A popular social media model is raking in big bucks. Gabrielle Epstein, a 21-year-old living in Australia, has amassed more than 1.5 million followers on the photo-sharing site Instagram.
She uses her fame to promote everything from smoothies to watch straps, and as a result, she makes more from digital endorsements than her actual modeling career. “I definitely earn more money from Instagram,” she told The Gold Coast Bulletin. According to Epstein, by the time you’ve removed taxes, agency fees and traveling expenses from your modeling salary, you’re left with very little to put in your pocket.
On the flip side, when you sponsor a brand on Instagram, you keep everything. Epstein also has more control over her image when she creates her own contracts with potential sponsors.
“I just send a general brief with some terms like, I have the discretion to delete a post after four weeks if I wish,” she explained.
A former swimming champion, Epstein turned her efforts to modeling and blogging after she retired from the water, and she quickly realized that she was siting on a goldmine.
It isn’t uncommon for brands to reach out to Instagram stars with more than 100,000 followers, and Epstein passed that number in a matter of months because of her flirty and candid selfies.
She says that the secret behind her success is her promotion of healthy habits. “My Instagram is all about promoting a healthy lifestyle, and I think being having my photos reposted on large fitness Instagram pages really helped grow my following.”
As for her plans for all of that money, Epstein is currently seeking a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science.
