How to make money on Instagram in the UK: 12 Ways to turn posts into profit​

With over 35 million users in the UK, Instagram is so much more than a place to share snaps of your weekend brunch or holiday. For savvy creators, influencers, and entrepreneurs, it's a powerful platform to build a brand, connect with an audience, and, most importantly, earn a living.​

If you've ever wondered how to make money on Instagram in the UK, you're in the right place. This guide is your complete toolkit for turning your follower count into a healthy bank balance. We'll explore twelve proven methods to monetise your profile and kickstart your journey to financial success on the 'gram.​

Can you make money on Instagram?​

Yes, you absolutely can! From London to Loch Ness, thousands of people are using Instagram to generate income. How much you can earn on Instagram depends on several factors: your niche, your audience size, your engagement rate, and the methods you use.​​

Influencers are often categorised by follower count, from nano-influencers (up to 1,000 followers) to mega-influencers (over a million). On average, a creator with 5,000 to 10,000 followers can charge around £90 per post.​​

But brand partnerships aren't the only way to make money from Instagram. Selling products through an Instagram Shop is a huge opportunity, with millions of people in the UK expected to make a purchase directly through the app this year.​

Before you start, make sure you're set up for success.​

Getting your account ready to earn​

1. Switch to a professional account: You'll need either a Creator or Business account to access key features like in-depth analytics, contact buttons, and monetisation tools. It’s free and only takes a minute to switch in your settings.​

2. Define your niche: Are you a fitness fanatic in Glasgow, a sustainable fashion expert in Brighton, or a foodie in Manchester? A clear niche helps you attract a dedicated, engaged audience that brands want to reach.​

3. Set up your payouts: For any of Instagram's direct monetisation tools, you'll need to add your payout information. Make sure your details are correct so you can get paid without any hassle.​

How to make money on Instagram: 12 Top methods​

​From becoming a brand ambassador to launching your own product line, here are the best ways for UK creators to start earning.​

1. Partner with UK brands for sponsored content​

​You don't need a blue tick and a million followers to work with brands. Many UK companies are now partnering with micro-influencers (1,000 to 100,000 followers) who have a strong, authentic connection with their audience.​​

Think about it: would you trust a recommendation for a new skincare product from a celebrity, or from a creator you follow who has a similar skin type to yours? Authenticity sells.​

 As a micro-influencer, you can offer sponsored posts, Reels, or Stories. Brands will want to see your engagement rates and audience demographics to ensure you're a good fit. 

Remember: In the UK, you must clearly label sponsored content with #ad as per the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) guidelines.​

2. Become an affiliate marketer​

Affiliate marketing is a fantastic way to earn a commission without creating a product yourself. You promote a brand's products using a unique trackable link or a discount code. When one of your followers makes a purchase through your link, you get a cut of the sale.​​

This gives you more creative freedom than a typical sponsored post. You get paid based on results, so brands are less likely to micro-manage your content. Many UK businesses have affiliate programmes, and you can also join networks like Awin to find opportunities in your niche.​

3. Sell your own custom merch​

​Selling branded merchandise is a brilliant way to let your followers show their support and build a real-world community around your brand. Whether you're an artist, a musician, a local sports club, or a charity, you can turn your creative ideas into tangible products that people will love.​

With a merch maker, you can easily put your logo, slogan, or design on high-quality items. Imagine your followers wearing your branded hoodies at a festival or sipping their morning tea from a mug with your catchphrase on it. It's a powerful way to monetise and market your brand at the same time.​

Merch sold by the band boygenius. Source: boygenius Instagram

 4. Launch a brand with Print on Demand​

​Ready to take selling merch a step further? Partnering with a print-on-demand (POD) provider like Printful is the easiest way to start a fully-fledged eCommerce brand with zero upfront investment.​​

Here's how it works:​

1. You create unique designs using a tool like our free Design Maker.​

2. You add products like personalised hoodies or custom mugs to your online shop.​

3. When a customer places an order, we handle everything – the printing, packing, and shipping – directly to them.​
   
   

