How to Earn Money from Instagram Reels

More than 695,000 Instagram Reels are sent through DMs every minute. This number shows just how popular Reels are and how much reach they have. Reels get more views and attention than any other type of content on Instagram, making them a great way to earn money. Instagram even had a Reels Play Bonus Program for creators to earn money from their content.

Sadly, these bonus earnings were discontinued in March 2023, leading content creators and businesses to find other ways to monetize their Reels. Thankfully, Reels still remain a great tool to promote products or services and get paid. We’ll share 11 different ways to earn money from Instagram Reels and increase your income!

Eligibility Requirements to Make Money on Instagram Reels

If you’re looking to turn your Instagram Reels into a source of income, it’s important to first understand the eligibility requirements set by Instagram, which are:

1. Age Requirement

You must be at least 18 years old to make money on Instagram Reels.

2. Compliance with Policies

• Community Guidelines: You need to follow Instagram’s rules about what kind of content is allowed and avoid sharing harmful or inappropriate material.
• Partner Monetization Policies: There are some guidelines to follow in order to use Instagram’s monetization or promotional tools. These include living in an eligible country and adhering to payout terms.
• Content Monetization Policies: These include rules about the type of content that can generate income. You must avoid prohibited formats, misleading/false information, and explicit/inappropriate content.

3. Creator or Business Account

You must have either a Creator or Business account on Instagram to turn on monetization, as personal accounts are not eligible.

4. Location

Your account needs to be based in a country where Instagram’s monetization features are available. Instagram is expanding these features, so check if they’re available in your location.

5. Followers & Engagement

There are no minimum follow counts or levels of engagement needed.

6. Eligible Content

You must meet Instagram’s criteria for eligible content, which means your Reels should be engaging and original and follow all of Instagram’s content rules. If you meet the eligibility requirements but are not getting views on your Reels, consider revisiting your content strategy or finding new ways to boost your visibility and engagement.

How to Make Money on Instagram Reels

Here are some fantastic tips to make money on Instagram Reels:

1. Sell Digital Products & Services

Leverage the visual appeal of Reels to directly market digital services or products to interested viewers. Make your products so appealing that your Reels go viral, which will increase your overall visibility and sales. You can promote and sell items like online courses, presets, filters, or digital downloads.

If you’re an expert, then share your knowledge on topics like fitness, cooking, or self-improvement using an eBook. To get started, create engaging Reels that highlight the value of your digital products. For instance, if you’re selling an online course, share snippets of what users will learn and how it can benefit them.

2. Launch a Merchandise Store

Sell your own branded products through Instagram Reelsto attract more buyers. This method is particularly effective for influencers and creators who have built a strong brand and loyal following. Create engaging Reels that showcase your merchandise in action. Highlight how your merch can be used or styled and include a link to your store in the reel description or your profile bio.

To maximize the impact, use Instagram’s features, including stickers and polls. This strategic promotion will drive traffic to your store and help you make more sales. Regularly update your content to feature new products and promotions and track your inventory to understand which items are most popular.

3. Monetize with Instagram Reels Ads

Make money on Instagram based on how many views and clicks you get by strategically placing ads within your Reels. Instagram’s ad feature allows you to create sponsored ads within engaging content. To succeed, your Reels need to perform well so the Instagram algorithm notices them. This boosts your ranking in the Reels tab, leading to more views and higher ad revenue.

For fast results, buy Instagram Reels Views to enhance your content’s visibility and reach. More views mean better algorithm performance, ultimately attracting a larger audience. Keep reviewing your ad performance and adjusting your strategy to maximize your earnings through optimized content and targeted advertising.

4. Become an Affiliate Marketer

Get money for promoting products and earning commissions on sales made through your affiliate links. As an affiliate marketer, you can use your Reels to showcase products, share honest reviews and guide your followers to make purchases using your link. Affiliate marketing not only helps you generate income but also builds your credibility as a trusted influencer in your niche.

Find products or services that match your content and your audience’s interests. Partner with reputable brands that offer affiliate programs such as Amazon. Then as a brand ambassador integrate their products into your Reels naturally. Don’t forget to include your affiliate link in the caption or bio.

