Why Artists Should Use Instagram Subscriptions New Account Feature

What are subscriptions on Instagram?

Subscriptions on Instagram is a new feature for accounts over 10,000 followers. Your followers can choose to subscribe to your account. This mean people can sign up for exclusive content for a price you set monthly. You can decide on how much people pay for this special content and only they can view it. It’s similar to the Patreon model where subscribers pay monthly for video content, products, or art.

How do Instagram Subscriptions Work for creators?

Creators set a monthly amount subscribers will pay first and set up payment options in Instagram. Then you will be prompted to create a trailer to promote your subscriptions to potential subscribers.

What are the features of subscriptions on Instagram?

Subscribers receive a little badge on their profile showing the creator of content which users support them. This makes it easier for creators to identify who their target market is. Subscriptions give the user special content no one else will get to see on the platform. Subscribers will also be able to use the group chat function providing more access to the creator. Subscribers will pay for access and exclusive content.

Why are subscriptions on Instagram great for artists?

Instagram is targeting smaller accounts today to help them IG creators to create an income through producing content on the platform. Any artist who has been struggling to gain traction on the platform will be promoted. Subscriptions will allow smaller accounts to build an income off the content they produce. This means artists now have a new way to create an income through their social media accounts. It will also allow creators, like myself, to share those special projects we don’t want to post on Instagram for the whole world to see. It will allow me to share my special projects with true fans.

If you’d like to see more of my work, head on over to Instagram at Dream in Color

What type of subscription benefits would work for artists?

Since the subscriptions feature is similar to the Patreon model, subscriptions work if creators build them in a way that their special fans can get more access. More access means creators give fans exclusive content or products. This could be a monthly postcard or exclusive insider video. On Patreon, many creators are using their tiers as a space to share monthly long-form video content, create postcards of original works of art, and create original works of art to send to patrons. Depending on how much fans pay for their subscription, any content creator could create an income stream through their creativity.

Downsides of subscriptions on Instagram

Right now I see the lack of tiers in subscriptions as a major downside. You have to select one price for all subscribers. I think this is a feature that will change with time. I personally will be designing the subscriptions to give fans an deeper look at my process. I’m hoping to also provide these subscribers with monthly postcards as an exciting reward for supporting my work.

How much do I make as an artist from Instagram?

Well, I just set up my Instagram subscriptions feature. I’m not currently promoting it, but I’m building content for subscribers and filming a trailer for the launch. I do make money from my reels. My reels are monetized. If you’d like to learn more about how much I’m making from my Instagram reels then tune in for my next article: How to make money off Instagram reels as an artist.

Subscribe to my email newsletter to find out more about the business side of art. I’ll be releasing a business of art course with advice for artists on how to build a social media following and build their art business.

Andalee Hyatt

I am a watercolor illustrator based out of Orange County, California, who loves cats, reading, and active sports. 

http://www.andaleehyatt.com
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