Instagram Reels have taken over the platform, making short-form video content one of the best ways for creators to grow their audience and earn money. While many think Instagram only pays through brand deals, the truth is, there are multiple ways to monetize Reels—some of which are not widely known.

In this article, we’ll explore how Instagram creators are making money from Reels, including insider strategies that can help you start earning too.

1. Instagram Reels Play Bonus – Earn Money Per View

One of the most exciting ways Instagram is paying creators is through the Reels Play Bonus Program. This allows eligible creators to earn money based on the number of views their Reels get.

However, this program is invite-only, meaning Instagram selects specific creators to participate. Those who receive an invite can earn anywhere from ₹40,000 to ₹2,00,000 per month, depending on their engagement and reach.

To increase your chances of getting invited:

• Post Reels consistently with high-quality content.
• Engage with your audience through comments and DMs.
• Avoid copyrighted music and low-quality uploads.

If you’re lucky enough to get invited, your Reels could start making money with every view!

2. Brand Sponsorships & Paid Collaborations

For many creators, brand deals are the biggest source of income from Reels. Brands are always looking for influencers who can promote their products or services in short, engaging videos.

The amount you can charge depends on your follower count and engagement:

• Micro-influencers (10K–50K followers): ₹5,000–₹50,000 per Reel
• Mid-tier influencers (50K–500K followers): ₹50,000–₹5,00,000 per Reel
• Mega influencers (500K+ followers): ₹5,00,000+ per Reel

To get brand deals, make sure your content aligns with a specific niche (fashion, tech, fitness, etc.), and actively tag brands in your posts. You can also sign up on influencer marketing platforms like Upfluence, BrandConnect, or Collabstr to connect with potential sponsors.

3. Affiliate Marketing – Earn Commission Per Sale

Affiliate marketing is a secret weapon for creators looking to make passive income from Instagram Reels. Instead of waiting for brand deals, creators promote products and earn a commission on every sale through an affiliate link.

Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up for affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, Flipkart Affiliate, or Myntra Affiliate.
2. Choose products related to your niche (e.g., a beauty influencer can promote skincare products).
3. Create Reels showcasing the product (unboxing, reviews, tutorials).
4. Add an affiliate link in your Instagram bio or sticker link in stories.
5. Every time someone buys through your link, you earn a commission!

Successful creators in affiliate marketing can earn anywhere from ₹10,000 to ₹5,00,000 per month, depending on the number of sales.

4. Selling Digital Products – Your Own Business on Instagram

Why promote other people’s products when you can sell your own? Many Instagram creators sell digital products through Reels, making massive profits with no inventory costs.

Popular digital products include:
📚 E-books – (e.g., “10 Instagram Growth Hacks”)
🎥 Online Courses – (e.g., “How to Make Viral Reels”)
🎨 Presets & Templates – (e.g., Canva templates, Lightroom presets)

Creators simply post Reels demonstrating their products and link them to platforms like Gumroad, Teachable, or their website for purchase. Some influencers earn lakhs per month using this method!

5. Paid Shoutouts – Promote Others & Get Paid

Another simple but effective way to earn money from Reels is through paid shoutouts. Smaller businesses, upcoming influencers, or startup brands often pay creators to feature their products in Reels.

The earnings depend on your follower count:
📢 10K–50K followers: ₹2,000–₹15,000 per Reel
📢 50K–100K followers: ₹15,000–₹50,000 per Reel
📢 100K+ followers: ₹50,000–₹2,00,000 per Reel

If you have a decent audience, you can start by offering shoutouts to small businesses and slowly increase your rates as your page grows.

6. Driving Traffic to YouTube or Blogs – Double Your Earnings

Some creators use Instagram Reels not to earn directly but to drive traffic to their YouTube channel or blog. Since YouTube pays through ads and blogs earn from Google AdSense, this method doubles their income.

How to Do It?

1. Create teaser Reels that highlight your full YouTube video or blog post.
2. Add a strong call-to-action like “Watch the full video on YouTube!”
3. Monetize through YouTube ads, sponsorships, and blog affiliate links.

With this strategy, creators can earn ₹50,000–₹5,00,000 per month, depending on traffic volume.

7. Instagram Subscriptions – Earn Monthly from Exclusive Content

Instagram now offers a Subscription feature, where creators can charge followers for premium content. This means that for a small monthly fee, subscribers get exclusive Reels, behind-the-scenes content, and live sessions.

Creators typically charge between ₹99 to ₹999 per month, and with just 1,000 subscribers at ₹299/month, you can earn ₹2,99,000 per month!

Popular exclusive content includes:
🔹 Premium tutorials & guides
🔹 Q&A sessions & private community access
🔹 Early access to new Reels & content

If you have a loyal audience, subscriptions can turn Instagram into a full-time income source!

How Much Can You Earn from Instagram Reels?

The earnings depend on your strategy and consistency, but here’s a rough estimate:

💸 Small Creators (10K–50K followers): ₹10,000–₹1,00,000/month
💰 Mid-Level Creators (50K–500K followers): ₹1,00,000–₹10,00,000/month
🚀 Top Creators (500K+ followers): ₹10,00,000+ per month

The key to high earnings is to combine multiple income streams like brand deals, affiliate marketing, and selling your own products.

How to Start Earning from Instagram Reels?

If you’re serious about making money from Instagram, follow these steps:

✅ 1. Pick a niche – Focus on a profitable category like fashion, tech, fitness, travel, etc.
✅ 2. Create engaging Reels – Use trending sounds, hooks, and high-quality videos.
✅ 3. Monetize in multiple ways – Don’t rely on just one method—use brand deals, affiliate marketing, and more.
✅ 4. Grow your audience – Engage with followers, reply to comments, and stay consistent.
✅ 5. Promote your offers – Use CTA (Call to Action) in your Reels to drive traffic to your affiliate links, courses, or subscriptions.

Is Making Money from Instagram Reels Real?

Yes, Instagram Reels can make you a full-time income, but success requires strategy, consistency, and audience engagement. Many influencers are earning lakhs per month, and you can too!

Would you try monetizing Instagram Reels? Drop a comment below! 🚀🔥