Start a Business as a Social Media Influencer in Canada

The rise of social media has opened doors for a new type of business: becoming a social media influencer. Whether it’s sharing fashion tips, promoting fitness products, or giving advice on home decor, influencers have become a powerful voice in today’s digital world.

If you’re considering starting a business as a social media influencer in Canada or getting a paying social media job, this guide will walk you through how to get started and make money on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Learn how you can become an influencer on social media, the benefits of registering your business, and the support that Ontario Business Central offers for registration, tax accounts, and domain names.

What is a Social Media Influencer?

A social media influencer is someone who has built credibility and a dedicated following on one or more social media platforms. They engage with a targeted audience, often within a specific niche like beauty, fitness, travel, or tech. Many businesses offer affiliate programs, possibly leading to free products all through creating social media posts.

Through consistent content creation—whether it’s photos, videos, or blogs—influencers promote products, services, and brands, marketing campaigns, earning money through sponsorships, affiliate links, or selling their own products. No matter your interests, you have many options to become a social influencer.

You may be wondering, what is influencer marketing? In simple terms, it’s when businesses work with influencers to reach their audiences through product placements, sponsored posts, or collaborations. This type of marketing is incredibly effective because it feels more genuine to consumers than traditional ads. Having influencers post on their social media accounts, and other influencer marketing platforms is all part of the job.

How to Get Started as a Social Media Influencer

If you’re interested in becoming an influencer, the first step is choosing your niche. What areas do you have a strong interest in? For example, do you enjoy sharing skincare advice or fitness strategies? Start by building your personal brand in this area, and stay consistent with your messaging.

Here are some important steps to get started:

Step 1: Choose Your Niche

Selecting a niche will help you focus your efforts and attract the right targeted audience. Your niche could range from fashion advice to technology products or other specialized areas. By narrowing down your content, you’ll create a stronger connection with followers who are genuinely interested in what you offer.

Step 2: Build Your Social Media Presence

Once you’ve decided on your niche, the next step is to create a strong social media presence. Optimize your profiles on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook by ensuring they reflect your personal brand. Use a professional profile picture, a compelling bio, and include links to your other platforms.

Step 3: Start Creating Content

Content is key to becoming a successful social media influencer. Whether you’re creating Instagram posts or uploading videos to TikTok, maintaining consistency and creativity is essential. Popular types of content include tutorials, reviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and live streams.

Starting as a Side Hustle

Becoming an influencer doesn’t happen overnight. Many social media influencers start by working on their brand part-time while still holding a day job. This is a great way to grow your following and test the waters before committing full-time. In fact, starting as a side hustle can offer more flexibility and financial stability while you build your brand.

Trends in Influencer Marketing

To stay relevant as an influencer, it’s important to keep up with the latest influencer marketing trends. In 2024, some of the biggest trends include:

• Short-form Video Content: Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels have made short, engaging videos the go-to format for content.
• Authenticity: Brands are seeking influencers who engage authentically with their audience, focusing on genuine connections rather than overly polished posts.
• Niche Influencers: Micro and nano-influencers (those with smaller but highly engaged audiences) are becoming more valuable to brands for their personalized reach.
  

Staying on top of these trends will give you an edge in the competitive world of social media influencers.

How to Make Money as a Social Media Influencer

When getting started, a common question is “How much do influencers earn?” How much influencers make depends on how you monetize your content. Once you’ve built a following, here’s how you can earn money on different platforms:

TikTok

TikTok does not offer the Creator Fund in Canada, but there are still plenty of ways to monetize the platform. Canadian influencers can make money by collaborating with brands for sponsored content, selling their own products, or leveraging affiliate marketing.

