Do you spend a good portion of your day scrolling through Instagram and commenting on posts? If you’re already liking and sharing your way through social media, why not make money from it?
You can still earn money on Instagram even if you don’t have a ton of followers. If you’re not one of the top influencers on the platform, don’t worry, you can still find ways to bring in some extra cash.
So what does it take? Besides regular posting and constant engagement on your page, you need to do some behind-the-scenes hustling to secure partnerships and get your name and “brand” out there.
Below, I’ll go over some of the best ways to make money on Instagram in Canada.
How Many Followers Do You Need on Instagram to Get Paid?
As social media platforms go, Instagram is one of the most popular and widely used ones. According to Search Engine Journal, as of 2020, it was the fifth most popular download on the Apple Store and the tenth most visited website.
With so many users and so much traffic, generating income is probably easier than you think. While high-level influencers with over 1 million followers make around $670 per post, those with only 10,000 can easily pocket up to $88 per post.
Of course, your bottom line depends on your follower interaction and how much they comment, like, and share your posts.
Companies can strike deals with Instagrammers that have only 1,000 followers if those followers are engaged and apt to buy sponsored products.
Top Ways to Make Money on Instagram in Canada
Making money on Instagram is not limited by geographical location; the process is the same whether you’re in Canada, the United States, or anywhere else.
Unlike other social media platforms, you don’t need scores of followers to bring in cash on Instagram. While more followers generally equal more money, Instagram relies more on user engagement.
If you feel like you already have that, you’re already halfway there. Here are some ways to capitalize on your Instagram account.
1. Partner with a Brand for Sponsored Posts
How much can you make? Creators with 100,000 followers and over can make anywhere from $300 – $1,000 per sponsored post.
Those with less could earn up to $200, and Instagrammers with over 500,000 followers can get upwards of $2,000 to $3,000 per post.
One of the most lucrative ways to make money is through sponsored posts. Instagram is currently putting together a marketplace to help creators and brands find each other.
However, if you have a specific niche, it’s always a good idea to reach out to various companies that align with your space.
Some brands also have ambassador programs and will actively recruit certain Creators to help expand their visibility.
You must engage your followers and keep up with comments to make your account more attractive to companies looking for partnerships.
2. Insert Ads Into Your Videos
How much can you make? What you make depends on how many views each video gets. Instagram claims that creators get 55% of the ad revenue generated per view.
If you frequently post videos on Instagram, why not profit from it? All you have to do is turn on one setting to allow in-stream video ads, and you’re set. However, there are certain requirements your videos need to meet.
All the content must be your own, and the videos need to be at least two minutes long (2-4 minutes is recommended). If you incorporate any music, you need to own the rights to it.
3. Earn Badges Through Instagram Live
How much can you make? Users can buy badges for $.99, $1.99, and $4.99.
Similar to a tip, users can buy badges and send them to you via hearts when you share videos with Instagram Live. The badges probably won’t make you rich, but they are a great way to increase your audience engagement.
Before you go live, make a post about it to inform your users what you’re planning and what time they can catch you. You can add in the Q&A feature and communicate with special followers during these sessions.
4. Sell Your Products or Services
How much can you make? This one depends on what the product or service is, but if you really hustle, you could make anywhere from less than a dollar to a few hundred per sale.
Do you have your own business? How about a side hustle? Maybe you’re really crafty and have your own Etsy shop.
In this case, you can link your shop in your Instagram bio or set up a whole business account profile.
To help promote your business, you can ask clients that bought your items to tag you with their purchases. Also, come up with a hashtag for your business for added exposure.
In the craft example above, you may need to spend money on materials before you see a profit, but if you keep at it regularly and update your posts, you should see your profits rising.
5. Write Captions For Other Accounts
How much can you make: Your earnings come down to what you charge per hour and the client’s budget. Smaller companies probably can’t offer as much but are a great way for newbies to get started.
Generally, you’ll probably see $50 and upwards per post you generate.
Big companies often have an in-house content creation staff that oversees the snappy captions of their Instagram posts.
Smaller businesses don’t have the budget for that and often hire freelancers to help them with their social media effort.
If this type of work interests you, then update your own Instagram profile. Add to it smart captions or witty quotes that will grab the attention of potential employers. Consider adding a link to your blog or other pieces of your work.
One of the first things a potential customer will want to see is your portfolio or at least some examples of your writing.
To find these types of jobs, you can visit Upwork or Freelancer. These sites often post many social media jobs looking for experienced writers.
6. Affiliate Marketing
Imagine you’re at a party, and you’re wearing a cool pair of shoes that everyone is admiring. Naturally, everyone wants to know where you got them. You tell them about this amazing online store where you bought the shoes, and they all rush to buy them.
But here’s the twist: for every pair of shoes that your friends buy from your recommendation, the store gives you a cut of the sale.
That’s how affiliate marketing works. You find awesome products you love, and you’re sure your followers will love them too. It could be anything from those fancy shoes, beauty products, books, or tech gadgets.
You then get a special link from the company (like your own personalized online shop code) and share it with your followers on Instagram.
