Unlocking Instagram Monetization: How To Start Making Money

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Have you ever scrolled through Instagram and wondered why some influencers haven’t tapped into the platform’s monetization potential? If you’re ready to turn your Instagram passion into profit, you’re in the right place!

Instagram is a goldmine for those looking to monetize their content, but many don’t know where to start. Whether you’re an influencer, a small business owner, or just someone with a growing following, this guide is for you. Let’s dive into the world of Instagram monetization and discover how you can start earning today.

Are you ready to Monetize your Instagram?

Curious if your Instagram account is ready for monetization? take this quick quiz to find out! By the end, you'll know if you're ready to start earning or if you need to build a stronger foundation first. Let's get started on your path to Instagram Success!

What You Need to Monetize on Instagram:

To begin monetizing on Instagram, you need a few essentials:

  1. A Strong, Engaged Following: Having a dedicated audience is crucial.
  2. A Clear Niche or Content Focus: This helps attract brands and followers who are interested in your content.
  3. A Business or Creator Account: These accounts offer more tools and insights than personal accounts.

Business vs. Creator Accounts:

Business Account:

  • Best for brands and businesses.
  • Access to Instagram Shopping and detailed analytics.

Creator Account:

  • Best for influencers and public figures.
  • Advanced insights and tools for content creation and audience engagement.

Monetization Options:

  • Business Account: Instagram Shopping, Brand Partnerships.
  • Creator Account: Subscriptions, Badges in Live Videos, Bonuses.

Instagram Partner Monetization Policies:

To monetize, you need to adhere to Instagram’s policies:

  • Follow community guidelines.
  • Create original content.
  • Meet minimum follower and engagement requirements.

Eligibility for Monetization:


Check if you’re eligible by navigating to the Instagram settings under “Creator” and reviewing the monetization options. Ensure your account is in good standing, with no recent policy violations.

Building a Community for Recurring Income:


Creating a loyal community can lead to steady monthly income. Here’s how:

  • Exclusive Content: Offer subscribers special content and experiences.
  • Interaction: Engage with your subscribers through stories, live chats, and exclusive posts.
  • Rewards: Use badges, gifts, and other incentives to keep your community engaged.

Get compensated for your valuable contributions to your community

Earn some cash making and sharing what you love.

Instagram Monetization

Create engaging content and turn your passion into profit.

Success is unique for every creator. Whether you’re just starting to monetize or you’re already progressing, it’s essential to explore your options to find what works best for you. Leverage our products and best practices to discover the perfect fit for your journey.

Starting with Subscriptions :

Subscriptions on Instagram allow you to offer exclusive content to your most engaged followers. Here’s how to get started:

  1. Switch to a Creator Account: Different from a business account, a creator account offers more insights and tools for content creators.
  2. Check Your Eligibility: Ensure you meet Instagram’s Partner Monetization Policies.
  3. Eligibility criteria: Be at least 18 years old, be located in US, have 10k followers.
  4. Set Up Your Subscription: Offer exclusive content, like behind-the-scenes footage, personalized messages, and more.

Steps to Set Up Subscriptions:

  1. Access Settings: Go to your profile, tap the menu, and navigate to settings.
  2. Switch to Creator Account: Follow the prompts to switch to a creator account if you haven’t already.
  3. Enable Subscriptions: Under the “Monetization” tab, select “Subscriptions” and follow the setup instructions.
  4. Promote Your Subscription: Let your followers know about the exclusive content they can access by subscribing.
Subscriber Badges

When your subscribers sign up, they instantly receive a special purple badge. These subscriber badges appear next to their username in feed comments and DMs, making them stand out and feel recognized.

Subscriber Lives, Stories and Chats

You have the ability to create exclusive live streams and stories for your most dedicated fans, marked by a unique purple ring to make them stand out. Additionally, initiate exclusive chats with up to 30 subscribers, allowing you to connect in real-time about your passions. Share your best life hacks, foster meaningful discussions, and build a closer-knit community with your subscribers.

Exclusive Posts and Reels

Share lasting content through subscriber posts and Reels to showcase your most authentic self to your core audience, offering immediate value to your subscribers.

