Social media is more than just a place to post pictures of your lunch or your latest outfit. If you’re using platforms like Instagram right, you can turn your posts into a source of steady income. And no, you don’t need to be an influencer with millions of followers to make money on Instagram. With a little creativity, strategy, and consistency, you can start earning from your social media presence right now—even if you’re just getting started.
In fact, did you know that Instagram has over 2 billion monthly active users? That’s a massive audience, and it’s full of opportunities to make money. Whether you’re a student looking to earn some extra cash, a young professional wanting to build your brand, or someone looking for a side hustle, Instagram can be a goldmine for income.
Let’s break down 5 proven ways to earn money on Instagram—ways that anyone can try, no matter your niche or follower count.
1. Affiliate Marketing: Promote Products, Earn Commissions
Affiliate marketing is a fantastic way to make money on Instagram without creating your own products. The idea is simple: you promote someone else’s product or service, and when your followers make a purchase through your unique affiliate link, you earn a commission.
The best part? You can earn passive income because you continue making money as long as your affiliate link is live, even if you aren’t actively promoting the product.
According to a 2024 study by Influencer Marketing Hub, the global affiliate marketing industry is expected to reach $17 billion by 2026, showing just how lucrative it is. Instagram is the perfect platform to promote products and services because of its visual nature. Whether it’s fashion, tech gadgets, or beauty products, you can integrate affiliate links into your posts or Instagram Stories and earn money whenever someone makes a purchase.
How to Get Started:
- Join affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or Rakuten Marketing.
- Choose products that align with your Instagram niche (fitness, beauty, gadgets, etc.).
- Add affiliate links to your Instagram bio, stories, or post captions.
- Use Trackable links to see which posts or links are generating the most sales.
Pro Tip: Focus on creating authentic content that your audience trusts. People are more likely to buy a product if they see you genuinely use and love it.
2. Sponsored Posts: Get Paid to Promote Brands
If you’ve built a decent following, brands will start noticing you—and they’ll want to pay you to promote their products or services. Sponsored posts are one of the most common ways influencers make money on Instagram.
For example, the average cost of a sponsored post for someone with 100,000 followers can range from $800 to $2,000 depending on the niche and engagement. If you’ve got a smaller following, don’t worry—you can still work with brands, especially micro-brands looking for a more targeted audience.
Sponsored posts can be in the form of photos, videos, or Instagram Stories where you showcase a brand or product and talk about how it benefits you.
How to Get Started:
- Create a media kit: A media kit is a digital portfolio that highlights your Instagram stats (followers, engagement rates, and niche) to show brands why they should work with you.
- Reach out to brands that align with your Instagram content, or use platforms like Influence.co or Grapevine Village to connect with brands looking for influencers.
- Be transparent: Always label sponsored content as “#ad” or “#sponsored” to stay transparent with your audience and follow Instagram’s guidelines.
Pro Tip: Engagement is key. Brands care more about your engagement rate (likes, comments, shares) than just the number of followers you have. Always engage with your followers to build a loyal community.
3. Sell Your Own Products: Create and Market Your Brand
Have you ever thought about selling your own products on Instagram? Whether it’s handmade jewelry, fitness guides, or even your own digital products like eBooks or courses, Instagram is an excellent platform for showcasing your creations.
In fact, Instagram’s shopping feature allows you to directly sell products right on the platform, making it easy for your followers to purchase without leaving Instagram.
The eCommerce industry is booming, and Instagram plays a huge part in it. As of 2024, 62% of Instagram users say they discover new products through the app, and 70% of shoppers have used Instagram to make a purchasing decision. The platform is a powerful tool for businesses, big or small.
How to Get Started:
- Create a product or service that matches your brand’s identity and your audience’s needs.
- Use Instagram’s Shopping feature or link to an eCommerce store (like Shopify or Etsy) in your bio.
- Post high-quality images or videos showing off your product.
- Engage with your followers and build a community around your brand.
Pro Tip: Create limited-time offers or exclusive discounts for your followers to make them feel special and encourage purchases.
4. Offer Paid Instagram Mentorship or Coaching
If you’ve mastered a particular skill or topic—whether it’s fitness, personal development, digital marketing, or photography—you can monetize your expertise by offering paid mentorship or coaching sessions through Instagram.
Many people are willing to pay for one-on-one guidance, and Instagram gives you the ability to showcase your expertise through posts, Stories, and even live videos. By offering personal mentorship or online courses, you can generate a steady income stream while helping others achieve their goals.
For example, fitness coaches on Instagram can charge anywhere from $50 to $200 per hour for one-on-one training sessions or consultations.
How to Get Started:
- Create a clear service offering: Define what your coaching or mentorship will include—weekly calls, personalized plans, or educational content.
- Promote your services through Instagram posts and Stories.
- Use Instagram Live or IGTV to showcase your knowledge and engage with potential clients.
- Set up a payment system like PayPal or Calendly to easily manage bookings and payments.
Pro Tip: Share client success stories or testimonials to build credibility and attract more clients.
5. Create and Sell Instagram Filters
If you have a knack for design or a background in graphic design, you can create and sell custom Instagram filters. Instagram’s AR (augmented reality) filters are super popular, especially with young users who love using fun and unique filters in their Stories and Reels.
Some creators make $1,000 to $5,000 a month by selling filters, depending on their popularity and creativity. Not only is it a fun and creative way to make money, but it’s also a great way to showcase your design skills.
How to Get Started:
- Learn how to create filters using platforms like Spark AR Studio, which allows you to build your own Instagram filters.
- Create filters that are unique, trendy, or tie into current themes.
- Once your filter is approved, you can promote it on your Instagram, and users can download and use it in their own Stories.
- You can sell your filters through platforms like Etsy or create exclusive filters for your followers.
Pro Tip: Promote your filter in creative ways on Instagram, using Stories and Reels to show followers how it looks in action.
Start Earning on Instagram Today
Instagram isn’t just for sharing pictures—it’s a powerful platform where you can turn your creativity and influence into a steady stream of income. From affiliate marketing to selling your own products, the opportunities are endless. Whether you’re just starting out or already have a following, there’s no better time than now to start monetizing your Instagram account.
So, why wait? Choose one of these money-making methods and start implementing it today. Your Instagram could be the key to earning money while doing something you love!
Remember: Consistency and authenticity are key. Build relationships with your audience, stay genuine, and the income will follow.