5 Legitimate Ways to Make Money on Instagram in Canada

In this article, we will explore five legitimate ways to make money on Instagram in Canada today.

With 18,188,400 Instagram users in Canada in January 2022, accounting for 47.2% of its entire population, the platform is becoming increasingly popular among Canadians.

According to research, most of these users (56.2%) are women, and people aged 25 to 34 make up the largest user group at 6 200 000.

With such a huge audience on the platform, it’s no surprise that many Canadians are looking for ways to make money on Instagram.

Setting Up Your Instagram Profile in Canada

Creating an attractive and engaging Instagram profile is the first step to monetizing your Instagram account in Canada.

a). Creating an Account

So, without wasting time, to create an Instagram account, follow these steps:

Download the Instagram app from the App Store (for iOS) or Google Play Store (for Android).
Open the app and tap on the “Sign Up” button.
Enter your email address or phone number and create a password.
Choose a username that represents you or your brand. Remember that you cannot change your username once it is set.
Fill out your profile information, including your name, profile picture, and a brief bio.
Tap “Done” to complete the registration process.
Once you have created your account, you can start following other users and posting content to your feed by tapping the plus sign (+) icon in the bottom center of the app.

Note: If you want to create a business account, you will need to provide additional information, such as your business category and contact information.

Plus, you will actually need the business account to access most of the monetization tools.

You can do this by tapping on the hamburger menu in the app’s top right corner, selecting “Settings,” then “Business,” and following the prompts to set up your account.

b). Profile optimization

Profile optimization is an important step to making money on Instagram in Canada.

It is essentially the practice of editing and refining your profile page to make it more appealing to potential followers.

This includes selecting an eye-catching profile photo, crafting a witty bio, and creatively curating content that reflects your brand.

It also involves researching trending hashtags and keywords so that you can reach more relevant audiences.

Why is it even necessary?

You see, by optimizing your IG profile, you are ensuring that people who stumble upon your page will stay there long enough to learn about what you have to offer.

An optimized account communicates who you are, your services or products, and why your audience should click that ‘follow’ button.

Besides that, optimizing your Insta profile allows for better visibility within search results, leading to increased followership, essential for monetizing on Instagram!

Start by choosing a profile photo that reflects your brand. If you have one, it could be a picture of yourself or your logo.
You’ll then want to craft an informative yet concise bio that gives people an idea of who you are and what they can expect from following you.
Include relevant hashtags so people can easily find your content when they search those keywords on the platform.
Lastly, add links to any websites or other social media platforms where visitors can learn more about you and potentially connect with even more followers.

How to create an effective bio

Your Instagram bio serves as a brief introduction to your brand or business, and it’s the first thing people come across when they visit your page.

So if you will get more followers, this is the first place they will look.

Here are some tips on how to create an effective Insta bio:

Keep it short: Instagram only allows 150 characters in your bio, so use them wisely.
Be authentic: Your bio should reflect your true self, so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through.
Use keywords: Include relevant keywords that describe you or your brand so that people can easily find you when searching for specific topics.
Include a call to action: Encourage people to take a specific action, such as visiting your website or following your account.
Use emojis: Emojis can add personality and flair to your bio, but use them sparingly to avoid clutter.
Edit and proofread: Make sure your bio is free of typos and errors and that it reads smoothly and clearly.

Up to this point, you have laid a better foundation for your account to grow. Again, you cannot make money on Instagram in Canada without followers.

And that is why we had to start by learning how to get the base right before looking at other things.

Generating Followers

Now that your profile is ready, we need to pump up those numbers. They are your vehicle to earning on IG in Canada.

So, the more you have, the better😁.

That said, here are five proven strategies to help you gain Instagram followers in Canada.

1. Create Engaging Content

The most important factor in gaining more followers on Instagram is to create content that resonates with your audience.

This means producing content that is both visually appealing and informative.

It can combine photos, videos, stories, and even live streaming.

