Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, with over 1.4 billion monthly active users as of June 2023. It is also a lucrative platform for influencers, who are content creators with large and engaged followings who can promote products, services, or causes to their audiences.
But how much do Instagram influencers make? What factors affect their earnings? And who are the highest-paid Instagram stars in 2023? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, using data from various sources and reports.
How Much Do Instagram Influencers Make Per Post?
One of the main ways that Instagram influencers make money is by posting sponsored content for brands. This can be in the form of photos, videos, stories, reels, or IGTVs, where the influencer mentions or features a brand’s product or service and adds a disclosure such as #ad or #sponsored.
The amount that an influencer can charge for a sponsored post depends on several factors, such as:
- The size of their following
- The engagement rate of their posts
- The niche or industry they are in
- The type and quality of their content
- The terms and conditions of the deal
There is no fixed formula or rate card for calculating how much an influencer can charge per post, but some general guidelines are:
- $10 per 1,000 followers
- $100 per 10,000 followers
- $1,000 per 100,000 followers
- $10,000 per 1 million followers
These are just averages and can vary widely depending on the influencer and the brand. Some influencers may charge more or less than these rates, depending on their negotiation skills and demand.
According to a report by Hopper HQ, an Instagram scheduling tool that also publishes an annual Instagram Rich List, the average price per post for influencers in different categories in 2023 are:
- Celebrities: $2.2 million
- Sports: $1.6 million
- Beauty: $1.2 million
- Fashion: $1.1 million
- Travel: $900,000
- Lifestyle: $800,000
- Food: $700,000
- Fitness: $600,000
These are the highest averages across all follower ranges and do not reflect the typical earnings of most influencers. For example, the average price per post for celebrities with over 100 million followers is $4.5 million, while for those with under 10 million followers is $300,000.
How Much Do Influencers Make With 1 Million Followers?
As mentioned above, the amount that an influencer can make with 1 million followers depends on many factors. However, we can estimate that an influencer with 1 million followers can make between $10,000 to $25,000 per post, depending on their niche and engagement rate.
The average price per post for influencers with 1 million followers in different categories in 2023 are:
- Celebrities: $25,000
- Sports: $18,000
- Beauty: $15,000
- Fashion: $14,000
- Travel: $11,000
- Lifestyle: $10,000
- Food: $9,000
- Fitness: $8,000
These are just averages and can vary widely depending on the influencer and the brand. Some influencers may charge more or less than these rates, depending on their negotiation skills and demand.
Who Are the Highest Paid Instagrammers in 2023?
The highest-paid Instagrammers in 2023 are:
- Cristiano Ronaldo – $2.4 million per post – 442 million followers
- Kylie Jenner – $1.8 million per post – 338 million followers
- Lionel Messi – $1.77 million per post – 327 million followers
- Selena Gomez – $1.73 million per post – 320 million followers
- Dwayne Johnson – $1.7 million per post – 319 million followers
- Kim Kardashian – $1.69 million per post – 315 million followers
- Ariana Grande – $1.68 million per post – 314 million followers
- Beyonce Knowles – $1.39 million per post – 267 million followers
- Khloe Kardashian – $1.3 million per post – 196 million followers
- Kendall Jenner – $1.29 million per post – 195 million followers
These are the top earners across all categories and follower ranges and do not reflect the typical earnings of most influencers.
Conclusion
Instagram is a powerful and profitable platform for influencers who can create engaging and authentic content for their audiences and brands. However, the amount that an influencer can make on Instagram depends on many factors, such as their following size, engagement rate, niche, content type, and deal terms.
There is no fixed formula or rate card for calculating how much an influencer can charge per post, but some general guidelines are $10 per 1,000 followers, $100 per 10,000 followers, $1,000 per 100,000 followers, and $10,000 per 1 million followers.
The highest-paid Instagrammers in 2023 are Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylie Jenner, Lionel Messi, Selena Gomez, and Dwayne Johnson, who can make between $1.7 million to $2.4 million per post.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: How do I become an Instagram influencer?
A: There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but some general steps are:
- Choose a niche or topic that you are passionate and knowledgeable about
- Create a unique and attractive profile that showcases your personality and value proposition
- Post high-quality and consistent content that educates, entertains, or inspires your target audience
- Use relevant hashtags, captions, and tags to increase your visibility and reach
- Engage with your followers and other influencers in your niche by liking, commenting, and sharing their posts
- Collaborate with other influencers or brands that align with your values and goals
- Track and analyze your performance and feedback using analytics tools or insights
- Keep learning and improving your skills and strategies
Q: How many followers do I need to be an Instagram influencer?
A: There is no definitive answer to this question, as different brands and platforms may have different criteria for defining an influencer. However, some general categories of influencers based on their follower count are:
- Nano-influencer: below 10,000 followers
- Micro-influencer: 10,000 to 50,000 followers
- Mid-tier influencer: 50,000 to 500,000 followers
- Macro-influencer: 500,000 to 1 million followers
- Mega-influencer: over 1 million followers
Q: How do I get paid as an Instagram influencer?
A: There are several ways that an Instagram influencer can get paid, such as:
- Sponsored posts: This is when an influencer gets paid to post about a product or service on their page.
- Affiliate marketing: This is when an influencer gets paid a commission for every sale or action that they generate through a link or code that they share with their followers.
- Brand partnerships: This is when an influencer gets paid to be a long-term ambassador or representative for a brand.
- Official network monetization programs: This is when an influencer gets paid by Instagram for creating high-performing content using features such as reels or IGTV.
- Merchandising: This is when an influencer gets paid by selling their own products or services to their followers.
- Direct donation: This is when an influencer gets paid by receiving tips or donations from their followers using features such as badges or live streams.
Q: How do I find brands to work with as an Instagram influencer?
A: There are several ways that an Instagram influencer can find brands to work with, such as:
- Pitching directly to brands that match your niche and audience
- Joining influencer marketing platforms or networks that connect influencers with brands
- Browsing hashtags or keywords related to your niche or industry
- Asking for referrals from other influencers or brands that you have worked with before
- Creating a media kit or portfolio that showcases your work and value
Q: How do I negotiate my rates as an Instagram influencer?
A: There are several factors that can affect your rates as an Instagram influencer, such as:
- The size of your following
- The engagement rate of your posts
- The niche or industry you are in
- The type and quality of your content
- The terms and conditions of the deal
To negotiate your rates effectively, you should:
- Do your research on the market rates and the brand’s budget
- Know your worth and value proposition
- Be flexible and open to negotiation
- Communicate clearly and professionally
- Provide evidence of your results and impact
Q: How do I disclose sponsored posts as an Instagram influencer?
A: To disclose sponsored posts as an Instagram influencer, you should:
- Follow the guidelines and regulations of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the platform’s policies
- Use clear and conspicuous disclosure methods such as #ad, #sponsored, #paidpartnership, or the Paid Partnership tag
- Place the disclosure at the beginning of the caption or before the “more” button
- Avoid using ambiguous or misleading disclosure methods such as #sp, #collab, #ambassador, or “thanks to”