How to Monetize Instagram and Boost Sales in 2024

What is Instagram monetization?

Instagram monetization is the process of earning revenue through your Instagram account. It’s all about turning your Instagram presence into a profitable venture, leveraging your followers, and creating engaging content to generate income.

How to create a monetizable Instagram account

To successfully make money on Instagram, you need to build a strong foundation. 

Here’s how to make your Instagram account eligible for monetization:

• Define your brand identity
• Create a Business account or Creator profile
• Optimize your account for discovery and engagement
• Understand your audience
• Produce high-quality, engaging content
• Experiment with different approaches 
• Maintain consistency

A. Define your brand identity

Your brand identity is the heart of your Instagram presence. It defines who you are, what you stand for, and what you can offer to your target audience. 

This includes your aesthetic, tone of voice, and the type of content you share. A strong, clear personal brand identity makes you recognizable and relatable to your audience, which is key to building trust and loyalty.

Brand Identity Development Cheatsheet for Social Media Core Values: [Integrity, Innovation, Community] – e.g., Patagonia’s commitment to the environment. Mission Statement: [To empower creative expression through fashion] – e.g., Etsy’s focus on handmade goods. Vision Statement: [To be the go-to platform for sustainable fashion worldwide] – e.g., Reformation’s eco-friendly approach. Brand Personality: [Energetic, Innovative, Approachable] – e.g., Innocent Drinks’ friendly and humorous tone. Unique Value Proposition: [Affordable luxury wear with an ethical approach] – e.g., Everlane’s transparent pricing. Logo: [A minimalist tree icon representing growth and sustainability] – e.g., Timberland’s tree logo. Color Palette: [Earthy tones: olive green, taupe, burnt orange] – e.g., Whole Foods’ use of natural colors. Typography: [A clean sans-serif font for readability and modern feel] – e.g., Google’s simple font style. Imagery: [High-quality images of people using your products in real-life settings] – e.g., GoPro’s user-centric photos. Filters/Effects: [Consistent warm filter to evoke a welcoming feel] – e.g., Starbucks’ warm-toned Instagram photos. Brand Voice: [Informative yet casual, like a knowledgeable friend] – e.g., Warby Parker’s conversational style. Tone: [Inspirational during product launches, supportive in customer service interactions] – e.g., Nike’s motivational language. Taglines: [“Dress responsibly.” – A play on both fashion and ethical responsibility] – e.g., Levi’s “Quality never goes out of style.” Key Messages: [Eco-friendly, Accessible Fashion, Community-Centric] – e.g., Lush Cosmetics’ emphasis on handmade and ethical sourcing. Storytelling: [Sharing customer stories and the journey of products from design to delivery] – e.g., TOMS Shoes’ storytelling about their giving model. Content Themes: [Sustainable living, customer spotlights, behind-the-scenes] – e.g., Airbnb’s focus on travel Stories and host experiences. Content Mix: [60% educational (how-to’s, style tips), 30% community (customer photos, Stories), 10% promotional (sales, new arrivals)] – e.g., Sephora’s mix of beauty tips and product promotions. Posting Schedule: [Three times a week – Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 5 PM EST] – e.g., Buffer’s research-based posting times. Engagement Plan: [Reply to comments within 24 hours, weekly Q&A sessions] – e.g., Glossier’s active engagement with followers. Audience Persona: [Young professionals aged 25-34 who value sustainability and style] – e.g., LinkedIn’s focus on professional development. Community Guidelines: [Encourage positive interactions, no tolerance for hate speech] – e.g., Facebook’s community standards. Response Strategy: [Personalized responses, use of customer’s first name] – e.g., Zappos’ customer service approach. Platform Choices: [Instagram for visual storytelling, LinkedIn for B2B networking] – e.g., Adobe’s platform-specific strategies. Profile Optimization: [Bio with keywords, high-quality profile and cover photos] – e.g., Canva’s optimized social media profiles. Platform-Specific Content: [Instagram Stories for daily updates, LinkedIn articles for thought leadership] – e.g., HubSpot’s tailored content. Analytics and Adaptation: Key Metrics: [Engagement rate, follower growth, click-through rate] – e.g., the focus on conversion rates in social media marketing. Analysis Tools: [Google Analytics, Hootsuite Insights] – e.g., the use of Sprout Social for analytics. Iteration: [Monthly review of strategy and performance metrics] – e.g., Agile marketing approach.

B. Create a Business account or Creator profile

Switching to a business account or a creator profile is crucial since these profiles offer access to more Instagram features, including insights into your account’s performance and your audience’s demographics and behavior.

