How Much Do Instagram Influencers Make

By |Last Updated: March 28th, 2022|

Social media has slowly taken over the Internet in recent years. A large part of this is due to the rise of platforms such as Instagram. Instagram has become one of the most popular social media platforms with over 1 billion monthly active users. This popularity has led to a new type of celebrity, the Instagram influencers.

The top Instagram influencers are unique people that have carefully built up their precedence, in some cases even beyond popular television personalities, and businesses have altered their marketing tactics dramatically to capitalize on this new form of celebrity.

In this article I’m going to break down exactly how much do Instagram influencers make and what factors are considered in determining their accurate earnings.

How Much Do Instagram Influencers Make

On the top end, some Instagram influencers can make up to $1.6 million per post which is how much Cristiano Ronaldo makes with his 417 million followers.

How Much Do Instagram Influencers Make

Most Popular Instagram Influencer of All Time – Cristiano Ronaldo

The Rock isn’t far behind and makes a cool $1.5 million per post to his 305 million followers.

These obviously aren’t rookie numbers but if these interest you and I’m sure they do, then check out the full list on Instagram Richlist by Hopper HQ and see for yourself who the big bucks goes to on top of the Instagram hill.

Just remember though, this is certainly not the norm and most Instagram influencers make much less than this. The average Instagram influencer with over 100,000 followers can expect to make around $670 per post.

Remember the majority of influencers are not super famous people like Kim Kardashian or Kendall Jenner, instead, most Instagram influencers are quite ordinary people who just built up a following in their own countries in a specific niche.

So, while there is a lot of money to be made from being an Instagram influencer, the vast majority of people who are considered influencers make a more modest salary. Nevertheless, being an Instagram influencer can still build up to a very lucrative career if you can gain a large enough following.

Factors That Determine How Much An Instagram Influencer Makes

There are a few key factors that will determine how much do Instagram influencers make. Let’s go over them.

Followers

This is probably the most obvious one but it’s worth mentioning. The more followers you have, the more you’re going to make.

It’s a simple case of supply and demand. Businesses are demanding the attention of eyeballs and you have the supply of them. It’s a seller’s market and you can charge a premium for your posts.

Generally, the more followers an influencer has, the more they will be able to charge for a post.

Engagement Rate

Another key factor is the engagement rate, which is the number of likes and comments on a post divided by the number of followers. This is important because brands want their products to be seen by people who are likely to buy from them.

If you have a high engagement rate, it means that people who see your posts are more likely to take some sort of action, whether it’s liking, commenting, or even just remembering the product to buy later on when needed.

In a world of fake followers and bots, engagement rates are becoming increasingly important to brands. They want to make sure they’re getting their money’s worth and that people who see their products are actually interested in them.

Niche

Lastly, the niche that an influencer is in will also play a role in how much they can charge. For example, an influencer who is in the fashion industry will be able to charge more than an influencer who is in the fitness industry. This is because fashion brands have more money to spend on advertising than fitness brands.

Country

The final factor is the country that an influencer is in. This is important because the cost of living varies from country to country. An influencer in the United States will be able to charge more than an influencer in India because the cost of living is higher in the United States.

Who Is An Instagram Influencer?

An Instagram influencer or even an Instagram model is somebody who has built up a large following on the social media platform, Instagram. These influencers are often able to charge brands for sponsored posts, as they have a large audience that they can reach with a single posting that trusts their authority.

How Much Do Instagram Influencers Make

An Instagram Influencer can be anyone

Influencers can be anybody; hair stylists, bakers, students and even housewives with some extra time on their hands. They don’t need to be professional models or actors, but they must have an engaged and interested audience that is willing to listen to what they have to say.

Just about anybody with an Instagram account and some spare time can become an Instagram influencer with a little bit of effort posting rich content over time to an engaged audience.

And while some Instagram models are signed to traditional modeling agencies, many others are not. This is because Instagram has made it easier for people to become models without going through the traditional channels.

An Instagram influencer does not necessarily have to be a model, of course. Anyone with a large following on the social media platform can be considered an influencer. This includes people who are bloggers, celebrities, or even just people who have a large number of friends and followers.

How Much Do Instagram Influencers Make

The Rock makes a cool $1.5 million per post to his 305 million followers.

Brands are always looking for new ways to reach consumers, and Instagram provides a unique way for them to acquire fresh talent. Because of this, there is a growing demand for Instagram influencers and models.

The Different Types Of Instagram Influencers

There are three different types of influencers, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The first type is the micro-influencer. Micro-influencers have between 2,000 and 50,000 followers and usually specialize in a specific niche.

The second type is the mid-tier influencer. Mid-tier influencers have between 50,000 and 500,000 followers and often have a more general audience.

The third type of influencer is the mega-influencer. Mega-influencers have over 500,000 followers and usually have a very general audience.

Who is the Highest Paid Instagram Influencer?

The highest paid Instagram influencer is popular footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. He charges brands $1.6 million per post. This is largely due to his large following of over 417 million people. Not bad at all.

The Highest Paid Instagram Influencer

The Highest Paid Instagram Influencer – Cristiano Ronaldo

How to become an Instagram Influencer

If you’re looking to become an Instagram influencer it’s probably because of how much money you think you can make. While the amount of money you can make as an Instagram influencer will vary based on a number of factors, including your following and engagement rate, you could potentially make thousands of dollars each month.

You need to be realistic though. To become an Instagram influencer, you first need to grow your following. You can do this by posting interesting and engaging content that appeals to your target audience. Additionally, you should use relevant hashtags and post regularly to ensure that your content is seen by as many people as possible.

A good starting point is to actually search for popular people on Instagram in your niche and see exactly what they put in their bios and in their posts.

