How to monetize your Instagram Reels: 9 methods that work

First step to Instagram Reels monetization: great edits

The first step to learning how to monetize Instagram Reels is to become as comfortable as possible with editing videos and defining your own personal style. While no one is expected to reinvent the wheel with social media posts, authenticity will definitely make a difference in how your Reels get appreciation. We encourage creators all around the world to craft beautiful content, so we’ve worked on an Instagram Reels maker that’s packed with a lot of eye-catching effects, colorful filters, easy-to-use transitions, a green screen feature, and other AI-powered tools. Our online video editor is an Instagram Reel editing powerhouse that can help you create scroll-stopping content from literally any device, no matter its specs, as long as you can power up a browser tab and keep a steady internet connection. We’ve made it our mission to place handy video editing tools at your fingertips, so we’re constantly working on improving Flixier as part of your editing stack, adding new AI-powered features, and eagerly listening to your feedback to deliver the best for the best.

Asking the hard questions: does Instagram pay money for Reels?

There’s good news, and there’s some bad news: Instagram has created the invite-only Reels Play Bonus program, which was a direct response to the TikTok creator fund – in short, that was how to monetize Instagram Reels; that was until the program shut down. While you could take part in Reel challenges and simply post and get paid, unfortunately, that’s no longer an option. There are other creative ways to monetize your content, however, so don’t lose hope. Stick around and find out all about nine other out-of-the-box ideas you can put into practice to turn your passion into income.

TL;DR: Does Instagram pay money for Reels? No. Can you still monetize Instagram Reels? Definitely! Keep reading to find out how to…

Enable Instagram gifts 🎁

Much like a tip jar, Instagram Gifts is a feature that lets your followers show their appreciation for your Reels by purchasing online tokens that you can later draw out. Keep in mind that you need to meet a couple of eligibility criteria, such as having a professional Instagram account, at least 500 subscribers, and meeting a couple of other monetization policies. 

Leverage Subscriptions 👑

Posting exclusive content in a dedicated space where only specific followers gain access based on a recurring fee? That’s how to monetize Instagram Reels, stories, posts, and live-streaming sessions like a pro! Subscribers will stand out in your comment sections and DMs (so be on the lookout for the purple crown symbol) so you can foster a closer connection with them and actively engage by rewarding loyalty with loyalty. 

Create UGC 🎬

The Instagram UGC (user-generated) wave is bigger and better than ever now. Brands are listening to the public, who prefer more direct, first-hand reviews of their products rather than glamorized, over-edited videos created by influencers. If you’ve been asking yourself how to monetize Instagram Reels, you’d be glad to learn that by simply creating pretty videos of yourself using specific products, be it skincare, e-book readers, or even tasting a certain brand of cheesy puffs, you’re actively building a UGC portfolio. As a pro tip, make sure that your Instagram Reels look their best by using a video enhancer to step up the quality of your footage, making it possible for phone shots to look as if you worked in front of a professional camera. 

Create brand partnership Reels 🤝

Becoming a brand ambassador is definitely one of the top solutions to your question as to how to earn money from Instagram Reels. This is a long-term commitment, and it requires an open and honest communication line between you and the brand you’re representing. As a creator, the best thing you can do is to try to get acquainted with the average hourly rate and adjust your expectations depending on multiple factors like experience, audiences, and partner brands. Always remember your worth and that creativity is your main selling point.

Try affiliate marketing 🔗

If you’re not familiar with the concept, affiliate marketing is a pretty good side hustle idea that many creators use to monetize Instagram Reels. You can become an affiliate for either digital products or physical products. By receiving a customized link for your profile, you’d be redirecting sales and earning a commission, so you can easily include mentions of the product or service within your Reels. You can join affiliate programs, and you won’t have to struggle all that much with crafting content from scratch. Did you know that you can crop Instagram Reels to mix and match clips that match to construct an entirely new storyline without having to shoot new material?

Book consulting sessions 💼

Do you know how they say if you’re really good at something, you should never do it for free? If you’re a specialist in any niche, be it fitness, real estate selling, social media marketing, or even DIY projects, you can turn that knowledge and skill into a check. If you’re wondering how to earn money from Instagram Reels as a niche expert, you can start by providing your audience with insights, tips, and tricks and educate them on your topic. Turn lengthy YouTube videos into bite-sized Reels that are fun to watch without missing a beat with the resize videos for Instagram feature that helps you switch up between aspect ratios and cross-post on multiple platforms like a boss. You can also set up a scheduling tool in your Instagram bio for people to book 1:1 consulting sessions with you.

Sell products through Instagram Shopping 🛒

Did you know that you can add shoppable tags straight into your Reels? That way, whenever you’re posting about a cozy hoodie, a handmade journal, or any other product you can add a taggable link that redirects to an Instagram shop. It’s as simple as in-app purchasing! However, there’s a hack to make sure that your product is front and center: use the Instagram Reels safe zone feature to avoid any overlap with the platform interface. Basically, you’d be making sure that the description, like, comment, or share buttons don’t get in the way of the clickable tag, so you ensure a smooth purchase journey for your followers.

Try out donation apps 💌

Supporting your favorite artist or Instagram content creator has never been easier! While this isn’t a particularly direct method to monetize Instagram Reels, you can definitely earn a pretty and fair penny by setting up donation accounts on platforms like Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee and inviting your followers to show their support this way. 

Promote events 📍

Using your social platform to promote events is a great way to monetize Instagram Reels. Whenever you’ve got the chance to take part in an event as an insider, you can try creating Reels about behind-the-scenes snippets, bite-sized interviews with speakers and participants, and publishing exclusive discount codes or teasers. There’s a whole world out there and your phone camera can wonderfully capture the essence for you to edit into a Reel.

Last but definitely not least, we’ve worked on compiling a list of resources that you might find super useful as an Instagram content creator. Happy creating!

• The 2024 Instagram video SEO checklist
• The best times to post on Instagram
• Why captioning Instagram Reels is important
• 15+ Instagram story ideas and tips to boost engagement
• How to make Instagram Reels with photos