Having 1000 followers on Instagram may seem like a small amount, but with the right strategy, you can start to make money even with that size audience. While becoming an influencer and earning a full-time income will require a much larger following, there are still opportunities to earn as a nano or micro-influencer. Let’s take a look at some of the main ways to monetize an Instagram account with around 1000 followers.
Partner with brands for sponsored posts
One of the most popular ways influencers make money is by partnering with brands to create sponsored posts. This involves creating content that promotes a brand’s products or services and getting paid for it. Typically, sponcon (sponsored content) is disclosed by using #ad or #sponsored in the caption.
While brands will likely pay more for influencers with higher engagement and larger followings, you can still find opportunities to get sponsored as a nano influencer. The key is finding brands relevant to your niche and audience size. For example, if you have a food account with 1000 engaged followers, you may be able to partner with food brands, kitchenware companies, restaurants, meal delivery services, etc.
Rates will vary greatly based on your niche, content quality, and audience engagement, but as a rough benchmark, nano influencers often charge around $25-$100 per sponsored post. So partnering on just a few campaigns per month could add up to a nice side income stream.
Use affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is another popular money-making approach used by influencers. This allows you to earn a commission from sales you drive to other brands and retailers. Whenever one of your followers makes a purchase using your affiliate link, you earn a percentage of that sale.
Many brands offer influencer affiliate programs, allowing you to promote their products in your content. When getting started with just 1000 followers, look for affiliate programs that are relevant to your niche and audience interests. Some examples include Amazon Associates, ShopStyle Collective, Rakuten, CJ Affiliate, and ShareASale.
To maximize your earnings, be strategic about the products you choose to promote. Make sure they genuinely match your content style and audience demographics. Promote them organically within your highest performing content. The more clicks and conversions you drive, the more you’ll earn.
Sell your own products or services
In addition to partnering with other brands, you can also make money from your own product and service offerings. This may involve selling digital products, online courses, consultations, merchandise, and more. While you’ll need sufficient demand and audience trust to make sales, some product ideas to consider with 1000 followers include:
- Digital products like photo filters, Lightroom presets, Instagram guides or templates.
- Online courses teaching skills related to your niche.
- Consulting services like social media management, content creation, influencer coaching.
- Merchandise like t-shirts, phone cases, notebooks featuring your brand.
You can sell through your own website or ecommerce store, or leverage platforms like Gumroad, Teachable and Shopify. Be sure to promote your offerings organically in your content and Instagram bio.
Offer Instagram takeovers
Takeovers involve allowing another brand or influencer in your niche to “take over” your Instagram feed for a day. This lets them share content with your audience while you earn a sponsorship fee. It’s a win-win because the guest gets exposure while you make money.
When reaching out to potential takeover partners, consider those with audiences similar in size or slightly larger than yours. Make sure their content style and niche is relevant for your followers. Negotiate a reasonable sponsorship fee based on the access to your audience. Arrange for them to send you content to share or allow them temporary access to your account to post.
Use Instagram shop features
Instagram now allows you to tag products in your posts and add shoppable links, opening up built-in money-making opportunities. When you tag a brand’s product, you have the option to enable an affiliate link that gives you a commission on any purchases driven from your post.
You can also link out to products through Instagram Shop. Add these links to your bio or posts so that followers can easily shop products you recommend. This seamless shopping experience lets you earn from your content without overtly pitching affiliate links.
Monetize with Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels is the platform’s TikTok competitor that allows you to create fun, short videos set to music or other audio. Just like TikTok, Reels can help you earn in a few ways:
- The Instagram Reels Bonus program pays eligible creators up to $10,000 per month for their top performing Reels.
- You may get offered branded content opportunities related to Reels.
- Reels can help grow your audience and engagement, boosting your earning potential long-term.
To increase your chances of earning with Reels, create engaging, entertaining videos consistently. Use trending audios, reactive effects and timely captions. Promote your best videos on your profile and in Stories.
Collaborate with other influencers
Finding ways to collaborate with other influencers in your niche is a great way to cross-promote content and share audiences. This expands your reach and engages both of your followings. While collaborating, you can earn by:
- Co-creating content together and co-promoting each other’s posts.
- Featuring each other in your Instagram content and Stories.
- Doing an Instagram Live together.
- Co-hosting an Instagram giveaway.
Look for influencers with similar follower counts and content styles. Start by engaging with their content and organically building a relationship before proposing any paid collaborations.
Should you get an Instagram business profile?
If you want to monetize your Instagram account, it’s a good idea to convert to an Instagram business profile. This unlocks additional features that can help you earn money, like:
- Insights – Track your followers, engagement and top performing posts.
- Shopping features – Tag products and link to ecommerce sites.
- Promotions – Run marketing campaigns and special offers.
- Contact options – Add contact buttons and direct messaging.
Business profiles also look more professional to potential brand partners. And you gain access to professional editing tools like promotions and stickers.
How to attract brand sponsorships
While 1000 engaged followers is enough to start getting some brand sponsorships, having more followers and engagement will significantly increase your earning potential. Here are some tips to attract and land more brand deals:
- Create high-quality, branded content – Post consistently using your own visual style and voice.
- Engage your audience – Reply to comments, ask questions in captions and run contests.
- Partner with micro influencers – Collaborate on giveaways or content creation.
- Pitch brands strategically – Target relevant brands and highlight your audience and niche.
- Post at optimal times – Check your Instagram Insights to see when your followers are most active.
Building relationships with the right brands takes time. Focus on creating great content, growing your audience, and providing value rather than just spamming every brand asking for sponsorships.
Should you work with an influencer marketing agency?
As your following grows, you may consider joining an influencer marketing platform or agency. They connect influencers with paid brand partnership opportunities based on audience demographics and content style. Some top platforms include:
- Grapevine
- Femestella
- Obviously
- IZEA
- Influence.co
- AspireIQ
The benefit of these platforms is that they take care of the brand outreach for you. So you can focus just on content creation. However, they do take a cut of your sponsorship earnings in exchange.
Ways to grow your Instagram following
While you can start monetizing with 1000 followers, having more followers and engagement will maximize your earning potential. Here are some effective tactics to grow your Instagram organically:
Optimize your profile
- Use a consistent profile photo and bio that communicates your niche.
- Include relevant keywords people may search to find you.
- Link to your website or other social platforms.
Engage with your audience
- Reply to all comments.
- Use Instagram Stories regularly.
- Run contests and giveaways.
- Ask engaging questions in captions.
Post high-quality content consistently
- Post at least 1-2 times per day.
- Use rich media like photos, graphics and video.
- Leverage trends, holidays and current events.
- Use popular hashtags.
Collaborate with others
- Run contests together or take over each other’s accounts.
- Repost each other’s content and tag each other.
- Engage with each other’s content.
Advertise strategically
- Promote your best content as paid ads.
- Target lookalike audiences.
- Run giveaways and contests as ads.
Conclusion
While having 1000 engaged Instagram followers is still considered nano-influencer status, you can start to earn money from brand sponsorships, affiliates, product sales and other monetization methods. Focus on creating high-quality, valuable content, strategically partnering with relevant brands, and boosting engagement.
Be patient, as it takes time to build relationships and prove your value to potential brand partners. Consider joining affiliate programs and selling your own digital products or services to maximize your monetization. As you continue growing your audience, your earning potential will also increase.
