So you’ve got the followers. The numbers are going up, people are dropping likes, maybe even a few fire emojis. But the bank account isn’t really showing it.
It’s a situation that is normally considered to be pretty common for a lot of brands. You put all this work into growing an audience. And now you’re stuck.
How do you get these people, these followers who seem to like what you do, to actually pull out their wallets? Well, the game has changed a little for 2025.
It’s less about screaming “BUY NOW!” into the void. And it’s more about being a real human and gently guiding people to a solution you happen to sell.
Let’s break down how it works now.
Stop Selling All the Time, Start Connecting
Your social media page cannot be a 24/7 commercial. People will tune out so fast it’ll make your head spin. They are on social media to be entertained, to connect, or to learn something new.
Think about it like this. You should be giving way more than you take. A good rule of thumb is the 80/20 idea.
Eighty percent of your content should be helpful, funny, or interesting. It should give your audience something with no strings attached.
The other twenty percent? That’s when you can talk about what you’re selling. This balance builds trust and makes people stick around.
Your feed becoming a non-stop billboard it just doesn’t work. People’s brains are wired to ignore ads.
So if every post is a product shot with a price tag they will eventually just scroll right past you without a second thought.
Using Your Content to Actually Guide People
Okay, so you’re posting cool stuff that isn’t always a sales pitch. Great. Now, how does that make you money? Your non-selling content needs a secret job.
Its job is to make people aware of a problem they have. And then show them that you are the one with the answer. This is done subtly.
From “Nice Post” to “I Need That”
Your content needs to solve a tiny piece of their problem for free. This shows you know what you’re talking about and builds confidence in your paid stuff.
Let’s say you sell custom planners. A post that just shows the planner is okay. A post that shows how to use the planner to organize a chaotic week is better.
You could create content that does a few things:
Show the before-and-after. A messy desk versus an organized one, thanks to your method (and planner).
Give quick tips. “Three ways to beat procrastination today.” One of those ways could involve a tool like, you guessed it, a planner.
Go behind the scenes. Show the process of designing a new planner cover. People love seeing how things are made. It creates a stronger bond.
This type of content makes them see the need for your product in their own life. It moves them along the path to buying.
The Power of User-Generated Content (UGC)
You know what’s more convincing than you saying your product is great? A regular person, just like your followers saying your product is great.
User-generated content is basically when your own customers create posts about your stuff. It’s gold.
Encourage people to share photos or videos using your product. You can run a contest or just create a special hashtag they can use.
When you see someone post something good, ask for their permission to share it on your own page. This is social proof, plain and simple.
It tells new followers that real people are buying your products. And they are happy with them. This is a huge trust signal.
Making the Path from Follower to Buyer Super Easy
Imagine you see a cool shirt on Instagram. You want it. But you have to go to the profile, find the link, go to the website, search for the shirt… you’ve probably given up.
You have to make buying from you the easiest thing they do all day. Any little bit of difficulty will cause people to abandon the process.
Your bio link is prime real estate. Don’t just link to your homepage. Use a service like Linktree or just create a special landing page on your site.
This page should have direct links to your best-selling products. Your latest blog post. Or your email sign-up form. Make it a simple menu.
Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have shoppable posts now. You should definitely be using those. People can tap on a product in a photo and buy it right there.
And don’t forget a clear call to action. Tell people exactly what to do next. “Shop the collection at the link in our bio.” Or “Tap the product tag to get yours.”
The DM is Where the Magic Happens
This is probably the biggest shift we’re seeing for 2025. The real connections, the ones that lead to sales, are happening in the Direct Messages.
Think of your DMs as your new storefront. It’s where you can have one-on-one conversations with people who are already interested.
Don’t be creepy about it. Don’t just slide in with a “buy my stuff” message that’s just weird. The goal is to start a natural conversation.
How to Start a Real Conversation
The best way to get into the DMs is to give people a reason to message you. You can do this with your content.
Use poll stickers or question boxes in your Stories. When someone votes or answers, that’s your invitation to start a chat.
If someone replies to your Story with an emoji, message them back. “Hey, thanks for the love on that post! Glad you liked it.”
The point is to open a door. From there you can ask questions about what they’re struggling with. And see if your product is a good fit.
Using Voice Notes
Want to really stand out? Send a voice note instead of a text message. It’s so much more personal and it’s hard to ignore.
Hearing your voice makes the whole interaction feel more human. It shows you’re a real person who took the time to respond personally.
This is how you build a real community. And communities are full of people who are happy to support you and buy what you’re selling.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does it take to turn followers into customers?
Honestly? It takes time. There’s no magic switch. Building trust can take weeks or months. But a customer you get this way is likely to be a repeat customer.
2. What’s the best social media platform for this?
The one where your ideal customers hang out. Don’t try to be everywhere. Pick one or two platforms and do a really good job there. For many, that’s Instagram or TikTok right now.
3. Do I need a huge following to make sales?
Nope. A small group of 1,000 dedicated followers who trust you is way better than 100,000 followers who don’t care about what you’re doing.
4. What if people don’t respond to my DMs?
That’s okay! Not everyone will. Just focus on being genuine and helpful. If they don’t respond, just move on. Don’t be pushy.
5. Is it okay to use some automation?
For some things, yes. A tool that sends a welcome message when someone follows you can be fine. But the real, problem-solving conversations should always be with a real person.
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Key Takeaways
Give more than you ask for. Use the 80/20 rule. Your content should mostly be helpful or entertaining, not just sales pitches.
Your content should have a purpose. Even your non-sales content should guide people toward understanding why they need what you sell.
Make buying ridiculously easy. Use link-in-bio tools and shoppable posts. Remove every possible obstacle between “I want that” and “I bought that.”
Have real conversations in the DMs. This is where you build the strongest relationships. Use it to talk to people one-on-one and understand their needs.
Be a human. At the end of the day, people buy from other people they know, like, and trust. Let your personality show.
