1. Promote and sell products

Selling merchandise through print-on-demand (POD) services like Printify is one of the most consistent ways to make money on Instagram. Instead of waiting for a bonus program invitation, take charge of your own income.

With Printify, you can customize over 1,300 products and apparel items – no inventory or logistics required.

Use the free Product Creator to design mugs, stickers, or custom phone cases, then feature them in your Instagram Reels. Download mockups, order samples, and create scroll-stopping Reels that show your products in action.

Try Reels like “pack an order with me,” “how I design merch,” or tutorials that connect with your target audience while subtly promoting your shop.

Post Reels consistently – show your products from different angles, use behind-the-scenes clips, or film customer testimonials to keep your feed engaging.

You can also sell digital products like eBooks, preset filters, or an online course. It’s a fully independent income stream with no revenue sharing or platform cuts.

2. Instagram Reels bonuses and creator programs

Does Instagram pay for Reels? Kind of – but not the way many people think.

The old Reels Play Bonus Program, which paid creators for views, was paused for new invites in 2023. Meta replaced it with smaller, temporary bonus programs tied to specific goals or seasonal challenges, such as the Breakthrough Bonus earnings, which reward Instagram creators for growth milestones.

Eligibility:

These programs are invite-only and limited to certain regions. As of 2025, Meta’s seasonal and performance-based bonuses are active mainly in the United States and South Korea, with limited testing elsewhere.

Check more on requisites and rules in the Instagram Help Center.

Payment:

Seasonal bonus payouts range from $50 to several thousand dollars based on Reels’ performance and the bonus work terms. The once-famous maximum bonus figures of $50K from the original Instagram Reels Play Bonus are now rare exceptions.

How apply:

You can’t apply yourself – you must be invited. Regularly check your Professional Dashboard for invitations under the Bonuses tab.

Key takeaway:

Do not rely on the Reels Play Bonus Program as your main income. Treat it as an occasional bonus earning, while focusing on more predictable income streams.

3. Earn from Instagram Ads

Want to earn money from Instagram Reels without relying on bonuses? Ads are one of the best ways to monetize Instagram Reels directly. If eligible, Instagram places ads within your public Reels, and you receive part of the revenue.

How it works:

Ads appear between or after short Instagram Reels (typically under 90 seconds). The program works on a CPM (cost per 1,000 views) model – meaning you earn a small amount every time people see the ad.

Payout:

CPM rates vary based on your niche, audience demographics, and location. Most creators earn between $0.01 and $0.10 per 1,000 views – so higher volume and engagement lead to better results.

Requirements:

You must meet Instagram Reels monetization requirements – usually a strong follower base (10K and up), high engagement, and consistent original content.

4. Brand and sponsor deals

For most full-time creators, brand partnerships, sponsored, and branded content are the most profitable way to make money on Instagram Reels. Brands pay for content that highlights their products to your followers.

This model represents modern influencer marketing, where creators collaborate with brands to deliver authentic, audience-focused campaigns.

Typical rates:

• Micro-influencers (10K-50K followers): $50-$500 per Reel
• Macro-influencers (500K-1M+ followers): $1,000-$50K+ per Reel

How to find deals:

• Pitch directly. Reach out to 10-20 brands you already use. Include Instagram Insights and 2-3 engaging Reels’ ideas that fit their products.
• Use platforms. Marketplaces like AspireIQ, Upfluence, and Instagram Brand Collabs Manager connect creators and companies.

Always label sponsored content using Instagram’s Paid Partnership tag. Transparency strengthens audience trust and long-term brand sponsorships.

5. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to earn money directly from your content. You promote another brand’s product, share your unique affiliate link, and earn affiliate income for every purchase.

To start, join the Printify Affiliate Program:

1. Create a free affiliate account and add your Instagram profile or website.
2. Once approved, go to Your Programs → Printify → Links to find your link.
3. Share your link in your bio, Linktree, or a landing page.
4. Promote Printify in your Reels – show how to design or sell products using Printify.
5. Every sale made through your link earns you a commission.

Even with a small audience, Affiliate marketing generates income through creating Reels, especially when paired with valuable tutorials or interactive content.

6. Subscriptions

Instagram Subscriptions are ideal for building steady, recurring revenue. Followers pay monthly for exclusive content like tutorials, templates, or behind-the-scenes access.

How it works:

Set your monthly price (e.g., $4.99-$50). Subscribers get private Stories, broadcast channels, and exclusive Reels.

How to promote:

Use public Reels to tease what’s behind the paywall. Share the first 30 seconds of a tutorial, a sneak peek at your process, or a BTS clip – and ask viewers to subscribe to see more.

Eligibility:

Generally available for creators with over 10K followers in eligible regions. Check the full eligibility criteria to see if you qualify.

You can even offer limited-edition Printify merch as a subscriber-only bonus – adding real-world value to your digital content.

7. Tips and gifts

Instagram’s Gifts feature and Badges allow fans to support you directly.

• Instagram Gifts: Viewers can buy Stars and send them on your Reels. You’ll receive a share of the revenue once you meet eligibility requirements.
• Badges in Live: Viewers can purchase Badges during live streams to show support.

To use these features, you’ll need a professional account, meet all policy criteria, and set up a payout account. Activate Gifts in your Professional Dashboard under Monetization.