Monetize Instagram

Monetize Instagram

How to Monetize Instagram (Even If You’re Just Posting Normal Life)

If you’re already posting to Instagram, watching Reels, and scrolling the Explore page every day… it might as well be paying for something.

Most people use Instagram like this:

  • scroll Reels
  • double-tap a few posts
  • maybe post a random picture of life/kids/dog once in a while
  • close the app and repeat tomorrow

But Instagram can also be:

  • a traffic source to your store
  • a content engine for your Amazon/affiliate links
  • a place to build a warm audience that actually buys from you
  • and a platform where short videos quietly stack views and clicks over time

In this post, I’ll walk through a simple way to start monetizing Instagram using:

  • my Shopify store (BrickedShipHouse – the Catalog)
  • my Resources page (Amazon + tools I actually use)
  • and my Instagram Monetization Playbook for people who want the full step-by-step version

You don’t have to dance, point at captions, or be an influencer. You just need a plan.

Why Instagram Is Perfect for “Monetize Your Socials”

Instagram is where:

  • people watch quick Reels while they wait in line
  • they check Stories to see what friends and creators are doing
  • they look at profiles to decide “Do I trust this person or not?”

That makes it perfect for:

  • resellers & flippers – showing off finds, flips, and small wins
  • content creators & side hustlers – sharing quick value and pointing to tools/resources
  • anyone who wants to build a visual story around the stuff they sell or recommend

If you want to see the kind of gear, tools, and finds I use, I keep them all listed here on my Resources page:
👉 Resources

Step 1 – Turn Your Instagram Profile Into a Simple Funnel

Your profile is your storefront. Before we talk content, fix this first.

1. Profile photo

  • Clear face or logo
  • Easy to recognize at small size
  • Not blurry, cropped chaos from 2013

2. Name & handle

  • Use your name or brand + one clear keyword if it fits:
    • “Ed | BrickedShipHouse”
    • “Ed – Side Hustles & Gear”

3. Bio

Answer three things quickly:

  • Who you are
  • What you do / share
  • What people can get from following you

Example:

“Reselling, side hustles & real money experiments.
I test tools, gear & socials so you don’t have to.”

4. One main link

This is huge. Don’t confuse people.

Your main link could go to:

  • a simple link-in-bio page that points to:
    • your Catalog
    • your Resources page
    • your Instagram Monetization Playbook

or

  • your Resources page if you want to push gear/tools first
  • or a specific landing page for your playbooks

You can always change this over time, but start with one clear “money link”.

Step 2 – Decide Your Main Money Path From Instagram

Again, you have options. The app itself doesn’t pay your bills—where you send people does.

You can focus on:

Option 1 – Your physical products (BrickedShipHouse store)

  • Use Reels and posts to:
    • show items
    • show how you use them
    • show what sold
  • Then point people to your Catalog.

Example CTA:

“If you want to see what I’m selling right now, hit the link in my bio and tap ‘Shop the Catalog.’”

Option 2 – Amazon & other affiliate tools (Resources page)

This is where Instagram shines.

  • Quick Reels: “3 tools I use for X”
  • Stories: polls + swipe-ups / link stickers to your Resources page
  • Posts showing your setup

Each one can say:

“All my gear + tools are linked on my Resources page. Link in bio.”

👉 Resources

Option 3 – Digital products & playbooks

This is where your Instagram Monetization Playbook comes in.

  • Short-form content + a clean profile + a helpful playbook = easy lead magnet or low-ticket product.
  • Your IG content becomes the “ad” for your playbook.

Option 4 – Services / consulting

Exactly like Facebook:

  • You can offer:
    • monetization help
    • strategy sessions
    • pumping consulting
    • “set my social up for me” services

Your IG proves you do this. Your DMs and link do the closing.

For now:

Pick one main money path for Instagram:

Instagram content → link in bio →
→ Store or Resources or Instagram playbook

Once that’s working, you can layer in the others.

Step 3 – Content That Actually Converts on Instagram

You don’t have to post 5 times a day. You DO need a clear rhythm.

The main surfaces to use:

  • Reels – discovery & reach
  • Stories – connection & selling
  • Feed posts / carousels – education & saving
  • Broadcast Channel (optional) – for your warmest followers

Weekly content idea (simple version)

  • 2–3 Reels per week
    • “3 tools I’d buy again tomorrow”
    • “One thing I’d fix on your profile if you want it to make money”
    • “What I’d do with 1 hour a day on Instagram to monetize”
  • 2–3 Story days per week
    • behind-the-scenes of your flips
    • new items going into the shop
    • screenshots of your Resources page or small wins
  • 1 value post per week
    • carousel or single post breaking down:
      • a mini strategy
      • a mistake you made
      • a before/after of your profile or someone else’s

For every few posts that just give value, you earn the right to post:

“Comment INSTAGRAM GUIDE if you want my full step-by-step playbook.”

Step 4 – A Simple 30-Day Instagram Monetization Plan

Let’s keep this realistic.

Week 1 – Clean up your foundation

  • Fix:
    • profile pic
    • name
    • bio
    • main link
  • Post 3 pieces of content:
    • 1 Reel (what you do / why)
    • 1 Story day (behind the scenes)
    • 1 simple post (your story or what you’re about)

Week 2 – Add money-focused content

  • 2 Reels:
    • show tools or products you use (Resources/Store)
    • share one quick tip someone can use today
  • Stories:
    • show screenshots or clips of your Resources page / Amazon finds
    • start mentioning:

“All the tools are in my bio link.”

Week 3 – Introduce the “Instagram Guide” idea

  • Record a Reel that says:
    • you built an Instagram Monetization Playbook
    • it’s for people who are already on IG but not monetizing it
    • you’ll send it to anyone who comments a keyword

Use a CTA like:

“Comment INSTAGRAM GUIDE and I’ll send you the full playbook.”

Week 4 – Double down on what worked

  • Look back at:
    • which Reels got saves, shares, and replies
    • which Stories got DMs
  • Make more of those types of content
  • Keep pushing the playbook:
    • “Comment INSTAGRAM GUIDE”
    • “Link in bio to grab the full breakdown”

Step 5 – Tie It All Back to Your Shop, Resources, and Playbook

Here’s what this looks like when it’s all wired together:

  • Instagram = content + attention
  • BrickedShipHouse Catalog = physical product money
  • Resources page = Amazon & other affiliate money
  • Instagram Monetization Playbook = digital product / lead magnet / consulting funnel

You might do a Reel like:

“Here are 3 tools I use to run my reselling/content setup.”

  • show 3 items from your Resources page
  • mention your Catalog if relevant
  • tell them “link in bio → Resources”

Then another Reel like:

“If you’re already posting to Instagram, I put together an Instagram Monetization Playbook that shows you how to set this all up step by step. Comment INSTAGRAM GUIDE and I’ll send it to you.”

If you want the detailed, printable version of everything in this post laid out as a checklist, grab the Instagram Monetization Playbook here:
👉 Instagram playbook

And if you want to see the exact tools and gear I use for reselling and content, they’re all listed on my Resources page:
👉 Resources

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