Subscriber Home

Your hub for all subscriber content is located under the crown tab on your profile. Subscriber Home offers immediate value by giving subscribers access to a catalog of exclusive content as soon as they join.

Subscriber Promotions

Activate special offers designed to help you attract and retain subscribers. The lifetime promo provides a 50% discount to your next five subscribers, while the cancellation promo offers a free month when subscribers attempt to cancel. You can manage these offers by navigating to Professional Dashboard > Subscriptions > Confirm active offers > Offers.

  • Instagram Monetization
  • Instagram Monetization
  • Instagram Monetization
  • Instagram Monetization

Work out what makes you unique

Your fans love you for a reason, so concentrate on creating content that is uniquely yours and not easily found elsewhere.

Recognize your subscribers

Show your subscribers some love! Engage with their comments, give shoutouts to new subscribers, and host a weekly welcome session during your live streams to make them feel appreciated and valued.

Do something special

Delight your subscribers by featuring a special guest in your exclusive live streams, or invite your most loyal subscribers to join you in a live room. Showing your subscribers that they are valued and appreciated will encourage them to stay engaged and continue supporting you.

Consistency is crucial.

Ensure you’re providing exclusive content on a regular, predictable schedule so subscribers know when to tune in and can plan ahead to avoid missing out.

EARN WITH BADGES

Go Live and start earning.

When you go Live with badges, viewers can purchase badges to show their support and gain extra recognition, while you earn money from the content you’re already creating.

Instagram monetization

How to Use Badges:

Badges in Live are available to all eligible creators in the US. To qualify, I need to comply with Instagram’s Partner Monetization Policies and Community Guidelines, be 18+, and have over 10,000 followers. I can check my eligibility by going to my Professional Dashboard.

Access to badges for eligible creators in the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Japan, Australia, Turkey, Brazil, and Mexico is currently invite-only. To see if I’ve been invited, I can go to Settings > Creator > Badges.

Badges are a great way to earn during live videos. Here’s how to maximize them:

  • Enable Badges: Go to settings and turn on badges for live videos.
  • Promote: Remind your followers about badges during your live sessions.
  • Acknowledge: Thank your supporters and recognize their contributions.

FAQ:

  • How many badges can a supporter buy? Supporters can buy up to three badges during a live video.
  • When will I receive payments for badges? Payments are processed monthly.

EARN LIKE A PRO

Everything You Need to Know About Earning Badges

When viewers purchase badges, you’ll see heart(s) next to their usernames. You’ll also be able to track the total number of badges purchased, your total earnings, and progress on any goals you’ve set. For more detailed earnings information, tap “View” during your Live session. After your Live has ended, you can always check your total badge count by heading to “Badges” in your Professional Dashboard.

Viewers can purchase multiple badges during your Live in increments of $0.99, $1.99, and $4.99. Remember to recognize and appreciate those who buy badges!

Badges follow the same rules as Live

If you’ve mastered creating Live videos, you can easily master badges. If you need a refresher before turning on badges, visit the Live page for more information.

Let viewers know badges are enabled

Since viewers join at different times, make sure to remind them that badges are enabled at the start, middle, and end of your Live video. This ensures everyone knows they can support you by purchasing badges throughout the session.

Thank your supporters

Remember to thank your supporters with shoutouts during your Live, and follow up by using the Thank You sticker in your Stories afterward. This extra recognition helps build a stronger connection with your audience.

Recognize supporters

Instagram will notify you whenever supporters purchase badges or you reach a milestone. Consider giving individual shout-outs to those who buy one or more badges, and a collective shout-out when you hit a milestone. This recognition helps foster a stronger connection with your audience.

woman talking and recording a video with a plate of salad at hand

Monetize whit gift

Get support from fans, with gifts on Reels

With gifts, you can gain support and earn money from fans who love your content. Fans can purchase virtual gifts within the Instagram app to show their appreciation for your Reels, allowing you to monetize your creativity and engagement.

Instagram gifts are currently available to all creators who meet the following criteria:

  • Have a professional account
  • Are 18 years or older
  • Reside in an eligible country (details below)
  • Comply with partner monetization policies
  • Have 500 or more followers

Gifts on Reels allow fans to show appreciation. Here’s how to get started:

  • Enable Gifts: Set up your account to receive gifts.
  • Promote: Subtly mention during Reels that fans can support with gifts.
  • Track: Monitor your gifts and earnings in the Instagram dashboard.

