Instagram isn’t just for selfies and scrolling! If you didn’t already know it, there are plenty of real ways to make money on Instagram from home.
So if you’re already spending time on the app (and most of us are), you might as well turn it into something that pays.
You don’t need a huge following, either, contrary to popular belief. You just need to show up consistently and be smart about what you’re offering your existing audience.
Below are 31 real ways to make money on Instagram, even if you’re starting with a small following.
Can You Really Make Money on Instagram?
Yes. You can make money on Instagram through affiliate links, brand partnerships, UGC, subscriptions, digital products, services, and selling your own products.
You don’t need a huge following for every method, either. UGC, services, affiliate marketing, and selling products can all work without a massive audience, although some of Instagram’s built-in monetization features have their own eligibility requirements.
31 Ways to Make Money on Instagram
1. Use Instagram for Affiliate Marketing
You can post about products you like and earn a small commission when someone buys through your link. This works well in stories, posts, and even your bio if you set it up right.
Just make sure the stuff you’re sharing is something you’d actually use yourself.
If you’re not familiar with affiliate marketing, I have some information on how affiliate marketing works.
2. Sell Your Own Product
Got something you already sell? Use your Instagram to promote it!
For example, physical products like candles or jewelry can do well when you post behind-the-scenes content and satisfied customer photos.
3. Sell Instagram Shoutouts
If you have an engaged audience in a specific niche, other creators or small businesses may pay you to share their page, product, or account.
This can work especially well for niche or theme pages with followers who actually pay attention to what they recommend.
Just remember to always label paid shoutouts so your followers trust you.
4. Partner With Brands
Brand partnerships are one of the more established ways to make money on Instagram, and they aren’t just for people with a million followers. Companies work with micro-influencers and smaller creators all the time.
You just need to show that your audience listens to what you post. If you can do that, you may be able to land paid brand deals.
5. Sell Digital Downloads
Think templates, planners, printable art, or social media graphics. These are easy to promote and deliver!
Your followers buy, and they get the file instantly. Once made, you can sell them over and over.
I have a list of 10 easy-to-make digital printables for beginners.
If selling printables sounds like something you’d like to try, Gold City Ventures has a free workshop here that walks you through choosing ideas, setting up an Etsy shop, and getting started.
6. Offer Social Media Management
If you’re good at growing your own Instagram page, other people are going to be willing to pay you to do the same for them.
For example, small businesses and solo entrepreneurs often need help but can’t hire full-time. So, your Instagram becomes your resume!
I also have more information on doing social media work from home if this route interests you.
7. Promote a Service
Use your posts and stories to bring attention to something you do, like freelance writing, virtual assisting, or photography. Even a casual mention can lead someone to message you.
Make sure your contact info is easy to find in your bio! At a minimum, make sure your email address is listed.
8. Sell Photography
If your photos are high-quality, you may be able to sell them as prints or license them for use on websites, social media, or ads.
For example, you can sell through print-on-demand platforms or license them directly. Tag your photo style clearly so people know what you’re offering.
9. Share Tutorials or How-Tos
These types of posts build trust and can lead to bigger sales. Teach something in your niche, then direct people to a paid resource like a course or ebook.
Reels can work especially well for short tutorials and helping new people discover your content.
10. Create UGC for Brands
UGC stands for user-generated content, and this has become a popular way for creators to earn money online.
Brands pay creators to make videos or photos featuring their products that the company can use on its own social media pages or in ads.
The nice thing about UGC is that you do not necessarily need a huge following because the brand is paying you to create the content, not just for access to your audience.
Because of that, you can put together a small portfolio using products you already own and then pitch brands or look for UGC opportunities through creator platforms and social media.
11. Make Money With Instagram Subscriptions
Instagram lets eligible creators charge for exclusive content directly in the app, making Subscriptions one of the platform’s built-in ways to earn money.
You can share bonus posts, stories, or Lives that only paying subscribers can see.
This works best when your audience is already invested in what you share.
12. Launch a Paid Newsletter
Use Instagram to build trust with your audience, then send people to a paid newsletter on Substack or Kit (two email service providers that make it possible to do this).
It’s a good fit if you like writing and want a more personal connection with your audience.
Then, share snippets in your posts to encourage signups to your newsletter.
13. Promote an Online Course
Do you have a skill people ask you about? Turn it into a course and use Instagram to promote it.
Short videos or graphics showing what people will learn can help drive signups to it.
14. Sell Merch
If you have a personal brand or catchphrase, you can turn it into merch. Use print-on-demand sites to handle the printing and shipping.
Then, show off your products in real photos and tag them in your posts.
15. Offer Coaching or Consulting
You can use your account to attract one-on-one clients. This could be fitness coaching, business mentoring, or anything you’re qualified to teach.
For example, share testimonials or before-and-after results to help build trust.
Want more real ways to earn from home? I send out free weekly emails with remote jobs, side hustle ideas, extra-cash opportunities, and other ways to earn from home. You can sign up here.
16. Join an Influencer Platform
Sites like Aspire, Intellifluence, Impact, and Collabstr can connect creators with brands looking for people to promote their products.
In addition, Instagram has its own Creator Marketplace where eligible creators can be discovered by brands.
