Learn the differences between nano vs micro-influencers for growing Instagram accounts. Nano influencers have follower counts of 1,000 to 10,000 and offer a hyper-targeted approach. They also boast high engagement rates and unparalleled authenticity. 

Conversely, micro-influencers, with slightly larger followings of 10,000 to 100,000, bring a broader reach. They also maintain the intimacy and trust characteristic of smaller influencers. 

Understanding the nuanced differences between nano and micro-influencers as brands navigate these options is crucial. Continue reading to learn more about micro vs nano influencers.

Different Types of Influencers

The different types of influencers on Instagram vary based on the follower count. Here are the different follower counts for each term:

• Nano influencers: Under 10,000 followers.
• Micro-influencers: Between 10,000 and 100,000 followers. 
• Macro influencers: Between 100,000 and 500,000 followers. 
• Mega influencer: 500,000+ followers. 

You can now see why growing your Instagram follower count is important. Some brands will stick you into one of these categories and pay according to sponsorship deals. Hence, growing your following to move into a higher bracket can lead to a big income increase. 

What Is the Impact of Micro-Influencers?

The impact of micro-influencers on a niche is massive and in line with the biggest content creators. That’s because there are far more micro-influencers compared to mega ones. 

However, in some niches, many of the micro-influencers take their cue from the bigger accounts. 

The trickle-down effect continues onto the nano-influencers, who look at the micro-influencers for inspiration. After all, the smaller content creators can only relate to the account sizes directly above them. 

Furthermore, micro-influencers can have a big impact on brands looking to promote their products. These accounts have loyal followers who trust the content creator. Therefore, brands can piggyback on the hard work of the micro-influencers by sponsoring them. 

Are Nano Influencers Worth It?

Yes, nano influencers are worth targeting for collaborations to grow your Instagram account. That’s because some of these smaller content creators may turn into bigger ones down the line. 

Forging a relationship with them early allows you to get a better deal. Nano influence can also help grow your account, find more customers, and generate new followers. 

Also, you can help smaller content creators grow by collaborating with them. This increases the size of their audience, and then you can access a bigger audience, too. Hence, it’s in your best interest to target nano influencers that you feel have a bright future on Instagram. 

There are other ways that you can help your nano influencer partners for a mutually beneficial relationship:

• Share content ideas: With a few ideas, you can help smaller influencers improve the quality of their content. This is especially true if you have more ideas than the resources to create content. You can pass off ideas that you have no plans to create on your account. 
• Collaborate: Taking the time to collaborate with smaller content creators gives them the confidence and growth to succeed. Even a single collaboration from a bigger account can help put them on the map. 
• Share strategies: Sharing strategies with your nano influencer partners is a great way to improve the relationship. For example, you can share the tools you use for creating content. This includes examples of software, apps, and processes.

The Advantages of Collaborating With Nano Influencers

It’s important to consider the benefits of any partnership to determine if it justifies the cost or time. Therefore, you can decide if you should spend more or less time and money on working with some influencers:

• Low cost: Nano influencers are happy to work with bigger accounts for much lower fees than other content creators. In fact, some will accept no payment or free products. This reduces the cost of your marketing, which increases the ROI of social media marketing. 
• Various choices: There are many nano influencers out there for you to start working with. Some of these may have no patterns, and you can be the first one. However, it’s a good idea to spot the influencers who will stick around for the long haul. Otherwise, you may put a lot of hard work into a relationship that then dissipates. 
• Open to ideas: The smaller influencers may be more open to a wider range of ideas and not be too rigid. This allows you to explore more collaboration ideas that bigger influencers wouldn’t entertain. 

There are a few downsides to nano influencers, too, that you shouldn’t forget. Firstly, they have small audiences, so you have limited reach. 

You may need to collaborate with dozens of nano influencers to get the same effect as with micro or mega influencers. It’s important to know the difference between micro and nano influencers. 

Also, nano influencers may not have a professional approach to their work and account. Hence, you’ll need to put up with inconsistency and unprofessionalism with some partners. 

Do Nano Influencers Make Money?

Yes, nano influencers can make money through different strategies, such as product reviews, merchandise sales, and content creation. The amount of money you make depends on your ability to negotiate with brands. 

