Today, let’s dive into a topic that’s probably been on your mind: why all your hard work on Instagram isn’t translating into sales.
I get it – you’re putting in the hours, posting consistently, and pouring your heart into your content. But somehow, the sales just aren’t rolling in like you hoped they would. Well, fear not! I’m here to shed some light on why that might be happening and, more importantly, how to fix it.
1. is your messaging too vague?
Okay, let’s start with the “basics.” When it comes to selling, specificity is key. Think about it – if someone tells you they made some money from selling a product, that’s nice and all, but it doesn’t really grab your attention, does it? Now, picture seeing a reel that says this: “I made $10,401 in 30 days from one $47 digital product.” Boom! Suddenly, you’re intrigued. You want to know more, right? That’s the power of specificity. So, take a look at your hooks and captions. Are they too vague? Are people scrolling past?
I know this is seen as one of the basics of business but there’s nothing basic about it. It's something most solopreneurs get wrong, especially beginners. Why? Because of a little thing called self sabotage. 9 times out of 10, people think they are being specific when they aren't, and this is because being specific feels dangerous. It feels like you're going to alienate potential clients when you are specific in your messaging. But when you try to speak to everyone, you speak to no one.
In order for people to buy from you, you have to capture their attention which can only be done nowadays when you're being specific, and you have to resonate with them on a personal level, which specificity does.
Messaging is a topic we’ll cover inside The Simple Business Builder self-study edition. Join the waitlist >>
2. You Don’t Have a Super Niche
Ah, the super niche – it’s like finding your own little corner of the internet where you reign supreme. Sure, you might have a niche based on who you help or what you sell, but what about your unique approach, perspective, or style? That’s where the magic happens. Build your niche around that. Your Super Niche sets you apart from the crowd and gives your audience a reason to choose you over everyone else. So, take some time to really think about what makes you a little different. What unique style or perspective do you bring to the table? Once you’ve got that figured out, own it, and watch as your tribe rallies around you.
Guess what? Creating a Super Niche is a topic we’ll also cover inside The Simple Business Builder self-study edition. Join the waitlist >>
3. Your Audience Isn’t Feeling the Connection
Let’s talk about that “this is for me” feeling. You know the one I’m talking about – it’s that instant connection you feel when you stumble across a piece of content that speaks directly to your soul. That’s what your audience should be feeling every time they scroll through your feed. If they’re not, it might be time to reassess your approach.
Are you speaking to their surface level pain points and desires, or the deeper ones they might even feel scared to talk about online? Are you making them feel seen and heard?
Remember, building a loyal community isn’t just about the numbers – it’s about forging genuine connections with the people who need you most.
(Psst! If you need help posting consistently on Instagram without feeling like you’re on a content creation hamster wheel, I invite you to join The Content Batching Blueprint!)
4. The Algorithm is Showing Your Content to the Wrong People
Ah, the ever-elusive algorithm. It can be a blessing or a curse, depending on where it decides to shine its spotlight. And let’s face it – sometimes it gets it totally wrong. Like that time one of my content batching posts went viral, only to find out it was going viral to men in India. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love connecting with people from all corners of the globe, but when it comes to selling, it’s all about reaching your ideal audience.
So, what did I do? I hit the delete button, regrouped, and tried again. And you know what? The next time I went viral, I reached a 900k ideal and aligned clients. How did I do it? Well, that leads me to my next point…
5. Optimizing Your Content for Your Ideal Audience
So, how exactly did I go from reaching the wrong crowd to hitting the jackpot with my ideal clients?
I location tag all of my content. (This doesn’t have to be your location, it can be the location of your ideal audience.)
I’m very specific in my posts, captions and hashtags about who it’s for. Keywords help the algorithm show your content to the right people.
I started engaging for 30 mins every day with my ideal clients and accounts similar to mine to show the algorithm what my account is about and who it’s for. Some people don’t believe this does anything, but when I did this I began noticing that the accounts I engaged with (and the people commenting on those posts) began engaging with my content.
(I also know someone who went from reaching millions of her ideal customers, to reaching hardly anyone. She’s one of the first to get Instagram’s new feature, “Creators Like You”, which shows you similar creators to yourself. And guess what hers showed? NO accounts like hers, just accounts similar to what she follows... You see where I’m going here.)
6. Patience is Key: Don’t Expect Overnight Success:
Ah, the allure of overnight success – it’s a tempting notion, isn’t it? But here’s the reality check: building a thriving online presence takes time, effort, and yes, a whole lot of patience.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of expecting instant gratification and quick fixes, especially in today’s fast-paced world. But the truth is, creating good content is a skill that you develop over time, just like learning to play the piano, or learning to knit. Sure, you can take a course to give you a leg up, but the real magic happens when you roll up your sleeves and practice.
Taking one course and expecting your content to go viral overnight is like taking one gym class and expecting to go home with a six pack. 👀
So commit to practicing, experimenting, and yes, analyzing the results. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a killer content strategy. So, take a deep breath, trust in the process, and remember – good things come to those who wait (and work for it).
As you can see, specificity and messaging is often the reason your content isn’t performing. If you want to learn how to build a Super Niche & create magnetic messaging so your content finally converts, join the waitlist for The Simple Business Builder Self-Study Course.
Please note: In the past, I’ve ran The Simple Business Builder mastermind which was very comprehensive and taught my entire system. This is a simplified self-study course focusing solely on one a few of the key elements of SBB: niche, messaging, and creating an irresistible offer suite.
Resources Mentioned
The Content Batching Blueprint - Batch 1 month of Instagram content In 1 day
Story Sprint - Learn how to batch 1 month of Instagram stories in 1 day
The Simple Business Builder Self-Study Course Waitlist
About Nesha
Hey there! I’m Nesha, 11-year traveling entrepreneur and host of The Simple Business Show. I teach women how to build a $5-10K/month online service business working just 3 days a week, so they can have the financial and time freedom to live the life they dream of.
Looking for more ways I can help you? Here they are:
1:1 Coaching: Work with me on an intimate level to take your business from where it is to where you want it to go.
Group Coaching Program: The Simple Business Builder: Learn to build a $5-10K/month online business working 3 days a week.
Organize & Automate - Join 1200+ students and learn how to organize your entire online service-based business in just two weeks (on the side of your regular routine!) so you can stop stressing and fall back in love with your business.
Simple Sales School - Learn how to get a consistent flow of clients so you can build the income & financial freedom you desire.
