Monetizing Instagram: The power of White Label branding
Instagram has become more than just a social media platform—it’s a thriving marketplace where influencers and businesses can generate substantial income. For those looking to stand out, white-label branding offers the perfect solution to build a recognizable and profitable brand.
In this blog, we’ll explore how white-label branding works, compare it with private-label and affiliate marketing, and provide actionable tips, success stories, and resources to help you monetize your Instagram effectively.
Why you should move away from affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is a business model where you promote someone else’s product in exchange for a small commission on each sale. Precisely what most Instagram and other influencers do, at this moment. While it’s easy to start and requires minimal investment, you have no control over the product, pricing, or branding. Essentially, you’re building the customer base for another company, not your own.
Transitioning to white-label or private-label products lets you take control of your business by creating a brand that’s uniquely yours. These models offer higher profit margins, brand ownership, and the ability to foster customer loyalty—something affiliate marketing can never provide. Moving away from affiliate marketing is the first step toward building a sustainable and independent business.
White Label vs. Private Label: What’s the difference?
While white-label and private-label products share similarities, they cater to different business needs and strategies. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- White Label Products: These are pre-made, ready-to-market products that multiple brands can sell under their label. The manufacturer retains the same formula or design, allowing for quick and cost-effective entry into the market. Example: A CBD oil that several companies rebrand and sell as their own.
- Private Label Products: These are customized products created specifically for one brand. The business has more control over product features, such as the formula, packaging, and design. This approach takes more time and investment but provides a unique product tailored to the brand’s identity.
Aspects of each type of marketing
| Aspect | White Label | Private Label | Affiliate Marketing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Control | Branding control only, no product customization. | Full control over formula and branding. | No control, just promote existing products. |
| Exclusivity | Shared products, rebranded as your own. | Unique products are exclusive to your brand. | No exclusivity, many promote the same products. |
| Profit Margin | Moderate, depends on agreement. | High, you set pricing. | Low, fixed commissions. |
| Brand Ownership | Branding ownership, but not product. | Complete—builds long-term value. | None—you're promoting someone else's brand. |
| Time to Market | Fast, products are pre-made. | Slower, requires development. | Instant, start promoting immediately. |
| Customer Loyalty | Moderate, depends on branding. | High—brand-focused identity. | Low—loyalty stays with the original brand. |
| Initial Investment | Moderate, for rebranding. | High, for development and inventory. | Minimal, no inventory needed. |
| Revenue Potential | High, based on branding and marketing. | Unlimited—full pricing control. | Low, limited by commissions. |
| Effort Involved | Moderate—focus on branding and sales. | High—branding, logistics, and marketing. | Low, minimal effort required. |
| Long-Term Benefits | Moderate—brand visibility but reliant on others. | Significant—build a lasting brand. | Unique products are exclusive to your brand. |
In this blog we are going to focus on white-label branding. But keep in mind that both can be equally useful, as seen in later success stories.
Why White Label branding works for Instagram
White-label is a business model where a manufacturer creates products that other companies or individuals can rebrand and sell as their own. Think of it as a shortcut to selling your brand without the hassle of developing products yourself. The manufacturer handles the production, compliance, and quality, while you focus on branding, packaging, and marketing. For example, instead of creating your own CBD oil formula, you partner with a white-label provider like Essentia Pura, who gives you a high-quality, ready-made product that you can customize with your logo and design. It’s fast, cost-effective, and lets you focus on growing your business instead of worrying about manufacturing.
As an example, former professional athlete turned entrepreneur, Marko Mitrović used his 200K Instagram followers to build a successful CBD brand Arktis Naturals. By partnering with a white-label manufacturer and leveraging his brand, he generated $1M in sales within the first year, setting the stage for exponential growth. More about him and other success stories later.
Key benefits of White Label branding for Instagram influencers:
- Customizable Branding
White-label products let you design packaging and labels that align with your personal style or target audience. For example, Essentia Pura’s white-label CBD products offer full customization options, helping you create a unique identity. - Quick Market Entry
Launching a private brand from scratch can take months. White-label solutions drastically reduce this timeline, enabling influencers to introduce products swiftly and stay ahead of trends. - Scalability
Starting small is possible with white-label products, making it ideal for influencers or small businesses. As your Instagram account grows, you can scale production effortlessly, supported by trusted manufacturers like Essentia Pura. - Quality Assurance
Partnering with established manufacturers ensures your products meet industry standards. Essentia Pura specializes in compliant, premium-quality white-label CBD oils, guaranteeing customer satisfaction.
Why Instagram?
Instagram is designed for product promotion, with features like Stories, Reels, and Shoppable posts. White-label branding fits seamlessly with this platform, as influencers can authentically showcase products they’ve branded as their own. Whether through engaging tutorials or lifestyle shots, selling white-label products feels natural, not forced.
With the backing of reputable manufacturers and Instagram’s visually-driven format, white-label branding offers a proven path to monetization success.
If you’re planning to monetize your Instagram account effectively, Essentia Pura’s white-label CBD products provide customizable solutions tailored to your niche.
How to start monetizing with Private Label products
Step 1: Identify your niche
To stand out, focus on a specific audience or need. For instance, wellness enthusiasts might appreciate CBD products, while beauty influencers can find success with skincare. Identifying your niche ensures your brand resonates with your followers.
Step 2: Choose a reliable manufacturer
Selecting a manufacturer with a proven track record is crucial. Companies like Arktis Naturals and Charlotte’s Web have partnered with trusted private label providers to ensure their products are high-quality and meet regulatory standards. Look for manufacturers offering customizable options, competitive pricing, and excellent support to help you succeed.