Here’s a list of the different ways that you can make money on Instagram as a nano influencer:

• Brand ambassadorships: Nano influencers can secure brand ambassador roles where they represent a brand over an extended period. This could involve ongoing promotion, participation in marketing campaigns, and exclusive perks or benefits from the brand.
• Affiliate marketing: Smaller influencers can participate in affiliate marketing programs to earn a commission for promoting products or services. This drives sales through unique referral links that you can add on Instagram Stories. Hence, you can enjoy a passive income stream. 
• Product reviews: Brands may provide free products or services to nano influencers in exchange for honest reviews or social media mentions. In some cases, nano influencers may also receive compensation along with the free products.
• Merchandise sales: Nano influencers with a dedicated fan base may sell merchandise such as branded apparel, accessories, or digital products. It’s a way for audiences to support their content creator. Usually, the merchandise has a higher markup than retail stores. 
• Content creation services: Nano influencers who excel at creating high-quality content may offer their services to brands. This can include photography, videography, graphic design, or writing services. You can also share these services on the Instagram URL to receive more inquiries.

How Much Money Can Micro Influencers Make?

The amount of money that micro-influencers make depends on their strategies and revenue stream. For example, affiliate marketing might be a better route for some niches than content creation services. You’ll need to figure out the earning potential for each type of income. 

For example, sponsored posts range from $50 to $500, depending on the niche and account size. Also, you need to improve your negotiation skills to get more money from brands. That’s because some brands will start communication by offering the lowest possible offer. You’ll need to increase this offer by making a case. 

4 Ways To Scale Your Account To Become a Mega Influencer

Are you interested in moving up from a nano or micro-influencer to a mega-influencer? Then, you’ll need to grow your Instagram follower count dramatically, and there are many ways you can achieve this. Comniture reads about the top strategies that existing mega influencers are already using. 

1. Define your Audience

To grow your Instagram account by defining your audience, start by identifying your niche and researching your target demographic. You can use customer relationship management software to achieve this. 

Create high-quality, niche-specific content and use relevant hashtags to increase discoverability. Then, you need to engage with your audience by responding to comments and collaborating with others in your niche. 

2. Consistent Posting Schedule

Maintain a consistent posting schedule and utilize Instagram features like Stories and Reels. Promote your account across other platforms and monitor your progress through Instagram Insights. The analytics tool is only available when you sign up for a professional business account. 

Adjust your strategy accordingly by consistently delivering valuable content to avoid diluting the quality. Foster engagement to effectively attract followers who align with your defined audience.

3. Add the Right Instagram Hashtags

Using hashtags strategically is crucial for increasing visibility and attracting followers for smaller accounts. Focus on niche-specific hashtags that are relevant to your content and target audience. 

Research and experiment with a mix of popular and less competitive hashtags to maximize exposure. That’s because you need to find Instagram hashtags that are overlooked by the top competitors. 

Additionally, you can create your own branded hashtag to encourage user-generated content and community engagement. This feature is only available with Instagram Business accounts. 

Also, avoid using overly broad or irrelevant hashtags, as they may dilute your content’s visibility. 

4. Engage With Your Audience 

Smaller influencers can engage with their audience on Instagram by fostering genuine connections and interaction. You can respond promptly to comments and direct messages, acknowledging and appreciating their contributions. 

Also, consider hosting Q&A sessions or polls on your Instagram Stories to encourage participation. It’s also a great way to get more feedback on any ideas you might have. Then, you can share user-generated content and tag followers to show appreciation and build community. 

Next, Use Instagram Live to host interactive sessions where you can answer questions and discuss topics of interest. Micro-influencers can cultivate a loyal and supportive community on Instagram by prioritizing authentic engagement.

Nano vs Micro-Influencers: Which Should You Target for Collaborations?

You can target nano and micro-influencers when you look for collaboration patterns. That’s because both types of accounts can help you increase the size of your Instagram following. However, you may want to spend less money on nano influencers than on micro. 

Now that you understand the main differences between nano and micro-influencers, start targeting some for collaborations. This is a fast way to scale your Instagram account and access new audiences. You can look for accounts within the same niche or adjacent ones. 

Are you a nano or micro-influencer who wants a bigger following? Then, you can take advantage of the services offered by Plixi. We provide professional Instagram growth services and have a long list of satisfied customers. So what are you waiting for? Start growing and gaining Instagram followers today.