How to Sell In the DMs
"Hey girlie! You'd be such a great fit for my X services. Here's the link!"
How many times have you gotten a message like this, rolled your eyes, and ignored it? The answer is probably A LOT! Here's the thing about selling in the DMs, we can't forget about the basic principles of a funnel or buyer's journey, even when it comes to DMs. We have to warm up our audience!
We use DMs to build relationships, not to cold pitch. Why? This is how you can sell without being overly salesy or spammy, nurture your leads, build customer retention and loyalty, and even make a new business BFF!
A cold message is just that, COLD. Frozen, even. And let's take a page out of Disney's book, 🎵 LET IT GO 🎵, as in let go of cold pitching altogether!
Instead, follow these three steps to selling in the Instagram DMs:
Be sure to look at their bio and find their name so you can address them by their actual name! It doesn't hurt to ask if you can't find it.
Find a connection point, so you can start a meaningful conversation that has nothing to do with your offer and everything to do with building a relationship
Send them a message with steps 1&2...and start connecting with them (but don't force it!). Check out this example:
"Hey, {first name}! Thank you for following us! I saw that you're also located in the Tampa Bay area, and a dog mom (SAME HERE, how crazy!!) Tell me more about you!"
Ask questions, don't be pushy, and if they do mention a pain point, then you can let them know how you might be able to help them with your service!
If you aren't sure how to get into your ideal client / customer's DMs, try this:
Use polls & questions stickers...reply to those that respond!
Set up quick replies (these are four pre-made questions you can designate that when someone new jumps into our DMs, they can tap, and IG will send to you!)
Use "DM me" as a call-to-action more on your posts and stories.
Swipe up on their stories! Did they post their office view today? Swipe up and let them know how jealous you are! Posting their Starbucks coffee order? Swipe up and let them know that it's your go-to, too!
Last but SO not least, two things you can't forget when connecting in the DMs...
Go in with the mindset of CONNECTING not SELLING. If you are going into the conversation in a genuine mindset, that will come through on the other side, too, and it will make them feel so much more comfortable! Have you ever gotten that DM that feels genuine at first, and then takes hard right turn into a sale? We don't want to be that either.
DMs can seem intimating. But, don't be nervous! Treat it just like they are a real person (like they are) in front of you, having a normal conversation!
Long story short, start genuine conversations and be social! If cold pitching isn't your thing or isn't working for you, try this method for selling in the Instagram DMs instead!
Ready to learn more IG basics? Join our Building a Social Savvy Brand course!
