In a global village filled with opportunities, a social media influencer is the mainstream, influential person in social media networks, who promote the products and services of a brand. Social media influencers work in a certain industry and collaborate with followers in it. It is also an individual who is able to impact the individual’s purchases because of his authority or relationship with target customers. The goal of each business is to attract experts to the promotion of their products. This article explains how to become an Instagram influencer, Salary famous influencers on Instagram, and top female Instagram influencers. Let’s dive in!
Instagram Influencers
In the world of social media, Instagram arguably tops other apps. In terms of outreach and popularity, it serves other uses so much that companies and individuals turn to it to market their products and services, that’s where influencers come in on the app, as they are more trusted than brands to reach out to a wider reach of audience.
Instagram influencers are just regular Instagram users but with a unique ability to influence others, well-established credibility, and a considerably large audience.
From a marketing perspective, an influencer is defined as a person with the power to influence potential buyers of a product or service. An Instagram influencer usually has a large number of followers and high engagement rates at any time and on any given day.
They can persuade others to buy something because of their authenticity and trustworthiness.
Types of Instagram Influencers
We can divide Instagram Influencers into these categories:
#1. Mega Influencer
Mega Influencers are the ones with a massive number of Instagram followers. Although there isn’t any largely accepted rule that draws lines between different types of individuals. They’re very active on social platforms where their audience spends time, and they generate a ton of engagement. This is what makes them attractive to brands that want to leverage influencer marketing—and what makes them incredibly expensive.
While mega-influencers offer incredible reach, studies have found that the rate of engagement decreases as the influencer’s total follower count rises. For Instagram influencers with more than 10 million followers, the engagement rate is only 1.6 percent.
#2. Macro-Influencers
With a slightly smaller audience size of between 500,000 and 1 million followers, macro-influencers may be celebrities, TV personalities, athletes, or thought leaders. Since they can leverage their reputation to gain followers on social media, brands can expect a high price tag—though not as hefty as mega-influencers. Brands still get a large reach with this type of influencer but may not get the engagement rate they want. This is due to the follower-to-engagement ratio mentioned earlier.
Macro-influencer content is typically more professional-looking than what brands find with micro- or nano-influencers. Some brands may find this to be a better fit for their audience and goals.
#3. Micro-Influencers
While micro-influencers have a much smaller following in comparison with mega-influencers, brands generally consider this group to be much more effective in terms of engagement and trust. That’s because micro-influencers have an intimate connection with their followers and tend to be more niche-focused. Eighty-two percent of consumers are more likely to buy a product recommended by a micro-influencer.
Content from micro-influencers is less polished but may feel more authentic than content from macro- or mega-influencers. This may influence the amount of success a brand experiences with influencer marketing, depending on business goals.
#4. Nano-Influencers
With the smallest follower count, nano-influencers offer brands a modest reach and probably a narrower one, too. However, what brands lose in reach they gain in engagement rates. Nano-influencers have the highest engagement rate of any influencer type, at 8.8 percent. Content is hyper-authentic and personalized for the audience, so brands working with this type of influencer can expect a different experience in this way.
Nano-influencers are much more cost-effective than their higher-ups, so brands with limited resources may want to start at this level of influencer marketing. Some nano-influencers don’t even charge brands, as they are building their following and partnerships with brands.
How to Become an Instagram Influencer
Becoming a full-blown Instagram influencer requires a combination of patience, strategy, coordination, and adaptability. These tips will set your Instagram account up for the best chance of gaining an engaged following.
#1. Define Your Content Pillars and Niche
To grow your Instagram account, you’ll need to give people a reason to follow along. Having a clear idea of what you’re going to post or talk about on Instagram will make it easier for people to understand what you do and what they can gain from joining your corner of the internet.
Your niche can be something broad, such as acting, fashion, or pet care. The content pillars, however, should be specific sub-topics that are relevant to your niche.
