Who said you can’t do what you love and make money from it? With social media monetization and Instagram sponsorship – anything is possible. If you’re looking to boost your social media presence online or want to know how to take your blog to the next level, brand collaborations are a great way to make money from creating digital content. Not only that, but brands can also help your social media accounts gain more traction to boost your followings. Eager to know how you can monetize your social media channels and earn an Instagram sponsorship? Let’s break down everything you need to know when it comes to working with brands as an influencer.
Monetization on Social Media
f you’re not sure what “monetization” really means, it’s the action of earning money from your online content. Nowadays, monetization is achievable on several social media platforms. While some platforms have stricter monetization policies and community guidelines than others, many popular platforms have created programs for their creators to earn money directly from their efforts on social media.
- YouTube: Creators on YouTube can apply to the YouTube Partner
Program if they want to monetize their videos through AdSense. To be in the program, creators must adhere to the platform’s community guidelines, terms of service, copyright guidelines, AdSense policies, and the advertiser-friendly content guidelines. It’s a lot to keep track of, but it pays off as YouTube stars begin to grow their channels. Many YouTube stars also earn money through Instagram sponsorship by transferring their followers on YouTube to Instagram. - Instagram: There are a lot of ways to make money with Instagram, especially through Instagram sponsorships. With more than 1 billion users using the app every month and 60% of users reporting that they discover new products on Instagram, it’s no wonder that brands have begun to invest millions in Instagram sponsorships. From Instagram deals alone, influencers and digital creators can make thousands to millions of £s based on their following. Not to mention, many bloggers have seen success with building readership on their blogs by growing their online audience through Instagram.
- Blogs: Based on which site you’re hosting your blog on, there should
be opportunities to earn revenue. For example, you can make money for your blogs with WordPress Affiliate Marketing, by displaying Google AdSense, or using advertising plug-ins to sell ads directly. Many bloggers have also had a lot of success by collaborating with brands on Instagram sponsorships and earning a following on the platform that drove traffic to their site.
- TikTok: Ever heard of the “Creator Fund”? It’s TikTok’s way of paying
creators based on their video performances. In other words, the more views your videos get and the more frequently you post will help you earn revenue through the fund. Besides the Creator Fund, many brands have caught onto TikTok’s growth and have started to run social media campaigns mainly on TikTok by activating popular creators. Plus, TikTok creators have built large followings on Instagram as another way to earn sponsorship opportunities.
- Facebook: Facebook has its own method to keep content creators
engaged on their platform – a program called “Facebook for Creators”. Basically, it’s a program where Facebook users with large followings can earn money and gain resources that will help them get the most out of monetizing their videos on Facebook. It’s a nice way for Facebook to help their creators unleash their creativity, connect with other Facebook creators, and get rewarded for making original content on the site.
How to Land Instagram Sponsorships
Working with brands is an amazing way to earn money while getting more people to find your account. However, earning Instagram sponsorships can be more difficult than it sounds – especially if you’re just starting out on social media. Don’t let it get you down though, as there are a lot of ways you can gain attention from your favourite brands and build a relationship with them as an influencer. Let’s go through them:
- Tagging the Brand: You shouldn’t misunderstand the power of tagging a brand on Instagram no matter how big its following is. Plenty of influencers have earned collaborations with Target or have been featured on their Instagram just because they posted Target-related content. Creating content using products from the brands you want to work with is a fool-proof way to earn their attention and possibly strike up a conversation for an Instagram sponsorship.
- Pitching to Brands Directly: Don’t be afraid of putting yourself out there with a pitch. In fact, it’s a great idea to use a stellar email template and reach out to your favourite brands with your media kit to propose a collaboration. If you’re not sure what a media kit is, think of it as a resume and a portfolio for influencers. Sending a well-put-together media kit to a brand will show them your experience, your social media analytics, content examples, audience demographics, and more to demonstrate why they should consider an Instagram sponsorship with you.
- Joining Influencer Marketing Agency Databases: As influencer marketing becomes more and more mainstream, many marketers have avoided traditional media methods in order to invest in advertising on social media. Now, influencer marketing agencies are changing the marketing industry and providing thousands of influencers with opportunities to partner with major brands while earning money. Participating in a social media campaign is a great way to increase your social media presence, so it’s wise to start signing up to influencer marketing agency databases as you continue to grow your account. Then you’ll be matched with Instagram sponsorships from brands that adhere to your brand.
Monetization Can Help Your Growth
Besides turning your creativity into a career, monetization helps your growth in a lot of ways. Plenty of influencers consider monetization as a big milestone, as getting monetized introduces them to an abundance of partnership opportunities that can further boost their social media presence. For many creators, it’s just the push they need to keep creating engaging content for their audiences while they grow their views. As an influencer, monetization and Instagram sponsorship can only help you grow professionally by increasing the value of your social channels. Plus, you’ll build valuable relationships with brands that can last for years. Now is a great time to start monetizing your social channels!
Author: Rachel Phillis