Can you make money from TikTok in Canada? Absolutely! Focus on creating high-quality content and building strong relationships with brands. Canadian influencers can still generate significant income through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and even selling products directly to their audience. Here’s how Canadian influencers can monetize their content on TikTok:

• Brand Partnerships & Sponsored Content: Brands often collaborate with TikTok influencers to promote their products. You can create engaging videos featuring their items, and the more your audience trusts your recommendations, the more likely brands will want to work with you.
• Affiliate Marketing: By sharing affiliate links in your video descriptions, you can earn a commission on sales generated through those links. This works well for influencers who recommend specific products to their audience.
• Live Streams & Virtual Gifts: TikTok allows viewers to send virtual gifts during live streams, which can be converted into real money. This can be a great revenue stream if you have a highly engaged audience that frequently joins your live streams.
• Cross-Promotions: Use TikTok as a gateway to direct followers to other platforms where you may have more established monetization options, such as Instagram or YouTube. Building a cross-platform presence can maximize your income.
  

TikTok emphasizes creativity and tapping into trends. Canadian influencers who create compelling, trend-based content can attract attention from both followers and brands.

Instagram

Can you make money on Instagram in Canada? Instagram offers several monetization options including sponsored Instagram posts, affiliate marketing, and brand partnerships. If you’re wondering how to become an influencer on Instagram, focus on creating high-quality, visually appealing content that resonates with your audience.

Instagram remains one of the most popular platforms for influencers, and there are many ways to monetize your social media presence here. How do you earn money on Instagram? The primary revenue streams for Instagram influencers include:

• Sponsored Instagram Posts: Brands pay influencers to post content that features their products. The more followers and engagement you have, the higher you can charge for these posts.
• Affiliate Marketing: By sharing affiliate links for products you promote, you can earn a commission on sales made through your link. This is common for beauty, fashion, and tech influencers who recommend specific products to their followers. This is also known as Instagram influence marketing.
• Instagram Shopping: If you are promoting products, Instagram Shopping enables you to tag those products directly within your Instagram posts. This feature makes it easy for followers to click and buy, and you can earn commissions or sales revenue.
• Brand Ambassadors: Many brands offer long-term collaborations where influencers act as brand ambassadors, promoting their products regularly. This could be through posting regular content, attending events, or even offering exclusive discount codes to your followers.
• Instagram Stories & Reels: With the rise of short-form content, Instagram Stories and Reels offer additional ways to engage your audience and work with brands. You can monetize these through sponsored content or direct brand collaborations.
  

Facebook

Facebook may not be as trendy as Instagram or TikTok, but it still offers powerful monetization opportunities, especially for influencers with a broad or niche audience. Facebook offers features like in-stream ads, paid events, and brand collaborations. Consider hosting paid events or collaborating with brands to create sponsored content.

Here’s how to make money on Facebook:

• In-Stream Ads: Once you reach a certain number of followers and video views, Facebook allows you to monetize videos through in-stream ads. You’ll earn revenue based on how many people watch these ads during your video content.
• Paid Events: If you’re providing educational content, workshops, or exclusive experiences, you can create paid events on Facebook. Your audience can register and pay for access to the event, making this an excellent option for influencers who offer niche expertise.
• Brand Collaborations: Just like on Instagram, Facebook allows for sponsored posts and collaborations. Brands will pay you to promote their products in your Facebook posts, stories, or live streams.
• Facebook Groups: If you have a loyal following, consider creating a Facebook group. You can monetize these groups by offering exclusive content, courses, or paid memberships. This strategy is particularly useful for influencers offering knowledge-based content such as business advice, fitness coaching, or lifestyle tips.

YouTube

YouTube is an excellent platform for longer-form content, and it offers multiple ways for influencers to make money. If you’re creating high-quality, engaging videos, here are some of the ways you can earn revenue on YouTube:

• YouTube Partner Program: Once you’ve built a following and reached 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time within the past year, you can join the YouTube Partner Program. This allows you to earn ad revenue from ads placed in your videos. You generate income based on the number of people who view and engage with the advertisements.
• Sponsored Videos: Like on other platforms, brands may approach you to create sponsored content featuring their products. Sponsored videos are typically a higher-ticket item because they take more time to produce and usually require a more in-depth review or demonstration of the product.
• Affiliate Marketing: Many YouTubers include affiliate links in their video descriptions. If viewers purchase products through these links, you earn a commission. This is particularly popular in tech, beauty, and gaming content.
• Memberships & Super Chats: YouTube offers a membership feature where subscribers can pay a monthly fee for exclusive content. During live streams, viewers can also use Super Chats to pay for their comments to be highlighted, which can be a source of revenue during events or Q&A sessions.
• Merchandise Sales: If you’ve built a strong personal brand, you can sell your own merchandise directly through your channel. Many YouTube influencers set up online stores and promote their products through their videos.

