Instagram is still one of the most powerful places to grow an audience. With more than two billion active users, it’s a massive stage for creators, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
But here’s the catch: you don’t actually own your Instagram audience. Still, Instagram is a great place for creators to start making money—even if you don’t have millions of followers.
Algorithms shift. Features disappear. Accounts get flagged or throttled without warning. Instagram’s business model is built on advertising, which generates significant profit for Meta.
That’s why the smartest creators in 2025 are treating Instagram as the funnel—a place to get discovered and connect—but moving their followers onto their own website. As a creator, you can leverage Instagram to monetize your audience. That’s where you build an owned audience and sell access to your digital content and products.
And with a tool like MemberSpace, creators can easily add digital content, set up products, and sell access to them directly from their website.
This guide will walk you through all the major ways to make money on Instagram—and why funneling your audience into your own ecosystem is the most sustainable strategy for long-term success, especially as more people are seeking ways to start making money on Instagram.
Why You Shouldn’t Rely Only on Instagram
It’s tempting to think Instagram alone is enough to build a business. But there are risks:
- Algorithms change overnight. The reach you enjoy today may vanish tomorrow.
- You don’t own your followers. Instagram does. You can’t export that audience.
- Monetization isn’t reliable. Instagram’s built-in programs come with fees, restrictions, and sudden changes.
- Limited access to features. Unless you switch to a business account, you won’t unlock features like analytics and other tools that help track your performance and audience details.
On the other hand, when you move followers to your website:
- You decide how to monetize.
- You collect customer info and own the relationship.
- You build something stable and scalable.
Think of Instagram as your front porch. It’s where people first notice you. But your website? That’s the home. That’s where the real value—and money—lives.
The Funnel Framework: Instagram → Website → Monetization
Here’s the big picture:
- Attract people on Instagram. Using effective strategies and creating engaging Instagram content tailored to your target audience is key to drawing in followers who are interested in what you offer.
- Move them to your website. Make sure to include a clear link in your Instagram bio or stories so followers can easily find your site.
- Convert them into paying customers by selling access to digital content and products.
This is where MemberSpace comes in. You add your digital content (like courses, videos, newsletters, or resources) to MemberSpace, then create content that drives followers to your website and sell access directly from your website.
Instead of hoping Instagram keeps supporting your business model, you build revenue that you fully control.
Quick Wins: Ways to Make Money Directly on Instagram
Instagram offers several built-in monetization features:
- Sponsored posts and brand deals: You can earn money by partnering with brands, featuring your favorite brands, and collaborating as a partner to promote their products.
- Affiliate marketing with trackable links: Track your earnings, engagement rate, and follower count to optimize your monetization strategies and provide details to brands and partners.
- Instagram Shop for physical products: Sell products, promote your store, and increase sales by hosting sales events, limited-time sales, and enabling purchasing directly through Instagram shopping features.
- Subscriptions, gifts, and badges from followers: Viewers can buy badges during livestreams and support creators through Instagram Stories, helping you earn money and boost engagement.
- Paid ads to drive more traffic and sales
High-quality photos and content are essential—your niche and personal brand can greatly influence your sales and earnings. Making money on Instagram doesn’t require millions of followers; it depends on your engagement rate, niche, and the quality of your content. Always provide details to brands and partners, align with their values, and set realistic expectations for your earnings.
These can work—but they’re all controlled by Instagram. That means rules, revenue shares, and the risk of sudden changes.
They’re fine as extras. But the most sustainable path is moving your audience to your website and selling access to your own products.
Why Building on Your Own Website Is More Sustainable
Here’s why top Instagram creators are building revenue off-platform:
- Ownership. You own the customer relationship, not Instagram.
- Flexibility. You choose pricing, bundles, and what’s free vs. paid.
- Recurring revenue. Monthly and annual memberships create stability.
- Future-proofing. Even if Instagram shuts down, your business keeps running.
- Greater earning potential. Building on your own website increases your earning potential, helps you make more money, and leads to greater Instagram success by allowing you to monetize beyond the platform.