FAQ:

  • How do I get paid for gifts? Payments are processed through your payout account.
  • When will I receive my payments? Payments are usually made monthly.
  • How can I get paid? To receive funds eligible for payout, you need to set up a payout account. Payments are made once your total balance reaches $25 USD.
  • How can I earn money through gifts? Instagram offers fans several gift packages to choose from, each varying in value. As a creator, you will receive $0.01 USD for every star you receive from fans (e.g., 100 Stars = $1 USD).
  • How do Instagram gifts differ from badges? Instagram gifts on Reels are distinct from Instagram badges, which allow creators to earn money through live video content.

Creator Marketplace:

Collaborate with brands. Earn money.

Your followers trust you to recommend the brands and products you love. As your influence grows, you can start earning money by partnering with brands to share your favorite picks.

TRIPOD

Connect with brands through the Creator Marketplace:

  • Eligibility: Ensure your account meets the requirements.
  • Communication: Brands will reach out with project details.
  • Create Branded Content: Follow steps to create and post branded content.

Tag Brand Partners

It’s easy! Just go to your “Professional Dashboard” and select “Branded Content Tools” to check your access.

How to Create Your Branded Content

  1. Create your content as usual.
  2. Turn on the “Add Paid Partnership Label” toggle.
  3. Tap “Add Brand Partners” and enter the name of the business in your post.

How to Earn with Branded Content

Each branded content deal will have unique terms that you’ll negotiate directly with the brand. To support your rate, it’s beneficial to provide the brand with key data, such as:

  • Number of followers
  • Average likes, views, comments, and shares on your organic content
  • Performance metrics from past branded content deals

This information helps demonstrate your value and justifies the rate you deserve.

Tips for Success:

  1. Consistency is Key: Regularly post quality content.
  2. Engage Your Audience: Respond to comments and messages.
  3. Be Transparent: Let your audience know about your monetization efforts.
  4. Collaborate: Work with other influencers and brands.
  5. Track and Adapt: Use insights to improve your strategy.

Always disclose paid partnerships

If you’re getting paid in any form for your content, you’ll need to add a Paid Partnership label. Unsure if yours qualifies? Check out this full list of scenarios.


Instagram Bonuses:

Are You Eligible?

Bonuses are invite-only for creators in South Korea, the US, and Japan. To be eligible for an invitation, you must:

  • Have a professional account on Instagram (business or creator).
  • Comply with Instagram’s Partner Monetization Policies.
  • Live in an eligible country where bonuses are being tested.

If you meet these criteria, head to your professional dashboard and see if you’ve been invited!

Instagram offers bonuses for specific content milestones. Here’s how to utilize them:

  1. Check for Invite: If you’ve received an invite for a limited-time bonus, you’ll find it on your professional dashboard.
  2. Accept and Onboard: Accept the invite and complete the onboarding process.
  3. Share Content: Post public reels, photos, carousels, and single image posts.
  4. Automatic Counting: Instagram will automatically count up to 150 pieces of content shared from the week you activate the bonus until the opportunity ends.
  5. Earn More: The more bonus plays and views your content receives, the more you earn.

How to Check Your Earnings

  1. Access Professional Dashboard: Go to your professional dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Bonuses: Tap on “Bonuses.”
  3. Check In-progress Bonuses: Tap on “In-progress bonuses.”

If you want to know more about this topic or need help, leave a message in the comments with the word “help,” and I’ll provide you with all the information you need!

Conclusion

Monetizing your Instagram account can be a game-changer. By following these steps, engaging with your audience, and staying consistent, you can turn your passion into profit. Ready to learn more? Subscribe to my blog for weekly tips and strategies on how to grow your influence and income!

 “Stay ahead of the game and never miss a tip! Subscribe to my blog for the latest insights on Instagram monetization and more.”

Unlock your Instagram potential and turn your passion into profit—every post is a step closer to your success!

xoxo The Online Growth Guru
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Julia

I loved it, thanks to you I have lost my fear and started uploading more content. I hope you make a blog about TikTok.

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