Once you have a sizable following, you can start monetizing your account. One way to do this is by working with brands as an ambassador or sponsor. You can also sell advertising space on your account or create and sell content, such as e-books or online courses.

If you are looking to make money as an Instagram influencer, remember to focus on creating quality content that resonates with your audience. By doing so, you can not only grow your following, but also make money from your account.

Now that you know how to become an Instagram influencer and how much money you could potentially make, what are you waiting for?

How Much Should You Charge As An Instagram Influencer?

As an Instagram influencer, you will likely be approached by brands who are interested in working with you. When negotiating a rate, there are a few factors that you should take into account, including your engagement rate, the size of your following, and the type of content that you typically post.

Additionally, you should consider the goals of the brand and what they are hoping to achieve by working with you. For example, if a brand is looking for exposure to a new audience, you may be able to charge more than if they are simply looking for product reviews.

Generally speaking, micro-influencers can charge between $100 and $500 per post, while mid-tier and mega-influencers can charge upwards of $1000 per post. Of course, these rates will vary based on the factors mentioned above as well as the specific brand that you are working with.

How Much Do Instagram Influencers Make - Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez makes a pretty $1.5 million per post to her 306 million followers

There isn’t an exact science to setting your rates as an Instagram influencer, however, the industry is slowly becoming more transparent. As such, it’s important to do your research and see what other influencers in your niche are charging. This will give you a good starting point when negotiating rates with brands. Additionally, there is an Instagram Money Calculator which serves as an online tool to quickly estimate earnings for Instagram Influencers. There is also an established Influencer Rate Map that you can use to find out what you should be charging or paying based on different types of influencers in the industry.

No matter what rate you charge, remember to always be professional and transparent with the brands that you work with. By doing so, you can build long-lasting relationships that will benefit both you and the brands that you partner with.

How Do Instagram Influencers Make Money?

Instagram influencers can make money through a variety of different monetization methods, including sponsorships, ambassadorships, selling advertising space, and creating and selling content.

Sponsorships

One of the most common ways for Instagram influencers to make money is through sponsorships. When a brand sponsors an influencer, they provide them with either free products or money in exchange for a shoutout or mention on the influencer’s account.

Sponsorships can be a great way for brands to get exposure to a new audience, while also supporting the influencer community. However, it’s important to note that not all sponsorships are created equal. Some brands will offer more money or better products than others, so it’s important to evaluate each opportunity carefully before agreeing to work with a particular brand.

Ambassadorships

An influencer ambassador is someone who represents a brand in a positive light and promotes their products or services to their followers. Unlike sponsorships, ambassadorships are usually long-term relationships between an influencer and a brand.

As an ambassador, you may be asked to post about the brand on a regular basis, attend events, or even host your own event. Additionally, you may be given special discounts or access to exclusive products that you can share with your followers.

Being an ambassador can be a great way to make money as an Instagram influencer, but it’s important to make sure that you are a good fit for the brand before agreeing to work with them.

Selling Advertising Space

Another way that Instagram influencers can make money is by selling advertising space on their account. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as through sponsored posts, affiliate links, or even pay-per-click ads.

Sponsored posts are when an influencer promotes a brand’s product or service in exchange for payment. These posts are usually clearly marked as sponsored content, and the influencer will typically disclose any material connection that they have to the brand.

Affiliate links are similar to sponsored posts, but instead of being paid directly by the brand, the influencer earns a commission on any sales that are generated from their link. For example, if an influencer includes an affiliate link to a clothing brand’s website in their bio, they will earn a commission on any purchases that their followers make.

Pay-per-click ads are a type of advertising that allows influencers to earn money every time someone clicks on an ad on their account. These ads can be in the form of a banner ad, sponsored post, or even just a simple link in the bio.

Selling advertising space is a great way for Instagram influencers to make money, but it’s important to make sure that the ads are relevant to your audience and that they fit in with the overall aesthetic of your account.

Creating and Selling Your Own Content

Another way to make money as an Instagram influencer is by creating and selling your own content. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as through e-books, online courses, or even physical products.

E-books are a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with your followers, and they can be sold for a variety of different price points. If you have a large following, you may even be able to get a book deal from a traditional publisher.

Online courses are another great way to sell content, and they can be an excellent source of passive income. These courses can be about anything that you’re passionate about, and they can be delivered in a variety of different formats, such as video, audio, or text.

Physical products are another option for selling content, and they can range from t-shirts to coffee mugs. If you have a large following, you may even be able to get your own merchandise line.

Creating and selling your own content is a great way to make money as an Instagram influencer, but it’s important to make sure that the content is high-quality and that it’s something that your followers will actually want to buy.

Summary

As you can see, to really know how much do Instagram influencers make, there are a variety of things to consider. Whether you’re looking to work with brands, sell advertising space, or create and sell your own content, there are plenty of opportunities out there for those with a large following. However, it’s important to remember that not all of these methods are created equal, so be sure to evaluate each one carefully before deciding which one is right for you.

Making money as an Instagram influencer is a great way to monetize your following, but it’s important to remember that it takes hard work and dedication to build a large enough following to make a significant amount of money. If you’re serious about making money as an influencer, be sure to put in the time and effort to grow your account organically and connect with your audience on a regular basis. With dedication and hard work, you can make good money as an Instagram influencer.

Share This Article

About the Author: Jian Brant

Jian Brant is a blogger at Punch 5 Media where he spends most of his time writing on things that he loves. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, raised in the USA and lived in London, he has worldwide experience working for public and private sector technology companies. Now settled in the Caribbean, he writes original articles focused on Online Marketing strategies for local businesses.

Leave A Comment

Recent Posts