7 Proven Ways to Make Money on Instagram (Even Without Your Own Products)!

Are you wondering how to make money on Instagram in 2025 without falling into the “100 ways, one works” trap? You’re in the right place. While social media is full of golden advice today, everything really boils down to real methods tailored to your resources, reach, and time. You don’t need 100k followers. All it takes is an idea, authenticity, and a tool that handles the technicalities for you. In this post, we’ll show you how to make money from Instagram step-by-step — effortlessly but specifically.

Got Insta but no plan? Start with a micro-community, not a million followers

If you still think making money on Instagram is a game for big players with 200k followers – it’s time to wake up. In 2025, a micro-community is not a “worse version,” but a new standard of effectiveness. Collaborations, affiliations, selling your products, or consultations – it all works even with 500–1000 engaged followers. But the key word is: engaged.

It’s not about having a crowd – it’s about having a group that trusts you, reacts, comments, and buys because they know you’re not selling them nonsense. These are the people who will buy your e-book, sign up for a 1:1 meeting, or click the link to the recommended face serum because it’s clear you genuinely use it. And that’s why more and more brands prefer to pay 1,000 PLN to a micro-influencer who truly influences the decisions of their audience, rather than 10,000 PLN to a celebrity who just “throws something into a story.”

How to start making money on Instagram? Don’t do it blindly!

If you are just starting and searching on Google how to start making money on Instagram, don’t be fooled by guides like “just make reels and collaborations will come on their own.” Making money through Instagram is a process. First, you need to do a few things. What things?

• Create a creator or business account to have access to statistics and monetization tools.
• Choose a niche that excites you (e.g., eco-fashion, simple cooking, parenting hacks).
• Publish regularly – at least 3 posts or reels weekly, plus activity in Stories.
• Build an engaged community. Even 500 followers are enough if they react and buy from your link.

Sounds simple? It does. But consistency and content selection are 80% of success.

How to make money through IG – story, reels, or live? This format earns best – even without a big budget!

In times when attention spans are like a 2-second scroll, short video is the absolute number one for making money through Instagram. Reels, stories, and even laid-back live sessions – that’s where people shop today. Not in static posts with pretty graphics. And not in long descriptions no one reads.

In 2025, a reel with a genuine recommendation works better than a campaign costing thousands. Why? Because it looks like something a friend could have recorded – no pretending, no script, just simply: “hey, this works, I use it, and I really recommend it”. That’s why creators who can talk about a product in 15 seconds with energy and conviction earn more than those who have a pretty feed but say nothing specific.

And the best part? To earn from such videos, you don’t need a budget, a team, or an editing program. Do you have a phone and daylight? That’s enough. Especially if you operate through RefSpace – where you record a short video, upload it to your Space, and the products you talk about are immediately ready to purchase. You earn a commission, the viewer clicks and orders, and the platform handles all the shipping and payment – more about RefSpace later in the post.

How to earn through Instagram? 7 models that work in 2025

Earning on Instagram is not just one way, but a whole range of possibilities. Here are the ones that really make sense:

Affiliation 2.0 – you recommend what you know, and money comes from the link

In the classic affiliate model, you earn when someone buys through your link. But in 2025, everything has shifted to shorts and reels. Instead of putting a link in bio and waiting for someone to click, you record a short video, show the product in action, and… it’s ready. This works especially well with fashion, books, and cosmetics. You recommend things from Allegro, Empik, or Zalando Lounge – You receive a commission when the viewer buys something using your affiliate link or coupon. After transaction verification (usually 30-60 days), you have the chance to receive a commission.

Collaborating with Brands – even with 1000 followers, you can earn 200–500 PLN per post!

Do you have 1000 followers? Great. That’s already enough to start collaborating with brands. And it’s not just about bartering. More and more companies want to work with micro-communities – where real engagement is. You can earn 200–500 PLN per post or story. And if you master Reels with a specific CTA, the rate goes up. Tip: negotiate not only for reach but also for results – for example, for the number of sales, clicks, or sign-ups.

How can you earn on Instagram? IG Subscriptions – A closed club for your most loyal

Instagram introduced a content subscription option, which means you can offer access to bonus materials, guides, behind-the-scenes stories, or live consultations. Your fans pay, for example, 20–50 PLN per month and gain access to content that’s nowhere else. Ideal for educators, coaches, beauty creators, DIY, and lifestyle. You don’t need external platforms. Everything works within the IG app, and you build a relationship and steady income.

Gifts in Reels – fans give a heart, you get paid

Sounds like a fairy tale, but it works. Instagram pays creators for “virtual gifts”, i.e., hearts that viewers can purchase and give during Reels watching. You see in the panel how many “gifts” you’ve collected and withdraw them as real money. A simple Reel, a valuable tip, and good energy – that’s enough to make some tens… or a few hundreds if you turn it into a regular series.

How to earn on Instagram? Selling your own products – e.g., e-books, T-shirts from Printify, courses

Do you have knowledge or an idea for a product? Create something of your own and sell it directly. E-book, template, planner, online course, T-shirt with your design – you can handle it all yourself, without a company and investment. You don’t need to have your own website or set up your own store – creators eagerly use the RefSpace platform, where they have their Space with videos and a ready-made, free shop. Meanwhile, tools like Printify allow you to create merch without inventory. You upload the design, the customer orders, and the platform takes care of production and shipping. The income comes to you – without logistics and stress.

RefSpace – a place where you create your store (with products from different brands) and receive a commission for every sale

This is one of the most convenient earning models through Instagram. You set up a free account on RefSpace, choose products from different brands (e.g., books, cosmetics, accessories), create your “Space” – a shop with a link – and recommend them in your content. You can add your video, story, or review, and when someone buys through your Space – you earn a commission. No business operations, no invoices, no shipping. Everything is handled automatically.

Want to earn on Instagram? Consider MeetMe on RefSpace – sell your time, knowledge, and experience

This is an option for those who have something to convey 1:1. On RefSpace, you can add a product like MeetMe – a paid video meeting with you. You set the topic (e.g., “IG profile analysis,” “how to make Reels,” “online makeup,” “CV help”), choose the rate, connect the calendar, and you’re set. Someone books, pays in advance, and you meet them via Google Meet. No email writing, scheduling, or figuring things out. It works automatically – and earns just the same.

Want to act wisely? Combine 2–3 sources. Only then will you build a stable income.

How to earn on Instagram without stress and logistics? RefSpace does it for you

Don’t feel like setting up a store, dealing with payments and couriers? Check out RefSpace.

• You create a free profile (Space with videos and a hassle-free shop with recommended products you use).
• You choose products that fit your content, and they are already in your shop on RefSpace.
• You upload a vertical or horizontal video – with an automatic “Buy Now” button.
• You earn a commission from every sale – without shipments, invoices, and paperwork.

This is an ideal option if you want to earn on Instagram but don’t have your own products. Or you want to sell an e-book, course, consultation, without dealing with payment systems and calendars – RefSpace will do it for you.

And most importantly: you don’t need to set up a company or manage a “store on your own.” RefSpace is a combination of a ready-made e-commerce platform and a creator panel. You upload your materials, select favorite products, and all logistics – payments, orders, shipping – are handled behind the scenes. And you simply act, create, and earn.