How to Make Money on Instagram: Reels and Without Followers

Here are ultimate strategies on how to make money on Instagram, reels and without followers in 2024.

Learn how to make money on Instagram in 2024 through reels, sponsorships, and even without followers. Discover the follower count needed to start earning and top strategies for success.

Instagram continues to be a powerful Social Media platform for creators, influencers, and businesses. As it evolves, there are more ways than ever to monetize your presence on the app, whether you have a large following or are just starting. If you’ve ever wondered how to make money on Instagram in 2024, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you unlock new income streams, leverage Instagram reels, and even earn without a massive audience.

How to Make Money on Instagram

Instagram has grown into a business hub, making it one of the best platforms for creators to earn. Here are the top ways to make money on Instagram in 2024:

Sponsored Posts: Brands are always looking for influencers to promote their products. If you have a strong niche and engaged followers, companies will pay you to create posts or stories that feature their products.
Affiliate Marketing: Promote products through your Instagram and earn a commission for each sale made through your unique affiliate link. Popular affiliate programs like Amazon Associates or ShareASale are great places to start.
Instagram Shopping: If you have a product to sell, Instagram Shopping allows you to tag products in your posts, stories, and even reels. This feature makes it easy for your audience to make purchases without leaving the app.
Reels Bonuses: Instagram has started to reward users for creating engaging reels. This bonus program pays you based on the performance of your reels.
Brand Partnerships: As an influencer or creator, you can partner with brands for long-term collaborations. This often includes a mix of sponsored content, exclusive product promotions, and live events.
Sell Your Own Products or Services: From digital products like eBooks and courses to physical merchandise, Instagram is a great platform to market and sell your own products or services directly to your followers.

How to Make Money on Instagram Reels

Instagram reels are becoming a major revenue generator for creators, thanks to Instagram’s focus on short, engaging content. Here’s how you can make money using Instagram reels:

Reels Play Bonus Program: Instagram has launched a Reels Play bonus program where creators are paid based on the performance of their reels. The more views and engagement your reels generate, the higher the payout.
Sponsored Reels: Brands are particularly interested in short-form content, and reels offer an excellent opportunity to create sponsored content. When you create a sponsored reel, brands pay you to feature their products in a short, creative video.
Drive Traffic to Affiliate Products: Use reels to showcase products from affiliate programs. Create tutorial-style content or product demos that encourage viewers to purchase through your link, earning you a commission.
Promote Digital Products: If you offer digital products like eBooks, templates, or online courses, reels are an engaging way to show them off. Short, creative videos can boost interest and sales.

How to Make Money on Instagram Without Followers

It’s a common misconception that you need a massive following to make money on Instagram. While a larger audience can certainly help, there are ways to earn without a substantial number of followers:

Leverage Instagram Ads: Run targeted Instagram ads to promote your products, services, or affiliate links. You don’t need a large following to utilize ads effectively; you just need to reach the right audience.
Use Affiliate Marketing: Even if you don’t have many followers, affiliate marketing allows you to earn commissions on sales through personalized affiliate links. Engage with a small but niche audience, and you can still make sales.
Sell Digital Products: Focus on creating valuable digital products like guides, templates, or workshops that solve a problem for your target audience. Promote these products using your bio and stories, even with minimal followers.
Niche Down: Specialize in a specific niche that attracts dedicated followers. Even with a small number of followers, niche audiences are highly valuable because they are more engaged and likely to make purchases based on your recommendations.
Join Influencer Platforms: Sites like AspireIQ and Tribe let you connect with brands looking for micro-influencers. You don’t need tens of thousands of followers—micro-influencers with strong engagement are increasingly in demand.

How Many Followers on Instagram to Make Money

The number of followers you need to make money on Instagram depends on how you’re monetizing your content. Here’s a breakdown of follower requirements for different income streams:

Sponsored Posts: For sponsored content, you typically need at least 5,000-10,000 followers, but some brands are willing to work with micro-influencers (1,000-5,000 followers) if their engagement is strong.
Affiliate Marketing: You can start affiliate marketing with as few as 1,000 followers if your audience is engaged and trusts your recommendations.
Instagram Shopping: To use Instagram’s shopping feature, you need a business account and at least 10,000 followers to unlock the “Swipe Up” feature in stories, though you can still tag products in posts with fewer followers.
Reels Bonuses: Instagram’s Reels Play bonus program is invitation-based, so follower count isn’t the main criterion for qualification. However, creators with higher engagement may receive better payouts.
Brand Partnerships: Brands typically look for influencers with at least 10,000 followers to start offering paid partnerships, though this can vary depending on the niche and engagement levels.

FAQs

1. How to make money on Instagram in 2024?
To make money on Instagram in 2024, you can utilize methods like sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, Instagram shopping, reels bonuses, and selling your own products or services.

2. How to make money on Instagram reels?
Instagram reels can generate income through the Reels Play bonus program, sponsored reels, affiliate marketing, and promoting digital products.

3. How to make money on Instagram without followers?
You can make money on Instagram without followers by using ads, affiliate marketing, selling digital products, and joining influencer platforms that don’t require a large following.

4. How many followers on Instagram to make money?
You typically need at least 5,000-10,000 followers for sponsored posts, but you can start affiliate marketing with fewer followers if engagement is high.

5. What is the Reels Play bonus program?
Instagram’s Reels Play bonus program pays creators based on the performance of their reels, including views, engagement, and reach.

6. Can you make money on Instagram with affiliate marketing?
Yes, by promoting products and earning a commission on sales through affiliate links, you can make money on Instagram with affiliate marketing.

7. How to start affiliate marketing on Instagram?
You can start affiliate marketing by joining affiliate programs, promoting products on your feed or stories, and using personalized links to track sales.

8. Can you make money selling digital products on Instagram?
Yes, you can sell digital products like eBooks, templates, or courses directly through Instagram, either through posts, reels, or using Instagram Shopping.

9. How much can you make with Instagram shopping?
Instagram Shopping earnings vary based on your product pricing, audience size, and how effectively you promote your products.

10. How important is engagement for making money on Instagram?
Engagement is crucial for making money on Instagram, especially for sponsored posts and partnerships. Brands often prioritize engagement over follower count when selecting influencers.

By following these strategies, anyone can tap into the opportunities Instagram offers in 2024, whether you’re a seasoned influencer or just starting your journey. From reels to affiliate marketing, Instagram remains one of the best platforms to build a personal brand and make money online.

Stella

Stella Oluwaseun is a personal finance enthusiast and blogger dedicated to helping readers achieve financial independence. With a passion for budgeting, saving, and smart investing, Stella Oluwaseun shares practical tips and insights to simplify money management and grow wealth. When not writing, I enjoy exploring new ways to live a financially mindful and fulfilling life.