Instagram, the worldwide social media platform, has over 1 billion active monthly users. Hence, there is a huge network of people that businesses and individual creators can target to make money off of. 

Should you be looking for tips on how to make money on Instagram through brand affiliation, the Instagram shop, and sponsored posts, here is everything to know.

How to make money on Instagram

If you only want a basic Instagram account, all you need is internet/mobile data and a mobile device with a camera. 

However, if you are considering earning money on Instagram, there are several features you need to think about—creating reels, feed posts, and captivating captions to gain more followers.

Aussies monthly spend approximately 8 hours using Instagram, so let’s take a look at the possibilities to make money with this potential audience.

Here are all of the most effective ways to make money using Instagram.

1. Work with brands on sponsored posts

A common way of earning money on Instagram is working with brands on sponsored posts. If a brand wishes to work with you, they are essentially using your page to advertise and promote their product. 

Over 75% of shoppers found Instagram videos helpful when buying something. So if your personal Instagram content and audience aligns with a brand, then your page can be useful to increase audience engagement, just like online ads on Facebook, and elsewhere.

2. Affiliate marketing

Another effective method for creating an income on Instagram is through affiliate marketing. With the option to link products on a feed post or through stories, creators can use affiliate links for their followers to buy their recommendations. 

3. Open your own eCommerce store

It is now possible for brands and individuals to open an eCommerce store on Instagram. 

Just like on a website, audiences can shop for products and make a purchase through the shop. Remember that there are 9.1 million Australian households that do their shopping online.

4. Create an Instagram shop

For individual creators wanting to promote their favourite products or their own business products, Instagram now features its own online shops. Here followers can access a creator’s favourite things, from clothing to interior products, and buy them through the link. 

Hence, that creator will earn a profit through commission.

5. Sell your things or photos online

It is possible to earn money on Instagram by selling things (like on eBay) or your photos. 

For instance, you could set up a second-hand clothing page and sell your clothes to those who are interested. 

Or, brands might want to purchase your photos and use them for their own pages/marketing.

6. Write captions for businesses

Many businesses seek expert knowledge to help with their Instagram account. Writing captions is an effective way to make money on Instagram, especially if you have a great way with words. 

You can sell your services to businesses, help them create more engaging captions, and earn money.

How many followers do you need to make money?

Anyone can start making money on Instagram. For instance, you could start with 1 follower and create an eCommerce store. That 1 follower might buy your product through your store and therefore, you will make money. Over time, your following will increase, and you will make more sales. 

Furthermore, you can have 100,000 followers and earn a monthly income through sponsored posts. Either way, you do not need a certain amount of followers to make money. 

However, should someone want to make a passive income, then it is key to have a certain amount of followers. The more followers you have, the greater the potential is to work with brands, seek more engagement through affiliate links, or sell through your store.

On average, to make around AU$143,000 a year, you will need 5,000 followers and 308 sponsored posts. These posts will need to pay around AU$480 each. 

However, the number of followers you have and how much you charge for services (sponsored posts and photo sales) can vary. Therefore, each person will require a different amount of followers to make a certain amount of money through Instagram.

Bottom line

The bottom line is, anyone can start making money on this platform. If you’re wondering how to make money on Instagram, you simply need an account and a chosen method (or more) to generate an income. 

There are various methods to make money with Instagram. It is all about growing a following to have a greater chance of making more money.

1. How much money can people make on Instagram?

People make different amounts through Instagram, depending on their following and charges. Some people can request close to AU$5800 for one post or story. 

Some people learn how to make money through Instagram reels, by using affiliate links and charging even more due to more work involved. 

2. Do Instagram users get paid?

Instagram users will get paid different amounts depending on their follower count. The higher the follower count, the more you can charge. To get paid, you have to be active with the content creation options. 

3. Does Instagram pay you for 1000 followers?

You do not get paid for having followers, you get paid by creating content, a store, or using affiliate links. Hence, you can earn money with any amount of followers. Whether you have 100 followers or 1 million followers, you can get paid by brands through creating Instagram content, or by affiliate marketing platforms when followers purchase products using your links. 

4. Do you get paid for reels on Instagram?

You can get paid for reels if you work with a brand on sponsored content, or if your followers use your affiliate links to purchase products. You will not be paid by Instagram when uploading a reel with unsponsored content or without affiliate links. 

5. How do you earn money from Instagram?

There are many ways to earn money from Instagram—from creating content for brands, selling your photos, and using affiliate links to leveraging your expertise to help businesses grow their brand Instagram pages. For more details on how to make money on Instagram, check our article above.