How To Monetize 100k Followers With A Website
If you’re only monetizing directly through your social media accounts, you might be leaving money on the table. One of the best ways to maximize your earnings is by building a dedicated website.
In the world of social media having 100k followers is a significant milestone. It means you've built an audience that trusts you, enjoys your content, and is likely to engage with your recommendations. But if you’re only monetizing directly through Instagram or other social media accounts, you might be leaving money on the table. One of the best ways to maximize your earnings is by building a dedicated website that serves as the hub of your brand.
Why Build a Website to Monetize Instagram Followers?
Having your own website offers benefits that Instagram alone can’t provide:
- Control Over Your Content: Unlike Instagram, where algorithms and changing policies can affect your visibility, a website allows you to control how your content is presented and accessed.
- Diverse Monetization Streams: From selling products to affiliate marketing and offering courses, your website opens up numerous income avenues.
- SEO Benefits: Properly optimized, your website can attract organic traffic, expanding your reach beyond Instagram followers.
- Professional Branding: A well-designed website elevates your credibility, making you more attractive to brands for sponsorships and collaborations.
Influencers Who Built Successful Websites
- Pat Flynn (Smart Passive Income) - Originally known for podcasting and blogging, Pat Flynn leveraged his Instagram audience to drive traffic to his website. Today, his site features multiple income streams, including affiliate marketing, online courses, and paid memberships.
- Chiara Ferragni (The Blonde Salad) - Fashion influencer Chiara Ferragni transformed her Instagram fame into a full-fledged fashion brand with her site, The Blonde Salad. From blogs to online stores, her website is a central piece of her business empire.
- Kayla Itsines (Sweat) - Fitness influencer Kayla Itsines turned her Instagram audience into paying subscribers for her workout app by building a website that served as a launchpad for her brand.
Essential Steps to Monetizing Through a Website
1. Building Your Website
- Use platforms like WordPress to build a site that reflects your brand’s aesthetic.
- Ensure your site is mobile-responsive, especially since many of your Instagram followers will visit from their phones.
- Include essential pages: Home, About, Blog, Shop, Contact.
- Make navigation intuitive and visually appealing.
2. Leveraging SEO to Attract New Audiences
- Perform keyword research to identify search terms relevant to your niche.
- Optimize your content with these keywords to attract organic traffic.
- Use tools like Jetpack (for WordPress) or other plugins to enhance your on-site SEO.
3. Creating Monetizable Content
- Blog posts that link to affiliate products.
- Paid membership content (e.g., exclusive tips, videos, or courses).
- Digital product sales (eBooks, guides, templates).
4. Integrating Your Audience
- Promote your website through your bio, posts, and stories.
- Utilize Instagram's swipe-up feature or Linktree to direct followers to your website.
- Encourage followers to join your newsletter or download free resources from your site.
5. Using Plugins to Enhance Your Site
- JetPack: A must-have for performance, security, and marketing tools. Since it's included with EuroDNS managed WordPress hosting plans, it’s a no-brainer.
- WooCommerce: Essential if you plan to sell products directly.
- MonsterInsights: Provides detailed analytics about your audience’s behavior on your website.
Real-World Success Stories
- Gary Vaynerchuk (GaryVee.com) - With a powerful personal brand built on Instagram, Gary Vee uses his website to offer speaking services, consulting, and exclusive content.
- Huda Kattan (HudaBeauty.com) - Leveraging her beauty expertise, Huda transformed her Instagram presence into a highly successful online shop and beauty resource.
- Brian Dean (Backlinko) - Known for SEO tips on Instagram, Brian built a blog that generates millions of views, leveraging his Instagram audience to attract clients and subscribers.
Conclusion: The Key to Long-Term Success
Building a website is not just a way to diversify your income streams; it's a way to future-proof your brand. Platforms and algorithms will change, but owning a website ensures you always have control over your audience and content. Follow the steps above, and you can turn your Instagram following into a thriving business.
Ready to build your website? Take the first step by choosing the right platform and crafting content that resonates with your audience.
