If I woke up tomorrow with zero followers, I wouldn’t panic—I’d pivot. Because knowing how to make money on Instagram isn’t about follower count; it’s about strategy, consistency, and value. In fact, I’d argue I’d be even more strategic about it so that things can take off faster than the 2 years it took me to go full-time. 75% of Instagram influencers in 2024 were nano-influencers with just 1,000–10,000 followers, yet they’re landing real brand deals and building sustainable income streams. After attending Meta’s recent webinar for brands, it’s apparent that brands are turning to UGC creators and nano and micro-influencers for better performance on their marketing campaigns.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to diversify your income streams, understanding how to make money on Instagram is crucial. In this guide, I’ll walk you through eight actionable steps to rebuild and monetize your presence on Instagram, even from zero.

1. Define My Niche 

I know, I know… this step seems tired. But the reason why everyone starts with this is very simple. As the old adage says, “If you speak to everyone, you speak to no one.” If I’m looking to make money on Instagram ASAP, I’ll have my eyes set on landing UGC opportunities first. And while you might say, “Why do you need a niche for UGC jobs?” I’ll say, because you need to know which brands you’ll want to work with. 

This is why the first thing I’d do is get crystal clear on my niche. Whether it’s luxury or affordable beauty, sustainable fashion, or holistic wellness, focusing on a specific niche doesn’t just attract a targeted audience – it attracts your targeted brands. It also makes it easier to create content that resonates with brands and audiences alike. 

2. Start Creating Content That Showcases My Skills

Once I have a clear niche and target brands in mind, I’d start creating high-quality content that highlights my expertise and creativity. First, I’d start with the types of UGC content that brands are most likely to hire creators for. This includes anything from product reviews to product demonstrations. Getting started with creating content also works on your storytelling and scripting skills – something you’ll need to hone in on if you want to stand out from the competitors. 

Even though you don’t have to post these to a public Instagram or TikTok account to start pitching for UGC opportunities, I’ll want to take this all the way so that I can scale beyond UGC jobs and become a valued collaborator to my favorite brands. This is why, in addition to creating “Income” style content (aka content that showcases my skills to brands), I’ll focus on growth, authority-building, and nurture-based content.

I specifically designed my G.A.I.N. framework after years of experience as a content creator. The details of which I share in my free workshop. If you’re wondering how to make money on Instagram in 2025, this framework is going to be invaluable to steering you in the right direction.

3. Put Together a Portfolio

A professional portfolio is essential for showcasing past work and attracting brand collaborations. One of the reasons why I’d post my content on a public account is so that I could include data and metrics in my portfolio. This will show brands that my content works and drives impressions, reach, engagement, and conversions. I’d create my portfolio by compiling my best content, including photo examples, short-form video examples, and analytics that demonstrate engagement and reach. 

Once I have all my information, I’ll put it all together in a professionally designed portfolio on Canva. Like a media kit, your portfolio should be packed with the value that working with you offers. This is your chance to showcase examples of your high-quality content that brands can use in their marketing campaigns, your specialty (what your focus is, what you specialize in, your unique style of content creation, etc.), and eventually – praise from previous clients.

4. Pitch for UGC Opportunities

If you’ve Google searched “how to make money on Instagram,” especially when you have a fear of showing up on camera or you’re just getting your feet wet — you might come across the term “UGC.” User-Generated Content (UGC) is a growing avenue for creators to earn an income without having a following, a public-facing social media presence, or even showcasing their face on camera. Brands are increasingly seeking authentic content from real users to promote their products. That’s because in 2025, the most effective ad campaigns that drive purchasing intent actually come from real-life users of the products. Consumers don’t want celebrities pushing products they know they don’t use, they want everyday people who reflect their own day-to-day lives and the products they swear by.

