Ways to monetize accounts?

I'm able to build accounts but I'm wondering how you monetize them. Do you send traffic through the link in the bio? I've tried it in the past without much luck.

Is it better to do it by DMing your followers?

For example, what would you do for pet accounts?

A lot of people have been utilizing the auto dm feature and some have seen at successful so long you don't look like your spamming. I personally believe in building a brand-able IG account that people trust. Will make it much easier to sell whatever is you're trying to sell. How long have you personally been growing this account that you want to try and monetize?