Instagram is the platform where influencers make their mark on trends, brands and the way we consume. But when are you actually a true influencer on Instagram? Do you have to have thousands of followers, or is it about something else? In this blog, you will discover what exactly an influencer is, how many followers you need and how to make money with your influence.

What is an Instagram Influencer?

An Instagram influencer is someone who builds an engaged audience through his or her content and is able to influence their behavior, opinions or buying decisions. This could include their choice of a particular product, a new fashion trend, a travel destination or even a particular lifestyle. Influencers often have a specific niche, such as fashion, fitness, technology, beauty, travel or entrepreneurship, in which they position themselves as experts or trendsetters.

What distinguishes an influencer from an ordinary social media user is their influence on followers. This means that their recommendations are taken seriously because they come across as authentic and have a trusting relationship with their audience. The larger and more engaged this audience is, the more valuable the influencer becomes to brands and companies looking to promote their products.

The different types of Instagram influencers

Influencers are often classified into different categories based on their number of followers and level of engagement within their community.

Nano-influencers (1K – 10K followers)

Nano-influencers have a relatively small but highly engaged audience. They are often close to their followers and have a high engagement rate. This means that their followers are more likely to respond to their posts, like their posts and truly value their opinions.

• Advantages: High authenticity, close relationship with followers, ideal for local or niche marketing
• Disadvantages: Small reach, less attractive to major brands

Nano-influencers are perfect for brands looking for authentic collaborations because their recommendations are considered more genuine and trustworthy.

Micro-influencers (10K – 50K followers)

Micro-influencers are one step higher than nano-influencers and have a larger, but still engaged and niche-specific audience. They are often considered experts in their fields, such as beauty, health, technology or travel.

• Benefits: Good balance between reach and engagement, affordable collaborations for brands
• Disadvantages: Lower reach than macro-influencers

Micro-influencers are ideal for companies that want to appeal to a specific audience and are looking for authentic recommendations without too much commercial appeal.

Macro-influencers (50K – 1M followers)

Macro-influencers have a large reach and often work with well-known brands. They have usually built their status through long-term presence on Instagram or being active on multiple social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok or blogs.

• Advantages: Large reach, significant influence, interesting for larger brands
• Disadvantages: Lower engagement than micro- and nano-influencers, higher cost of collaborations

Macro-influencers can significantly enhance campaigns of major brands because they reach a wide and diverse audience.

Mega-influencers (1M+ followers)

Mega-influencers are the big stars on Instagram. These can be celebrities, top models, top athletes or social media icons with millions of followers worldwide.

• Benefits: Huge reach, wide brand recognition
• Disadvantages: Low engagement rate, expensive to work with, sometimes less authentic

Brands that partner with mega-influencers are often international companies looking to run large-scale campaigns. Although mega-influencers have a huge audience, this does not always mean that their followers are as engaged as with smaller influencers.

Interaction and engagement are more important than followers

While many people think that an influencer is only successful if he or she has millions of followers, this is not necessarily true. Engagement (involvement) is much more important than just the number of followers. This means that the number of likes, comments and shares on a post can be much more valuable than a large but inactive follower base.

Many brands prefer to work with nano and micro-influencers because their followers truly trust them and are more likely to follow their recommendations. This makes them a powerful marketing tool for companies looking to reach a specific audience with authentic and credible content.

Here are some examples of Dutch Instagram influencers, categorized by their follower count:

Nano-influencers (1K – 10K followers):

• Danique Hosmar: With about 5,000 followers, Danique shares her passion for fitness and a healthy lifestyle.

Micro-influencers (10K – 50K followers):

• Polina Burashnikova (@polabur): With about 30,000 followers, Polina shares her travel experiences and lifestyle content.

Macro-influencers (50K – 1M followers):

• Rianne Meijer (@rianne.meijer): Known for her “Instagram vs. reality” posts, Rianne has about 1.5 million followers.

Mega-influencers (1M+ followers):

• Negin Mirsalehi (@negin_mirsalehi): With more than 6 million followers, Negin is one of the most influential Dutch influencers.

These examples illustrate the different levels of influence on Instagram, involving both the number of followers and audience engagement.

How many followers do you need to be an influencer?

There is no set rule for how many followers you need to be considered an influencer on Instagram. Many people think that only mega-influencers with hundreds of thousands or millions of followers can make money on social media, but that is a misconception. In reality, micro- and nano-influencers are playing an increasingly important role in the world of influencer marketing.

Why micro- and nano-influencers are becoming increasingly popular

Micro- and nano-influencers are rapidly gaining popularity with brands and companies. This is because they often have a stronger and more authentic connection with their followers. Their content feels less commercial and their recommendations are more likely to be seen as trustworthy. Many companies today prefer influencers with smaller but engaged audiences because these followers are more likely to take action (such as making a purchase or trying out a service).