On top of that, UGC content allows a brand to save time and money on hiring celebrity talent and building or renting a set (such as a lived-in apartment). Brands can also quickly tap into seasonality by hiring UGC creators. For example, if they’re ramping up for a summer product launch like a sunscreen, they might hire UGC creators in tropical destinations, like Hawaii, Thailand, or Bali, to film content for their sunscreen while saving on travel and accommodation fees for an entire crew.

I’d reach out to brands with personalized pitches, offering to create UGC that aligns with their marketing goals, with my portfolio attached. This approach not only provides income but also builds relationships with brands.​ I would also hop on UGC platforms, get in touch with UGC agencies, and even list my services on job boards like Fiverr or Upwork.

5. Start Growing My Account by Leaning into Reels

While you can absolutely stop there and build an entire career as a UGC creator, I’d continue going so that I can scale and increase my income over the years. As I’m pitching for opportunities and perfecting my portfolio, I’d also grow my account by focusing on Instagram Reels. Reels are a powerful tool for increasing reach and engagement. By creating short, engaging videos that resonate with my target audience, I can attract new followers and showcase my creativity. 

I’ll expand the types of Reels I’m creating to focus on growing and nurturing a community of my own. Reels also have the potential to go viral, providing exposure to a broader audience, making it a great opportunity for organic growth. It’s why so many of my students see such rapid growth in 2025 without paying for ads or boosting posts. One of my students grew a brand new account to 200k in under a year after signing up in late 2024.

If you want to get your hands on my Reels Growth Strategy, I recommend saving your seat to my free workshop here!

6. Focus on Developing a Well-Rounded Strategy

A comprehensive content strategy involves planning and consistency. I’d develop a content calendar that includes a mix of posts, stories, and reels, ensuring regular engagement with my audience. This is where collecting and analyzing post metrics come into play. Utilizing analytics tools would help me understand what content performs best, allowing for data-driven decisions to optimize growth.

Not to mention, the performance metrics can be included in your UGC portfolio and eventual media kit. The improvement of metrics, in addition to producing higher quality content, is key to constantly increasing your rates, not just as a UGC creator, but as a fully-fledged influencer.

7. Foster an Engaged Community

Building a loyal and engaged community is crucial for long-term success on Instagram. I’d actively interact with my followers by responding to comments, hosting Q&A sessions, and encouraging user interaction through polls and questions. An engaged community not only supports growth but also attracts brands looking for authentic influencer partnerships.

Unlike UGC opportunities, having an engaged community, even if it’s a small one, means you’ll be able to charge more for brand partnerships. Because not only can you create UGC content for brands, but you’ll be able to expand their reach and convert your audience into lifelong fans of the brands you work with.

In order to do that, you want to get really intentional about the choosing the right brand partners. You want to make sure you accept brand partnerships on the basis of alignment. Do the brand’s values align with yours and your audience’s? What about their reputation? Can you ensure that the brand’s products are beneficial to your audience? These are important questions to ask when partnering with a brand as a front-facing influencer.

8. Start Pitching for Paid Partnerships as an Influencer

With a solid portfolio and media kit, growing follower base, and engaged community, I’d begin pitching to brands for paid partnerships as an influencer. Crafting personalized pitches that highlight how my content aligns with their brand and audience can lead to successful collaborations. Transparency and professionalism in these interactions are key to building lasting partnerships.

Plus, I’ll be in a better position to land higher-paying opportunities as an influencer because of my experience as a UGC creator. Not only can I charge more for my experience working with brands and creating high-quality content, but I can also negotiate long-term partnerships, additional deliverables, and other add-ons such as whitelisting and exclusivity.

Wrapping Up

There you have it! This is exactly how I’d make money on Instagram today if I were to lose everything. Rebuilding or starting fresh on Instagram is entirely feasible with a strategic approach. By focusing on niche clarity, content quality, community engagement, and proactive outreach, you can establish a strong presence and monetize your Instagram effectively. Remember, knowing how to make money on Instagram is about leveraging your unique strengths and consistently delivering value to both your audience and brand partners.