Step 3: Customize your brand
Private label solutions allow you to create a product that aligns with your style and audience. This could involve designing unique packaging, adding personalized touches, or creating a brand story that sets you apart. For example, brands like Herbivore Botanicals have excelled by crafting minimalistic, eco-friendly branding that appeals to their audience.
Step 4: Launch and promote strategically
Instagram’s tools, such as Reels and Shoppable posts, are invaluable for showcasing your products. Share user-generated content, tutorials, or lifestyle imagery that connects with your audience. Highlight how your products solve specific problems, as many successful brands like Drunk Elephant have done with their innovative skincare lines.
Step 5: Build and scale
Once you’ve gained traction, expand your offerings to meet customer demand. You could introduce complementary products or larger sizes, like how wellness brands expand into oils, capsules, or topicals. Monitoring trends and listening to customer feedback will guide your growth.
Private label alternative
Private label products allow you to create a fully customized and exclusive offering tailored specifically to your brand’s identity. Unlike white label, where the same product is rebranded by multiple businesses, private label gives you complete control over the formulation, packaging, and design. This ensures your product stands out in a crowded market, offering a unique value proposition to your audience. For entrepreneurs and influencers looking to build a distinctive brand with a personal touch, a private label is the ideal path to establish credibility and foster loyalty, but does require considerably more investment, into creating their product.
Success Stories
1. Grayson Hart: From rugby player to CBD entrepreneur (Private Label)
Grayson Hart, a former professional rugby player from New Zealand, faced chronic pain due to sports injuries. Seeking natural alternatives to traditional painkillers, he discovered the benefits of CBD. This personal experience led him to co-found Puresport in 2018, a wellness brand offering CBD products tailored for athletes and active individuals. Under Hart's leadership, Puresport gained recognition for its commitment to quality and transparency, becoming a trusted name in the wellness industry. (The Sun)
2. David Hartigan: Consultant turned CBD advocate (Private Label)
David Hartigan transitioned from a management consultant role at PwC to entrepreneurship by founding Hemp Heros in 2018. Investing €8,000 of personal savings, he aimed to create high-quality CBD products accessible to a broad audience. Through dedication to quality and sustainability, Hemp Heros expanded its product line to include oils and balms for both humans and pets, achieving significant growth and aiming to become synonymous with quality CBD products. (The Times)
3. Martha Stewart: Lifestyle guru's CBD venture (White Label)
Renowned lifestyle expert Martha Stewart expanded her brand into the CBD industry by launching Martha Stewart CBD in 2020. Collaborating with a trusted manufacturer, she introduced a line of CBD products, including gummies, oils, and wellness topicals. Leveraging her established brand and reputation for quality, Stewart's CBD line quickly gained consumer trust, exemplifying how a well-known personality can successfully enter the CBD market through private label partnerships.
External Tips and Resources
Social media management tools
Platforms like Hootsuite and Later allow you to schedule posts, track analytics, and optimize your content for Instagram. These tools help streamline your workflow, ensuring consistency in your brand’s online presence.
Branding inspiration and education
Explore resources like Brandingmag for insights on building a compelling brand story and positioning your products effectively. Learning from case studies and expert tips can refine your branding strategy.
E-Commerce Integration
Simplify the selling process by using platforms such as Shopify or BigCommerce to set up a professional online store. Their Instagram integrations make it easy to create a seamless shopping experience for your followers.
Trends and market insights
Stay updated on CBD and e-commerce trends with trusted publications like Forbes and Harvard Business Review. These platforms provide valuable data and strategies to help you stay ahead in the market.
Networking and partnerships
Participate in industry events or webinars hosted by organizations like CBD Expo to connect with potential partners and learn about the latest developments in the white and private-label CBD industry.
About us
At Essentia Pura, we specialize in manufacturing high-quality white-label and private-label CBD products, helping businesses launch their own unique CBD brands. With cutting-edge hemp extraction methods and a commitment to compliance and quality, we support companies in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Whether you’re looking for ready-to-market formulations or custom solutions, we’re here to help you succeed in the growing CBD market.
You ask. We Answer.
Sources
HBR Staff. (n.d.). How to Leverage Influencer Marketing for Business Growth. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/
Contributor. (n.d.). Trends in CBD and E-Commerce for 2024. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/
Company Website. (n.d.). About Us. Sunday Scaries. Retrieved from https://sundayscaries.com/
Company Website. (n.d.). Our Story. Charlotte’s Web. Retrieved from https://www.charlottesweb.com/
Contributor. (n.d.). Insights on Branding and Positioning. Brandingmag. Retrieved from https://www.brandingmag.com/
Company Website. (n.d.). About Us. Puresport. Retrieved from https://puresport.co/
O’Donoghue, P. (2023). How Hemp Heros Became a Globally Recognized CBD Brand. The Times. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.co.uk/
Contributor. (2020). Celebrity CBD Brands: Martha Stewart’s Journey into CBD. CBD Today. Retrieved from https://www.cbdtoday.com/celebrity-cbd-brands/
Company Website. (n.d.). Social Media Management Tools for Businesses. Hootsuite. Retrieved from https://hootsuite.com/
Company Website. (n.d.). Optimize Instagram Marketing with Later. Later. Retrieved from https://later.com/
Event Website. (n.d.). CBD Expo: Insights and Networking Opportunities. CBD Expo. Retrieved from https://www.cbdexpo.net/
