How to Start an Instagram Blog That Makes Money (2024)

If you’re looking for a way to make money online, Instagram blogging might just be the answer you’ve been searching for. With its growing popularity, Instagram blogs have become a lucrative way to earn income from the comfort of your own home. These microblogs can contain up to 2,200 words or characters, making them perfect for showcasing your creativity and expertise.

Organizations are starting to utilize Instagram blogs to gain followers and sell their products or services, and you can join in on the action. As a small blogger on Instagram, you can make up to $150 per sponsored post. But how do you get started? It’s simple – all you need to do is create an Instagram account, choose a creator account, design a logo for your profile picture, and update your bio to attract visitors. Once you have those basics covered, it’s time to start sharing content regularly.

By using captivating captions, relevant hashtags, and writing about topics people want to read, you can increase your followers and start monetizing your Instagram blog. From selling your own products to affiliate marketing and sponsored content, the opportunities are endless. So, if you’re ready to earn money while doing something you love, it’s time to dive into the world of Instagram blogging.

Are you considering creating an Instagram blog in Nigeria? Do you want to know the specifics of the process step-by-step? Continue reading. By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll understand how to create your own Instagram professional blog, how to gain more followers, and how to monetize the blog.

In addition to this, you should be aware of copyright violations, particularly with regard to the images and films you plan to share. So let’s get right to the steps without wasting too much time.

WHAT IS AN INSTAGRAM BLOG?

Instagram blogs are a type of microblogging. This is so that Instagram, unlike conventional blogging platforms, which allow for infinite word counts, has a word restriction of 2,200 characters. While businesses create blogs on Instagram for a variety of reasons, the main one is to gain followers so they can market and sell their goods and services. On Instagram, you can earn up to $150 each sponsored post if you’re a small blogger.

HOW TO START A BLOG ON INSTAGRAM

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to establish an Instagram blog right now.

STEP 1: CHOOSE A NICHE AND BUILD YOUR BRAND

Before you dive into the world of Instagram blogging, it’s important to choose a niche and establish your brand. Selecting a niche allows you to focus on a specific topic or area of expertise, which can help attract a specific audience. This will ultimately make it easier for you to create content that resonates with your followers.

Identifying your target audience is essential in order to tailor your content to their interests and needs. Understanding who your audience is will help you create content that they find valuable and engaging. Take the time to research and analyze your target audience’s demographics, interests, and preferences.

Creating a brand personality is another crucial step in building your Instagram blog. Your brand personality is essentially the way you present yourself to your audience. It encompasses your values, tone of voice, and overall aesthetic. Developing a consistent and authentic brand personality will help you build trust with your followers and differentiate yourself from other bloggers.

To stand out from the crowd, it’s important to develop a unique selling proposition (USP) for your Instagram blog. Your USP is what sets you apart from other bloggers in your niche. It could be a unique perspective, a specialized skill, or a distinct style. Determine what makes you unique and leverage it to attract and engage your audience.

STEP 2: CREATE A PROFILE ON INSTAGRAM

Making an Instagram account is the first step in creating a blog on the platform. Three different kinds of Instagram accounts exist. We have a creator’s account, a business account designed for business owners, and a personal account for people. The creator account was created specifically for influencers and celebrities.

You will use the creator’s account to create your blog. When you’re done with the registration, you can change from a personal account to a creator’s account. To sign up for an Instagram account, go to Instagram.com or the Instagram app and complete the sign-up form with all the necessary information. You can now change your Instagram account from a personal account to a creator account once you’ve created it.

Click your profile and then on the upper right corner to change to a creator account. When you finish, a menu will show up. After selecting Account from the menu, click “Switch to professional account.” Instagram will next ask you to select a category that applies to you. You are now done.

STEP 3: CREATE A LOGO FOR YOUR PROFILE PICTURE OR COVER PHOTO

You will need to develop a logo for your profile picture after setting up an Instagram account for your blog. Your blog will stand out from other blogs on Instagram if it has a logo rather than just a random image. You must take into account a number of factors when developing a logo, including colour, icons, and others. Making this choice will assist you in designing a better blog logo.

To create your logo, you might use a graphic design programme like Canva. It takes hardly no time at all and is incredibly simple to use.

STEP 4: ADD A PROFILE PHOTO AND EDIT YOUR BIO

The next step is to change your Instagram bio and upload a profile picture. The first thing visitors will consider when deciding whether to follow your blog is your Instagram bio. The bio on Instagram typically takes up a lot of room. In addition to your profile picture, account name, story highlights, and three most recent uploads, your profile will also display your profile picture.