This allows you to tailor your content strategy and measure the effectiveness of your monetization efforts.

C. Optimize your Instagram account for discovery and engagement

Instagram’s algorithm favors accounts that generate high engagement and provide value to their followers, but for optimal results, you need to start with the basics.

Here’s how to boost your Instagram’s visibility and engagement:

• Craft a compelling bio: Your Instagram bio is often the first thing people come into contact with. Make it catchy, informative, and reflective of your brand. Additionally, include keywords that are descriptive of your niche, since they help Instagram understand the context of your content and feature your posts in relevant searches, hashtags, and on the Explore page. 
• Use a representative profile picture: It could be your logo, a simple headshot, or any image that effectively communicates your brand identity.
• Link to your website or relevant landing pages: Use the link in your bio to drive traffic to your website, online store, or specific landing pages. This helps you convert followers into customers more effectively.

D. Understand your audience

Knowing your audience is key to successful Instagram monetization. 

Start by diving into your insights to analyze the demographics of your current followers, including age, gender, location, and when they’re most active. Don’t forget to peek at your competitors’ followers too, as they can offer insights into shared interests and behaviors across your niche.

SocialBee‘s analytics for the Instagram app provide a comprehensive overview of your Instagram performance, helping you understand your audience’s behavior, track your growth, and optimize your content based on concrete data.

Use SocialBee to understand your audience and make data-driven decisions.

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Here are some of the key metrics you can track via SocialBee:

• Page analytics: Number of posts and gained followers, impressions, profile views, and page reach
• Post analytics: Likes, comments, impressions, and total engagement
• Performance insights: Best performing content categories (topics), content types (e.g., images, videos, etc.), and the top 3 most successful posts
• Audience insights: Age, gender, location, and insightful data about when your audience is active on social media

Based on the data you gather, start constructing audience personas to visualize the segments within your audience. This helps you create content that addresses their specific interests and challenges.

E. Produce high-quality, engaging content

High-quality content will attract followers and keep them coming back. This includes eye-catching images, compelling videos, and interesting captions.

Here are seven best practices for creating top-performing Instagram posts:

1. Create a consistent theme: Your Instagram feed should have a consistent theme or aesthetic. This could be a specific color scheme, subject matter, or editing style. For example, a travel blogger might use a vibrant color palette to emphasize the excitement of exploring new places.
2. Utilize high-quality visuals: Instagram is a visual platform, so high-quality photos and videos are important. Invest in a good camera or learn to use your smartphone camera effectively. For example, a food blogger could use natural lighting and unique plating to make their dishes look more appealing.
3. Engage with trends: Stay up-to-date with the latest trends on Instagram, especially the use of Reels. Creating content that aligns with trending sounds or challenges can increase visibility. 
4. Incorporate engaging captions and CTA: While visuals are key, don’t neglect the power of a good caption. Ask questions, tell stories, or include calls-to-action (CTAs) to encourage engagement. A skincare company could ask followers about their skin routine or encourage them to visit their website to learn more.
5. Use hashtags wisely: Research and use relevant hashtags to increase the reach of your content. Avoid overly popular hashtags and focus on those that are specific to your niche. For instance, a local bakery might use #NYCBakery over just #Bakery to target a specific audience.
6. Post consistently but not excessively: Find the right balance in your posting schedule. Too much can overwhelm followers, while too little can make them forget you. Try to post on Instagram at least three times a week for optimal results.
7. Leverage Instagram Stories and Reels: Use Stories for more casual, behind-the-scenes content and Reels for more creative videos. A fitness instructor might share quick workout tips in Stories and a funny gym clip on Reels.

F. Experiment with different approaches

Don’t be afraid to play around with various content formats, posting times, and engagement strategies. Instagram is constantly evolving, and what works today might not work tomorrow, which is why you need to stay adaptable and innovative.

G. Maintain consistency

Consistency doesn’t just mean posting regularly, but also being consistent in your messaging, aesthetic, and the quality of your content. 

By using SocialBee’s content calendar feature, you get to pre-plan your posts through a structured approach, which helps to keep your audience engaged and your brand top-of-mind. 

Manage your Instagram strategy effectively with SocialBee.

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Here’s how SocialBee can help you maintain consistency across your social media platforms:

• Creating and scheduling posts: Batch create and schedule your content for the week or even the month so that you don’t have to worry about posting every single day. 
• Bulk editing: Make changes to multiple posts at once, such as updating your images, links, or text, which is the definition of a time-saver.
• AI Content Generator: Quickly generate content in a consistent tone of voice for any social media platform.
• Evergreen posting: Have your best-performing posts automatically reshared to get more mileage out of your content and reach a wider audience.

