the reach of individuals on social media to market their products/services to a larger audience.

Once you join an affiliate program, you are provided with affiliate links, clicking on which takes the user to the company’s website or selling page.

Every time someone lands on the page using your affiliate link and takes a specified action like making a purchase or taking a paid subscription, you get a commission for it.

The commission may be a cut of the sale or a fixed amount.

Finding the right affiliate program is one of the most crucial parts of making money on Instagram with affiliate marketing.

Tips to find the Right Affiliate Program:

• Start with a search engine: Use a search engine like Google to search for affiliate programs in your niche. For example, if your niche is fashion, search for "fashion affiliate programs."
• Check company websites: Many companies have their own affiliate programs, so it's worth checking their websites to see if they offer one. Simply search for the company name and "affiliate program" to see if they have one.
• Use affiliate marketplaces: Affiliate marketplaces are platforms that bring together multiple affiliate programs under one roof. Some popular affiliate marketplaces include Commission Junction, ShareASale, and Rakuten Marketing.
• Check for niche-specific programs: Some niches have their own specific affiliate programs. For example, if your niche is health and wellness, you can check out affiliate programs such as Health Affiliate Network and Primal Health.
• Ask other affiliates: You can also ask other affiliates in your niche for recommendations on affiliate programs. This can be a great way to learn about programs that you may not have come across otherwise.

Once you have found affiliate programs that fit your niche, make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before joining. Also, it's important to choose programs that offer a good commission rate and have a good reputation.

5. Selling Your Own Products and Services

You can also use the following you have accumulated on Instagram to promote merchandise of your own. It could be anything from items that you don’t need anymore and are in good condition to your own handmade products. Many people also use Instagram to advertise services they offer like babysitting or tutoring.

Instagram is a great platform to sell products that photograph well and so, it is one of the best social media sites for selling online.

Best practices for selling your own products or services on Instagram:

• Provide value: To be successful on Instagram, it's important to provide value to your audience. This could be in the form of informative content, tips, or exclusive offers related to your products or services.
• Use high-quality images: Make sure to use high-quality images to showcase your products or services. This will help you stand out from the crowd and make a great first impression on your audience.
• Engage with your audience: Regularly engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages, and using Instagram stories to keep them updated on your latest products or services.
• Utilize Instagram shopping: Instagram shopping allows you to tag products in your posts and stories, making it easy for customers to purchase directly from your Instagram page. You can link your Instagram account to your e-commerce store to manage sales and fulfill orders.
• Offer promotions and discounts: Offering promotions and discounts is a great way to drive sales and keep your followers engaged. You can offer exclusive deals to your Instagram followers or run limited-time promotions to drive sales.
• Track your results: Keep track of your results to see which products or services are performing well, and make necessary changes to improve your business. This will help you identify areas for improvement and adjust your strategy accordingly.
• Stay consistent: Finally, it's important to stay consistent with your content and engagement. Regularly posting high-quality content and engaging with your audience will help you build a strong following and grow your business.

By using these tips and creating visually appealing content that showcases your products or services, you can make money on Instagram by selling your own products or services. It is important to have a clear strategy in place, understand your target audience, and engage with your followers regularly to build a loyal customer base and drive sales.

Conclusion

By implementing these 5 simple ways to make money on Instagram, you can turn your social media presence into a lucrative business opportunity. Whether you choose to promote products, offer paid content, or partner with brands, the possibilities for earnings are endless.

Just remember to stay true to your brand, engage with your followers, and provide value to your audience. With a bit of creativity and hard work, you can start earning from your Insta following in no time.