Registering Your Influencer Business in Canada

As a social media influencer, it’s important to register your business and make it official. In Canada, you have a few options for registering:

Sole Proprietorship

A Sole Proprietorship is the simplest form of business structure owned by one person. As a sole proprietor, you and your business are considered the same entity, which means you are personally liable for any debts or obligations.

Registering as a Sole Proprietorship is an easy and cost-effective way to set up your business. Ontario Business Central makes the process of registering your business name easy with our convenient online portal.

Incorporating Your Business

Incorporating your influencer business means creating a separate legal entity. This protects your personal assets from any business liabilities and can also offer tax advantages. As an incorporated entity, you can also add credibility when working with larger brands and companies, who may prefer to partner with an official business entity.

Ontario Business Central can help you with the process, from securing your business name to filing articles of incorporation.

Benefits of Incorporating as a Social Media Influencer
If you’re wondering whether you should incorporate your influencer business, there are several benefits:

• Name Protection: When you incorporate, you protect the business name you choose. No other business can use your corporate name within that jurisdiction. For social media influencers building a recognizable brand, securing your name is important. Name protection can prevent competitors from using a similar name that could tarnish your brand’s reputation.
• Liability Protection: Incorporating your business limits personal liability. This means if your business is sued, your personal assets are protected.
• Tax Benefits: As an incorporated business, you can take advantage of tax deductions on business expenses like cameras, editing software, and travel for work.
• Growth Opportunities: Incorporating allows you to expand your business by bringing in partners or investors. It also opens doors for large-scale brand deals and collaborations.
  

Setting Up Your Tax Accounts

Once you start earning money as a social media influencer, it’s essential to set up necessary tax accounts. Here’s what you need to know:

• Register for HST/GST: If your revenue exceeds $30,000 annually, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requires that you register for an HST number.
• Track Your Income & Expenses: Properly tracking your business expenses can help reduce your taxable income. Keep receipts and detailed records of any money you put into your business.

Setting up your tax accounts early helps you avoid penalties and makes it easier to claim business deductions.

Domain Name Registration

Securing a domain name for your personal website is a smart move as an influencer. Whether you plan to run a blog, host a portfolio, or sell merchandise, having your own domain enhances your professional image. Ontario Business Central can assist you in securing the perfect domain for your business.

Start Influencing with Confidence

Starting a business as a social media influencer in Canada is a rewarding and exciting journey. By choosing your niche, building your social media presence, and staying on top of the latest influencer marketing trends, you can turn your passion into a profitable business. Don’t forget to formalize your business through registration, set up your tax accounts, and secure a domain name for your brand. And if you need help with any of these steps, Ontario Business Central is here to make the process easy and efficient.

How Ontario Business Central Can Help

Ontario Business Central has been helping Canadian entrepreneurs register their businesses for over 30 years. Whether you need help with a business registration, setting up your tax accounts, or securing a domain name, our experts can guide you through the process. We make it easy for influencers to formalize their business and get started with everything they need.

Our services include:

• Business Registration for Sole Proprietorships, General Partnerships and Corporations.
• Tax Account Setup for GST/HST numbers or Payroll registration.
• Domain Name Registration to help boost your online presence.

Ontario Business Central is here to help you every step of the way! Now is your opportunity to begin influencing and build a brand that reaches and engages thousands!

inquiries@ontariobusinesscentral.ca
Toll-Free: 1-800-280-1913
Local: 1-416-599-9009
Fax: 1-866-294-4363
Office Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Monday – Friday E.S.T.

Ontario Business Central Inc. is not a law firm and cannot provide a legal opinion or advice. This information is to assist you in understanding the requirements of registration within the chosen jurisdiction. It is always recommended, when you have legal or accounting questions that you speak to a qualified professional.