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Make Money

Can You Make Money on Instagram?

By August 24, 2022April 2nd, 2024No Comments

It seems like everyone wants to make money on the Internet, and social media accounts are good places to start. The thing is, making money doesn’t necessarily require you to have a huge following, an established digital product, or even an upfront business model since they can provide all that for you. All you really need is time, an account, and the right target audience. Money on Instagram is there for the taking with a bit of creativity and effort.

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Who is the highest paid on Instagram?

Many social media users have dreams of becoming the next big Instagram sensation. But before taking that plunge, you have to realize that the influencers and their promotional teams worked around the clock to create awareness and build a massive following of Instagram followers so they could make money on Instagram. Here are the highest-paid sponsored posts:

  • Cristiano Ronaldo:
    The famous soccer player has over 388 million followers and makes over $1,600,000 per post.
  • Dwayne Johnson:
    With 289 million followers, the Rock’s cooking up a hearty $1,523,000 per Instagram post.
  • Ariana Grande:
    The songstress is living large thanks to her 289 million followers helping her earn $1,510,000 per post.
  • Kylie Jenner:
    Undoubtedly the wealthiest Kardashian is pushing almost 300 million followers and cleaning up at $1,494,000 per post.
  • Selena Gomez:
    The singer has far fewer followers than Kylie at 288 million, but she still belts out $1,468,000 per post.
  • Kim Kardashian:
    Becoming famous as an Instagram influencer has its perks. And for Kim Kardashian, those include 278 million followers and $1,419,000 per post.
  • Beyonce Knowles:
    The Pop Queen herself keeps a steady fan base of 231 million followers and makes $1,147,000 per post.

How can you make money on Instagram?

You don’t have to have a million followers to make money on Instagram, but you do need an account, engaged followers, and apply some effort. A higher follower count offers more chances of making money on Instagram, but the main thing is that you appeal directly to your target audience. Instagram posts, including those regarding your personal brand, can be highly effective when you also use relevant hashtags. These are some of the easiest and most popular ways to start making money with your Instagram marketing:

  • Make sponsored posts:
    Companies look for social media “influencers” who can appeal to engaged followers and sell physical products or create awareness for branded content. You don’t need a million followers or a business account to start making money on Instagram with a sponsored post. Influencer marketing channels and Instagram influencers can help you make money online.
  • Create an Instagram shop:
    Instagram storefronts allow members to choose a potential Instagram shop of their own and start to earn money on Instagram via online marketing through their posts and Instagram stories. Set up an online store. Some people even use Instagram as a resale app like Poshmark or eBay and sell namebrand goods and vintage treasures.
  • Promote your own business:
    You can still make money on Instagram even if you don’t set up an Instagram shop. Simply create posts, clickable links, or Instagram stories of your established website or ecommerce store, or your own products you want to sell. As long as the content engages your follower count, you’ll make money on Instagram. 
  • Promote affiliate links:
    Another way to make money on Instagram is through affiliate networks. Unlike when you create sponsored posts, posting an affiliate link isn’t done as an influencer. You’re actually trying to get sales over awareness for the business. It’s still a form of branded content that can be added to your main Instagram page or Instagram stories. But unlike sponsored posts, you won’t have to necessarily sell yourself to become the face of the business or product.
  • Monetize videos:
    You can also make money on Instagram by signing up for in-stream ads. These ads are branded content that pops up in videos that you post as Instagram content on your own account. The brands advertise themselves, and if a follower clicks on an ad, you’ll get 55% of the advertising revenue.

How do you get sponsored on Instagram? Do you have to pay to be sponsored?

Sponsored posts are a great way to earn money on Instagram. And it’s a relatively straightforward process if you have a strong following and a decent presence as an influencer. But even if you’re relatively new, you can still get a sponsored Instagram post. Sponsors pay influencers to promote their items; it’s not the other way around. So if someone claims you have to pay them to get a foot in the door, run. There will be another real opportunity down the line.

