Instagram is the second-most popular social media platform, with over one billion active users. But you can have all the followers you’ve ever dreamed of, but are they buying your product or service? If all your fans do is like your posts, that doesn’t necessarily translate into sales.

Here are 4 sure-fire ways to convert followers into customers.

1. ENGAGE

Remember the first word in the term “social” media: social. The main attraction of the medium is its back-and-forth, give-and-take nature. This is what sets it apart from old school media like radio, TV, and movies. Users can post things and receive a response. They come to social media because they want to interact with like-minded individuals, to make a connection with other people.

What does this mean to your bottom line? People like to buy from companies they know and like. So let them get to know you. Show them behind-the-scenes Stories; tell them why you started your business; share interesting or funny videos or memes.

Get them involved, as well. Post a video and ask a question about it using the Instagram Stories feature. Take a poll on Instagram Stories. And by all means, post their videos. Run a contest asking them to show pictures of themselves using your product, and repost their images on your page.

And be sure your Instagram business profile clearly defines what your company is all about. Add your company name to your bio, along with a brief description of what your company does, and a link to your website.

Above all, respond to posts. People want to know they’ve been heard, so thank them for their input, answer questions, respond to complaints.

 

2. FOLLOW THE 80/20 RULE

No one likes to be nagged. If your Instagram posts are nothing but an endless stream of overt or even subtle pleas to buy your product or service, your fans will quickly lose interest and stop following you. The watchword on Instagram is “fun,” so make sure the majority of your posts are amusing or interesting. A good ratio is the old “80/20” guide: 80 percent entertaining, 20 percent selling.

Post once or twice a day to stay fresh in your followers’ minds, without overwhelming them with posts.

And if you want your fans to buy from you, give them something that makes them feel like insiders. Early notification of upcoming sales, exclusive offers and coupons, and discounts available only to them, and only for the next few hours.

One of the best ways to generate goodwill about your company is to offer freebies. They don’t have to be expensive, but they should relate to your product or service. “Anyone who stops by our store this Saturday will receive a free pack of incense,” if you sell wellness products, for example.

 

3. USE A CTA

You’d be amazed at how many salespeople, whether online or in-person, fail to close the deal by taking one final step: asking people to buy their product or service. You may think this contradicts our advice above, but this step doesn’t have to include a hard-sell: You just need to make it easy for your followers to make a purchase.

In the online world, this is known as the “call to action” or CTA. This is where you suggest your followers take some action to receive some benefit:

“Buy now while supplies last.”

“Click the link in bio to get this exclusive offer.”

 

4. TAG PRODUCTS

This is the best way to get your customers to purchase your products as it provides a direct path to your sales funnel. The first step to “tag” products in your images is to get approved for “Instagram Shopping”. Then follow these simple steps:

  1. Select a photo or video and add a caption, effects and filters.
  2. Tap the products in the photo that you want to tag. For videos, a tray will appear where you can select up to five products you want to tag.
  3. Enter the names of the products you want to tag, then select them as they appear in the search box.
  4. Tap Done.
  5. Tap Share.

 

For more effective tips on the most powerful Instagram conversion techniques, contact our social media management experts today!