Startup cost
$500–$10k
TRUiC Business Ideas
How to Start an Instagram Business
Decision Snapshot
Idea Score
48
Profit margin
4%
Break-even
4 mo–12 mo
Time to launch
12 wk–36 wk
Demand trend
Stable
5-yr failure rate
—
Capital intensity
Medium
Time commitment
Full time
Part 1 - How to start an Instagram business - Background
An Instagram business is run by someone who has a lot of Instagram followers, promoting the goods and services of other brands. Normally, Instagram business owners are paid on a post-to-post basis, representing a brand’s various goods in new, creative lights.
Some Instagram business owners may branch out, creating their own product lines. Others might create YouTube channels, creating cross-market opportunities for themselves. The best Instagram business owners target niche audiences, like those interested in fitness, beauty, or pets.
You may also be interested in additional online business ideas.
Our guide is in 3 parts:
- Part 1 - How to start an Instagram business - Background
- Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
- Part 3 - Action plan to get started
What are the costs involved in opening an instagram business?
Fortunately, the costs of opening an Instagram business are incredibly low. Expect to pay $500 for a nice camera. It’s possible to run an Instagram business without your own computer, but we suggest purchasing a nice laptop for around $1,000. Because an Instagram advertiser has virtually zero incremental costs, they can run an Instagram business indefinitely. Small expenses include travel fees, camera upgrades, and research fees.
What are the ongoing expenses for an instagram business?
An Instagram business has few ongoing expenses. Aside from business insurance, computer maintenance and small advertising fees—which are highly variable—an Instagram marketer can expect to spend very little in overhead and variable costs.
Who is the target market?
An Instagram business marketer’s target market is the same market their overarching brand intends to reach. In general, an Instagram business account owner should gear all posts towards Instagram and Facebook owners. They should also research the markets their brand intends to impact, targeting adjacent markets as well.
How does an instagram business make money?
Instagram business account owners make money though affiliate marketing, posting branded advertisements, embedding code and creating strong cross-channel marketing strategies. If an Instagram account becomes popular, it’ll be referred often.
How much can you charge customers?
Instagram marketers work on a CPM basis. CPM is the cost to reach one thousand people per post. On average, a sponsored CPM post costs between $5 and $10. Instagram marketers can, of course, charge for higher-ranking posts and unique content. Because an Instagram marketer makes money from views and shares, their actual price charge per post is variable.
How much profit can an instagram business make?
Sponsored Instagram posts average about $300 each, if the Instagram account has many followers. A moderately successful Instagram marketer can make about $20,000 per year. A highly successful Instagram marketer can make six figures, if they’re considered to be “famous” within the community.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Diversify your content, but make sure you’re remaining in your niche. Connect with social media influencers, and focus on driving traffic once you’ve established a base crowd.
Day-to-Day and Growth
What happens during a typical day at an instagram business?
Every day, the Instagram’s account owner checks their Facebook, Twitter, email and Instagram accounts. They need to maintain their Instagram’s business account, managing likes, follows, and content.
Much of an Instagram marketer’s job involves posting Instagram stories, sharing photos, creating hashtags, and connecting with users. The more an Instagram business operator networks, the better. A good Instagram operator will also use geotags, leading potential brand customers to store locations or public events. Other responsibilities involve running photo ad campaigns, video ad campaigns, and carousel ad campaigns.
It pays off to develop a powerful Instagram marketing strategy, too. A lot of Instagram business owners research product and service marketing. They also reveal “behind the scenes” brand material for promotional brand campaigns.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful instagram business?
An Instagram business’s growth potential is directly related to its follower count. If an Instagram account owner can get their name out there, they can create a fully branded experience. Social media marketing may be contained by the Internet, but it’s an incredibly viable career path. If an Instagram account owner is smart, they can become the most popular identity in a product or service niche.
What are some insider tips for jump starting an instagram business?
Interact with users frequently. Because Instagram marketing is popular, accounts which provide human, in-depth feedback responses do well. Like pictures, comment on other accounts, mention popular people. Tag others. Provide fully human responses, and become known as a quality provider. Use Instagram Direct when possible, and send messages to prospective clients.
How and when to build a team
You can manage an Instagram business alone. You should eventually hire professional Internet marketers, however. A growing Instagram business needs to understand the data which drives Internet marketing, and it needs to reach customers before competing Instagram marketers can. Consider hiring two to three additional workers within the first three years of Instagram marketing.
Part 2 - Is an Instagram business the right fit for you?
Business Evaluation & Strategy Tool
We'll walk you through the four pillars every business needs: Points of Leverage, Marketing Strategy, Financial Model, and Personal Compatibility. At the end you'll see a personalized report and your action plan below will be tailored to your answers.
Step 1 of 4 — Points of Leverage
Every viable business has natural advantages. Below are common leverage points across four categories. Pick the ones that apply to your Instagram business. We've pre-suggested a few based on your idea — review and adjust.
Step 2 of 4 — Marketing Strategy
Without a way to connect with customers, even great businesses fail. Pick the channels you plan to use to reach your customers.
Step 3 of 4 — Financial Model
Enter your monthly baseline costs — the minimum overhead to keep the business running. Then we'll calculate how many sales per month you need to break even.
Step 4 of 4 — Personal Compatibility
A business that doesn't fit your life will fail no matter how good the numbers look. Tell us how this business fits you.
Your Instagram Evaluation Report
Complete the four pillars and your personalized summary will appear here.
Points of Leverage
Marketing Strategy
Financial Model
Personal Compatibility
Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Instagram business in 90 days
Nine concrete steps to take you from idea to open business, grouped into 30-day phases. Complete the planner above and we'll highlight what's most important for your situation.
First 30 days — Foundation
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Form your legal entity
An LLC keeps your personal assets separate from business debts and lawsuits — the most common reason small business owners choose this structure. Sole proprietorships and partnerships do not provide this protection.
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Get an EIN and register for taxes
Apply for your free Employer Identification Number through the IRS, then register for any state or local taxes that apply to your business (sales tax, franchise tax).
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Open a business bank account and credit card
A dedicated business account is required to maintain personal asset protection. Mixing personal and business finances ('piercing the corporate veil') can void your LLC's liability shield.
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Set up business accounting
Recording expenses and income from day one makes tax filing easier and lets you see when the business is actually profitable. Use software (QuickBooks, Wave) or a part-time bookkeeper.
Days 30–60 — Compliance & Risk
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Get permits and licenses
State and local requirements vary widely. Brick-and-mortar businesses typically need a Certificate of Occupancy; service businesses may need specific professional licensing; food businesses need health permits.
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Get business insurance
General Liability Insurance is the most common starting point. If you'll have employees, most states require Workers' Compensation. Specific industries need additional coverage (product liability, professional liability, etc.).
Days 60–90 — Launch
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Define your brand
Your brand is how customers perceive and remember you. A clear name, logo, and visual identity make every later marketing decision easier and protect you legally as you grow.
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Create your business website
Every legitimate business needs a website. Social media pages are not a substitute — you don't own the platform. Modern website builders mean you can launch a clean site in a weekend without a developer.
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Set up your business phone system
A dedicated business number keeps your personal life private, makes the business look legitimate, and lets you route calls professionally. Cloud phone services start under $20/month.