How to Make Money on Instagram for Beginners (5 Simple Steps)

Instagram has become more than just a platform for sharing photos and videos. Today, it’s one of the best places to make money, even if you’re just starting out. As a hobbyist, creator, or business owner, Instagram offers many ways to earn from your content.

The great thing is that you don’t need thousands of followers to start making money. With the right strategies and monetization tools, you can begin earning right away.

If you are wondering what are those right tools and strategies, now worries. In this post, we’ll guide you how to make money on Instagram for beginners in 5 simple steps. Ready to turn your Instagram into a money-making machine?

Let’s dive in!

Prerequisites for Monetizing on Instagram

Before you start making money on Instagram, you need to set up your account properly. Here are the essential steps to prepare your profile for monetization:

a) Create an Instagram Account

If you don’t have an Instagram account yet, sign up for one. Choose a username that reflects your niche or brand. If you already have an account, ensure it aligns with the type of content you plan to monetize.

b) Switch to a Business or Creator Account

Instagram offers Business and Creator accounts, which provide additional features like insights, contact buttons, and monetization tools. Here’s how to switch:

• Go to Settings -> Account -> Switch to Professional Account.
• Choose between Business (ideal for brands and product-based businesses) or Creator (best for influencers, content creators, and public figures).

c) Optimize Your Profile

Your profile is the first impression visitors get, so make sure it’s professional and engaging:

• Profile Picture: Use a clear, high-quality image (your logo if you’re a business, or a personal image if you’re a creator).
• Bio: Write a short and catchy bio that describes what you do. Add keywords related to your niche.
• Link in Bio: Use this space to add a link to your website, online store, or a landing page using tools like Linktree.

Requirements for Monetizing on Instagram

Before you can start making money on Instagram, it’s important to understand the requirements. Monetization isn’t just about having a large following – it also depends on engagement, content quality, and Instagram’s monetization policies.

Here’s what you need to know:

(i) How Many Followers Do You Need to Make Money on Instagram?

There’s no fixed number of followers required to make money, but here’s a general guideline:

• Less than 1,000 followers: You can start with affiliate marketing or selling your own products. Even micro-influencers (1,000–10,000 followers) earn through brand collaborations if they have a highly engaged audience.
• 10,000+ followers: You unlock Instagram Story links, which can help with affiliate marketing and driving traffic to products.
• 50,000+ followers: You can attract sponsored posts and brand deals from well-known companies.
• 100,000+ followers: At this stage, you can earn a significant income from brand partnerships, product sales, and Instagram’s monetization features.

Engagement matters more than follower count – Brands prefer influencers with high engagement rates (likes, comments, and shares) rather than just a large following.

(ii) How Many Views Do You Need to Make Money on Instagram?

Instagram monetization features like Reels bonuses and ad revenue depend on video views and engagement:

• Instagram Reels Play Bonus: Requires at least 1,000 views on Reels in the last 30 days to qualify.
• Live Badges: To earn through Instagram Live, you need an engaged audience willing to purchase badges during your live streams.
• Brand Sponsorships: The more views your posts and stories get, the more attractive you become to brands for paid collaborations.

Consistently creating viral or engaging content helps increase views and monetization opportunities.

How to Make Money on Instagram for Beginners

Making money on Instagram is possible for beginners, even without a huge following. The key is to choose the right monetization method based on your audience size and engagement.

These are the steps that you can follow to make money on Instagram as a beginner:

1. Sponsored Posts
2. Affiliate Marketing
3. Selling Your Own Products
4. Offering Services
5. Instagram’s Monetization Features

Now let’s get into the details!

01. Sponsored Posts

Sponsored posts are one of the easiest ways to earn on Instagram, especially for influencers and content creators. Brands pay you to promote their products or services through posts, stories, or reels.

How Sponsored Posts Work

• A brand reaches out to you, or you apply for partnerships through influencer marketing platforms.
• You create content featuring the brand’s product or service.
• You post it on Instagram with a disclosure like #ad or #sponsored.
• You get paid based on your follower count, engagement rate, and niche.

How Much Can You Earn?

