Instagram just announced that it is starting to test and release a subscription feature for creators. This will allow Instagram Creators to charge for exclusive content. When I polled my audience in stories, 84% of them said that they would not pay creators for exclusive content on Instagram. I think that is an understandable first reaction, but a deeper dive may prove that it could be business-changing. Instagram Subscription Feature | Everything You Need to Know
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The Basics: How do Instagram Subscriptions work?
- Instagram allows Creators to charge for exclusive content to their audience.
- Creators can charge from $0.99 to $99.99 per month.
- All payments are done through the Instagram app and Instagram will not be taking any amount of cut until at least 2023.
- Creators will create exclusive stories and lives for their subscribers.
- All subscribers get a badge that can be seen on public lives and in DMs.
How can I get the new Instagram Subscriptions feature on my account?
- Make sure that you have a Creator not Business account on Instagram.
- Instagram is currently testing this feature and will be rolling it out to Creators a little at a time.
- Every Creator will eventually have the option.
How will I know if I can do Instagram Subscriptions?
- You will get a notification from Instagram letting you know that you have the option.
- It also will be in your Professional Dashboard.
- If you don’t have the option in your Professional Dashboard, then you don’t have Instagram Subscriptions yet.
Which Creators have Instagram Subscriptions Feature?
Instagram Subscription Feature | Everything You Need to Know
According to Later.com, here are the early-access accounts include:
- @alanchikinchow
- @sedona._
- @alizakelly
- @kelseylynncook
- @elliottnorris
- @jordanchiles
- @jackjerry
- @bunnymichael
- @donalleniii
- @lonnieiiv
How will you subscribe to a Creator with Instagram Subscriptions?
- There will be a button next to the “email” and “message” buttons on their profile page.
- If you don’t see the option to subscribe to the Creators above, make sure your app is updated. Check out what it looks like from @donalleniii
- Once you sign up, you will get prompted to pay, and then you’ll get access to their subscriber-only Stories and Lives
- You can cancel your subscription anytime. You can manage them in Instagram or go to your subscriptions in settings on your phone and manage them there.
This is how signing up looked when I signed up for @kelseylynncook subscription.
A step-by-step walk through of Instagram Subscriptions. Learn what they are, how to use them, and the strategy to using them in your business.
How can you implement Instagram Subscription into your strategy: Instagram Subscription Feature | Everything You Need to Know
One of the biggest questions I’ve gotten about this is who should implement this into their business strategy and what kind of content should we share as a subscription. First you need to know what this is not, this is not a replacement of free content. Creators will still create their free content. This will be a place where they can add value to people who are willing to pay for exclusive content.
How to use Instagram Subscriptions for your business:
Increased Access: Are you an influencer or someone who has fans who constantly want to know more about you, your thoughts, your routine? This would be a great way to provide a backstage pass to your life.
Save time. Is there something that your audience spends time on all the time? You could provide a solution for that. For example, when I asked my audience if they would pay for me to share 2 trending Reels with them every day and a once-a-month Instagram training, they all said “yes!”. Why? They know they are wasting a lot of time on Instagram looking for the perfect Reel and to have that delivered to their stories every day would save them a lot of time.
Create community. Maybe it is a book club, parenting club, or deals club. Find a way to bring the same type of people together who are working towards a common goal. That could be to be a better parent, keep a budget, exercise regularly.
Add value to your other products. If you have a course, you could give your students the option to upgrade to be an Instagram Subscriber. Then, you could do Stories and Lives to keep them accountable and to give them motivation and answer their questions.
Be a resource. You don’t have to be the expert at everything. You could be the curator of information. For example, I pay a news subscription to send me an email with curated news headlines so that I don’t have to go to all the different news sites.
Coaching and Q&A. Are you a coach and want another way to connect with those you coach? Add this subscription to your product options. You could do Live Q&As and help answer their questions.
Is that an all-encompassing list? No, but it should get your mind going about how you could use Instagram subscriptions for your business.
What do Instagram Subscriptions tell us about the future of Instagram? Instagram Subscription Feature | Everything You Need to Know
First, Instagram is here to stay. They are putting a lot of money into developing new features that keep people coming back to the app. Secondly, they are investing in Creators. Subscriptions is just one way that they are helping Creators make more money. They have released built-in affiliate tools and Instagram marketplace.
I am excited about the future of Instagram. They keep making it better and better. If you haven’t started making Reels, now is the time to do that. You can take my FREE Rock the Reels Challenge where you will learn everything you need to know about creating Reels that go viral.
Thanks for reading and let me know in the comments if you will be using Instagram Subscriptions and if so, how? Also, if you share this on Instagram, would you tag me so that we can become Insta-friends? Thanks so much! Let me know if you have any questions.
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