Your pillars should be specific enough to differentiate you from other creators in your niche. Going off of the acting example, another acting creator could have completely different pillars from you, such as:
- Acting terminology you need to know
- Audition tips
- Ask me anything as an actor
Identifying a niche and pillars can be tough for some. That’s why we recommend asking yourself these questions to help you narrow down your areas of focus:
- What are my biggest passions?
- What kinds of topics do my friends and family consult me about? Am I an expert in any area?
- What could I see myself talking about for hours, days, or months and not growing tired of?
Once you have your content pillars figured out, you can work to make your account better reflect them.
#2. Optimize Your Instagram Bio
Your Instagram bio is small but mighty. Optimizing it can make your account more discoverable, which may make it easier for you to grow a following.
“First and foremost, it’s important to have the same photo and username across as many social channels as possible for brand consistency. That’s one of the best things you can do to gain recognition,” says Austen Tosone, a digital content creator and influencer expert. As an actor, this could be as simple as using the same headshot on your Instagram profile as you use on your personal website or IMDb page.
#3. Switch to a Creator Account
Instagram offers three different types of account options: personal, business, and creator. Both business and creator accounts are eligible to earn bonus payouts from Meta’s $1 billion creator investment.
However, if you’re looking to grow and potentially create viral Instagram reels, make sure you switch to a creator account in your app’s settings. “The main difference between creator and business accounts has to do with music—which impacts what you can create on Instagram Reels,” says Tosone. “If you have a business account, your music choices are restricted to copyright-free music. This means you won’t necessarily have access to trending sounds. With a creator account, you will have access to whatever’s popular.”
#4. Create Quality Content
“Quality” content on Instagram refers to two different things: the technical aspects (its resolution, dimensions, etc.) and its ability to captivate an audience.
The Instagram algorithm takes picture quality into account, and Meta confirmed that it prioritizes original, un-watermarked content. That means that a video uploaded to Instagram Reels that still has a TikTok watermark is less likely to perform as well as one that doesn’t.
“Quality” also means just good or enjoyable—do you give your audience something inspiring? Funny? Informative? All of the above? If your content isn’t entertaining or insightful, it will be more challenging to grow your following.
#5. Write Captions That Give Your Audience a Reason to Save or Return
The current Instagram algorithm prioritizes content in your feed by interest. In other words, your feed is organized based on how interested you’ll be in viewing the visual content, reading the caption, and engaging with it.
With this in mind, craft captions that give your audience a reason to save your post or visit your profile. A way to do this is to structure your content around a specific call to action (CTA). Ask yourself, what do I want my audience to do after viewing my content? Some common examples include directing them to respond to a prompt, save your post, share it with others, or visit the link in your bio.
#6. Post Consistently
Following a consistent posting schedule can be tough—especially if your life outside of Instagram is anything but consistent. Sticking to a set schedule, though, is important for establishing familiarity and trust with your audience. Think of your content like you would a TV show that airs at a consistent time to allow viewers to reliably tune in. If your audience knows when to expect your content, they’ll be more likely to tune in and engage with you.
#7. Use Relevant Hashtags
Hashtags are an important discovery and engagement tool on Instagram. A study found that posts that use at least one hashtag see 12% more engagement on average. Choosing which hashtags to use comes down to who your audience is. “When conducting hashtag research, lean into these two questions: Who are you trying to reach, and what are they looking for online?” says Calveiro. “You want to use hashtags that your ideal follower might be using or searching for.” A quick glance at the types of photos under each hashtag you’re considering will help determine if your audience is using it.
#8. Stay On Top of Platform and Algorithm Changes
Instagram’s algorithm and set of features are always subject to change. As an influencer, you should stay up-to-date with trends and important announcements—one small tweak in the algorithm can completely change the way people view and interact with your content.
Fortunately, there are a number of reliable resources you can consult when it comes to Instagram updates, including but not limited to:
- The Creator’s Instagram account, which is officially run by the Instagram team and provides official updates on the platform.
- The head of Instagram Adam Mosseri’s account posts further insights and platform updates.
The Later blog, is a social media scheduling tool that creates content and conducts original research around all things Instagram.