When your followers click your special link and make a purchase, you earn a commission. The key to success here is to be genuine. Only promote products you truly love and would recommend to your best friend.
And, don’t forget to let your followers know that your link is an affiliate link. It’s a good practice to be transparent, and it also builds trust. Plus, it’s a requirement in many places to disclose this information.
How much can you earn: The amount you can earn from affiliate marketing varies greatly, with some people making a few hundred dollars a month to others making thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars per month.
7. Become an Instagram Consultant
Let’s say you’ve got this Instagram thing nailed down – you know how to attract followers, create engaging content, use hashtags effectively, and you’ve got all the tips and tricks up your sleeve. Well, guess what? There are tons of businesses out there that could really use your expertise.
Becoming an Instagram consultant is all about helping these businesses improve their Instagram game. You could be helping them plan their content, engage with their followers, run ad campaigns, and so much more.
How much can you earn? As an Instagram consultant, you could charge an hourly rate, or you could offer specific packages. For instance, an Instagram audit where you review their account and offer recommendations could be a package.
Rates can vary depending on your experience and the services you offer. Beginners might charge around $50 to $100 per hour, while more experienced consultants could charge several hundred dollars per hour or more. If you become highly sought after, you could even earn a few thousand dollars for a project.
8. Instagram Shopping
Here’s how it works: you’re selling a product – it could be a fancy candle, a unique piece of jewelry, homemade cookies, you name it. When you post a photo of your product on Instagram, you can tag it, just like you tag your friends in photos.
But instead of tagging a friend, you’re tagging the product itself directly from your Facebook shop or catalogue.
When your followers are scrolling through their feed, and they see your product, they can tap on the image to see the price, a description, and they can click a link to buy it directly.
If you’ve got a great product that people love and you’re getting lots of traffic on Instagram, you could make a significant income from Instagram Shopping. We’re talking anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars a month, or even more for really successful shops.
Just remember, Instagram Shopping is about more than just selling products. It’s about telling a story and engaging your followers. So keep your posts fun and engaging, and let your passion for your products shine through!
9. Sell Photos
Let’s say you’re out and about, and you snap this amazing photo. Could be a sunset, a bustling street, a cute cafe – anything really. You post it on Instagram, and people love it. Some might even ask, “Hey, can I buy a print?” That’s when you know you’re onto something!
Selling photos on Instagram can work in a few different ways. You could sell digital downloads directly from your Instagram account, or you could partner with a print-on-demand service to sell physical prints, canvases, or even merchandise like t-shirts and mugs with your photos on them.
Another way to sell your photos is through stock photography. There are a bunch of stock photo sites that would love to have your images, and you get a cut every time someone downloads your photo.
So, how much money can you make? Well, it can vary a lot. If you’re selling digital downloads or prints, you could price them anywhere from $10 to $100 or more, depending on the size and quality.
Just remember, if you’re serious about selling photos, you want to make sure your images are top-notch. So keep practicing, keep learning, and keep snapping those shots. You never know when you’ll capture that next big seller!
Tips for Earning Money on Instagram
Here are some additional tips to make your Instagram space even more profitable.
- Define Your Niche: Find your unique voice and focus on a specific niche that aligns with your passions and expertise. This helps you attract a targeted audience who are more likely to engage with your content and be interested in the products or services you promote.
- Create High-Quality Content: Invest time and effort in creating visually appealing and engaging content. Use high-resolution photos, compelling captions, and storytelling techniques to captivate your audience. Consistency is key, so develop a consistent aesthetic and style that reflects your brand.
- Build Genuine Connections: Engage with your followers by responding to comments, messages, and DMs. Show genuine interest in their lives and build a community around your content. Authentic engagement fosters trust and loyalty, which can lead to more opportunities for monetization.
- Collaborate with Brands and Influencers: Seek collaborations with brands that align with your values and resonate with your audience. It could be sponsored posts, brand partnerships, or even affiliate marketing. Also, consider collaborating with other influencers or content creators to expand your reach and cross-promote each other.
- Utilize Instagram Features: Take advantage of Instagram’s various features, such as Instagram Live, IGTV, Reels, and Stories, to diversify your content and engage with your audience in different ways. Experiment with different formats and leverage trending hashtags and challenges to boost your visibility.
- Offer Valuable Products or Services: Develop your own products, services, or digital content that aligns with your expertise and audience’s interests. It could be online courses, e-books, merchandise, or personalized coaching. Providing value and solving your audience’s problems can drive monetization opportunities.
- Optimize Your Bio and Links: Craft an attention-grabbing bio that clearly communicates who you are, what you offer, and how to contact you. Utilize the link in your bio strategically, directing it to your website, online store, or specific landing pages relevant to your monetization strategies.
- Track and Analyze Performance: Use Instagram Insights or third-party analytics tools to track your performance and understand your audience demographics, engagement metrics, and content performance. This data can help you refine your strategies and identify what resonates best with your audience.
Final Thoughts
With so many users on Instagram, it’s the perfect platform to invest some time in and make some extra money.
If you have a specific niche and can start building your audience, the potential for money-making opportunities is endless.
If you’re looking to conquer another social media platform, check out ways to make money on Facebook.
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