The best part? With our fulfilment centres right here in the UK, your orders reach your customers in just a few days, often shipped via trusted carriers like Royal Mail. That means no long waits and no surprise cross-border customs fees for your buyers. It’s the perfect way to design your own products and build a business with minimal financial risk.​

5. Set up fan subscriptions for recurring income​

​If you have a loyal community, subscriptions are a great way to generate a stable, monthly income. Your followers pay a small recurring fee to access exclusive content, like behind-the-scenes videos, members-only Q&As, or early access to your work.​

Instagram has its own built-in Subscriptions feature, but you can also use platforms like Patreon or Substack and promote them through your Instagram profile.​​

6. Sell digital products like eBooks and courses​

​Share your expertise and earn money by selling digital products. This could be anything from a recipe eBook or a workout guide to a comprehensive online course on graphic design.​

Because there's no stock to manage and no shipping involved, the profit margins on digital products can be very high. Use your Instagram feed to share valuable snippets and tips, showing your audience the value you provide and encouraging them to purchase your full product.​

7. Sell your professional services, blog, or vlog​

​Your Instagram profile is the ultimate portfolio. If you're a photographer, writer, personal trainer, or consultant, use your grid to showcase your work, share client testimonials, and attract new business.​

You can also use Instagram to drive traffic to your blog or YouTube channel, where you might earn money through ads, affiliate links, or sponsorships. Share teasers for your latest blog post or a trailer for your new video to entice your followers to click the link in your bio.​​

8. Sell your photos, illustrations, and digital art​

As a visual-first platform, Instagram is the perfect gallery for artists and photographers. You can sell prints of your work, offer commissions for bespoke pieces, or sell digital downloads.​​

Showcase your best work and use captions to tell the story behind each piece. Direct your followers to your Etsy shop or personal website where they can purchase your art. For many UK artists, Instagram is their primary tool for finding new customers and collectors.​​

9. Sell second-hand or handmade goods​

​The market for second-hand and handmade items is booming in the UK, with platforms like Depop and Vinted showing massive growth. You can tap into this trend by using Instagram as your storefront.​

Curate a collection of vintage clothing, upcycled furniture, or your own handmade crafts. Use high-quality photos and detailed descriptions to run a thriving online shop directly from your profile.​

Source: Audrey Leighton Paris

 10. Get paid directly by Instagram​

​Instagram is rolling out more tools to help creators earn money directly on the platform. These features are often tested in certain regions before a wider release, but it's good to be aware of them:​​

• Gifts: Fans can show their appreciation by sending you virtual "Gifts" on your Reels, which you can convert into money.​

• Bonuses: This is an invitation-only programme that rewards creators for the views and engagement on their content. While currently limited, it may expand to the UK in the future.​
  
  

11. Explore other eCommerce models​

Beyond POD, there are other ways to sell products online using Instagram as your marketing channel.​

• Dropshipping: Similar to POD, you don't hold any stock. The key difference is you sell pre-existing products from a supplier rather than your own custom designs.​

• Buying in bulk: This is the traditional retail model. You buy products wholesale, store the inventory yourself, and ship orders to customers. It requires a significant upfront investment and carries more risk but can offer higher profit margins.​
  
  

12. Offer coaching or consulting​

​If you're an expert in your field, you can use Instagram to market one-on-one coaching or consulting services. Whether you're a business coach, a life coach, or a social media strategist, you can build a client base by sharing valuable content and establishing your authority on your profile.​

Start earning money on Instagram today​

​We've covered a dozen effective ways to make money on Instagram, from collaborating with brands to building your own personalised clothing line. The key is to choose a path that aligns with your passion, build an engaged community, and provide real value to your audience.​

Now it's your turn to take the first step. Pick one or two of these ideas, start creating content, and begin your journey to earning money on Instagram. Good luck!​