Instagram Influencers Salary
When we talk about how much Instagram influencers make, there are several factors at play. First of all, not everyone spends all their time working as an influencer. Rather, many start out as hobbyists, and many never quit their day job and instead see their role as an influencer as a side hustle that is able to bring in thousands of dollars a year for additional expenses, savings, or additional hobbies. Not only that, but some influencers make money in ways that don’t involve paid-for sponsored posts. Income can be thought of fairly broadly and posts must adhere to community guidelines and the rules set forth by the marketing partnership. Below, we’ll discuss the most common things that affect Instagram influencers salary:
#1. Some Work for Product
Especially when starting out in the age of influence, many Instagram personalities will exchange sponsored posts for goods and services. One of the nice things about this option is that the influencer gets to play with something for free, then give his or her opinion about it. Often, these deals are set up in a review-type format, but that doesn’t work as well for Instagram. A fitness influencer, for instance, may be given a set of sportswear to try out and give their opinion on.
#2. Others Work for Affiliate Commissions
Not every influencer in the influencer industry likes to get paid a flat fee for their creative work, and there are other influencer marketing strategy alternatives to giving away products. One of the better options is affiliate marketing links. Affiliate programs have the influencer incorporate the affiliate link in their post somehow. That could mean adding the links to products through photo editing, in which case the consumer would have to type in the address manually. Or, the link could be added in the Instagram bio area, which allows directly adding links.
Some Influencers Create Their Own Products
Although many influencers get paid primarily through sponsored posts, many influencers also have other sources of revenue. For instance, having a custom line of products or developing digital products are popular ways to monetize influence. You’ll see this a lot with fashion brands or the beauty industry: Take a look at some of the larger influencers, and they have a product line all their own. Alternatively, they might work with a major brand in the beauty community (or another community) to make a “collaboration.” Here, the beauty influencer (or another type of influencer) helps design something special. In both cases, the influencer makes money off the sales. While a few Instagram posts will likely be part of the promotion, this isn’t the same thing as sponsorship and involves a more significant collaboration between both parties.
Instagram Might Just Pay You Directly
To more effectively establish the efficacy and use of Instagram Reels, Instagram has begun offering certain creators money according to how their reels perform. Whether you have several hundred followers or tens of thousands, it may be possible to monetize income among accounts, simply by making sure that you post reels consistently and promote them well enough to garner the number of views required to earn the Instagram “bonus”. Not everyone is eligible for Reel payouts, however, as the platform is focused primarily on rolling out the offering to those with previously successful reels, and those with a solid base of followers.
From ethical influencers to influencers who focus all of their attention and energy on fashion and beauty, people from all niches and backgrounds can utilize Instagram itself as a source of income. Differences in income will be determined by the number of followers, the performance of the Reel in question, and the overall performance of the Reel. Fraudulent activity is closely monitored through this program, and holders of accounts displaying questionable activity will be removed from the program if they have 3 or more incidences of fraud.
How Much Do Instagram Influencers Make?
Instagram marketing has the highest share of influencer marketing dollars, according to eMarketer. It’s currently beating out Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. According to Statista, the global average minimum price per post for an Instagram macro-influencer was $165. The average maximum was $1,804.
That being said, there are exceptions to the rule. Celebrities like Cristiano Ronaldo allegedly makes a million plus per post. Micro-influencer Obebe claimed $1,000 for one Instagram carousel post with two photos. Keep in mind that averages are calculated with a wide range of data. This includes influencers from all walks of life and industries and with varying capabilities.
General averages, according to Statista:
- A nano-influencer can make $195 per post on Instagram
- A mid-tier influencer can make $1,221 per post on Instagram
- A macro-influencer can make $1,804 per post on Instagram
- micro-influencers are looking at $208 per post. In contrast, mega-influencers can expect $1,628 per post on Instagram.