Remember, monetization is a journey in itself, not a destination. It requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to adapt and evolve with the platform and your audience.

Top 10 monetization strategies for Instagram

Here are 10 strategies that can turn your Instagram presence into a profitable venture:

• Partner with brands for sponsored content and collaborations
• Try influencer marketing campaigns
• Create an online store through Instagram shopping
• Promote affiliate links and earn commissions
• Enable ads on your Instagram Reels
• Offer exclusive content through Instagram Subscriptions
• Use Instagram Live and Badges for revenue generation
• Create and sell digital products
• Use shop tags in your Instagram Stories
• Earn milestone bonuses

1. Partner with brands for sponsored content and collaborations

Collaborating with brands is a classic monetization strategy. If you have a sizable and engaged following, brands will pay you to promote their products or services. 

If you’re a brand, you also have several available options: creating sponsored content that promotes the partner’s products or services, developing and selling co-branded products or services, sharing ad revenue from sponsored content, or licensing content to the collaborating business. 

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For example, @barbiestyle wanted to expand their reach during the height of the Barbie movie’s popularity, so they made a collaboration post about their co-branded luggage line with @beis. This brought the former better visibility and the latter increased sales.

2. Try influencer marketing campaigns

Similar to partnering with brands, influencer marketing involves Instagram creators promoting products in a more personal and relatable way. 

Take for example @alix_earle’s promotion of Truly:

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The laid-back way she presented the product to her followers was true to her personal branding as an influencer. This makes her followers trust her recommendations just like they would a friend’s.

You could be part of a larger campaign or focus on promoting a single product. The success of this strategy relies heavily on your credibility and the trust you’ve built with your audience.

Don’t forget to add a paid partnership label or hashtag to your post for transparency.

3. Create an online store through Instagram Shopping

Instagram Shopping transforms your dedicated Instagram page into a vibrant storefront, allowing followers to browse and purchase products directly from your posts and Stories. 

This integration of social media and e-commerce not only improves the user experience but also opens up a new revenue stream for you. Even household brands like @dior take advantage of this:

Having a professional Instagram account is essential for accessing the shopping features.

How to set up an Instagram shop

Once your account type is set as Business or Creator, you’ll need to connect it to a Facebook Page, as Instagram Shopping relies on Facebook’s infrastructure for product catalog management. 

The next step is to upload your product catalog to Facebook, either manually or through an e-commerce platform like Shopify or BigCommerce, which can synchronize your inventory with Instagram.

Once your catalog is live, you can start tagging products in your Instagram posts and Stories. These tags create a direct link to the product page on your website, allowing followers to make purchases effortlessly.

PRO TIP: When setting up your Instagram shop, make sure that your product listings are detailed and appealing. Each product post should tell a story or highlight a unique feature that sets it apart. 

4. Promote affiliate links and earn commissions

Affiliate marketing allows you to promote products and earn a commission for every purchase Instagram users make through your unique link.

Identify affiliate programs that align with your niche and audience interests. Many companies offer affiliate programs, so it’s important to choose those whose products or services you genuinely like and would naturally incorporate into your content. 

Once you’ve joined an affiliate program, you’ll receive a unique tracking link, which helps to track any sales attributed to your promotions.

The art of successful affiliate marketing on Instagram lies in how you integrate these links into your content. Since Instagram doesn’t allow clickable links in post captions, you can place your affiliate link in your bio and direct followers there in your posts. Here is how tattoo artist @sydsmiyhhh does this:

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Alternatively, for those with access to the Swipe Up feature in Stories or link stickers, this provides a direct way to integrate affiliate links. It’s also effective to use highlights to save Stories featuring affiliate products, allowing new followers to view them even after the original Story disappears.

PRO TIP: Always disclose that your posts include affiliate links (using tags like #ad or #affiliate), as this honesty makes your followers trust you and is in line with advertising standards.

5. Enable ads on your Instagram Reels

Monetizing your Instagram account by enabling ads on your Instagram Reels is a relatively new yet increasingly popular strategy, especially suited for creators who excel in crafting short, engaging video content. 

To start, you need to have a public Instagram account and a good track record of creating Reels that resonate with your audience. The content of your Reels should be original, creative, and aligned with Instagram’s community guidelines. 

Once you meet these Instagram monetization requirements, you can opt into the ads program. This allows Instagram to place short ads, either in the form of a sticker or full-screen video ads, in between your existing Instagram Reels.