To start making money on Instagram through sponsored posts, you must post consistently and have a solid target audience. Be sure to use hashtags and geotags in posts, and remember to link to brands you’d like to pitch. When you’re confident in your sponsorship ability, make a pitch to the brand or Instagram shops you’d like to sponsor. Be sure to research price ranges prior to your pitch so you know your value and aren’t taken advantage of in the pricing department. As your popularity grows, you should be able to make money on Instagram with future sponsored posts easily. 

Can you earn money on Instagram with 1,000 followers?

You can potentially make money on Instagram with 1,000 followers as long as they’re engaged and your posts are consistent. The average influencer rate is $5-$30 per post for 1,000-5,000 followers. So the more followers you have, the more money on Instagram you’re likely to make.

How many followers do you need to make money on Instagram?

There are five basic influencer levels that you need to focus on if you really want to make money on Instagram.

  • Level One:
    As an influencer, level one covers Instagram users with up to 5,000 followers. This is actually the hardest level to pass since followers tend to multiply as you become experienced and rise through the levels. So take it as a challenge and look forward to more success as you progress. Influencers with 1,000-5,000 followers can average $5-30 per post.
  • Level Two:
    Instagram users with 5,000-50,000 followers are in level two. Passing this level can take quite a while since you’ll need to post more engaging content to get more followers. Level two influencers can earn $50-$200 per post, with most three-digit earnings leaning towards the higher follower count at this level.
  • Level Three:
    Level three is considered “Instagram famous,” and it’s when you hit the 50,000 follower count mark. This level covers 50,000-200,000 followers. At level three, your account is almost on autopilot for followers. You won’t have to do as much personal promotion, and you can make up to $250-1,500 per post.
  • Level Four:
    Level four covers between 200,000-1,000,000 followers. This is the famous Instagram influencer level, and at this point, you’re considered an authority in whatever niche you’ve chosen. Any branded content on your page is only made more famous due to you posting it. Level four influencers make between $1,500-$4,000 per post.
  • Level Five:
    Welcome to the big celebrity ultimate level of over 1,000,000 followers. At this point, you can name your own price, starting at over $4,000. Many influencers at this level earn $100,000 or more per post.

How do you pay for Instagram ads?

Paying for Instagram ads is as easy as logging in to your Instagram account and setting up your preferred payment option. Once inside your account:

  1. Tap the upper right-hand corner on your profile page
  2. Tap “Settings”
  3. Tap “Business”
  4. Tap “Ad Payments”
  5. Tap “Payment Methods” and choose a method that’s either already linked from Facebook, or choose PayPal or a preferred credit or debit card.

How do I sell my Instagram account?

An Instagram account with a higher follower count can be worth anywhere between $50 and $10,000 to the right buyer. However, actually selling your Instagram account is against Instagram’s TOS policy and can get you permanently banned. Regardless, sites like Famesaw, Instasaw, and Sebuda do help with Instagram account sales if you’re determined to take the chance.

What social media platforms pay the most?

Instagram’s a great place to become an influencer, but it’s not the only social media platform on which you can earn a few bucks. It’s not even necessarily the best-paying option. Other social media platforms and other marketing channels are also good options.

  • Snapchat:
    You can potentially earn part of a $1 million content creator prize daily for creating enticing video clips.
  • TikTok:
    Members with at least 100,000 video views in 30 days can be eligible to share in the creator prize fund of $300 million. Content creators have to share this with other qualified creators over the time frame of three years.
  • Pinterest:
    Pinterest has a Creator Rewards Program where creative and unique pins are worth $200-600 each.
  • Twitter:
    Twitter doesn’t have a content prize or fund. But you can add a Twitter Tip Jar to your account. Accounts with at least 10,000 followers and at least 25 tweets per month can also cash in with Super Follows and earn money from their subscribers. 

In Conclusion

Making money on Instagram isn’t a quick fix, but it’s absolutely doable if you have patience and determination. While Instagram may not be the highest paying platform for most lower-level influencers, it’s probably the most flexible earning platform. You can open your own Instagram shop, create sponsored posts, promote affiliate links, sell physical products, and more. So why not let your creativity earn you some serious cash?

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