You can highlight the reasons why you started your blog or the subjects you wish to concentrate on in your Instagram bio. Visit other blog profiles on Instagram to have a better understanding of Instagram bios and how they should be written.

STEP 5: CREATE VALUABLE CONTENT

Now that your Instagram blog is set up, it’s time to create valuable content that will resonate with your audience. Planning your content strategy is a crucial step in ensuring that you consistently deliver high-quality posts. Consider creating a content calendar to organize your ideas and schedule your posts in advance. This will help you stay organized and consistent.

Using high-quality visuals is key to catching the attention of your followers. Invest in a good camera or utilize editing tools to enhance the quality of your photos. Experiment with different angles, lighting, and compositions to create visually appealing images that align with your brand aesthetic.

When it comes to captions, don’t underestimate their importance. Write engaging captions that provide context, evoke emotions, or encourage interaction. Use storytelling techniques or ask questions to spark conversation with your followers. Captions give you an opportunity to connect with your audience on a deeper level and build a genuine relationship with them.

Leveraging Instagram Stories and IGTV can help you diversify your content and engage with your audience in different ways. Instagram Stories allow for more casual, behind-the-scenes content, while IGTV allows for longer-form videos. Experiment with different formats and see what resonates with your audience.

Additionally, utilizing video content for engagement can be highly effective. Videos tend to capture attention and evoke emotions more effectively than static images. Consider creating tutorial videos, product reviews, or even vlogs to provide value and entertainment to your followers.

STEP 6: BEGIN SHARING YOUR CONTENT

You can start by sharing posts about the blog’s topic, some behind-the-scenes photos, and what readers of your blog can expect. This will help you start producing material for your Instagram blog. For starters, you must publish consistently—at least twice daily—to ensure that you are also constant in your posting. This will enable you to produce a tonne of content quickly.

You can make a calendar for your post to help you keep on topic and on-point with your writing. When developing content for your blog on Instagram, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Some of these include using appropriate captions and hashtags. This will be covered in my following point.

STEP 7: UTILISE CAPTIVATING HASHTAGS AND CAPTIONS

It’s crucial to have captions. Even when they are not trying, they manage to fascinate your audience. Your viewers will learn more about your story through the captions you use. You might not even need to use captions on your own Instagram account because the image itself speaks for itself. However, when it comes to your Instagram blog, your captions do more than just draw in followers—they also inform them of the topic of your post.

So if you want to share stuff on the Instagram blog, you definitely need to utilise captivating captions. You can check out other Instagram blogs and how they write their captions to learn how to write engaging captions for each post on Instagram. Applying pertinent hashtags to each post will help raise the likelihood that more Instagram users will see your blog.

As SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) for blogs, consider hashtags. Every time someone searches for hashtags or related ones, they make it easier for people to find Instagram blogs.

STEP 8: GROW YOUR INSTAGRAM FOLLOWING

Building a strong following is crucial for the success of your Instagram blog. There are several strategies you can employ to grow your audience and increase your visibility.

First and foremost, post consistently. Regularly sharing content keeps your followers engaged and interested in what you have to say. Develop a posting schedule that works for you and your audience, whether it’s once a day or a few times a week.

Utilizing relevant hashtags is another powerful way to expand your reach and attract new followers. Research popular hashtags within your niche and incorporate them into your posts. This will make your content discoverable to users who are interested in similar topics.

Interacting with your audience is key to building a loyal following. Respond to comments, DMs, and engage with your followers on a regular basis. Show genuine interest in their thoughts, questions, and feedback. Building a sense of community and fostering connections with your followers will keep them coming back for more.

Collaborating with other influencers in your niche can help you tap into their audience and gain exposure. Consider reaching out to influencers who align with your brand values and propose collaborations such as shoutouts, joint projects, or guest posts. This can help you reach a wider audience and establish yourself as an authority within your niche.

Running contests and giveaways is a fun way to attract new followers and incentivize engagement. Offering a prize in exchange for likes, comments, and shares can generate buzz and excitement around your blog. Make sure the prize is relevant to your niche to attract followers who are genuinely interested in your content.

There are a few things you should do to gain more Instagram followers for your blog.

• You should post frequently. Regular posting demonstrates consistency, and consistency convinces anyone reading your blog or your post that you are dedicated. This will encourage them to follow you for more topical updates.
• Use hashtags.
• Write about subjects that readers are genuinely interested in. Despite the difficulty of learning about this, tools like Instagram insights and metrics can be quite helpful.

