Nano-Influencers: How to Make Big Money With a Small Following (2024)

Think you need a zillion followers to score those sweet influencer deals? Think again! You’re likely here because you can’t fathom the idea of making money with a small following but smaller followings are incredibly lucrative and even very much preferred by most brands! Let’s get into the whys below!

Nano-Influencers: Small but Mighty

First things first, let’s define what “nano-influencers” are. These are individuals with relatively modest followings, typically ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 followers. While they may not have the massive reach of mega-influencers, they’ve got a secret weapon – authenticity. Nano-influencers often have highly engaged, niche audiences who hang onto their every post.

The Power of Authenticity

Imagine this: you stumble upon an Instagram post by a nano-influencer and they’re raving about a product they genuinely love. You trust them because they’re not just promoting something for a paycheck – they’re sharing a personal experience. That’s the magic of nano-influencers. They’re more relatable, trustworthy, approachable and real. As a result, their recommendations carry weight. Brands are craving genuine connections with their audience and with your small following, you’re just the person to deliver. Your tiny tribe trusts your opinions like their grandma’s secret cookie recipe because it’s like hearing them from a friend. Post with confidence, stay true to yourself & flex those authenticity muscles… you’re worth your weight in digital gold.

Nano-Niche Domination

One of the keys to success as a nano-influencer is finding your niche and owning it and there are several niches to choose from that are highly profitable if you haven’t chosen one yet. You might not have the masses, but you’ve got a community that hangs onto your every word. Whether you’re passionate about sustainable fashion, keto-friendly recipes or pet fashion, embrace your unique interests because brands are dying to tap into your passionate audience. Your small but dedicated following will appreciate your expertise & recommendations.

Personalization Wins Hearts: Engagement

As a nano-influencer you probably have the luxury of time. Use it to your advantage by engaging with every comment, DM and carrier pigeon message(lol). Nano-influencers thrive on engagement. By responding to your followers and asking questions, you’re fostering a sense of community and making your audience feel like they’re part of something special. This level of interaction sets you apart from the big fish in the influencer pond who couldn’t possibly respond to everyone even if they tried.

Brands will know that your followers aren’t just bystanders; they’re active participants. Flaunt that engagement rate like a boss and watch the sponsorship offers flood in!

BONUS PERSONALIZATION/ENGAGEMENT TIP: Embrace the power of stories because they aren’t just for bedtime. They’re a goldmine for nano-influencers. Use storytelling to give your audience a sneak peek into your world and into your heart!

Monetization Moves for Nano-Influencers

Now, let’s get to the good stuff – making your cash apps *ching* as a nano-influencer. Here are some smart ways to turn your tiny following into a big source of income:

1. Sponsored Posts: As mentioned, brands love working with nano-influencers because of their authentic appeal and when it comes to collabs, it’s about quality – not quantity – so don’t say yes to just anything. This is true no matter the size of your following. Partner with companies that align with your niche and you can get paid for creating content around their products or services.

2. Affiliate Marketing: Share affiliate links for products you genuinely stand behind. When your followers make purchases through your links, you earn a commission. It’s a win-win. When I love a product, I will recommend it anyway but it’s even sweeter if I can earn for doing so! Don’t fret if you’re a beginner, there are affiliate programs that accept newbies!

3. Strategic Product Collaborations: Collaborate with brands that you love. Your audience will appreciate the tailored recommendations and brands will adore your laser-focused influence which is a match made in nano-heaven! You can also collab with brands to create and sell your own products. Your loyal audience is more likely to support your ventures and you keep more of the profits.

4. Patreon or Memberships: Offer exclusive content or perks to subscribers or members. Your most dedicated fans will gladly pay for premium access to your world.

5. Online Workshops or Consultations: Leverage your expertise by hosting webinars or offering one-on-one consulting sessions. Your knowledge is valuable and people are willing to pay for it.

6. Merchandise: Design and sell branded merchandise like apparel, mugs or stationery. Your followers can sport your swag while supporting your hustle.

7. Content Creation Services: Do your skills go beyond selfies? Offer services like photography, writing or design to fellow influencers or businesses.

8. Crowdfunding: Platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo can help fund passion projects or product launches.

9. Online Courses: With your bite-sized following, you can offer bite-sized nano-courses on platforms like Udemy or Teachable. Whether it’s DIY crafts or time management tips, people will pay for your wisdom and that’s some sweet passive income, my love.

