Without followers nobody is going to pay you to post stuff.
So, how do you obtain followers?
First, You need to choose a specific niche. Find out what the other accounts are in that niche, and what they are posting. Identify their hashtags.
Make an Excel spreadsheet of the hashtags: #hashtag, number of pics (this info is available in IG), category, date when you entered this record. Okay, the date is not really important, but don't forget the others.
Decide on the grand strategy of your account. What are you going to post, the topics you are going to cover, how you are going to source the pics for the posts, etc.
Then make your posts. You can add up to 30 hashtags. Study what type of text clicks.
Remember, emotional content is key!
Write a solid bio, post a strong profile pic, and use the one link allowed in the bio.
After you build a goodish portfolio, people will follow you through the hashtags. Now, check the followers of accounts in your niche and follow them. Like their recent posts, and post some nice comments. Human nature causes them to see who their fan is, and if your account feels good to them, they will follow you back in return.
There's automated software on the net for this, but IG's algo can spot the uptick and suspend or ban you. So, best to test this out manually. If it works, maybe you can take that risk off and on
You can also make a promotional carousel or video and through Facebook ads you will be able to push it across Instagram. Check the response; in the (unlikely and rare) event that it clicks, rinse and repeat, it's that simple!
Instagram rates are US $ 5 cpm, i.e., 5 dollars for one thousand impressions. Conversion rate is 0.60 to 0.80, so 6 to 8 of those will click/ convert. Figure out the initial stats and estimates for your budgeting, and fine-tune based upon the response.
Now that you've got REAL followers, when you post relevant, emotional content expect lots of likes, and some comments. If you have 100k genuine followers, a solid post should get 2k, 5k, max 10k likes; and 200+ comments.
Marketers will first examine your niche for relevance to their activities. Next, the number of your followers; and finally, and most importantly, the engagement on your posts, in terms of likes, comments, and the quality of those comments.
You can buy Fake followers. Some do so for the initial seeding of their account. You are more likely to follow an account with 5k followers than 500. But, there are some big accounts who are all fake, even 100k, 500k and million plus accounts!
Also, people buy likes for their posts, and even comments to game the system, but you can verify the poor quality of fake accounts. Marketers always avoid such accounts.
Post quality stuff, and post consistently, at least 2,3 times a week. Fine-tune your approach to maximise engagement.
So, play honest, and in an year you'll be able to reap solid, if not handsome, gains. There are short cuts, but they fizzle out. Play the long game honestly, and you are sure to succeed, in direct proportion to your application.
Oh, and for the above, factor in one 3-4 hour session 5 times a week. When I started out (on what I thought would be a low tension part time activity) I thought it would be an hour at the most per day, but it surely takes more time than that. Also, figure out your Grand Strategy at the outset, or in the early phase. Because, guided action is most important.
I've written this longish essay because I'm reinforcing my own IG strat as I write. Its an instant recollection of all that I have learnt online w.r.t. monetising your IG account.
Now, You go ahead and apply these lessons. Write back to me when you launch, and also when you succeed.