Here are some benefits of working with micro- and nano-influencers:

• High engagement rate: Followers respond more often and actively to their content
• Authentic and reliable: Less commercial and more personal interaction
• Targeted to a niche: Ideal for brands that want to reach a specific audience
• More affordable for businesses: Collaborations are often cheaper than with macro or mega-influencers

Engagement is more important than number of followers

A common mistake is to think that more followers automatically means more influence. This is not always the case. Engagement rate is a much more important factor than just the number of followers.

For example:

This means that smaller influencers can have a higher impact, especially if they have a loyal and active community.

A nano-influencer with 5,000 followers and a 10% engagement rate (500 people comment, like or share the content) may be more valuable than a macro-influencer with 500,000 followers but a 0.5% engagement rate (only 2,500 people comment

How do you make money as an influencer?

Being an influencer can be a lucrative career or side income, but it takes strategy, consistency and a strong online presence to turn your influence into revenue. Brands and companies look for influencers who have real impact on their followers and can credibly promote their products. Below, we discuss the main ways you can make money as an Instagram influencer, with examples of well-known influencers who successfully employ these strategies.

Sponsored content

One of the most common ways to make money as an influencer is through sponsored posts. This means companies pay you to promote their products or services through Instagram posts, Reels, Stories or IGTV.

🔹 How does it work?

• You create content that incorporates a brand or product in an authentic way.
• Brands pay you a flat fee or offer you free products/services in exchange for promotion.
• The larger and more active your audience, the more you can charge for a collaboration.

💰 Earnings: This can range from €50 for nano-influencers to thousands of dollars per post for macro and mega-influencers.

📌 Example: Huda Kattan(@hudabeauty) is a beauty influencer who collaborates with major brands by promoting their products through sponsored content. Her credibility in the beauty industry makes her collaborations highly profitable.

Affiliate marketing (earning commissions)

In affiliate marketing, you earn money by promoting other people’s products or services. When your followers make a purchase through your unique affiliate link, you receive a commission.

🔹 How does it work?

• You sign up with affiliate programs such as Bol.com Partner Program, Amazon Affiliates or Awin.
• You share unique tracking links in your Instagram Stories (via ‘Link Sticker’) or in your bio.
• For every sale through your link, you will receive a percentage of sales.

💰 Earnings: Commissions typically range from 5% to 30% per sale, depending on the product and platform.

📌 Example: Liesbeth Rasker(@liesbethrasker) uses affiliate marketing to generate revenue through her travel-related content. She posts affiliate links to travel products and accommodations, earning money for every booking made through her links.

Selling your own products or services

Many influencers build their own brand and sell their own products or services. This can be a very profitable strategy because you don’t have to hand over a commission and have complete control over your earnings.

🔹 What can you sell?

• E-books & online courses (e.g. on fitness, social media or entrepreneurship)
• Merchandise (T-shirts, hoodies, accessories with your branding)
• Services (e.g., coaching, photography, graphic design)
• Digital products (e.g., presets for Instagram photos, templates)

💰 Earnings: Depending on your product and target audience, this could become a passive income stream.

📌 Example: Negin Mirsalehi(@negin_mirsalehi) has her own hair care brand Gisou, with which she earns millions. She promotes her products through her Instagram account and uses her community to grow her brand.

Instagram Creator Fund and ads

Instagram has several ways to reward influencers through built-in monetization tools.

🔹 How can you make money through Instagram?

• Instagram Reels Bonus Program: Instagram pays you for the number of views on your Reels (not yet available in all countries).
• Instagram Badges: Followers can give you donations during Live videos.
• IGTV ads: If you make longer videos, you can show ads and get a share of the revenue from them.

💰 Earnings: This varies by creator, but for successful influencers, ad revenue can reach several thousand dollars per month.

📌 Example: Morrog (Emre)(@morrog) uses the Instagram Creator Fund by sharing many videos and livestreams. His income comes largely from ad revenue and donations from his community.

Collaborations and brand deals

In addition to one-time sponsored posts, you can also enter into long-term collaborations with brands. These are called brand deals, where you create content for a brand several times a month, for example.

🔹 Benefits of long-term collaborations:

• Higher revenue because you contract for multiple posts/campaigns
• More stability and trust with your followers because you are consistently promoting a brand
• Greater impact because your message reaches your target audience repeatedly

💰 Earnings: Major influencers earn several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars per collaboration, depending on their reach and influence.

📌 Example: StukTV(@stuktv) works with several brands, such as the Postcode Lottery. They create multiple posts and videos around their partners’ campaigns, which provides them with a steady income.