These platforms can help you find campaigns to apply for or give brands a way to contact you about paid opportunities.
17. Promote a Patreon
Patreon lets you offer exclusive content, behind-the-scenes posts, or early access for paying fans. Use Instagram to tease what’s inside.
If people love your content and want to support you, this can bring in steady monthly income.
18. Use Live Badges or Subscriber Lives
If live video is a big part of your content, Instagram has monetization options that can help you earn from it.
For example, eligible creators can use Badges, which allow viewers to financially support them during a Live.
Creators with Instagram Subscriptions can also offer exclusive Lives for paying subscribers.
This works well if you have helpful, entertaining, or interactive information to share.
19. Teach Instagram
Once you figure out how to grow your page, there are others who want to learn. Sell a mini-course, ebook, or service teaching IG basics.
Just be honest about what’s worked for you and avoid making big promises.
20. Make Money From Instagram Reels With Gifts
Eligible creators can make money on Instagram through Gifts on Reels.
Viewers can purchase Stars and use them to send virtual gifts on Reels they enjoy, and creators can earn from those gifts.
As a result, this is another reason to focus on creating useful, entertaining, or highly shareable Reels rather than just posting static content.
21. Start a Niche Page
Create an account focused on something specific, such as budgeting tips, minimalist decor, or parenting hacks.
Once you build a following, you can monetize the page through things like affiliate links, brand deals, shoutouts, or your own products.
These pages can grow quickly when the content is very shareable.
22. Sell Recipes or Meal Plans
If you post food content, offer downloadable meal plans, grocery lists, or recipe ebooks. Give your audience a taste of what you’re offering in your Reels and captions.
This is perfect if you already cook and post meals anyway. I have more ideas to earn from home cooking if you’re interested.
23. Offer Reels or Short-Form Video Editing
Lots of businesses and creators want to post more short-form video but either don’t know how to edit it or simply don’t have time.
If you’re good at editing Reels, adding captions, finding good clips, or turning longer videos into short ones, you can offer this as a paid service.
Your own Instagram page can then serve as a portfolio showing potential clients what you can do.
24. Create a Brand Ambassador Program
If you already sell products, you can let others earn commission by promoting them. Instagram is great for showing off your ambassadors and building community.
Just make sure to track who’s bringing in sales.
25. Sell Content Plans or Social Media Strategy
Lots of small businesses want to be on Instagram but don’t know what to post or how to turn their content into something that actually helps their business.
For example, you can offer content calendars, Reels ideas, hooks, post ideas, or even a full monthly social media plan.
Your own feed becomes your proof of what you can do with something like that.
26. Start a Dropshipping Store
With dropshipping, you sell products you don’t physically keep in stock. Instagram can help you promote them with photos and Reels.
Then, you could pair it with a store on Shopify or another eCommerce platform.
However, keep in mind that this is not an instant or guaranteed way to make money. You still need good products, a trustworthy-looking store, and a way to bring in buyers.
27. Promote a Blog
Use your posts to bring people to a blog that makes money through ads, sponsored content, or affiliate links. Share short pieces of your posts on IG and direct them to the full version.
It’s a slow build, but it can be another way to make money from your Instagram audience if you stick with it. I have tips on starting a blog if you’re interested.
28. Sell Event Tickets
If you host workshops, retreats, or even online webinars, Instagram is a good way to spread the word.
For example, post photos or clips from past events to build interest. Make sure the ticket link is easy to find in your bio.
29. License Your Content
If you make really high-quality photos or Reels, brands might pay to reuse them.
You can offer licensing through DM or mention it in your bio.
However, if a brand wants to use your content in advertisements or reuse it for an extended period of time, make sure you understand exactly what rights you’re giving them and whether that usage should cost extra.
Just make sure you understand usage rights before agreeing!
30. Offer Home Decor, Fashion, or Styling Advice
This works great for fashion, home decor, or even makeup accounts. Share tips on your page, then offer one-on-one consultations.
You can charge for quick advice sessions or full-on design services.
31. Promote an Etsy or Shopify Store
Use Instagram to show off your products with lifestyle shots, customer reviews, and packaging videos.
This helps build trust and makes your brand feel more personal. Make sure you tag your products so people can easily tap through to your store and buy.
If you need a store first, you can check out Shopify here, or read my information on selling through Etsy.
5 Quick Tips to Start Making Money on Instagram
Pick a Niche
Stick to one main topic so people know what to expect when they follow you.
Add a Link In Your Bio
Use something like Linktree or Beacons to point followers to your shop, offers, or services.
Post Often and Intentionally
You don’t need to post every single day, but you do need to stay visible and share content that adds real value.
Talk to Your Followers
Reply to comments and DMs. People buy from accounts they trust.
Just Start Even If You’re Starting Small
You don’t need everything perfect to begin. Pick one idea and just go from there.
There isn’t one single best way to make money on Instagram. Pick the idea that fits what you already know or enjoy doing, start there, and build on it as your audience grows.
As always, good luck! Feel free to comment below if you have some other outside-the-box ideas for earning with Instagram.
Anna Thurman is a work at home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 15 years. Her findings are published weekly here at Real Ways to Earn.