STEP 9: USE INSTAGRAM ANALYTICS TO OPTIMIZE PERFORMANCE

Monitoring follower growth and engagement is crucial to understand how your audience is responding to your content. Take advantage of Instagram analytics tools to track key metrics such as follower growth, likes, comments, and shares. This will help you identify trends and patterns that can inform your content strategy.

Analyze content performance to determine what types of posts resonate best with your audience. Look at which posts receive the most engagement, likes, and comments. Consider the content format, captions, visuals, and topic to identify commonalities and trends. Use this information to create more of the content that your audience loves.

Identifying your audience demographics is key to understanding who your followers are and what content appeals to them. Analyze insights such as age, gender, location, and interests to further refine your content strategy. This will help you tailor your content to their preferences and better serve their needs.

Based on the insights from Instagram analytics, adjust your strategy accordingly. Experiment with different content formats, posting times, or hashtags to see what generates the best results. Continuously test and iterate to optimize your performance and keep your audience engaged.

STEP 10: BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR FOLLOWERS

Building strong relationships with your followers is key to creating a loyal and engaged community. Responding to comments and direct messages shows that you value their feedback and are actively listening to their needs. Make an effort to reply to as many comments as possible, even if it’s a simple thank you or emoji.

Initiating meaningful conversations with your followers is a great way to foster engagement. Ask open-ended questions in your captions or through Instagram Stories to encourage your followers to share their thoughts and opinions. Respond to their answers and create a dialogue that makes them feel seen and heard.

Creating a sense of community is essential for building a loyal following. Encourage your followers to connect with each other by creating branded hashtags or hosting themed challenges. Recognize and feature your followers’ content to show appreciation and make them feel part of your community.

Organizing meet-ups or events can take your relationship with your followers to the next level. This could be a virtual event such as a live Q&A session or a physical meet-up where your followers have the opportunity to meet you in person. These experiences help strengthen the bond between you and your audience, fostering loyalty and word-of-mouth promotion.

STEP 11: STAY UPDATED WITH INSTAGRAM TRENDS

As an Instagram blogger, it’s important to stay updated with the latest trends and features on the platform. Following popular Instagram influencers in your niche can give you insights and inspiration for your own content. Take note of the strategies they implement and adapt them to fit your unique brand and audience.

Keeping an eye on new features and updates is crucial to stay ahead of the curve. Instagram regularly introduces new tools and functionalities that can enhance your content and boost your engagement. Experiment with these features, such as Reels, Guides, or Live Shopping, to see how they can benefit your blog.

Experimenting with different content formats is key to staying relevant and engaging your audience. Try out new formats such as carousels, videos, or infographics to see what resonates with your followers. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try innovative approaches that align with your brand and niche.

Lastly, adapt to changing trends to ensure that your content remains fresh and appealing to your audience. Keep an eye on what’s popular within your niche and find ways to incorporate these trends into your posts. This shows your followers that you are up-to-date and relevant, which helps maintain their interest and engagement.

HOW TO MAKE MONEY FROM YOUR INSTAGRAM BLOG

There are several methods you can monetize your Instagram blog. Among them are:

• By selling your own products: If you have goods, you can offer them to your blog’s readers for purchase. Promoting your products effectively is key to driving sales. Showcase your products through high-quality images or videos on your Instagram feed and Stories. Write compelling captions that highlight the benefits and features of your products. Use behind-the-scenes content or customer testimonials to build trust and generate interest. See this guide on how to make money on Instagram.
• Affiliate marketing: You can promote various companies utilising links and make money when customers use those links to make purchases. Choosing the right affiliate programs is essential to ensure that you are promoting products that are relevant to your niche and appeal to your audience. Research reputable affiliate networks and programs that offer products or services your followers would be interested in. Look for programs that offer competitive commissions and provide high-quality marketing materials.
• Sponsored material: Various companies will pay you to promote their goods or services when you use sponsored material. Reach out to brands or agencies that align with your niche and brand values. Pitch your ideas and explain how your unique perspective or expertise can benefit their brand. Demonstrate your engagement statistics, follower demographics, and previous successful collaborations to showcase your value as an influencer.

CONCLUSION

Starting and growing an Instagram blog requires careful planning, consistent content creation, and strategic engagement with your audience. By choosing a niche, building a brand, and consistently providing valuable and engaging content, you can attract a loyal following and monetize your blog through various methods such as affiliate marketing and sponsored content. Utilize Instagram analytics to optimize your performance and continuously adapt to changing trends to stay relevant in the ever-evolving world of Instagram blogging. The path to success may require time and effort, but with dedication and a clear strategy, you can turn your Instagram blog into a thriving online business.