Instagram is a phenomenon that wouldn’t be possible without the internet spreading around the globe. It’s a prime example of a new kind of environment that redefines human interaction. As a social platform, it connects millions and millions of users daily. All of them are socializing and sharing their experiences with each other by a couple of clicks.
Despite Instagram being a relatively new service, it has become one of the most popular social platforms out there. And with all that popularity comes an opportunity to make money. Many people have jumped at that opportunity, creating whole new types of online jobs. So let’s talk about the ways you as a student can get in on some of that action.
Influencer
Some hate the word ‘influencer’, others like it. But the fact of the matter is that it describes the process very well. Just like most of the other ways of making a living off of social media, it relies heavily on one’s following. So, the first thing you need to do if you want to become an influencer (and that works for pretty much any type of marketing on social media) is to grow an audience.
When it comes to Instagram, it’s mostly short videos, photos, and any sort of visual art. If you’re planning on monetizing your work, it might be a good idea to pick a niche and keep to it. Being all over the place can cost you followers. But once people know what to expect from you, you’ll see your audience slowly growing. Provided, you do it well of course.
At the early stages, you’re better off taking it easy. Take small steps and probe this field. Don’t forget about your regular job and studying. Juggling these things can be pretty hard. And if you need some extra time to work on your Instagram account, try outsourcing some of your work to online services like https://essaypro.com/. It is an enticing career. But leaving everything to pursue it might not be the best idea.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing can be summarized as a slightly more active version of influencing. The basic principles are the same in both of them. But unlike influencers, marketers get their income from actual sales and not just exposure. Once you get a decent audience, you can look for a company to partner with. Pushing their product to the market is your goal here.
You probably have seen many examples of this type of marketing. It is a fairly common thing not only on Instagram. Many content creators on various social platforms use affiliate marketing to make a living. Promotional codes that will get you a discount on certain products are probably the most prominent example.
It’s a fairly easy and effective way to profit from your social media account. However, maintaining an audience can become pretty hard if you convert to marketing only after securing a partnership. Play it slow and try to mix it up with engaging content. Staying on top can be even harder than getting there.
Working for Yourself
Why promote someone else when you can work for yourself? Promoting and selling your own products using an Instagram account is very much a viable prospect. One of the best things about it is that maintaining a decently sized audience is not strictly necessary. As long as there are enough customers, you should be fine with a relatively small following.
This approach also offers way more freedom. You don’t have to follow someone’s guidelines and standards. You can do things as you see fit. It’s also easier to engage and interact with your audience as you are promoting something you (hopefully) know and are passionate about.
There are many things you can market through Instagram. Prints, paintings, handmade jewelry – all is fair game. You can even sell licensing of your photos. On the other hand, you’ll be the one that has to make sure that your work is protected. There are several ways to make sure your art and photos aren’t stolen.
- Watermarking;
- Advanced barcoding;
- Adding copyright to metadata;
- Not uploading the original resolution of photos.
It can add quite a bit of headache to your job. But if you can handle the heat, it’s definitely worth it.
Final Words
Making a living by maintaining your Instagram account takes patience, dedication, and talent. There are no real ways to make money effortlessly. Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you something. However, if posting on social media for a living is something you enjoy and do well, it can become a real gold mine. In any case, even if you’re not sure it’s for you, there’s no harm in trying.
The thing that makes this sort of work so attractive to the young generation is that most of them already use Instagram as a way to relax and take a break. It’s something that is a part of their everyday life anyways. But that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to make it your full-time job. It has many pros but don’t forget about the cons. Make sure it’s really your calling before you pursue this career.
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