It’s not surprising that Instagram is an important tool for eCommerce. Instagram is the fourth most used social media platform worldwide. It has more than 1.3 million users. This is a large audience. Although not all potential audience members will be interested in your offerings, it’s still a good start. Here are 20 amazing Instagram business ideas for starting an Instagram business.
What are Instagram business ideas?
Instagram Business Ideas offer a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to start or expand their businesses on a highly popular and visually engaging platform. With the right strategy, creativity, and execution, Instagram can help businesses build brand awareness, engage with their target audience, and drive sales. The possibilities are endless, ranging from influencer marketing and social media management to e-commerce stores, personalized offerings, and digital marketing consultancy. It all comes down to finding the right niche, identifying your target audience, and creating a compelling visual story that resonates with your followers.
Why start a business on Instagram?
Attracting customers to your product is one of the most difficult aspects of growing a company. You must go above and beyond to reach your audience as a business owner. Instagram entrepreneurs have an abundance of potential customers and audience members, depending on the type of business they want to start.
It’s free to start an Instagram business. Although there are certain areas where a budget might be helpful, technically you don’t require any money to get your account started.
You’re all set as long as you have internet and a way to post.
Who should start a business on Instagram?
Running a business on Instagram is not the right platform for every budding entrepreneur. You’ll need to be comfortable working on Instagram because it is a visual-oriented platform. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be a professional photographer. It just means that you should have an interest in branding and visual content. There are many other business opportunities if visual content is not for you.
Top Instagram Business Ideas
Product review
If you enjoy visual content and want to start a product review business, Instagram is a great place to get started.
You’ll need to create steady-stream video and image-based content to share your views and promote your business. The shorter your video content is, the better. You should aim for a platform that is approximately 26 seconds long. This means you will need to be able to write engaging reviews.
You will need to develop a content strategy and regularly post in order to run an Instagram product review business. To build a business, you can’t just post. Engage with your audience daily. Smaller accounts can make money, but they need to have a high engagement rate.
However, just having a large following on Instagram won’t get you paid. How can Instagram product reviews make money?
- Through partnerships with brands, and the sale of sponsored posts.
- Affiliate links for products they review
- You can sell their digital products, but you will need to include an off-platform approach to engage them.
- One of the major drawbacks to using Instagram for product reviews is the limited link opportunities.
- This means that sharing affiliate links may be more difficult.
This problem can be solved by pairing your Instagram product reviews page with a blog. This could not only increase your revenue but also allow you to charge more for partners who want to use both audiences.
Also read: How to Build an Effective Influencer Marketing Strategy
Influencer
While “influencer” might sound like a fictional job title, with an engaged audience of 10,000 or fewer followers, you could make around $88 USD per post. You’ll probably pay around $200 USD per posting if you have 100,000 followers or fewer.
This isn’t McMansion cash. There is still the potential for a side income that could pay student loans or allow you to get the extra large pizza with premium toppings on Friday nights in.
Using sponsored posts as your only source of income is not the best financial move. Many influencers combine paid posts and passive income sources like affiliate marketing.
Affiliate income can be a bit more difficult due to the inability to link. Instagram’s low conversion rates are due to its goal to keep users on the site as long as possible. You have two options to increase your income: either master conversion or do it on-platform.
Engaged followers are essential to make your Instagram influence profitable. Because smaller audiences are more likely to engage with creators, many brands will be less interested in them.
You can also collect emails and set up a website to ensure your business’s longevity. These strategies will allow you to control and monetize the content.
Photographer
Although Instagram has grown in its capabilities over time, its core purpose is to share beautiful photos with your followers. It’s the ideal place to promote and start your photography business.
This could be the ideal Instagram business for those who are passionate about photography and can take great photos. These are some of the most popular Instagram photography businesses:
- Portrait photographer
- Stock photographer
- Product photographer
- Weddings photographer
Some photography businesses are not able to be Instagram-only. Photographers who specialize in wedding and portrait photography need to find clients and then work offline with them. Even in these instances, Instagram can still be a powerful promotion tool. Some niches of photography, such as product photography, do not require clients in person.