Your website is where you make money your way.
What You Can Sell Access to With MemberSpace
Once you bring followers to your website, the monetization options are endless. Using MemberSpace allows you to sell products and build your brand directly from your site.
With MemberSpace, you can sell access to:
- Online courses
- Video libraries
- Group or 1:1 coaching
- Paid newsletters
- Private podcasts
- Membership communities
- Digital downloads and templates (including Instagram content you create)
- Resource libraries
- Bootcamps and challenges
- Live or recorded workshops
You can also use links in your Instagram bio or stories to direct followers to your site, making it easy to sell products and track sales from your Instagram content.
Everything runs through your own site. You control the look, the offers, and the customer experience.
Example: Branden Harvey and Good Good Good
Branden Harvey is the founder of Good Good Good, a media company focused on amplifying positive news from around the world. His mission is to help people “feel more hopeful and do more good.” Branden’s niche in positive news allows him to stand out in a crowded market, attracting a target audience that values uplifting and solution-oriented stories. He pays close attention to the details of his target audience, such as their interests in social impact and community engagement, which helps him tailor content and partnerships effectively.
Branden’s Instagram account—boasting more than 357,000 followers—helped spread his message. But the key to his business success isn’t Instagram.
It’s his members-only newsletter.
By moving his audience to his website and offering exclusive, paid access, Branden built a stable, recurring revenue stream that isn’t tied to Instagram’s algorithms or monetization programs.
That’s the model: Instagram brings people in, but your website and MemberSpace keep the business running.
Step-by-Step: Moving Instagram Followers to Your Website
Here’s a simple funnel creators use:
- Optimize your Instagram profile. Use a bio that tells people who you help and add a CTA with a link that leads them to your website. Use Instagram Stories to promote your website and drive traffic through swipe-up links or story highlights.
- Offer a freebie. A checklist, template, or guide works great.
- Capture emails. Collect subscriber info on your website.
- Nurture with content. Create content that builds trust and keeps your audience engaged through newsletters, podcasts, or community posts.
- Convert to paid. Add your content to MemberSpace and sell access directly.
Use analytics to track the effectiveness of your funnel and optimize your strategy for better results.
That’s how you turn likes and follows into real customers.
Turning Followers Into Paying Customers
So far, we’ve covered why Instagram alone isn’t enough and why moving people to your website is more sustainable. Now let’s talk about what that actually looks like.
Once your followers land on your site, you’ll need something valuable to offer them—digital products or services they’re willing to pay for. Offering valuable products can increase your earnings, sales, and profit, making your business more sustainable and rewarding.
This is where MemberSpace comes in. You can add your content and products, set your pricing, and sell access directly from your website without needing complicated tech. Selling on your own site allows you to maximize your profit and have more control over your sales channels.
Here are some of the most popular ways creators are turning Instagram followers into paying customers:
Selling an Online Course
Courses are a natural fit for creators who teach skills.
- Create high-quality content for your course to stand out and attract more students.
- Post teaser lessons on Instagram.
- Drive followers to your course page by providing detailed information about your course, such as what students will learn and the benefits of enrolling.
- Upload course modules into MemberSpace and sell access.
- Offer tiered options: self-paced vs. premium coaching included.
It’s a one-time setup that generates ongoing revenue.
Selling a Video Library
Fitness trainers, artists, educators, and coaches thrive with video libraries.
- Post previews on Reels.
- Use compelling photos to promote your video library and attract more engagement.
- Invite viewers and followers to subscribe for full access.
- Add videos to MemberSpace and let members stream them from your site.
- Drip content over time or give unlimited access.
Your video library can attract viewers who are interested in your content and willing to support your work.
This model works for any repeatable lessons or tutorials.
Running a Paid Newsletter
Newsletters are one of the simplest ways to monetize.
- Share free tips on Instagram.
- Funnel to a free newsletter.
- Add a paid tier for deep dives, resources, or exclusive interviews.
- Manage everything through MemberSpace.
