5 Ways to make money with instagram reels

 Instagram Reels aren't just for dancing or trending sounds they’re also a real source of income if used wisely. This guide breaks down five actionable and proven ways to make money with Instagram Reels.


1. Become a Brand Ambassador or Influencer

How it works: If you build a niche audience — whether it’s fashion, tech, fitness, or travel — brands will pay you to feature their products or services in your Reels.

What you’ll earn: Payments can range from $50 to $5,000+ per Reel, depending on your audience size and engagement rate.

Pro tip: Don’t wait for brands to contact you. Use influencer platforms like:

  • AspireIQ

  • Creator.co

  • Upfluence

2. Use Affiliate Marketing in Your Reels

How it works: Promote products in your Reels and earn a commission for each sale through your affiliate link.

Best networks to join:

  • Amazon Associates

  • ShareASale

  • ClickBank

  • Impact

Tips for success:

  • Create “Top 5 Must-Haves” or “Best Tools for XYZ” type videos.

  • Always include your affiliate link in your bio or use Linktree to share multiple links.

  • Use trending sounds or visual storytelling to make your Reels more engaging.

3. Promote Your Own Digital Products or Services

Are you a designer, writer, coach, or educator? Instagram Reels are a goldmine for promoting:

  • E-books

  • Courses

  • Presets and templates

  • Coaching services

  • Canva or Notion templates

Why it works: Short-form videos are perfect for teasing content, showing results, or highlighting benefits. You can build anticipation and drive traffic to your website or sales page.

Pro idea: Share "before vs. after" Reels, transformation stories, or “behind the scenes” of how your product helps solve a problem.

4. Use the Instagram Reels Bonus Program 

Instagram has a Reels Play Bonus Program (availability depends on country and eligibility). Creators can get paid based on the performance of their Reels.

How it works:

  • Once eligible, you’ll receive a notification in your Creator account.

  • You’ll earn based on the number of views your Reels get within a certain timeframe.

Even though Meta has changed the program multiple times, similar monetization features may return  so it’s worth watching your dashboard for updates.

5. Drive Traffic to a Monetized Blog or YouTube Channel

Use your Reels as a content funnel. By creating short, value-packed videos, you can redirect your viewers to your blog, YouTube channel, or even email newsletter  places where you monetize through:

  • Ad revenue (like Google AdSense or YouTube Partner Program)

  • Affiliate marketing

  • Sponsored content

Instagram Reels are more than just entertainment, they’re a powerful tool to grow your brand and bank account.

FAQs

Q1. Do I need a lot of followers to make money from Reels?

A: No. You don’t need millions of followers. Many micro-influencers (under 10K followers) make money through affiliate marketing, niche brand deals, or by selling their own digital products.

Q2. Is the Instagram Reels Bonus Program still active?

A: Meta has paused or limited the Reels Play Bonus in many countries as of late 2024, but it may return or be replaced with similar programs.

Q3. Can I include links in my Reels?

A: You can't put clickable links directly in Reels, but you can add a CTA 

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