Over the past couple of years Instagram has really defined itself as the newest marketing platform with 48.8% of U.S. brands now using Instagram for social media marketing. Users are now turning what was a simple hobby into their own personal brand and boy, are they raking in the money!

Whilst we know the likes of Sarah Ashcroft and Zoella get paid by brands to promote products, the average joe’s like us can too! Through apps such as Takumi, connecting Instagram influencers with brands, it’s estimated around 10% of the UK are eligible to earn money from their snaps.

Dinner last night wearing everything @prettylittlething ?

A post shared by GIGI (@georgiaebayliss) on

Example Marketing Post – georgiaebayliss

Brands are willing to pay fees anywhere from £40 to £2000 per image (I know, sign me up right!) based on the number of followers an account has. Entry level users with around 1000 followers can be earning up to £4,160 per year if they posted just twice a week!

Gaining Followers

First things first, most brands will expect a strong following in order to begin a partnership. If you appear to be lacking in this department there are a few simple methods you can take to increase your followers. all while building a professional look for your account!

  • Fill out your bio: Including contact information, what you post about and where you’re from, adding in a few keywords/hashtags to ensure you’re easily findable.
  • Post regularly: Try to be posting several images every day… but be warned, don’t post them all at the same time or this will actually work against you!
  • Use relevant hashtags: Try familiarise yourself with the best ones to do with your field of interest and make sure you’re using them in every single post.
  • Engage with your followers: Comment and like away! Engaging with your followers, or anyone involved in your industry, every day means people will be drawn to check out your account.

Okay, so you’ve got yourself the followers – then what?

Affiliate marketing is basically promoting products and getting paid per sale and you’ll see bloggers doing this through specific product inspired posts. With Instagram, you want to be posting attractive images of companies products, and driving sales through tagging URLs.

Here are some companies you can work alongside :
  • Sharesale: Find and sign up for companies affiliate programs you want to work with, get approved and start promoting. Sometimes having a blog or website can make it easier to get approved.
  • Ebates: Refer people that love deals and discounts and get commission.
  • Stylinity:  When people shop using your link, you’ll get commission – great for fashion bloggers!

This type of marketing is particularly popular with clothing on Instagram,  with affiliate links sending followers to your full outfit details and even offering discounts and savings, for example…

For those wanting to start travel-Instas (or simply those that love to travel – ahem, all of us!) you could try to use this marketing technique when reviewing hotels and venues. Simply direct followers to book through your link!

Whatever avenue you decide to go down, be that fashion, gym or beauty Instas, just remember to keep your personal brand in mind. If you treat what you do as a business, you’ll be on the way to the Insta-hall-of-fame!