Instagram is a killer app for artists because it’s naturally visual and puts an emphasis on quality content. But how can you turn your IG account into a profitable business?
The best place to start is with a clear, professional bio. Social media gurus recommend posting one to two times a day.
1. Sponsored Posts
Getting paid to post art on Instagram is a great way to bring in recurring income, while promoting your artwork and connecting with new buyers. Keep in mind, however, that posting sponsored content on Instagram must be clearly labelled and adhere to Instagram’s branded content policies.
Another great option for making money on instagram is to join affiliate partnership programs with art supply companies. When you promote their products to your followers, you can earn a small commission for each purchase they make. Just be sure to only recommend brands that you use and love!
E-books are another great digital product that you can sell on instagram. Create a book on a subject that your audience is interested in, and then share snippets of it on your Instagram feed. This will show your expertise and convince your followers that the book is worth purchasing!
2. Affiliate Partnerships
Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms for influencers to make money, mainly because it allows them to promote affiliate links in ways that don’t feel tacky or spammy. Influencers can include links in IG Stories, IG post captions, IG TV captions, and even in their bio description.
Adding affiliate links to your Instagram feed is an easy way to earn some extra cash, but it’s important to remember that not all products are created equal. You should only partner with brands that you use and love, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to your followers.
Another way to make money as an artist on Instagram is by selling commissions. This is a great option for artists who want to provide their followers with unique, personalized art. Commissions can range from logos and website design for small businesses and bloggers, to custom portraits for fans, or animations for Twitch streamers and gamers.
If you’re interested in selling commissions on Instagram, be sure to optimize your account by switching to a Creator’s account and optimizing your profile for your niche.
3. Selling Print-On-Demand
While the stereotype is that artists don’t make much money (we’re looking at you Vincent Van Gogh), this is no longer the case. Nowadays, anyone can turn their Instagram profile into a money-making business with the right strategy.
Start by attracting an audience by posting high-quality, eye-catching visual content on your feed and Instagram Stories. Try out different compositions, angles, and styles to find what works best. Use basic photography principles, such as the rule of thirds or leading lines, to create visually pleasing images and videos.
Next, entice your followers to buy your merchandise by creating exclusive discounts or promotions and promoting them on your social media platforms. Partner with influencers or run special giveaways to increase the reach of your campaign.
Finally, consider implementing a fan subscription model to make regular income from your followers. Encourage them to pay a monthly fee in exchange for exclusive content, access to you, or special discounts on your products. You can easily manage all this on Sellfy with our Artwork Archive and other tools. This way you can keep track of all the sales and invoices, as well as gain insights into your marketing performance.
4. Commissions
If you’re a talented writer, creating e-books can be a great way to make money on Instagram. You can write books on topics like cooking, finances, and even fiction. You can also sell captions to businesses for their Instagram posts. This can be a really good source of income because the market for digital goods is growing twice as fast as physical ones.
Another way to monetize your Instagram is by using affiliate partnerships. This involves promoting products to your followers in exchange for a commission on each sale. Typically, you’ll use a trackable link or promo code in your bio or Instagram Stories to make sure that clicks translate into sales.
You can also sell your art as prints or on physical products using services like Printful and Teelaunch. These companies take care of shipping and customer service, so all you have to worry about is making sales. Another option is to set up a shop on your Instagram page by switching to a business account and using Instagram’s product tagging feature. This will allow you to create a direct link in your bio that takes people directly to your online store.
5. Merchandise
A popular way for artists to make money on Instagram is by selling merchandise. This can include anything from t-shirts to coffee mugs. Artists often partner with an ecommerce company like BigCommerce or Sellfy to set up their online store and manage product inventory.
A good place to start is by creating an Instagram profile that reflects your art style and engages with followers. Then, use relevant hashtags to attract potential buyers. Also, consider writing an engaging bio and answering any direct messages from your fans.
Another option is to share your expertise in a certain area by creating a YouTube channel and promoting it through Instagram. For example, facial massage and exercise expert Karina from Perfect Face without injections earns extra income by sharing her short tutorial videos on Instagram with before and after photos.
Finally, you can also earn a small income through fan subscriptions on sites like Patreon or Substack. These platforms allow followers to fund their favorite influencers and creators in exchange for exclusive content or perks. For example, a travel blogger might post about their adventures on Instagram then invite their audience to subscribe for a monthly astrological reading or personal finance tips.