Before I dive into some easy points to get that engagement to convert into sales, let’s address the elephant in the room. The whole IG world is just in a slump. It isn’t just you. It’s just a matter of fact engagement is just down in general. More people are on the app and that also means more creators. But don’t let it get you down, this is where knowing your audience will be key, which I’ll address, ICA’s (Ideal Client Avatars) are just an important topic. You may be also questioning if it’s possible to make sales when your follower numbers are such and such… And, the answer is Absolutely! Yes! The 10K Follower Swipe-up Feature isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Trust me I’ve seen the numbers, and this isn’t just based on one account, we all see it. That swipe isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and neither are numbers so don’t worry about getting your followers to a certain number, focus on taking care of the people right in front of you! Your current audience, your people, now that’s what matters. Let’s focus on those people and how to sell to them.

Now for the fun! 5 Points of Turning Engagement into Sales:

1. Get into those DMs - Post in stories to encourage people to dm you or use their stories to start a non-sales conversation. Build up a connection, don’t be spammy, and start off with sales pitches. No one likes that.

2. Return the Love - As we like to say in my FB group, “Don’t Post & Ghost!” Reciprocate the post interaction. I want you to especially pay attention to the top 20 people interacting with you. If they are supporting you, support them back. Trust me it pays off, ties in with the “Like-Know-Trust” Factor.

3. Bring Value - Being the expert on a topic. Don’t over or under-sale your level of expertise. Play around with your amount of sales vs non-sales posts.

4. Consistency - I will preach this over and over again, but be consistent! Show up, stories/lives, like #3 build-up that connect for the “Like-Know-Trust.”

5. Understanding Your ICA’s Needs - Speak directly to your ICA. They will know you have the solution for their problem and there’s the sale.

Try it, try it all, and get back to me! If you need help and an extra little push just reach out to me. That’s what I’m here for. Also, if you want to stay in the loop, make sure to sign up for my weekly emails, especially after the recent social media outages. ;)

Here's a quick and dirty guide to GUIDES on Instagram!!

The first thing you should know is when you create a guide, you aren't making new content. You are taking others’ content or repurposing your own old content and putting it all in one place. It’s kind of like a fun way to link a bunch of thoughts in one theme post. My guess is that profiles that sell a product would really benefit from this.

So I just created my first guide (check it out on @melissamcclure.co) and it seems like it could be a cool feature.

You Gotta Give it a try!

Here are Some Basic Ideas -

• Places: Recommend places in your city and beyond

• Products: Recommend your favorite products

• Posts: Recommend posts you created or saved

Guides seem to be a great way to shoutout small businesses, do a travel theme with locations, outfit inspiration, really the ideas are pretty limitless and great for potential sponsorship. And as with everything new on IG, it's best to go try it asap! The algorithm LOVES when you use all their features especially the new ones.

Remember, just like I said with stories, IG rewards those that are using all of their features! They like also highlighting their NEW features, so this is definitely one to be using in the mix.

If you want to read more, this is a good article on it - Later.com

Any questions? I can do a video on how to create one if you'd like, feel free to let me know in my Facebook Group - Eff What They Think - Combining Instagram + Business + Radical Self Love. Some of my clients in the group are already reporting a huge jump in views when doing them. Give it a shot!

DM (Direct Message) = Engagement. And, Engagement is the Goal! Always the goal. Instagram rewards engagement. But, beyond that DMs create brand awareness and creates loyalty. Whenever you allow a personal touch it helps. It’s like a warming up for leads. You are creating connections, which leads ot sales and/or referrals, all great things.

DM is key, when done right.

Want to warm up leads from your Ideal Client? Try responding on their profile, likes, and comments (longer than 4 words, emojis don’t count) then send a message WITHOUT selling. Ask about them! Build a relationship. This is not a short term sales goal this is a long game to turn a cold lead into a warm lead and find out if they are your ICA.

Not sure how to DM? There’s more than 1 way to DM!

