As of 2024, an influencer can earn around $200 to $3,000 per post, depending on the social media platform you’re using, your follower count, and engagement rates.
In this post, I’ll take you through how influencers make money, and how much they could earn depending on their platform.
How Much Do Influencers Make on Instagram
The OG of influencer platforms, Instagram keeps its spot at the top. Here’s what influencers are pulling in:
- Instagram influencers with fewer than 100k followers earn around $200 per post.
- Instagram influencers between 100k – 300k followers may expect to earn around $600 per post.
- Instagram influencers with more than 1 million followers earn more than $2000 per post.
- Influencers charge around $40-$00 per story, while they charge between $100-$3,00 on average for Instagram Reels.
How Much Do Influencers Make on YouTube
Switching gears to YouTube, the video-sharing giant offers a whole different ball game for influencers looking to monetize their content. YouTube has long been a go-to for creators aiming to share more in-depth content and, in turn, rake in some serious dough.
In the United States, the typical payout for YouTube creators in 2022 hovered around $1,154 weekly, breaking down to about $4,616 monthly. Not too shabby, right? But here’s the kicker: content creators pocket roughly 55% of the ad revenue generated from their videos. So, for every $100 an advertiser shells out, Google passes $55 to the creator.
When we zoom in on earnings per view, the numbers get even more interesting. On average, a YouTuber earns about $0.018 per view. This means hitting 1,000 views on a video could net you around $18. While that might not sound like a fortune, consider the scale. Videos that go viral or consistently attract thousands, if not millions, of views, can lead to substantial earnings over time.
So, while YouTube’s pay structure might seem complex at first glance, the platform offers immense potential for creators who build a strong, engaged audience and produce content that keeps viewers coming back for more.
If you want a closer look at YouTubers and the highest earners among them, check out this post – How Much Money Do YouTubers Make? (real numbers + HOW it’s done).
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How Much Do Influencers Make on TikTok
Now, let’s talk about TikTok, the newcomer that’s quickly become a heavyweight in the influencer world.
TikTok’s approach to creator compensation includes the TikTok Creator Fund, an initiative that rewards creators for engaging and original content. The rates from this fund range between $0.02 and $0.04 for every 1,000 views.
While these numbers might seem small at first glance, the magic of TikTok is in its viral nature. Videos can quickly rack up millions of views, translating those cents into significant sums. A video with a million views, for example, could earn between $20 and $40 from the Creator Fund alone.
But the earning potential on TikTok doesn’t stop with the Creator Fund. Influencers on the platform also make money through brand partnerships, sponsored content, and TikTok’s live gifts feature, among other avenues.
The key to being successful on TikTok is to create content that resonates, engages, and entertains—a formula that can turn views into a valuable income stream.
How Do Influencers Make Money? (7 Most Lucrative Options)
If you’re eyeing the influencer life, it’s crucial to know how the money flows. Here are seven key ways influencers pad their wallets:
1. Paid Partnerships
Influencers partner with brands to promote products or services. For instance, big names like Kylie Jenner can get paid over $2M for a single Instagram post, while Cristiano Ronaldo might charge upwards of $3M!
To ballpark your rate, Hootsuite suggests a formula: $100 per 10,000 followers + extras for type of post (x # of posts) + additional factors = total rate.
2. Brand Collabs
Brand collabs are pretty cool because they let influencers and brands team up in a way that really speaks to their fans. Take Emily Mariko and Green Chef, for example. They hit a home run by creating a meal kit based on Mariko’s super popular salmon recipe. Why did this rock? Because it was smart and targeted exactly what their followers dig.
It wasn’t just about throwing Mariko’s name on something; it was about blending her knack for yummy, easy-to-make meals with Green Chef’s thing for delivering quality ingredients right to your door.
This collab was a win-win: Mariko got to share something she loves in a new way, and Green Chef got to show off how versatile and fun their meal kits can be. It’s these kinds of partnerships that really make sense and get people excited, proving that when the fit is just right, everyone, especially the audience, comes out ahead.
3. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is another clever way influencers make money. Basically, they share special links or codes that their followers can use to buy products, and then they get a cut of the sale. It’s like saying, “Hey, I love this, maybe you will too,” and if someone buys it because of their recommendation, they earn a little thank you commission from the company.
The commission rates can vary a lot, from about 5% all the way up to 30%. But, for the big-time influencers, they’re usually looking at earning somewhere between 8% and 12% on sales. It’s a neat system because it rewards influencers for sharing stuff they genuinely like and think their audience will appreciate, too. Plus, for followers, it’s a way to discover cool new products that someone they trust already loves.
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4. Influencer Merch and Products
Influencers also cash in by selling their own merchandise or products, turning their personal brand into a tangible shopping experience for fans. This route can be super lucrative—just look at the Kardashians. They’ve mastered the art of monetizing their fame by offering everything from beauty products to apparel, all stamped with their signature branding.
This approach is smart because it leverages the influencer’s image and connection with their audience to sell products that feel personal and exclusive. Fans love getting a piece of their favorite influencers’ world, and influencers get to expand their brand into new territories.
5. Monetization Tools
Influencers have a bunch of tools at their disposal to turn their content into cash, beyond just partnerships and merch. One of the big ones nowadays is Creator Funds, like TikTok’s, which pay creators based on the performance and engagement of their videos. It’s a direct way for platforms to reward content creators for the buzz they generate.
Then there’s the option of getting donations directly from their audience through services like Venmo or other digital tip jars. It’s a more personal way for followers to show their appreciation for their favorite influencers’ work, kind of like leaving a tip for a street performer that really caught your eye.
6. Subscriptions
Subscriptions are another smart way for influencers to earn some dough. By setting up a subscription model, influencers can offer their most dedicated fans exclusive content or special perks that aren’t available to the general public. This could be anything from behind-the-scenes videos, early access to content, personal shoutouts, to one-on-one interactions. Platforms like Patreon and YouTube have made this incredibly easy to do.
Patreon allows creators to set up a membership service where fans can subscribe at different tiers to access exclusive content. It’s like having a VIP pass to your favorite creator’s world. YouTube offers something similar with its Channel Memberships, where viewers pay a monthly fee to get exclusive badges, emojis, and content
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7. Consultations and Presentations
Influencers can also pad their wallets by offering personalized advice through consultations or by nabbing speaking gigs. This avenue taps into their expertise, whether that’s in fitness, beauty, gaming, or any other niche. By holding consultations, influencers can give their followers tailored advice, one-on-one coaching sessions, or even group workshops. It’s a way for fans to get that direct, personalized interaction they crave, while influencers can charge a premium for their specialized knowledge.
Speaking engagements are another lucrative option. Influencers can get invited to conferences, panels, or events to share their insights, tell their success stories, or discuss topics related to their niche. These opportunities not only come with a paycheck but also elevate the influencer’s status as an expert in their field.
Final Thoughts
In the wild world of social media in 2024, influencers are finding more creative and lucrative ways to turn their followings into full-fledged careers.
The key takeaway? There’s no one-size-fits-all salary for influencers. It all depends on a bunch of factors like who you are, who your audience is, and how engaged they are with what you’re putting out there.
So, whether you’re just starting with a few hundred followers or you’re hitting the million mark, remember: success in the influencer world isn’t just about the numbers. It’s about the relationships you build, the content you create, and the value you provide. Keep it real, keep it engaging, and the opportunities to earn will follow.
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