In 2021, Instagram introduced the Reels Bonus program as a way to incentivize content creators to generate more short video content. But recently, Meta has stopped the program.
However, the news of Meta discontinuing the program may have left many video creators feeling uncertain about their opportunities to monetize their Reels.
But there's more than one avenue to turn your passion into profit on Instagram. In fact, the desire to earn extra income while indulging in what you love is a shared dream among content creators.
Do you know what those methods are? Don’t worry; here is our guide to get you started on the right foot on how to monetize Instagram Reels.
Create Sponsored Content For Brands
This is the simplest way to monetize Instagram Reels.
Brands will reach out to you and ask you to promote their product or service. Once you agree on the product to sponsor, pricing, and other conditions of the contract (if any), you create content that showcases the product or service to your audience.
Instagram has actually made it easier for creators to disclose their partnerships with businesses through branded content tools for Reels. This way, you can clearly let your audience know when you are working with a brand.
How Much Can You Earn?
Many Instagram influencers follow the rule of asking for $100 per 10K followers. Of course, if you have a great engagement rate (the average is 1.22% across industries), you could even ask for more.
To increase your chances of brands discovering you, it's important to use relevant hashtags in your bio and posts. Also, consider submitting your Instagram account to influencer platforms like NeoReach or Upfluence. These platforms can help connect you with brands looking for influencers like you.
Give Shoutouts To Other Instagram Accounts
This is a simple and popular method to monetize Instagram Reels that's easy to get started with. Basically, you mention another Instagram account in your caption and encourage your audience to check them out and give them a follow.
The cool thing about shoutouts is that they are usually more affordable than sponsored posts. They don't feel intrusive to your audience, so the prices tend to be lower.
It's a win-win situation. You are promoting another account, and in return, you're earning some extra cash. Plus, it's a great way to support and collaborate with other creators on the platform.
Just make sure that the accounts you shout out align with your niche and that their content resonates with your audience. That way, your followers will appreciate the recommendations, and you will maintain their trust.
How Much Can You Earn?
According to the Influencer Agency, if you have an Instagram account with 100K to 500K followers, you can charge around $250 for each shoutout. For those big accounts with over 1 million followers, you could even charge $1,500 per shoutout.
Earn Commission From Affiliate Marketing
It's a popular method where you promote other people's products or services and earn a commission for each sale that's made through your referral.
Here's how it works: You will receive a unique affiliate link that you can share with your audience. When someone clicks on that link and makes a purchase, you will earn a commission.
It's a great way to monetize Instagram Reels while recommending products you genuinely believe in.
Now, here's the thing. Instagram doesn't allow clickable links directly in Reels. But there's a workaround. You can use services like Bitly or Rebranly to shorten your affiliate link and make it easier for people to type it in their browser if you have a custom domain name; even better!
Another option is to include the affiliate link in your Instagram bio. This way, your followers can easily visit your profile and click on the link from there.
When it comes to affiliate programs, one of the most well-known names is Amazon Associates. You can earn up to 10% in associate commissions for qualifying purchases made through your affiliate links.
Additionally, there are other reputable affiliate networks like Awin, Commission Junction, ShareASale, and ClickBank. These platforms provide a wide range of products to promote and make money from.
How Much Can You Earn?
It's worth mentioning that affiliate marketing is a booming industry. It is estimated that affiliate marketing spending will be around $13 billion in 2023.
And here's an interesting stat: 35% of affiliate marketers make over $20,000 annually from their affiliate marketing efforts. So, there's definitely potential to earn a substantial income through affiliate marketing on Instagram Reels.
Just remember, as with any type of marketing, it's important to disclose your affiliate partnerships and be transparent with your audience. Make sure you only promote products that align with your values and genuinely provide value to your followers.
Drive Traffic To Your Website To Earn Money
If you're looking to make money in a slightly different way with Instagram Reels, this is a very cool idea. Instead of directly monetizing Instagram Reels, you can use them to engage with your followers and redirect them to your website (or other platforms), where you can monetize your content even further.
Think of Instagram Reels as a gateway to other platforms like your website, blog, or YouTube channel. It's like creating a bridge that leads your audience to additional opportunities for monetization.
One simple strategy is to include a link to your secondary platform in your Instagram bio. This way, your followers can easily click on it to explore more about you. It's also a good idea to mention your secondary platform in each Reel you create in order to entice your viewers to check it out for more exciting content.
