How Much Do Instagram Influencers Make?

Posted on 1st Jun, 2025.

TL;DR (The Short Version)

Instagram influencers earn anywhere from £50 to £100,000+ per post depending on their follower and engagement numbers.
As well as sponsored posts and brand deals, influencers earn money with affiliate marketing, content licensing, and brand ambassadorships.
Read on for monetising tips to earn big as an influencer!

Being an influencer is now a viable career for anyone with a camera and charisma. And the more engagement you get, the better your chances. But before you set out to start your content creation career, you're probably wondering exactly how lucrative this lifestyle can be. Earnings can vary significantly based on several factors, including follower count, engagement rate, niche, and content quality, so we'll explore how much typical influencers make from monetising their accounts and how much you can expect to make.

Earnings by Follower Count

An influencer's number of followers is one of the main indicators used to estimate potential earnings, though it is far from the only one. Here’s a rough guide to how much influencers can expect to earn per post:

Nano-influencers (1,000–10,000 followers): £50 to £100 per post
Micro-influencers (10,000–50,000 followers): £100 to £500 per post
Mid-tier influencers (50,000–100,000 followers): £500 to £5,000 per post
Macro-influencers (100,000–500,000 followers): £5,000 to £10,000 per post
Mega-influencers (500,000+ followers): £10,000 to £100,000 or more per post.

These figures can vary widely depending on the influencer's audience demographics, engagement rate, and the industry they work in. Fashion, beauty, fitness, and travel are typically among the most profitable niches. Plus, influencers earn a living through more than just sponsored posts, so influencers will likely earn more than just what's listed above across a year.

Other Ways Instagram Influencers Make Money

Sponsored posts are only one part of the income puzzle. Many influencers generate multiple income streams to grow their overall earnings, here are just a few:

Affiliate Marketing: Promoting products using special links or discount codes and earning a commission on resulting sales
Brand Ambassadorships: Long-term relationships with brands that involve a series of posts or campaigns
Selling Products or Services: Creating and marketing their own products, such as clothing lines, eBooks, presets, or digital courses
Instagram’s Monetisation Features: Using tools like Instagram Subscriptions, Badges during Live videos, and affiliate tools integrated into the platform
Content Licensing: Selling rights for brands to use their content in advertisements or across other platforms.

Tips for Earning More as an Instagram Influencer

Whether you're just starting out or already have a growing audience, here are some practical ways to increase your income on Instagram:

Focus on Engagement as Well as Follower Count

Brands don't just care about the number of followers you have. They care about how engaged those followers are. Don't look exclusively at numbers - try and ensure your followers interact with your content, to..

Define Your Niche

Choose a clear niche and create content that consistently speaks to that audience. This makes you more attractive to brands in that sector.

Post Consistently

Keeping a regular posting schedule helps maintain and grow your engagement. Use Instagram’s tools like Stories, Reels, and Lives to stay visible.

Invest in Content Quality

Good lighting, thoughtful composition, and editing go a long way. High-quality content helps you stand out and gives you more leverage when negotiating rates.

Build Relationships with Brands

Rather than waiting for brands to find you, reach out with a media kit and collaboration ideas. Showing initiative and professionalism can open doors.

Use Hashtags Strategically

Smart use of relevant hashtags increases your discoverability. Avoid overloading posts with too many; 5–15 targeted hashtags usually work best.

Cross-Promote on Other Platforms

Grow your brand by being active on other social media platforms. Brands value influencers who have an audience across multiple channels.

Understand Your Analytics

Use Instagram Insights to track what content performs best and who your audience is. Knowing your demographics and engagement rate helps when pitching to brands.

Negotiate Fairly and Confidently

Know your worth and do not be afraid to negotiate rates. Offer value by highlighting your engagement rate, content quality, and previous results.

Stay Updated with Trends

Keep an eye on Instagram algorithm changes and trending formats like Reels. Being early to adopt new features can boost visibility and appeal to brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an influencer with 1 million followers make?

An influencer with 1 million followers is typically considered a mega-influencer and can command significant rates. On average, they might earn anywhere from £10,000 to £100,000 per sponsored post, depending on their engagement rate, niche, and the brand’s budget. If they post regularly and maintain strong partnerships, they could potentially earn six or even seven figures annually, especially if they combine sponsored content with other income streams like product sales, affiliate marketing, or ambassadorships.

However, it’s worth noting that engagement matters more than follower count alone. An influencer with 1 million followers but low interaction may earn less than someone with fewer followers but a highly engaged audience, so likes and views count for just as much as followers.

How many followers do you need to make a living?

It is entirely possible to make a living as an influencer with as few as 10,000 to 50,000 followers, provided you have a strong engagement rate and a clear niche. Many micro-influencers in this range earn between £1,000 and £5,000 per month, especially when working with multiple brands, running affiliate marketing campaigns, or selling their own products or services. Even accounts with as few as 1000 followers can bag deals with smaller and more niche brands, especially in niches like veganism.

While becoming a full-time Instagram influencer takes time, once you've made it, you can make some serious bucks. Post consistently and negotiate with brands in your niche for a good deal. Don't forget, you don't need millions of followers for brand deals, you can start with as few as a thousand followers as a micro influencer!