In fall 2014, I was stuck in a career rut.
The limited creative freedom and lack of social interactions in the field pushed me to consider other options.
A few soul-searching conversations later, I realized there was one thing I really care about: storytelling.
Photo courtesy of Shelcy Joseph
In fact, writing was always the activity that made me lose a sense of time.
But I was wrong and Ive developed those interests into a paying gig as a social media influencer.
Heres what I did, and how I make money from Instagram.
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Thats how I came to create mini blog posts, or captions, on Instagram.
I really love photography, and Instagram became my experimentation ground.
We also created anInstagram accountto document our personal styles and adventures in New York City.
Did you know?
I never imagined this project would allow me to follow my dreams.
Since July 2016, Ive earned an average of $1,600 per month just from our Instagram account.
And yes, thats after my sister gets her share.
How do I do it?
The answer is in having different income streams.
Here are a few streams I suggest tapping into if you want to be a successful influencer.
In Haiti, people will ask about your family faster than they will about what you do.
It was an early lesson in not defining people by what they do.
Ive even done it too.
Remembering that people are more than what they do and going beyond surface level to meaningfully connect.
A lot of brands are moving away from working with major digital influencers to leveraging smaller bloggers audiences.
When you start, reaching out to brands is a great way to secure a few collaborations.
As you gain traction, brands will discover you and email you about different opportunities.
Do your research and interact with them on social before initiating contact.
The key is to associate only with brands that fit your aesthetic.
A jewelry box subscription company found us through a hashtag and reached out.
Its reps offered to send us complimentary pieces every month in exchange for a few Instagram features.
Some brands send their products as gifts; to date, weve received $3,000 in merchandise.
Monetizing your videos on YouTube can earn you a passive income stream.
Theres even a bonus if these ads convert!
You are allowed to monetize your videos once Youtube accepts you into itsPartner Program.
Dont underestimate the skills it’s possible for you to acquire from a side project.
I then monetized these skills by offering my services to local business owners and startups.
I eventually landed a consistent gig last summer with a small business owner.
This gig pays about $1,200 a month.
I also occasionally help other entrepreneurs manage their social media accounts and become more visible online.
Whats Next?
I never set out to be an influencer.
I just always loved connecting with people and bonding over common interests, like fashion, traveling and eating.
I married my love for writing with my passion for capturing moments to create this lifestyle brand.
Hows that for getting paid to do what I love?
It sounds appealing right?
Check it out here!