Famous Influencers on Instagram
Note that these top Instagram influencers are not traditional celebrities. If you look at many lists of top influencers, they will include famous sports athletes, musicians, or television and media personalities, such as:
- Kendall Jenner – Fashion and Style
- Lionel Messi- Sports and Fashion
- Selena Gomez- Music and Fashion
- Ariana Grande- Music
- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson- Actor
- Cristiano Ronaldo- Sports and Fashion
- Kourtney Kardashian- Beauty, Fashion, and Style
- Khaby Lame- Comedy and Fashion
- Emma Watson- Actress
- Murad Osmann- Photography
- Kaylan Itsines- Fitness
- Jamier Oliver- Food
- Jack Morris- Travel
- Zach King- Computer and Gadgets
Top Female Instagram Influencers
Here is a list of famous female Instagram influencers:
#1. Chiara Ferragni
For all things fashion, Chiara is the go-to influencer. She’s one of the famous female Instagram influencers and an Italian model whose recent shows include Milan Fashion Week. Her Instagram is a collection of fun fashion posts, from couture coats to hot pink workout clothes. Needless to say, Chiara’s 26 million followers stay on top of clothing trends.
#2. Zoe Sugg
A U.K. resident who started posting “haul videos” on YouTube back in 2009, Zoe has become quite the media maven. She has her blog, which covers everything from fashion to sex, and is wildly active on every social media channel. Nine million people follow her on Instagram for new baby pics and brownie recipe book recommendations and sunset snaps.
#3. Lauren Riihimaki
Lauren’s love of crafts landed her on HBO’s “Craftopia.” The show goes above and beyond small DIY crafts and gets into making glamorous outfits inspired by things like candy. Meanwhile, her Instagram account shows more of her personal side, with pictures of a recent snowboarding trip and fun with friends.
#4. Ella Mills
British food writer Ella Mills turned her love of healthy eating into a company, Deliciously Ella. She went from sharing recipes to building a restaurant, launching a line of plant-based food products, and writing three cookbooks. Her Instagram offers good eats like bang bang cauliflower and Italian shepherd’s pie.
#5. Joanna Goddard
Joanna was blogging before blogging was cool. This OG influencer started Cup of Jo back in 2007, where she dished about parenting, relationships, food, and travel. Her Instagram offers relatable photos, like introducing her kids to an iconic food chain, a self-healing trip to Norway, and tips she learned when she turned 40.
How Many Followers Do You Need on Instagram to Be an Influencer?
There’s no simple answer to this question. Influencers fall into a number of different categories, depending on the number of followers they have.
- 1,000–10,000 followers = Nano-influencer.
- 10,000–50,000 followers = Micro-influencer.
- 50,000–500,000 followers = Mid-tier influencer.
- 500,000–1,000,000 followers = Macro-influencer
How Much Do Instagram Influencers Make?
Here is the amount Instagram influencers makes:
- A nano-influencer can make $195 per post on Instagram
- A mid-tier influencer can make $1,221 per post on Instagram
- A macro-influencer can make $1,804 per post on Instagram
- micro-influencers are looking at $208 per post. In contrast, mega-influencers can expect $1,628 per post on Instagram.
What Are the 4 Types of Influencers?
Here are the 4 types of influencers:
- Nano Influencer
- Micro-Influencer
- Macro Influencer
- Mega Influencer
Who Is the Highest Paid Instagram Influencer?
The highest paid is Cristiano Ronaldo.
How Does Instagram Pay You?
You can get paid on Instagram in the following ways: Create sponsored posts for brands that want to get in front of your audience. Become an affiliate and make a commission selling other brands’ products. Create and sell a physical or digital product or offer a paid service.
How Much Does 2 Million Followers on Instagram Pay?
Mega influencers (having over 1 million followers) earn $15,356 per month, totaling an average annual income of over $180,000.
Do Instagram Influencers Get Paid per Post?
Yes, they are being paid per post.
Final Thoughts
Marketers are becoming more and more dependent on Instagram influencers. Working with influencers can help your business generate online buzz. Additionally, it can boost audience engagement, your brand’s image, and conversion rates.
It’s high time marketers and company proprietors understood the value of influencer marketing and took advantage of it.
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