Focus on creating relevant content for your audience, and don’t be afraid to try something new.

2. Utilize Hashtags

Hashtags are a great way to reach a wider audience and gain more followers.

When used strategically, hashtags can help you connect with like-minded people on Instagram and increase your visibility.

Research trending hashtags in your industry and use them to connect with other accounts and drive engagement.

Lucky for you, several tools can help you research Instagram hashtags and find the ones that are most relevant and popular for your content. Here are a few options:

Instagram’s built-in search function: You can use Instagram’s search function to find popular hashtags related to your topic. Type a keyword into the search bar and select the “Tags” tab to see a list of related hashtags.
Hashtagify: This website allows you to search for hashtags and see related hashtags, as well as the popularity and usage of each hashtag over time.
Hashtagify.me: This website offers similar functionality to Hashtagify but also includes a feature that allows you to see which influencers are using a particular hashtag.
All Hashtag: This website allows you to generate a list of relevant hashtags based on a specific keyword or topic. You can also see the popularity of each hashtag and filter results by language.
RiteTag: This website allows you to analyze the performance of specific hashtags and see how they compare to others in terms of engagement. You can even upload a photo and it will generate tags for it using AI.

Combining these tools can help you identify the most effective hashtags for your content and reach a broader audience on Instagram.

3. Leverage Influencer Marketing.

Influencer marketing is an effective method of gaining more followers on Instagram in Canada.

You can partner with influencers and tap into their network to increase your visibility here.

But first, only collaborate with influencers with an audience similar to yours and create content that resonates with them.

Here is an example of how you can reach out to an influencer on Instagram asking them to collaborate with you:

Hi [Influencer’s name],

I hope this message finds you well. I am a [your profession or niche] and I recently came across your Instagram account. I love the content you create and I think our audiences would really benefit from a collaboration.

I am excited to propose the following collaboration idea: [briefly describe your collaboration idea]. I believe this would be a great opportunity for both of our brands and would greatly benefit our followers.

I would love to discuss this further with you and see if we can make it happen. Please let me know if you are interested and we can discuss the details further.

Thank you for considering my proposal. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best,

[Your name]

In this message, you introduce yourself and explain why you think a collaboration would benefit both parties.

You should also include specific details about your collaboration idea and be respectful and professional.

Remember that influencers receive many collaboration requests, so make sure to stand out and clearly explain the benefits of working with you.

4. Utilize User-Generated Content

User-generated content is a great way to increase engagement and gain more followers in Canada.

You can leverage UGC by encouraging your existing followers to post content related to your brand.

This will help you build relationships with your followers and make them feel more connected to your brand.

5. Expand Your Reach

Finally, one of the most effective ways to gain Instagram followers in Canada is to expand your reach.

You can post regularly and cross-promoting your content on other social media platforms.

Then there is also paid advertising. You can use it to increase your reach and attract more followers.

In fact, you can use Instagram ads to get more followers. Here are the steps you can follow:

Set up a business account: To run ads on Instagram, you need to have a business account. If you don’t already have one, you can easily set one up by selecting your profile settings and selecting “Switch to Business Account.”
Set up a Facebook Ads account: Instagram ads are managed through Facebook Ads, so you will need to set up a Facebook Ads account if you don’t already have one.
Choose your ad objective: When creating an ad campaign, you must choose an objective, such as “Get more followers.” This will determine the type of ad you create and the tracked metrics.
Set your budget and targeting: Determine your budget and select your target audience. You can target your ads based on location, demographics, interests, and behaviours.
Create your ad: Use the Facebook Ads Manager to create your ad. You must select the ad format, choose your creative assets (such as images or videos), and write your ad copy.
Launch your ad: Once you have set up and reviewed it, you can launch it by clicking the “Publish” button. You can monitor the performance of your ad and make adjustments as needed.

Remember that Instagram ads are most effective when they are relevant, visually appealing, and provide value to the audience.

Test different ad formats and targeting options to find the best combination for your brand.