• Micro-influencers (1K–10K followers): $50–$500 per post.
• Mid-tier influencers (10K–100K followers): $500–$5,000 per post.
• Top influencers (100K+ followers): $5,000+ per post.

Tip: If you’re just starting, reach out to small brands in your niche for collaborations. Over time, you can attract bigger sponsorships!

02. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to make money on Instagram without creating your own products. You earn a commission by promoting other companies’ products through affiliate links. Every time someone buys through your unique link, you get paid a percentage of the sale.

How Affiliate Marketing Works on Instagram

• Join an affiliate program – Sign up for programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, Impact, or individual brand affiliate programs.
• Get your unique affiliate link – Each product you promote will have a special tracking link.
• Promote the product in your posts, stories, or reels – Showcase how the product works and why your audience should buy it.
• Earn commissions – When someone purchases through your link, you get a percentage of the sale.

Tip: Promote products you genuinely use and believe in. Your audience is more likely to buy if your recommendations feel authentic.

03. Selling Your Own Products

Selling products on Instagram is a great way to make money. Many creators and business owners use it to sell directly to their audience.

• First, switch to a business account. This gives you access to Instagram’s shopping features and insights.
• Next, set up Instagram Shopping. Add your products so people can browse and buy them easily.
• Then, start posting about your products. Use high-quality photos, reels, and stories to show what you offer. Keep your content engaging and informative.
• Go live or use Instagram Stories to connect with your audience. Show product demos, share behind-the-scenes content, or answer customer questions.

Finally, make buying simple. Add a link to your shop in your bio or direct customers to message you for orders.

04. Offering Services

If you have a skill, you can offer services on Instagram and get paid for your work. Many freelancers and professionals use Instagram to find clients and grow their businesses.

• Start by switching to a business account. This helps you track engagement and makes it easier for potential clients to contact you.
• Next, clearly define your services. You could offer graphic design, photography, coaching, writing, social media management, or any skill-based service.
• Use posts, reels, and stories to showcase your work. Share client testimonials, behind-the-scenes content, and results to build trust.

Encourage potential clients to DM you or visit your website. Keep your bio updated with contact details or a booking link.

05. Instagram’s Monetization Features

Instagram offers built-in ways to make money. These features help creators earn directly from their content. Here are three popular options:

a) Instagram’s Affiliate Program

Instagram’s Affiliate Program lets you earn commissions by promoting products from brands. When someone buys through your affiliate link, you get paid.

To join, you need a creator or business account. Once approved, you can tag affiliate products in your posts and stories. If your audience makes a purchase, you earn a percentage of the sale.

b) Badges in Instagram Live

Instagram lets followers support creators by buying badges during live videos. Each badge is a small donation that appears next to the supporter’s name in the chat.

To enable badges, you must have a creator account and meet Instagram’s eligibility rules. Once active, you can go live and interact with viewers while earning money.

Tip: Encourage your audience to buy badges by engaging with them. Answer questions, give shoutouts, and offer exclusive content.

c) Instagram Subscriptions

Instagram Subscriptions let you charge followers a monthly fee for exclusive content. Subscribers get special perks like subscriber-only posts, reels, lives, and badges.

To use this feature, you need a creator account and must be eligible. Once approved, you can set a price and offer premium content to paying subscribers.

Tip: Offer real value to subscribers. Behind-the-scenes content, tutorials, and Q&A sessions work well.

How to Make Money on Instagram for Beginners FAQs

Conclusion

Making money on Instagram is possible for beginners, even without a huge following. The key is to focus on engagement, build trust with your audience, and explore different monetization options like affiliate marketing, selling products, or offering exclusive content.

With Instagram’s powerful features like Badges in Live, Instagram Subscriptions, and the Affiliate Program, there are plenty of opportunities to earn. Start by choosing a method that fits your strengths and interests, and stay consistent with your content.

We have a series of blog posts on making money online, check them to turn your social media into a regular income source:

1. How to Make Money on Social Media – 5 Expert Hacks
2. How to Make Money on YouTube for Beginners (Step-by-Step)

It may take time to grow, but with patience and creativity, you can turn your Instagram account into a source of income. Keep experimenting, learning, and connecting with your audience – your Instagram business could be just around the corner!