1. Normal/Typical - Send/Respond Text or Voice Messages (up to 1 minute)

2. Photo - Camera Roll or taken directly in DMs

3. Video (up to 15 seconds) - Great connection, when people can see your eyes and enthusiasm, but gotta keep it short since it’s only in 15 sec. segments.

4. Video Chat/Calling

5. Group Chats

6. From Stories (place a question or whatnot that warrants a response and respond!) *This is also a great way if you live in a country that prohibits DM cold calling.

No matter what way you do it, just remember, BE AUTHENTIC! BE YOU! Don’t just slide in and sell, build some trust by being yourself! Create relationships and real brand awareness and brand loyalty with a personal connection. Remember, practice makes perfect! Feel free to DM me.

Disclosure: This site may contain affiliate links. Your clicks or use come to no extra expense for you. Though, I may receive a commission if you purchase from them.

Just like the posts in your feed you want views, engagement, and Instagram rewards longer views and fewer skips. 2021 Instagram has brought some changes, so here are the Top 11 ways to Boost those Story Views!

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1) Use All the Features

Questions/Polls/Gifs/Quizzes/Music/Etc. Use different media as well, Video/Photo/Etc. Use them all!

*It’s possible that the “This or That” trend may have increased this, but using multiple stories with multiple polls have seemed to increase views and engagement.

*Business Account - You will run into a limited Music Library, just Royalty-Free options. Creator accounts do not have that issue, but Business Accounts allow access to external apps for analytics and planning, so it’s up to you what is more important.

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2) Show Your Face

Kind of a consistent theme, but create trust by showing up. Talk, not just a photo of you. It can feel scary but I promise it gets easier!

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3) Make Sure You Are using Closed Captions

As explained here on “15 MUST HAVE APPS FOR INSTAGRAM,” but it’s super important and there are apps to help you. Or you can just type out your speech word for word.

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4) Utilize Your Close Friends List

It won’t bring you more outsiders views, but it will do is bump your story to the front of the list for those in that “Close Friend” list. This will also change the circle color to a more standout Green. It could increase engagement knowing that it’s a more private share. Great idea for those of you with like “V.I.P. Programs” and whatnot.

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5) Make Standout Content!

Ok, this is just like your feed, you want quality. If you are speaking, get straight to the point! Be attention-grabbing. Share “Behind the Scenes” of your more curated feed. Use apps like Canva and Unfold to make Stories stand out visually.

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6) Create Templates

Jump on the “This or That” Trend. Make your own blank template to be shared around and it’s super easy to do on Canva, they even provide premade ones.

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7) Extend View Time

Photos on their own are 7 seconds. It used to be the case that adding a Gif extended it to 15 seconds, but it appears to no longer be the case. BUT, you can still add music for 15 second longer share time, along with sharing videos.

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8) Don’t Waste Your Time With Tags (Hashtags & Location Tags)

*Currently,* hashtags and location tags are no longer working with stories. They may come back, but they don’t appear to be. The old way in stories you could tag up to 10 hashtags per story post. Right now, it can’t hurt, but it probably won’t be helping you.

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9) TAG Other Accounts

Though hashtags may not work, tagging to other IG accounts is helpful! Up to 10 other accounts. It makes it easier for those accounts to engage and reshare the story to their account. Though the view counts won’t count for you, it’s always a good idea for cross-feed attention. Tag Relevant Businesses and People.

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10) Use Polls to DM Clients

Just as it sounds, use those “Yes/No” polls as a ice breaking invitation to slide into their direct messages. Some countries have laws prevent the cold call dm’s so this is your way to get invited to have that interaction.

Extra Tip - Place your poll towards the center area. It’s easier to interact with and looks better.

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11) Go LIVE!

Ok, you may be nervous, but this is a great way to build trust with your audience. They will feel like they know you because this allows more access to you. You may not always have a topic at hand so open it up to a “Q&A” session.

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Have any other tips I missed? Did story hashtags come back where you are? Ready to go live? If I catch you on I’ll totally try to pop in and say HI!