Reels are a great way to showcase your creativity and reach new audiences. They are also a great way to monetize your Instagram presence, whether you are a content creator, an influencer, or a brand.
In this guide, we will show you how to earn money from Instagram Reels in 2024, using the latest features and best practices.
Instagram reels give you engagement, discoverability, and virality.
Instagram Reels can help you boost your engagement rate, which is the ratio of likes, comments, and shares to the number of followers. Reels tend to get more engagement than other types of posts, as they are short, catchy, and easy to consume.
According to a study by Socialinsider, Reels have an average engagement rate of 1.23%.
Instagram Reels can help you reach new and wider audiences, as they are featured on the Explore tab, which is visited by more than 50% of Instagram users every month.
Reels also have their own dedicated tab on the profile page, which makes them more visible and accessible. Additionally, Reels can be discovered through hashtags, music, effects, and trending topics, which can increase your chances of getting featured and going viral.
Instagram Reels can help you create viral content, as they are designed to be fun, creative, and entertaining.
Reels can also leverage the power of music, which can make your content more appealing and memorable.
Moreover, Reels can benefit from the network effect, which means that the more people watch, like, comment, and share your Reels, the more exposure and traction they will get.
How to earn money from Instagram Reels as a creator
If you know how to monetize them effectively. There are several ways to earn money from Instagram Reels as a creator, such as:
Partnering with Brands
You can collaborate with brands that are relevant to your niche and create sponsored Reels featuring their products or services.
You can negotiate the payment terms and deliverables with the brands, or use platforms like AspireIQ, or Upfluence to find and manage your partnerships
Promoting your own products or services
You can use Reels to showcase your own products or services, such as digital courses, ebooks, coaching, merch, etc.
You can direct your viewers to your website, landing page, or online store, where they can purchase or sign up for what you offer.
Joining affiliate programs
You can join affiliate networks or programs that offer commissions for promoting products or services on your Reels. You can use your unique affiliate link or code to track the sales that are generated through your Reels.
Some popular affiliate programs are Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and EarnKaro
Enabling Instagram Shopping
You can feature “Shopping Reels” where products from your catalog are overlaid on your videos. This allows your viewers to shop directly from your Reels, without leaving the app.
To use this feature, you need to have an Instagram Business account and a Facebook Shop.
Receiving virtual gifts
You can receive virtual gifts from your fans and followers during your live broadcasts on Instagram. These gifts are called “badges” and they can be purchased by your viewers using Instagram Stars, which are a form of in-app currency.
You can earn a percentage of the revenue from the badges that you receive.
There is one more way – the Instagram reel bonus program. But this program is limited to some countries that is why I haven’t added.
Now let’s understand how you can make money on Instagram as a Brand.
How to earn money from Instagram Reels as a brand
Instagram Reels, short videos that can showcase your products and services, can be a source of income if monetized effectively. Here are several ways to earn money from Instagram Reels as a brand:
- Product Placement: Pay influencers to feature your products in their Reels. Leverage their audience and credibility to drive brand awareness and sales.
- Branded Effects: Create custom interactive filters, effects, or stickers for users to include in their Reels. This can boost your brand visibility and engagement.
- Challenges: Launch a branded hashtag challenge where users are encouraged to create Reels with your product or using your branded effect. This can spark user-generated content and virality.
- Advertising: Run short video ads within the Reels experience to reach millions of users who scroll through Reels. Reels ads are full-screen, last up to 15 seconds, and loop continuously.
- Shopping: Feature “Shopping Reels” where products from your catalog are overlaid on your videos. This allows users to shop directly from your Reels, without leaving the app.
- Hashtag Sponsorships: Pay to sponsor a topical hashtag so your brand shows up first when users search for that hashtag. This allows you to tap into an existing conversation and community.
By leveraging these strategies, brands can effectively monetize their presence on Instagram Reels, reaching new and wider audiences on the platform.
How does Instagram pay you?
Instagram itself doesn’t pay you directly, but you can earn money through various channels:
- Sponsored Posts: Brands often pay influencers to create posts that promote their products or services. The rate for these sponsored posts typically starts at around $10 per 1,000 followers, but this can vary widely depending on factors like engagement, quality of content, name recognition, audience demographic, and skill set.
- Affiliate Marketing: You can earn commissions by promoting other companies’ products. When your followers purchase the product through your referral link, you earn a percentage of the sale.
- Selling Your Own Products or Services: If you have your own business, you can use Instagram to promote your products or services. This can be particularly effective if you’re able to leverage Instagram’s visual platform to showcase what you’re offering.
- Instagram’s Monetization Policies: Instagram has also introduced monetization policies for IGTV, Instagram Live, and Reels. Eligible creators can earn money from ads shown on their videos and receive “Badges” in Live, which are purchased by viewers to support the creators.
Remember, the more engaged followers you have, the greater your earning potential.
It’s not just about the number of followers, but about building a community interested in your content and, by extension, the products or services you promote.
Who is eligible for the Instagram Reels bonus program
To be eligible for the Instagram Reels bonus, users must meet certain criteria:
- Account Age: The Instagram account from which you apply must be older than 30 days. This ensures that the account is not a spam or bot account.
- Content Creation: You must have created at least 5 reels in the last 30 days. This shows that you are an active content creator on the platform.
- Engagement: Your reels must receive at least 100K plays in the last 30 days. This indicates that your content is engaging and popular among Instagram users.