How much do influencers earn?

Here is a clear table of the different ways you can make money as an Instagram influencer, including estimated earnings and a comparison based on difficulty and requirements.

Comparison of revenue models for Instagram influencers

Which method suits you best?

• Want to make money fast? ➝ S ponsored content and brand deals are the best choice.
• Want to generate passive income? ➝ Affiliate marketing and Creator Fund can be good options.
• Want complete control over your income? ➝ S elling your own products or services is the best option.
• Want to be independent of brands? ➝ Donations and subscriptions help you monetize your own community.

💡 Tip: Most successful influencers combine multiple revenue models to maximize their earnings! 🚀

Who is the most famous Instagrammer?

The most famous and followed person on Instagram is Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo(@cristiano), with more than 600 million followers. His account is a mix of sports moments, family photos and collaborations with major brands. His global fame as one of the best soccer players of all time has allowed him to build a gigantic fan base. Besides Ronaldo, other big names with millions of followers include Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi(@leomessi), singer and actress Selena Gomez(@selenagomez), reality star and businesswoman Kylie Jenner(@kyliejenner) and actor and former wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson(@therock). These celebrities use Instagram to share their daily lives, as well as to promote their brands and business collaborations.

Who is the richest Instagrammer?

The person making the most money on Instagram is also Cristiano Ronaldo. He receives an average of $3.23 million per sponsored post, giving him the highest Instagram income in the world. This is due to his influence as a sports icon and lucrative sponsorship deals with brands such as Nike, Clear and Binance. In second place is his rival Lionel Messi, who earns about $2.6 million per sponsored post thanks to collaborations with Adidas and Pepsi, among others. Other top earners include Kylie Jenner and Selena Gomez, who each earn more than $1.7 million per post through their influence in the fashion, beauty and entertainment industries. These celebrities have made Instagram not only a social media platform, but also a billion-dollar industry in which they turn their status and influence into gigantic revenues.

How do you become a successful Instagram influencer?

The difference between an ordinary Instagram user and a successful influencer is in consistency, strategy and interaction. To break through as an influencer, you must not only have a lot of followers, but also build an active and engaged community. Companies and brands look not only at your number of followers, but more importantly at your engagement rate, or how often your followers comment, like and share.

Do you want to become a successful Instagram influencer? Then these factors are essential:

1. Create unique and valuable content

The core of a good influencer is strong content that inspires, informs or entertains your target audience. Think about:

• Inspiring lifestyle content (e.g., travel photos, fashion, fitness)
• Educational posts (such as tips on skincare, business or social media)
• Entertainment (funny videos, challenges, behind-the-scenes footage)

Your content needs to be authentic and recognizable so that people continue to follow you and share your posts. A visual style with consistent colors, filters and themes helps you build a recognizable brand.

2. Build a strong community and increase engagement

Engagement is more important than followers. The more your followers interact with your content, the higher your posts will be ranked by Instagram’s algorithm. You can do this by:

• Actively respond to comments and DMs to build rapport with your followers
• Ask questions in your captions to stimulate conversation
• Polls and Q&As to be used in Instagram Stories to increase interaction
• Share user-generated content, such as photos or videos of followers using your product or advice

Influencers who build a strong community have more influence and credibility, making brands more likely to want to work with them.

3. Use all Instagram tools to increase your reach

Instagram rewards users who actively use all their features. This means not only posting static posts, but also taking advantage of other formats:

• Instagram Reels: Short, dynamic videos that can quickly go viral
• Instagram Stories: Temporary updates with interactive features such as polls, quizzes and questions
• Instagram Live: Real-time connection with your followers for Q&As, product launches or exclusive content
• Carousels: Posts with multiple images or slides, which often provide higher engagement

By using these tools smartly, you can increase your visibility and grow faster.

4. Strategic use of hashtags and search optimization

Hashtags help you reach new audiences and get your content discovered by people outside your follower base. Usage:

• Popular hashtags in your niche (#fashionblogger, #travelgram, #fitspiration)
• Less competitive but relevant hashtags to be more visible (#DutchTravelers, #VeganFoodTips)
• Branded hashtags to build your community (e.g. #MyNikeStyle if you are a sports influencer)

In addition, search optimization (SEO) on Instagram plays an increasing role. In your bio and captions, use strategic keywords that allow people to find you, such as “social media expert” or “travel tips Netherlands.”

5. Collaborate with other influencers and brands

Networking is crucial to growing faster as an influencer. Collaborations can help you reach new audiences and increase your credibility. There are several ways to do this:

• Collaborations with other influencers by, for example, creating content together or sharing each other’s posts
• Organize giveaways where you ask followers to follow a brand or other influencer
• Guest posts or shoutouts where you promote each other to your own community

In addition, you can collaborate with brands even if you are still a small influencer. Many companies like to work with micro-influencers because they have a loyal and engaged audience.