You can promote your stock photography on Instagram to increase sales on platforms such as Adobe Stock if you don’t want clients.
You can also use your photos as a basis for physical products. You can create amazing products by using a print-on demand platform such as Society6 without needing to spend any upfront money or find a storage space. Through their shopping capabilities, you can also set up an Instagram shop and allow people to browse your catalog on the platform.
Videographer
Instagram was initially a photo-focused site. However, Instagram has become more popular with video. This makes Instagram the perfect platform for promoting your videography business.
Videography is similar to photography. It often requires work off-platform with clients. This makes it not an Instagram-only or Instagram-mostly business option. However, this can be a great way to promote your business and connect with clients.
Instagram allows you to share video content. To share video content, you can use any type of post from your profile feed or your stories. Videos uploaded to Instagram are now allowed to last 60 minutes. Reels, however, can still be uploaded in 30-60 seconds.
If you have an eye for capturing engaging videos that could be the ideal opportunity for you if you are a skilled photographer and enjoy building an Instagram audience.
Food Photographer/Influencer
Instagram has something for everyone, including food recommendations. You might like to share photos of food in your city or on your travels, and you are open to giving your honest opinion.
Insta food influencers increase their followers by sharing beautiful images accompanied with engaging text. Although every business is different, these influencers make money in one of the following ways:
- Sponsored content (short-term).
- Brand collaborations/ambassadors (longer term).
- Instagram bonuses.
Although a larger audience means more money, it doesn’t mean you have to have one. Micro-influencers are those with less than 5,000 followers and can often be found in brand partnerships.
Focus on creating great content, growing your audience, and increasing engagement.
Craft or DIY expert
Are you always tempted to take on another DIY project? Do you find crafting to be one of your favorite pastimes? You might consider sharing your DIY skills and crafting talents on Instagram.
Popular DIY and craft Instagrammers share their passion for creating with their followers with amazing visuals and funny videos. They engage with their followers, whether they are showing the final product or providing a step–by–step guide for how their audience can make their own.
Like other Instagram influencers, DIY and craft creators have the opportunity to make extra income streams through ambassadorships, sponsorships, and bonuses.
Your audience already cares about your DIY tips, and your creations are probably well-loved by them. So why not make it easy for them to make a purchase and skip the tedious work? The shopping feature on Instagram is great for DIY and craft creators selling physical products who want to share them with their followers.
Also read: Top 5 eCommerce Platforms for Small Business
Ecommerce Seller
Instagram’s shopping feature allows you to turn your Instagram feed into a shopfront. This e-commerce feature is available to anyone. All types of sellers find success on Instagram and make a lot of sales.
Instagram Shop allows you to integrate your products directly into your Instagram feed. Your product catalog can be integrated into your Instagram feed. You can then promote them to your followers through Instagram Stories, posts and the “Explore” tab. Followers can then make purchases directly through Instagram using the Instagram checkout.
If you want to be successful with Instagram Shop, then you need to ensure that your product photos are outstanding. Good images are essential in any online selling situation. However, Instagram users expect great-quality photos.
It is worth pointing out that physical products are not available for sale. Instagram is another great platform to sell digital products. This is a low-cost way to start a business.
Digital Product Seller
You can sell a variety of digital products through Instagram. Selling digital products can be a great way to earn passive income . It will take time to create the product, upload it to your online shop, and market it to your Instagram community. You can relax and watch the sales come in by watching someone make a purchase.
You can create digital products from music, videos and graphic design templates online courses, photos, services, and so much more. Conduct market research once you have an idea for a product. This will help determine if it is viable as a business idea.
Topic Expert
There is an audience for almost everything. No matter what your expertise is, Instagram offers monetization opportunities.
You might show your fashion knowledge and suggest styles. You could also aim to educate your audience about psychology topics. There are many ways to make your Instagram business a success, regardless of your area of expertise.