10. Event Hosting: Organize virtual events or meet-ups for your community. Charge for tickets or exclusive access.

To Sum Up

Congrats, you’ve just completed my crash course for turning your petite following into a revenue-generating powerhouse. Something as mundane as a follower count should never mess with your mojo when your mighty tribe is the trade secret. Stay real, own your niche and ride the wave of authenticity straight to the bank because tiny can be mighty… just ask the ant that lifts a gazillion times its body weight! ;P

Nano-Influencers: How to Make Big Money With a Small Following (2024)

FAQs

How do nano influencers make money? ›

The key to making money through brand collaborations as a nano influencer is to work with the right brands. Remember, you've built trust with your audience, which means that they expect high-quality product recommendations that align with your niche.

How to grow as a nano influencer? ›

If you're interested in becoming a nano-influencer or micro-influencer and working with brands, here are some steps to get started.
  1. Choose your niche. ...
  2. Create high-quality content. ...
  3. Build your following. ...
  4. Collaborate with brands. ...
  5. Disclose sponsored content.

How many followers do Nano influencers usually have? ›

1. What is a Nano Influencer? Nano influencers are defined as having between 1k-10k followers on their social media channels. Their smaller audience does not mean their influence isn't strong, as their followers are typically highly engaged and trust their opinion.

How much should a nano influencer charge per post? ›

Nano-influencers (1,000 - 10,000 followers): $800 per post. Micro-influencers (10,000 - 50,000 followers): $1,500 per post. Mid-tier influencers (50,000 - 500,000 followers): $3,000 per post. Macro-influencers (500,000 - 1,000,000 followers): $5,000 per post.

How to go from 0 to 10k followers? ›

Below are 10 simple tips for getting to 10k Instagram followers without buying your way there!
  1. Experiment to find your voice. ...
  2. Stay on brand. ...
  3. Be active. ...
  4. Don't follow for follow. ...
  5. Be real and honest. ...
  6. Don't brag too much. ...
  7. Publish timely content. ...
  8. Identify influencers and interact with them.

Are Nano influencers worth it? ›

Nano- and micro-influencers tend to have higher engagement rates because they often maintain closer, more personal connections with their followers. This smaller audience size allows for more meaningful interactions, fostering a sense of community and trust.

How do you reach out to brands as a nano influencer? ›

Brands often prefer to work with micro- or nano-influencers over creators with more followers, so don't sell yourself short! You could be exactly what a brand is looking for. Start by warming up a connection with brands. Feature them in your posts, follow their pages, and like and comment on their posts.

Who is the fastest growing influencer? ›

Fastest-growing Instagram creators worldwide 2022, by follower growth. Between January and June 2022, the fastest-growing content creator on Instagram was influencer Jorge Gomez, with 573 percent growth during the examined months. Rodrigo Mussi had a 191 percent growth rate through the examined period.

What is a mini influencer? ›

A micro-influencer is an influencer with a follower count within the range of 10,000–100,000 followers. Influencers are typically broken down into four main types based on their follower count: Nano-influencers: 1K–10K followers. Micro-influencers: 10K–100K followers. Macro-influencers: 100K–1M followers.

What tier are nano influencers? ›

Nano-influencers have between 1K-10K followers. This means they have small, personable, and manageable audiences.

What is the average engagement rate for nano influencers? ›

93% of creators are willing to work with brands just for free products. Nano-influencers consistently achieve the highest engagement across all platforms at an average engagement rate of 4.39%. 64% of brands are working with smaller creators.

Can Nano influencers make money? ›

"Nano" influencers may only have a few thousand followers, but that's not keeping them from turning a social-media hobby into a paying side hustle or even a full-time job. Take Jalyn Baiden as an example.

How much to charge per reel? ›

In fact, according to Later's free Creator Rates Report, for a singular Instagram Reel, influencers can charge (as a baseline fee): Nano creators (0-10K followers): $100-$200. Micro creators (10K-100K followers): $200-$1K. Mid creators (100K-500K followers): $1.5K-$5K.

What is the engagement rate of nano influencers? ›

93% of creators are willing to work with brands just for free products. Nano-influencers consistently achieve the highest engagement across all platforms at an average engagement rate of 4.39%. 64% of brands are working with smaller creators. 57% of creators have maintained the same rates in the last 12 months.

Do micro-influencers make money? ›

Micro-influencers in the fitness industry can earn between $150 and $600 per sponsored post, while those with 100,000 or more followers may charge anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 per post. Influencers with 500,000 or more followers can command higher rates, earning between $3,000 and $10,000 or more per sponsored post.

How to get PR as a nano influencer? ›

Now let's dive into our tips on how to work with brands as a Nano Influencer.
  1. 1) Focus On Networking. ...
  2. 2) Create Content To Help You Pitch To Brands. ...
  3. 3) Test Your Influence. ...
  4. 4) Spend Time Listening To Your Community. ...
  5. 5) Build A Strong Portfolio. ...
  6. 6) Think Of It Like An Internship.

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