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Whether you’re posting educational content, entertainment, or showcasing a talent, your Reels need to capture and retain the audience’s attention. The more engaging your content, the more views and longer watch times you’ll achieve, which can potentially increase your ad revenue.

PRO TIP: Balance quantity with quality. Your Reels shouldn’t feel repetitive or solely focused on monetization. Instead, they should offer value and align with your overall content strategy.

6. Offer exclusive content through Instagram Subscriptions

Instagram’s subscription feature allows your followers to pay a monthly fee in exchange for exclusive content that isn’t available to your general audience. 

This strategy is particularly effective for Instagram influencers, creators, and public figures who have already cultivated a dedicated following and can provide value that goes beyond regular Instagram posts.

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To begin with, you should already have an engaged follower base and a clear understanding of what unique content or experiences you can offer that would entice your audience to subscribe. 

This could be anything from exclusive behind-the-scenes content, in-depth tutorials, personal vlogs, early access to your content, exclusive Q&A sessions, and even member-only live streams. 

Once you’ve identified what exclusive content you can offer, set up the subscription feature on your Instagram account. Choose a subscription fee that reflects your content’s value while also being affordable for your audience. 

It’s a delicate balance, as you want to ensure it’s accessible to a wide range of your followers, yet sustainable for you as a creator.

PRO TIP: Promotion plays a crucial role in the success of your Instagram subscription. Use your regular posts, Stories, and even Reels to tease the exclusive content available in your subscription. This can include sneak peeks, previews, or testimonials from current subscribers.

7. Use Instagram Live and Badges for revenue generation

Going live on Instagram can be a fun way to connect with your audience in real time. Viewers can show their support by purchasing badges during your live sessions. These badges not only provide financial support but also highlight the supporters’ comments, making them stand out.

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The content of your Live should be compelling enough to encourage viewers to support you by purchasing badges. This could range from Q&A sessions, tutorials, live performances, and workshops, to exclusive announcements or behind-the-scenes looks. 

Before going live, use your Instagram feed, Stories, and other social media platforms to announce the date and time of your Live and build anticipation. This not only ensures a higher turnout but also prepares your audience for the opportunity to purchase badges.

During the Live session, actively engage with your audience. Acknowledge viewers as they join, respond to their comments, and encourage interaction. This personal engagement increases the likelihood of your audience purchasing badges as a token of their appreciation and support. 

PRO TIP: Thank viewers who purchase badges during the broadcast. This recognition not only makes your supporters feel valued but also encourages others to purchase badges. You could even offer additional incentives for badge purchases, like shout-outs or exclusive post-live content.

8. Create and sell digital products

Use your Instagram platform to market and sell digital products like e-books, courses, artwork, digital planners, photography presets, or even software tools. It’s an appealing path for creators, educators, artists, and entrepreneurs who can infuse their knowledge or skills into a digital format.

Firstly, identify what type of digital product aligns with your skills and audience interest. If you’re a fitness coach, consider creating workout plans or nutrition guides. If you’re an artist, think about digital canvas prints or design templates.

The key is to offer something that provides value, solves a problem, or fulfills a need for your audience. 

Once you’ve decided on the product, the next step is to create it. Focus on quality and ensure your digital product is professionally presented and easy to use, as this will directly impact its perceived value and your credibility as a creator.

When you’re ready to launch, use everything that Instagram has to offer for promotion. Create engaging posts and Stories that showcase the benefits and features of your product. Here is how @virtualcoursesnow leverages this strategy: 

You can also use Instagram Live to conduct Q&A sessions, provide more in-depth information about your product, or offer live demonstrations.

PRO TIP: Customer testimonials and reviews can be powerful. Share feedback from individuals who have purchased and benefited from your digital product. This builds trust by providing social proof to potential buyers.  

9. Use shop tags in your Instagram Stories

Shop tags can be added to your Instagram Stories to promote products. When Instagram users tap on these tags, they will be redirected to a product page where they can purchase that product. Take a page out of @aritzia’s book:

Here are three tips for adding shop tags to your posts:

• Focus on creating visually appealing and engaging content.
• Use high-quality images or videos of your products.
• Consider showing your products in use, which can help your audience visualize the product in their own lives. 

Instagram Stories also offer various creative tools like filters, text, and stickers to make your content more engaging and attention-grabbing.

10. Earn milestone bonuses

Instagram sometimes offers milestone bonuses for creators who achieve certain goals, like reaching a specific number of Reels views.

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Keep an eye on Instagram’s creator programs and incentives, as these can provide additional income streams.

Frequently asked questions