Instagram is more than just a place to enjoy memes and travel photos. Yes, even if you’re not an influencer with millions of followers, it can turn into a legitimate source of income. It’s time to think strategically and turn your screen time into a side business if you’re already active on the platform.
Consistency, inventiveness, and proficiency with the available resources are more important than having a large following. Even if you’re just starting out, there are 31 genuine ways to make money on Instagram listed below.
31 Genuine Ways to Monetise Instagram

1. Try Affiliate Marketing
Distribute links to goods you use, and you’ll receive a commission for each purchase made using your link. You can share these links in your bio, posts, and stories.
2. Advertise Your Own Goods
Showcase your creations on your feed and stories to sell them, whether they are digital products or handcrafted crafts.
3. Provide Sponsored Shoutouts
If you have active followers, brands or creators may pay you to promote their pages. Be open and honest about promotions.
4. Work Together With Brands
People are looking for micro-influencers. Smaller creators with active audiences are welcomed by brands.
5. Market Electronic Goods
Make digital art, planners, printables, or templates. Once manufactured, they are simple to sell again and again.
6. Take on the Role of Social Media Manager
Are you adept at expanding your own page? Offer to run Instagram for creators or small businesses.
7. Promote Your Offerings
Use your posts and bio to advertise your freelance work, such as writing, photography, or virtual help.
8. Make Money With Your Photos
High-quality images can be licensed for commercial use or sold as prints. Showcase your best photos and properly tag them.
9. Distribute How-To Information
In your area of expertise, impart knowledge. To introduce a full course or ebook, share brief tutorials.
10. Establish a Page with Paid Access
Create a private account for paying followers with unique content; consider bonus tips or behind-the-scenes photos.
11. Make Use of Instagram Subscriptions
Provide subscribers who pay monthly for bonus stories or lives with access to exclusive content right within the app.
12. Start a Paid Newsletter
Use websites like Substack to draw subscribers to your paid newsletter. Use Instagram to give subscribers a sneak peek at what to expect.
13. Advertise Your Online Course
Create a course if you have a teachable skill, and use brief instructional posts or reels to promote it.
14. Offer Products for Sale
Use print-on-demand services to turn your designs or slogans into t-shirts, mugs, and other items. Display them in posts.
15. Provide Guidance Services
Instagram’s testimonials and transformation stories can help you attract clients for your fitness, business, or lifestyle coaching services.
16. Register for Marketplaces for Influencers
Even if your following is still expanding, platforms such as Aspire and Impact connect influencers with sponsored brand deals.
17. Encourage a Patreon Page
Use Patreon to grant paying fans access to special shoutouts, early releases, or exclusive content.
18. Conduct Sponsored Instagram Lives
Use Instagram Live to conduct paid coaching, classes, or Q&A sessions. Inform followers in advance so they can participate.
19. Provide Instagram Skills Training
By offering IG growth strategies, guides, or content kits for sale, you can assist others in expanding their accounts.
20. Hold Giveaways in Groups
Collaborate with companies and charge them to participate in a significant giveaway. It’s an enjoyable method of increasing engagement and making money at the same time.
21. Create a Specialised Account
Make a page with a theme centred around a particular subject, such as pet care, beauty tips, or minimalism, and make money with shoutouts or advertisements.
22. Market Recipes or Meal Plans
If you enjoy cooking, include downloadable cookbooks, meal plans, or grocery lists in your bio.
23. Offer Lightroom Presets for Sale
Do you have a go-to method for editing photos? Offer your presets for sale to people who want to imitate your style.
24. Establish a Program for Brand Ambassadors
If you have an online store, allow your customers to share your products and refer others to earn commissions.
25. Market Content Kits or Captions
Offer done-for-you posts and reel strategies to business owners who are having trouble coming up with content ideas.
26. Open a Store for Dropshipping
Sell popular items without maintaining stock. While your supplier ships the goods, Instagram serves as your marketing platform.
27. Increase Blog Traffic
Include a link to your blog in your bio, and share Instagram snippets that direct readers to full posts that are sponsored by affiliate links or advertisements.
28. Advertise Event Tickets
Organise webinars or workshops and advertise them on your feed. Include a registration link in your stories or bio.
29. Get Your Content Licensed
Allow companies to buy your best images or videos. Before you agree, make sure you understand the licensing terms.
30. Provide Style or Design Advice
Assist others with branding, home décor, or fashion. Convert your free advice into guides or consultations that are paid.
31. Advertise Your Etsy or Shopify Store
Make videos that demonstrate how to use your products. Make your bio link shoppable and tag them in your posts.
Five Easy Steps to Instagram Success
1. Choose a Niche:
Concentrate on a single subject so that your followers are aware of the precise value you provide.
2. Include a Bio Link:
To point followers to your store or services, use tools like Linktree or Beacons.
3. Remain Consistent:
Although posting frequently with high-quality content is not required, you should do so.
4. Involve Your Audience:
Respond to DMs and comments to foster trust and improve your earning potential.
5. Just Get Started:
Perfectionism can wait. Begin with a single technique, refine it over time, and expand on it.
Instagram can be profitable as well as enjoyable with the correct strategy and a little imagination.
Which of these tactics are you going to attempt first?
If you’ve had success or have any other ideas, please share them in the comments section!