Monetizing Your IG Account in Canada

Now is the moment of truth, to make money on Instagram in Canada.

a). Partner With A Brand For Sponsored Posts

In today’s digital landscape, sponsored posts are a great way to monetize your Instagram account.

Partnering with brands can be an effective way to make money on Instagram in Canada.

To get started, you should create a plan for what type of content you’d like to feature in your sponsored posts and how often you will post them.

Next, update your bio to reflect the type of collaborations you are looking for. Make sure that it is clear and easy to understand so potential partners will know what kind of product or service you offer.

Reach out proactively to those companies whose products or services align with the content you produce and explain why partnering would benefit both parties.

Lastly, negotiate terms that work for everyone involved and establish an agreed-upon timeline for payment delivery.

b). Insert Ads Into Your Videos

Ads are another great way to monetize your Instagram account in Canada.

When creating a video, think about where you can strategically place ads that won’t detract from the overall message of the content.

Make sure to use ads that are relevant to your audience, as this will help increase click-through rates and ultimately, revenue.

Above all, DO NOT overdo it.

Too many ads can be overwhelming and lead viewers away from your content.

When placing ads into videos, consider the length of time they appear on screen.

Ensure viewers have enough time to actually notice them without them taking up too much of the video’s duration.

And experiment with different formats such as sponsored stories or carousels which may result in higher engagement rates than traditional static posts.

c). Earn Badges Through Instagram Live

Badges are a great way to make money on Instagram in Canada.

Instagram badges are a feature that allows users to show support to creators during a live video.

Users can buy badges for $.99, $1.99, and $4.99.

And when you purchase a badge during a live video, a heart icon appears next to your name in the comments.

Think of it as tips, your followers can send you these badges via hearts when you share videos with Instagram Live.

d). Create an Instagram Shop in Canada

Creating an Instagram Shop is another great way to earn on Instagram in Canada.

Instagram Shop is a feature that allows businesses to sell products directly on the platform. It allows users to browse and purchase products from businesses’ Instagram profiles or posts.

According to studies, 47% of Canadians have bought something on social media.

Having a shop on IG is more than welcome right now.

But before you jump in, there are some things you need to know.

There are several tips you can follow to ensure your shop is effective. You need to create a visually appealing shop that is easy for customers to use.

Craft an attention-grabbing bio on your profile page. This should include the types of products you offer, keywords related to the items, and any other pertinent information such as where you ship or what payment methods you accept.
Posting regularly on your profile page and engaging with followers will help draw people into your shop.
Showcase high-quality photos of your products that accurately reflect their size, colour and features. Use hashtags so potential customers can find them easily; consider using location tags as well if you’re willing to ship outside Canada.
70% of Canadians who shop on social media prefer to pay with PayPal. Make it easy for them to checkout

e). Sell Your Photos Online

Another excellent way to monetize your Instagram account in Canada is to sell photos.

With the right photography skills, you can create stunning images that will attract customers looking for unique photos for their projects.

To maximize the potential of this opportunity, create an effective bio that features all the necessary information about yourself and what services you offer.

When creating a bio, include any relevant keywords related to your photography skills, such as “landscape photography” or “portrait photographer.”

Also, list any additional services you offer such as editing and retouching so customers are aware of them before they purchase your work.

If applicable, link to any websites or portfolios showcasing your work so potential customers can better understand what they might be buying from you.

Final Thoughts

Overall, there are many opportunities to make money on Instagram in Canada.

The possibilities are endless, from setting up an online store to becoming an influencer.

As with any business venture, research and understand what works best. Taking the time to create a cohesive brand identity and engaging with potential customers can help you reach success quickly and easily.

While not everyone will become an overnight sensation on Instagram, building a presence and sticking with it can open up all kinds of doors for those looking for legitimate ways to make money in Canada.

With the right strategy and dedication, anyone can become successful on this platform!

Finally, remember that experimenting is essential – use a combination of techniques until you find one that works best for you!