How do you make money as an expert in a particular topic? You can:
- Partner with brands to create content through sponsorships and ambassadorships.
- You can sell physical and digital products that are related to your niche.
- Offer services relevant to your subject expert.
- You can do what you like with your Instagram business.
Also read: Top 20 Social Media Business Ideas
Instagram Social Media Manager
Social media managers work with businesses to connect them with customers through the creation and implementation of a marketing strategy. This could include creating and scheduling social media posts, advertising campaigns, replying to messages and comments, and writing. Many small businesses have difficulty with digital marketing. As a social media manager you can encourage them to invest in your paid services through exclusive marketing tips that you post on Instagram. You can also include a call-to-action to convert your followers into paying customers.
Affiliate Marketer
Affiliate marketing allows you to advertise products and make money without the need to manage inventory, packaging, or shipping. You will be given a unique link that you can share with your friends when you advertise affiliate products. You will then receive a commission if they make a purchase through your link.
Lifestyle Blogger
Lifestyle bloggers come in many forms. Decide what topics to highlight in your blog posts. You could share your personal life, travel blog, or even photograph street style. Consider what topics are most interesting to you and that you would be comfortable discussing.
Once you have set up your blog online focus on Instagram to attract your audience’s attention. You can sell advertising spots, affiliate links, or your own products once they visit your site.
Hair Stylist
Instagram is a great way to showcase your hairstyling skills, and connect with potential clients. How can you create an Instagram account to become a powerful marketing tool for a hairstylist as well?
Create an Instagram business account and link it to your website. This will allow people to book appointments, buy products, or learn more about the services that you provide. Your Instagram username, profile photo, and bio can be used to tell people who you are and what you do. You can even add a “book button” to Instagram, which will link to many appointment booking apps.
Makeup Artist
Instagram is a great place to showcase your work as an artist. Instagram can be used to build and connect your community, whether you are a cosmetics company selling products or a freelance makeup artist.
People love to see the makeup process. Consider using Instagram live to either show it in full, or upload full tutorials using IGTV. Your YouTube channel can be linked to or you can sell tutorials for makeup on your website.
Travel Ambassador
Travel ambassadors can earn money by reviewing restaurants, hotels and other attractions. People like you will be hired by travel brands such as tour companies and agencies to write reviews and post social media content. As a travel blogger you could also start a referral-based business. This means you get a commission if you refer people to travel agencies you have partnered with.
Cosplay Designer
Social media can be a great place to find fans and communities, both large and small. A cosplay business is another creative idea. You can sell everything from costumes and wigs to action figure, and many other items. Many cosplay designers offer custom designing services where customers can pay to have a particular costume made. You could also offer services related to cosplay, such as editing photos of costumed people to bring the fantasy to life.
Pet Personality
Are you a proud owner of an adorable pet? Do you think the internet would be interested in it? People love cute pet photos. You can make a decent living creating an Instagram account for your furry friend. You should find something that will make your pet stand out in a very competitive market. You could make your pet’s personality memorable by highlighting a particular characteristic or behavior. After you have established your account, you will be able to start making money with sponsored content, affiliate marketing and partnerships with pet products companies.
Also read: How to Start an Online Fitness Business in 8 Steps
Fitness Training
There are many options to make a fitness Instagram account a profitable business. Begin by identifying your goals for the fitness industry. You could offer personal coaching from your home or create videos for YouTube. Or you could work with brands to become a fitness influencer and affiliate marketer. Choosing the right path for you will determine the content you create, who you want to reach, and what brands you should contact.
Get started on Instagram
Instagram is an image-first platform. This means that aesthetics are a key part of your business strategy. Because successful accounts are:
- Post regularly.
- Make great visual content.
- Engage your audience on a regular basis.
- Instagram is all about creativity, inspiration, and connection. Get ready to have fun and think big on Instagram.
- Register with Ownr to make your Instagram strategy and business official!
