Instagram is more than just pictures and videos now. It’s a great place to make money too. Many people are using it to earn cash, grow a business, or sell what they love.
You don’t need to be famous. You don’t even need a lot of followers. What you do need is a plan, good posts, and the right steps. In this post, we’ll show you how to earn money from Instagram, step by step.
1. Work With Brands
This is called being an influencer. Brands pay you to talk about their product.
How It Works:
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You make posts about the brand.
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You get paid, or they send free stuff.
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You talk about the product in a real and honest way.
What You Need:
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A clear topic. This is called a niche. (Like fashion, food, pets, or fitness.)
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Good photos or videos.
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A strong bond with your followers.
Even small pages can work with brands. People with just 1,000 followers can earn money if their fans care and interact.
Tip: Brands like real people. Don’t try to be perfect—just be you.
2. Sell Your Own Products
You can sell things you make or own.
Ideas to Sell:
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Handmade items (like jewelry, crafts, or art)
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Digital products (like ebooks, presets, or guides)
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Online classes (like workouts or business tips)
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Services (like photo shoots or coaching)
You can show your work in your posts and stories. Add prices and tell people how to buy.
Example: One person started posting about her drawings. Later, she sold them as phone wallpapers for $3 each. Now she makes extra money every week.
3. Use Affiliate Links
This means you share a link for something. If people buy through that link, you earn money.
How To Do It:
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Join an affiliate program (like Amazon or LTK)
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Pick products you like or use
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Share your link in your story or bio
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Post videos or photos with the product
You don’t have to sell hard. Just share things that help people. A fun review or how-to video can do the job.
Important: Always say it’s an affiliate link. Be honest with your followers.
4. Set Up Instagram Subscriptions
Instagram lets fans pay to see special posts.
What You Can Offer:
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Behind-the-scenes clips
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Private stories or lives
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Group chats with fans
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Early looks at your new work
Set a small price (like $4.99 a month) to start. Over time, people who love your content will want more and will support you.
Tip: Give real value. Make people feel special.
5. Go Live and Earn With Badges
When you go live, fans can send you money using badges. It’s like a tip jar.
How It Works:
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Turn on Live Video
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Talk to your fans or show something fun
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People tap to buy badges (like $1, $2, or $5)
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You earn real cash
This works best when you go live often. Try doing Q&A chats, share tips, or talk about your day.
Example: A baker goes live twice a week to show how she decorates cakes. Fans watch and send her badges.
6. Make Videos for Brands (UGC)
UGC means User-Generated Content. You make videos or pictures for brands to use. But you don’t post it—they do.
Why It’s Great:
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You don’t need many followers
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You just need good content skills
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You get paid per video or picture
You can shoot videos at home, even with your phone. Brands love seeing real people use their products.
Tip: Try making fun product videos and send them to brands. You might get hired.
7. Join Reels Bonus Program (If Available)
Instagram sometimes pays users if their videos go viral. This is called the Reels Bonus Program.
What To Do:
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Post short, fun Reels
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Follow the rules in your Creator Dashboard
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If your Reel does well, Instagram may pay you
It doesn’t happen to everyone, but it’s worth trying!
How Many Followers Do You Need?
You don’t need 100,000 followers to earn. You can start with even 1,000 if they are active.
| Followers | What You Can Do |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | Try affiliate links, small brand deals |
| 5,000 | Sell products, go live, UGC deals |
| 10,000+ | Bigger brand deals, subscriptions |
| 50,000+ | Launch merch or full-time income |
What matters most is trust. If your fans trust you, they’ll support you.
Build a Strong Instagram Plan
To make money, you need a plan. Let’s keep it simple.
Step 1: Fix Your Bio
Make sure your bio says:
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What you do
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Who you help
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How to work with you
Example:
Artist | Digital Prints
DM for custom art
New art drops every week
Step 2: Post Great Content
Post often. Try these types:
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Reels (fun short videos)
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Carousels (swipe posts)
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Stories (daily updates)
Make it helpful, fun, or honest. Mix it up!
Step 3: Talk to Your Fans
Reply to comments and messages. Say thank you. Ask questions. Share behind-the-scenes stuff.
The more you talk to your fans, the more they stick around—and buy from you.
Step 4: Work With Others
You don’t have to do it alone. Team up with others in your niche. Go live together. Share each other’s posts. It helps you grow faster.
Read More:
Best Daily Earn Money App to Boost Your Income Fast 2025
Common Mistakes To Avoid
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Buying fake followers – Brands can tell. It hurts your reach.
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Posting too much ads – Mix in real-life and fun posts.
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No clear niche – Pick a focus so people know what to expect.
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Not being patient – It takes time. Keep showing up.
FAQs: How to Earn Money from Instagram
Final Thoughts
Making money on Instagram isn’t just for stars or big influencers. It’s for anyone who has something to share, something to teach, or something to sell.
Start with one idea from this post. Try it for a month. Then test another. Don’t wait for the “perfect time.” The best time to start is now.
Instagram is free. It’s on your phone. And it’s full of people waiting to see what you bring to the table.