How do you get started as an Instagram Influencer?

Do you want to become an Instagram influencer and make money with social media? Then you need not only a lot of followers, but also a clear strategy and consistent content. Building a strong presence on Instagram takes time, but with the right approach, you can become successful. Follow this roadmap to get started as an influencer:

1. Choose a niche and target audience

Before you begin, you should determine what niche you want to be active in. This will help you target a specific audience and build expert status. Choose a niche that:

• Matches your passion and interests
• Has sufficient potential and followers
• Attract brands that like to collaborate with influencers

Popular niches on Instagram include: fashion, fitness, beauty, technology, travel, food, entrepreneurship and lifestyle.

2. Optimize your Instagram profile

Your Instagram profile is your digital business card. Make sure it looks professional and attractive:

• Profile photo: Choose a clear and recognizable photo
• Instagram bio: Briefly state who you are, what you do and why people should follow you
• Contact information: Include an email or website if you want to attract collaborations
• Highlights (Highlights): Use Instagram Highlights to showcase your best content or frequently asked questions

3. Post regularly and provide quality content

Consistency is the key to success. To keep your audience engaged and increase your visibility, you must:

• Post at least 3-4 times a week
• Using high quality photos and videos
• Adopt a recognizable visual style (think colors, filters and layout)
• Employ Stories, Reels and carousels to provide variety

Also, use catchy captions and ask questions of your followers to increase engagement.

4. Use strategic hashtags and tagging

Hashtags help you reach new followers and make your content visible to a larger audience. Use a mix of:

• Popular hashtags within your niche (#fashionblogger, #travelgram, #fitspiration)
• Specific hashtags that have less competition but are relevant (#DutchFitness, #VeganFoodTips)
• Branded hashtags to grow your community

Additionally, tag brands, other influencers and locations in your posts to gain additional exposure.

5. Collaborate with small brands to build experience

Before big brands approach you, you can proactively start smaller collaborations yourself. Start with:

• Promote free products in exchange for content
• Using affiliate marketing to earn commission per sale
• Collaborate with startups or local companies to build your portfolio

Over time, as your engagement and reach grows, larger brands will be more likely to approach you for paid collaborations.

6. Build a strong relationship with your followers

Engagement is more important than followers. The more interaction you have with your audience, the faster you grow. You do this by:

• Actively respond to responses and DMs
• Polls and Q&As to use in your Instagram Stories
• Share personal and authentic content
• Go live on Instagram and communicate directly with your followers

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Many budding influencers make mistakes that can hurt their growth and credibility. Success on Instagram depends not only on the number of followers, but more importantly on authenticity, engagement and content quality. Here are the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

1. Buying fake followers from unreliable sources 🚫

Buying followers may seem like a quick way to become popular, but cheap and unreliable followers bring more harm than benefits. Fake followers:

• Lower your engagement rate because they don’t really interact with your content
• Are recognized by Instagram, which can lead to account deletion
• Damage your credibility with brands because they want to see real interaction

✅ Solution: If you want a kickstart, you can invest in high-quality followers from a trusted party like SocialKings. This helps build credibility faster, which encourages the growth of real followers.

2. Too many sponsored posts 🤯

If you switch to a lot of sponsored content too quickly, your audience may drop out. People follow influencers because they are authentic and inspiring, not because they are constantly advertising.

✅ Solution: Ensure a good balance between sponsored and non-sponsored content. Also share personal experiences, tips and valuable information to maintain your credibility.

3. Little interaction with followers ❌

As an influencer, it’s all about community-building. When your followers don’t get responses or interaction back from you, they lose interest and trust in your account.

✅ Solution:

• Reply to as many comments and DMs as possible
• Use Instagram Stories polls, Q&As and interactive stickers to engage your followers
• Go live regularly on Instagram to talk directly to your audience

4. Not investing in content quality 📉

Instagram is a visual platform. Bad photos or videos make your content less appealing, which negatively affects your growth and engagement.

✅ Solution:

• Use a good high-resolution camera or smartphone
• Edit your photos professionally, but stay natural and recognizable
• Pay attention to lighting, composition and use of color to make your feed attractive

Conclusion

Becoming an Influencer on Instagram is not just about having lots of followers, but more importantly about engagement, valuable content and a strong connection with your community. Whether you are a nano- or mega-influencer, if you have an authentic and active follower base, you can become successful.

Want to grow faster on Instagram? At SocialKings, we help you with followers, likes and views to boost your account! 🚀