Remember, keeping the link short and sweet is essential so that people can easily access the platform you are directing them to. Convenience is key!
How Much Can You Earn?
Let's take an example to illustrate this approach. Imagine you are a food blogger, just like Pinch Of Yum. You can create engaging Reels featuring your mouth-watering recipes and tantalizing treats.
But instead of revealing all the secrets in the Reel itself, you can encourage your followers to head over to your blog for the full recipe experience.
It's a win-win situation—you engage your audience on Instagram and drive traffic to your blog, where you have various monetization opportunities.
Speaking of monetization, Pinch Of Yum generated nearly $40,000 from multiple sources, including displaying ads, participating in Amazon affiliate programs, selling ebooks, and doing sponsored posts. It's a perfect example of the potential of diversifying your income streams across different platforms.
Instagram Reels Shopping
Instagram Reels Shopping feature allows you to tag products directly in your Reels. This makes it super easy for viewers to click the shopping button and purchase or learn more about the products you're showcasing. It's a seamless integration between social media and eCommerce, opening up new avenues for sales and engagement.
For brands that have Instagram Checkout enabled, users in the U.S. can buy products without leaving the Instagram app. Creators can also tag products from partner brands in Reels - building on Instagram’s existing Shopping from Creators offering.
To get started with Instagram Reels Shopping, there are two steps to follow.
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Ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements set by Instagram. These include having a business or creator account, complying with commerce policies, and being located in a supported market.
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Set up your Instagram Shop and product catalog. This involves connecting your online store or syncing your product inventory with the platform. Once your Shop is set up, you can start tagging products in your Reels videos during the creation process.
Remember to create Reels that not only showcase your products but also tells a story. Keep your audience in mind and use creative techniques to pick their interest and drive them towards making a purchase.
Instagram Reels Ads
With Instagram Reels Ads, you can earn money by featuring ads within your Reels. These ads appear in between your organic content when your audience views your Reels.
So, how does it work? Instagram Reels Ads are shown to users based on their interests and preferences, making it more likely for your content to reach the right audience. When advertisers select your Reel for ad placement, you will earn a share of the revenue generated from that ad.
To participate in the Instagram Reels Ads program and start monetizing your Reels, here are the requirements to keep in mind.
- You need to have an Instagram Business account.
- You should comply with the platform's monetization policies and community guidelines.
- Reels must be less than 60 seconds and have a 9:16 aspect ratio (they should be filmed vertically & have a full-screen format)
- Reels should not use any third-party IP such as copyrighted music, GIFs, interactive stickers, or camera filters
Strike a balance between Reel ads and your organic content. Remember that your audience follows you for your unique voice and creative style, so maintaining that authenticity is essential. Be selective with the ads you feature in your Reels. Ensure they align with your brand and match your audience's interests.
It's Time To Turn Your Passion Into Profit!
With the born of Instagram Reels, content creators and entrepreneurs have got new opportunities to make more money online.
From publishing sponsored posts, doing affiliate marketing, and giving shoutouts to others to selling products, there’s no shortage of methods on how to monetize Instagram Reels – no matter the number of followers you have.
All that’s left is to be unique, creative, and determined toward your journey to success.
If you are looking for ways to schedule Instagram Reels, Statusbrew provides a robust scheduling suite to plan and publish content along with your team. Never miss an opportunity to monetize Instagram Reels by publishing them at the right time!
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Here are some commonly asked questions on monetizing Instagram Reels:
How many followers do you need to monetize Instagram Reels?
You don't need any minimum number of followers if you want to monetize using by creating sponsored content, giving shoutouts, earning commotion, Instagram Reels ads, and driving traffic to your website.
Why are my Reels not monetizing?
Here are some reasons why your Reels are not monetizing:
- You may not be getting enough sponsorships
- You don't have a large enough loyal audience base
- Your content doesn't align with the interests of potential buyers
- You may not be getting enough shoutouts
- You may not be getting enough engagement on your Reels
- You may not be eligible for Instagram Reels ads
How long does a Reel monetize?
The length of time a Reel monetize using varies depending on the method:
- Using sponsored content depends on the terms of the sponsorship agreement
- Using shoutouts depends on the agreement you have with the other influencer
- Using earning commotion depends on how long your reel stays relevant
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