The Hidden Side of Going Viral

When one of my videos went viral, it felt like everything I had ever hoped for was finally happening. Overnight, my follower count doubled, my inbox filled with collaboration requests, and brands I had admired for years wanted to work with me. It was overwhelming, exciting, and a little surreal.

For a while, I rode the wave. Each campaign felt like proof that my creativity had value, that my late nights editing and early mornings filming were finally paying off. But as the opportunities grew, so did the responsibilities I hadn’t prepared for.

At first, I treated the money casually. I told myself it was just “extra income,” the same way you might think about a part-time job. I scribbled notes about payments, tucked receipts into random drawers, and promised myself I would deal with taxes “later.” But “later” arrived much faster than I expected.

Soon, the casual side hustle became a serious business. Brands wanted contracts signed, agencies wanted detailed invoices, and the tax office wanted accurate records. Suddenly, I wasn’t just an influencer — I was a business owner. The reality was sobering: I had no idea how to manage it all.

The pressure built slowly, like a knot in my chest. One evening, I sat at my desk surrounded by receipts, sponsorship agreements, and emails I hadn’t answered. A deadline for a campaign was looming, but I couldn’t even start editing because I was too busy trying to work out whether I had set aside enough for tax. My creativity was slipping through my fingers, replaced by stress and second-guessing.

The turning point came when I missed a tax deadline and received a letter from HMRC. It wasn’t catastrophic, but it was enough to make me realise I couldn’t keep juggling everything alone. For the first time, I admitted to myself that my business needed structure — and that meant professional support.

I reached out to others in the industry and was surprised by how many admitted they had gone through the same struggle. Some had been fined, others had lost track of their income completely. Almost all of them said the same thing: “Get help sooner rather than later.” Their honesty made me feel less alone, but it also made me determined not to repeat their mistakes.

That advice stayed with me. I decided to find specialists who understood not just accounting, but the unique world of social media. People who knew how unpredictable influencer income can be, how to separate personal from business expenses, and how to make sense of contracts that often cross international borders.

The change was immediate. With proper systems in place, my taxes were no longer a looming nightmare. I finally understood what I could claim as expenses and how to plan ahead for the quieter months when income slowed down. I learned how to create clear invoices, track payments, and even budget for future investments like equipment upgrades or hiring help for video editing.

Most importantly, I had my time back. Instead of drowning in spreadsheets, I could return to what I loved: creating content, connecting with my audience, and building a brand that reflected who I am. My business became more professional, and so did I. Letting go of the financial side wasn’t giving up control — it was taking control in the smartest way possible.

Looking back now, I know that decision saved both my career and my peace of mind. If you’re an influencer struggling with the same challenges, don’t wait for the stress to take over. Find support early and give yourself the freedom to focus on your creativity. For me, that support came from working with Accountants for influencers in London.