A high engagement rate with your newsletter subscribers can directly boost your earnings, as engaged readers are more likely to upgrade to a paid tier and remain loyal over time.
Paid newsletters keep followers engaged and paying long-term.
Launching a Private Podcast
Podcasts help build deeper connections.
- Post clips or quotes on Instagram.
- Tease members-only episodes.
- Upload bonus content to MemberSpace and sell access.
Followers get a premium feed, and you get recurring support.
Creating a Membership Community
Communities thrive in private spaces—not on Instagram comments.
- Use IG to spark interest.
- Build your community on your site.
- Add perks like live Q&As, forums, or exclusive content.
- Sell access through MemberSpace.
Building a community around shared values increases member loyalty and engagement.
Fans want connection. Communities give them that—and give you recurring revenue.
Offering Group Coaching or Workshops
If you’ve built authority on Instagram, followers will pay for direct access.
- Promote workshops on IG Stories.
- Provide details about your coaching or workshop offerings, such as session topics, audience level, and content format, to attract more signups.
- Collect signups through your website.
- Host sessions live, then upload recordings into MemberSpace for replay access.
You teach once, then keep earning from replays.
Selling Digital Products
Templates, guides, and printables are easy to sell.
- Set up an online store to sell products directly to your audience and track your sales.
- Share samples on Instagram.
- Add products to MemberSpace.
- Sell access from your site.
Pro tip: bundle products into a full library for recurring revenue.
Running Challenges or Bootcamps
Challenges create excitement and accountability.
- Tease the challenge on Instagram to boost your engagement rate and attract more participants.
- Deliver daily lessons through your MemberSpace site.
- Sell entry fees for access.
Examples: fitness bootcamps, art prompts, or business growth challenges.
Upselling Free Members Into Paid Plans
Not everyone buys right away—and that’s okay.
- Offer free signups first (like a freebie or trial).
- Nurture them with content.
- Upgrade them into paid plans later with MemberSpace.
When upselling free members to paid plans, you can expect conversion rates to vary depending on your audience and offer, but even a small percentage can lead to significant growth over time.
This way, you’re building a pipeline of future customers.
How MemberSpace Makes It Simple
Here’s why MemberSpace is so helpful for creators:
- Add your digital content and products directly into MemberSpace.
- Sell access from your website (Squarespace, WordPress, Wix, Webflow, and more).
- Integrate seamlessly with other apps to streamline your workflow.
- Create unlimited pricing tiers (monthly, annual, bundles).
- Accept secure payments.
- Manage members easily in one place.
- Access other features like video hosting and advanced analytics to support your business.
It’s everything you need to monetize without needing to code or juggle multiple tools.
FAQ: How to Make Money on Instagram
How many followers do I need to make money on Instagram?
Not as many as you think. Your follower count doesn’t have to be huge— even with 50–100 engaged followers, you can start making money and earn money by selling digital products through your website. The earning potential is high regardless of your audience size, as engagement and content quality matter more than just numbers.
What’s better: brand deals or memberships?
Brand deals are nice, but memberships and digital products give you recurring, reliable income.
Can small creators make money?
Yes. Making money is possible for all creators, regardless of follower count. Small, engaged audiences often convert better than large, passive ones.
What can I sell?
Courses, coaching, video libraries, memberships, newsletters, downloads, workshops, and more.
How does MemberSpace help?
It lets you add your digital content and products, set pricing, and sell access directly on your website—making monetization simple and sustainable. You can also use analytics to track your sales and performance, helping you optimize your strategy. MemberSpace also stands out as a MemberPress alternative, giving you more design control and better tools for your membership business.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about learning how to make money on Instagram in 2025, remember this: Instagram is not the business. It’s the gateway.
The real business happens on your website—where you collect customer info, sell access to your products, and control the entire experience.
MemberSpace makes it easy to add your content and sell access directly. That’s how you turn likes and followers into paying customers you actually own.
Instagram fuels the growth. Your website and MemberSpace fuel the revenue.
