Embark on a journey to transform your Instagram presence into a lucrative venture! In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the dynamic realm of getting sponsored on Instagram. Whether you’re a seasoned influencer seeking to elevate your collaboration game or a newcomer eager to explore new opportunities, we’ve got you covered.
Discover the strategies, tips, and insider insights that will empower you to attract brand partnerships, amplify your influence, and unlock the full potential of your Instagram journey.
From understanding the essentials to navigating the intricacies of sponsored content. This guide is your key to navigating the exciting landscape of Instagram sponsorships.
What are Instagram-sponsored posts?
An Instagram-sponsored post is like an ad that shows up in your Instagram Feed, Stories, Reels, or Live, mixed in with regular posts. There are two main types:
- Boosted Posts: These are like ads that brands pay Instagram to show more of. Someone, like a company or popular person, makes a post and then uses Instagram’s tool to make it more visible, hoping more people see it.
- Paid Partnerships: This is when a brand pays someone on Instagram—usually a popular person or someone who makes cool stuff—to show off their product or service in posts. This helps the brand reach the person’s followers and look more trustworthy.
For example, you might see a post on someone’s profile with a tag that says “Paid partnership with [brand name].” This means the person got paid to talk about that brand.
The rules say you have to tell people if a brand pays you for a post. If you don’t use the “Paid partnership” tag, Instagram might remove your post. But even without the rules, it’s good to be honest with your followers. It lets them know you’re getting paid to talk about a product, which is different from just sharing something you really like.
How to get brand deals and sponsorships on Instagram
If you make stuff, you can talk to brands you like by sending messages or emails. Or, you can just wait for them to talk to you. But, it doesn’t mean you’ll definitely get to work together. There aren’t exact rules for this, but here are some tips to help you have a better chance:
1. Build a strong profile
If you only put up lots of pictures once in a while, brands might not pay attention. To make a good profile, keep sharing cool stuff regularly that makes people interested, happy, or teaches them something. Choose a topic you like and make sure your account shows who you are.
2. Identify your target audience
Find out who your audience is on Instagram by checking out the details about the people who might follow you, like their age and what they do online. Brands will be interested in you if the folks following you are into what you’re sharing. You can use Instagram Insights to learn more about the people who already follow you.
3. Create high-quality content
When you’re getting more followers and people know you as a creator, it’s a good idea to plan what you want to post. This way, you won’t have to rush, and your posts will always be good. Use clear pictures and write interesting captions that talk to your audience.
4. Attract attentive followers
You don’t have to be super famous to work with brands. But it’s important to have people who like and comment on your stuff, even if you don’t have a lot of followers, like less than 1,000. If brands see that your followers don’t really talk or like your posts, they might not want to work with you.
Here are a few things you can do to get more people to like and comment on your stuff:
- Ask people to comment on or share your posts.
- Work with other people who make similar stuff or use Instagram ads to get more people to see you.
- Put polls and quizzes in your Stories to get people to join in.
- Share things that people can relate to and might want to show to others.
5. Include contact information in your bio
Make your Instagram bio count! If you add links and contact information there, it helps your followers and possible friends get in touch with you easily. This can lead to partnerships or questions, making your Instagram better and bringing more chances your way. Use Linktree to make your bio link really handy, sending people to all your social media stuff and making it easy for brands to talk to you.
6. Reach out to brands
If you have a business or creator account, and you really should if you want to work with brands, think about joining Instagram’s Creator Marketplace. You can use the partner discovery thing to find brands, make a portfolio, and talk to brands through Instagram’s inbox.
Before you sign up, make sure you can by checking your account settings and setting up your marketplace profile from your professional dashboard. Just be sure you’re following Instagram’s rules about making money and being a good part of the community.
7. Join Instagram Creator Marketplace
If you want to team up with brands, it’s good to have a business or creator account on Instagram. Join Instagram’s Creator Marketplace. There, you can find partners, show off your work, and talk to brands using Instagram’s messaging.
Before you sign up, check your account settings and set up your profile on the marketplace from your pro dashboard. Just be sure to follow Instagram’s rules about making money and being a good part of the community.
How to disclose a paid partnership on Instagram
If you use a business or creator account on Instagram, you can easily tell people if your posts are sponsored. Here’s how you can do it, depending on the type of post you’re making:
Add a paid partnership label to Instagram Feed posts
Here’s how you can tell people that you’re working with a brand in your Instagram posts:
- Put up your branded content like usual.
- Tap “Next.”
- Click on “Advanced settings.”
- Turn on “Add paid partnership label underneath branded content.”
- Pick “Add brand partners” to find and add the brand to your post.
- If you want the brand to share your stuff, turn on “Allow brand partners to promote.”
- Tap “Done” to post.
Add a paid partnership label to Instagram Stories
Here’s how to tell everyone about a sponsorship in your Instagram Stories:
- Share your story and edit it as you normally would.
- Tap the tag icon at the top.
- Click “Add paid partnership label.”
- Choose “Add brand partners” and find the brand.
- If you want them to use your story for ads, turn on “Allow brand partners to promote.”
- Tap “Done” to post
Add a paid partnership label to Instagram Reels
Here’s how to let people know about sponsorships in your Instagram reels:
- Share your reel and edit it as usual.
- Tap “Next.”
- Tap “Advanced Settings.”
- Turn on “Add paid partnership label.”
- Click “Add brand partners” and find the brand you’re working with.
- Tap “Done” to post.
Add a paid partnership label to Instagram Live
You can only mention brands when you’re live on Instagram if you’ve got permission. Here’s what to do:
- When you’re live, tap “Details.”
- Tap “Add brand partners” and look for the brand you need.
- Add a tag to your live video.
What to know before accepting a sponsorship
Knowing how to make money on Instagram with sponsorships is just the start. You also need to know how to pick the right partnerships. Not every team-up with a brand is a good match, and if you’re new, companies might try to pay you less. Here’s what to think about before saying yes:
Brand Fit: Don’t work with brands that don’t match what you usually share. Being real is super important. If you partner with a brand that doesn’t fit, your followers might think you’re just trying to sell something instead of connecting with them.
Payment and Rules: Check how much they’re paying, what they want you to do, and any special rules. Make sure you’re okay with everything before saying yes or signing a contract. If you’re not sure, it’s fine to say no. It’s not worth taking less money or working with a brand you don’t like.
Doing Your Own Thing: Check that the agreement lets you keep doing things your way. You should be able to keep your own style while promoting the brand. Avoid rules that are too strict and might make you seem less real.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I get paid for a sponsored post?
The money you make from an Instagram-sponsored post can be different and depends on things like how much people like your posts, the type of post, and what your content is about. If you have lots of followers or make a deal for more than one post, you can make even more money.
Do I need a lot of followers to get paid for Instagram posts?
You don’t need a specific number of followers to get paid for Instagram posts. The most important thing is to have people who really like your stuff and to talk to brands in a professional way. If you don’t have a lot of followers, you can still find brands that like to work with smaller influencers like nano and micro-influencers.