- Professional Mode: You must apply from a Page or profile in professional mode. This is because the bonus program is designed for creators and businesses who are serious about their Instagram presence.
Remember, these are the minimum requirements, and meeting them does not guarantee that you will receive the bonus. Instagram may have additional criteria for selection.
It’s also important to note that the bonus program may not be available in all regions. Always check Instagram’s official guidelines for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
How to make your Instagram Reels Go Viral
- Use Trending Music: Incorporate popular and trending songs in your reels to increase discoverability¹.
- Remove Watermarks: To increase the likelihood of your videos appearing in Instagram’s Explore section, remove any watermarks.
- Capitalize on Trends: Use trending hashtags and participate in challenges that Instagram releases from time to time.
- Consistent Posting: Keep creating new reels often to get featured again
- Tag Brands or Companies: Tag the brands or companies in the video so they share it and you get extra views⁴.
Remember, going viral on Instagram Reels requires a combination of quality content, strategic use of trends and hashtags, and consistent engagement with your audience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about making money using Instagram Reels
- What is Instagram Reels?
Instagram Reels is a feature that allows creators to make and share short, creative videos¹. - How can I make money with Instagram Reels?
There are several ways to monetize Instagram Reels. These include the Instagram Reels Play Bonus, brand partnerships, and promoting your own business. - What is the Instagram Reels Play Bonus?
The Instagram Reels Play Bonus allows creators to earn money based on the number of plays a Reel gets. - Who is eligible for the Instagram Reels Play Bonus?
Currently, the Play Bonus is invite-only and exclusive to the U.S., but it could potentially expand globally. Eligible creators must have less than 1 million followers, have a professional Instagram account, and follow Instagram’s Partner Monetization Policies. - How does the Instagram Reels Play Bonus work?
When you’re invited to the program, you need to opt in to begin earning money for plays. You receive a payout for your reels at the end of 30 days, during which you can choose up to 150 Reels to count towards the bonus. - How much money can I make from the Instagram Reels Play Bonus?
Your end payout is based on the number of Bonus Plays (number of views your Reel receives on Instagram or Facebook). However, you have to earn a minimum of $100 to cash out and reach a minimum view requirement. - What are brand partnerships?
Brand partnerships are when a company pays you to feature their product or service in your reels. - How can I promote my own business on Instagram Reels?
You can use Instagram Reels to showcase your products or services, create interactive filters, effects, or stickers for users to include in their reels, launch a branded hashtag challenge, run short video ads within the Reels experience, or feature “Shopping Reels,” where products from your catalog are overlaid on short videos. - Can I earn money by posting photos on Instagram?
Yes, you can earn money by posting photos on Instagram. You can make money using Instagram tools such as Branded Content, Badges in Live, and Shopping. You can also sell your photos on Instagram. - Does Instagram pay for views?
Instagram doesn’t pay creators directly for views. Instead, creators earn money through collaborations with brands, selling their products or services, and leveraging their view count to generate income through various channels. - Does Instagram pay for posts?
Instagram doesn’t pay creators directly for posts. However, creators can earn money through brand partnerships, sponsored posts, and other opportunities. - How do I claim money from Instagram?
You can claim money from Instagram through various features such as Instagram Shopping, IGTV Ads, Instagram Live Badges, and more. - When does Instagram start paying you?
Instagram doesn’t directly pay users. Earnings come from external sources such as brand partnerships, sponsored posts, and other opportunities. You can start earning when you have a dedicated and engaged audience. - How to make 1k followers on Instagram?
To gain followers on Instagram, engage with other users, like and comment on their photos, message users with fewer followers, post consistently, and post at the right time of day. - Which category is best for Instagram?
The best category for Instagram depends on the nature of your business or content. Some popular categories include Media, Fashion, Music, Arts, and Fitness and Wellness. - How do I monetize my Instagram 2024?
You can monetize your Instagram account through various methods such as promoting services through Instagram Ads, selling products on Instagram Shop, sponsorships with influencers, using the Branded Content Marketplace, and tagging products on Posts, Stories, and Reels.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Instagram Reels presents a unique and exciting opportunity for creators to monetize their content and reach a wider audience. Reels have become a powerful tool for creators to showcase their creativity, engage with their audience, and ultimately, generate income.
The potential to earn money on Instagram is vast, from brand partnerships and sponsored posts to leveraging Instagram’s shopping feature. However, it’s important to remember that building a dedicated and engaged audience is key to monetizing your Instagram account. Consistent posting, engaging with other users, and delivering high-quality content are all crucial factors in gaining followers and increasing your earning potential.
Moreover, choosing the right category for your Instagram account based on the nature of your business or content can significantly impact your success. Whether it’s Media, Fashion, Music, Arts, or Fitness and Wellness, selecting a category that aligns with your content can help attract a targeted audience and increase engagement.
While Instagram doesn’t directly pay users for views or posts, the platform offers various features such as Instagram Shopping, IGTV Ads, Instagram Live Badges, and more, which creators can leverage to earn money. It’s also worth noting that the rise of nationalism in the platform has led to more opportunities for creators to monetize their content.
However, before diving into the world of Instagram monetization, it’s crucial to understand the platform’s policies and guidelines. Instagram’s official blog is a valuable resource for staying updated on the latest features, tips, and best practices for monetizing your Instagram account.
In the end, the journey to making money on Instagram is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires patience, consistency, and a genuine passion for the content you create. But with the right strategies and a dedicated approach, the potential for earning on Instagram is indeed promising. Happy Instagramming!