5. Earn with Paid Subscriptions

You can create premium content to earn money if you have paid subscribers. Instagram allows you to set a subscription plan between $0.99 and $99.99. Your subscribers will be highlighted in purple, making them easy to spot in your DMs and comments. Understanding the Instagram algorithm can help you tailor your content to retain subscribers and encourage new sign-ups.

Build a dedicated Subscriber Community by offering Reels with exclusive perks, such as behind-the-scenes footage, special tutorials, or early access to content. Don’t forget to interact with your subscribers to keep them satisfied with their investment.

Promote your paid subscription offer through your Reels and other Instagram content, highlighting the exclusive benefits subscribers will receive. Also, share previews or snippets of your exclusive content to entice potential subscribers.

6. Accept Instagram Gifts

Viewers can send virtual gifts on live streams, Reels, or posts which translate into real earnings for the creator. This feature provides an additional revenue stream and encourages audience engagement which is a valuable tool for monetizing your content. Enable the Gifts feature in your Instagram account settings, and make sure you meet the eligibility criteria.

During your Reels or live streams, actively engage with your audience and remind them of the option to send gifts. Find the best time to post your Reels when your audience is most active. This way you can capture their attention to get more likes and comments. It also increases the likelihood of receiving more gifts.

7. Join Instagram’s Creator Marketplace

You can access paid opportunities for sponsored Reels by joining Instagram’s Creator Marketplace, helping you monetize your content by collaborating with brands interested in your niche. To start, go to your profile, navigate to “Settings,” select “Account,” and switch to a Creator Account.

Then, head to “Business” and choose “Creator Marketplace” to apply and fill out your profile with details about your niche. Once approved, brands can find you more easily and propose collaborations. Additionally, create sponsored content for brands to promote their products or services.

You can reach out to brands directly or join influencer marketing platforms. When negotiating deals, discuss sponsored content rates and clarify user-generated content (UGC) rights, allowing you to earn money from partnerships while also helping businesses reach their target consumers.

8. Utilize Live Stream Donations

Loyal viewers can send donations to their favorite creator during Instagram live streams. This real time interaction and support boosts your income and enhances engagement with your audience. Always acknowledge donations and show appreciation to make viewers feel valued, encouraging more contributions.

Additionally, promote your live streams across your Instagram Reels and other social media platforms to attract a larger audience. Try to get as many eyes on your Reels as possible to reach your target view count for your live video. A quick solution to drive viewer levels is to actively engage with your audience whenever you go live to increase your reach and visibility. This can lead to more people joining your life and potentially increasing donations.

9. Use Product (Shopping) Tags

Provide viewers a seamless shopping experience by directing them to the purchase page. Instagram’s product tagging feature allows creators to promote products directly within their Reels to drive sales and earn commissions. The shoppable Reels also help brands build a cohesive online presence, making it simpler for customers to find and purchase what they love.

Add clear calls to action (CTAs) such as “Swipe up to shop” or “Check out the link in our bio” to encourage viewers to make purchases. You can actually add shoppable tags to your existing Reels and make money from them. This way, you earn more from content that’s already doing well without needing to create new Reels quickly.

10. Promoting Reels on Other Channels

Sharing your Instagram Reels on other platforms like YouTube or TikTok can significantly boost your visibility and create more opportunities to earn money. By reaching audiences who may not be on Instagram, you can attract new followers and potentially increase your revenue streams. Start by repurposing your entertaining Reels for other platforms.

For instance, you can post shorter versions or highlights on TikTok where short form content performs better. Make sure you adjust the content slightly to fit the style and audience of each platform. For YouTube, consider creating a Reels compilation or using them as a part of a broader video. This cross-promotion can boost your earnings by maximizing your reach across different channels.

11. Collect Donations via Patreon

Patreon allows your followers to support you financially in exchange for exclusive content, which can create a steady revenue stream. Donations foster a sense of connection with your supporters as they play a direct role in the creative process. Start by creating a Patreon account and setting up different membership tiers with various perks.

The benefits could be things like exclusive content, behind-the-scenes clips, and early access. You can use call to action phrases and visual cues to direct your viewers to your Patreon page to make it easy for them to support you. Share snippets of the exclusive content available on Patreon to give potential supporters a taste of what they can expect.

Conclusion

Instagram Reels offers a great platform for creators to engage with their audience and generate income. By applying the tips discussed in this article, you can expand your monetization strategy and get better revenue opportunities. So, implement these strategies today and use Reels to make money on Instagram!