With Instagram use on the rise, it’s obvious to see why you’re considering it for your business. But when it comes to selling on social media, there’s 3 Sleezy Instagram sales tactics to avoid, but don’t worry… Because I’ll keep you right!

1. Sliding cold into the DMs

It’s the cardinal sin! I’m sure if you’ve been on Instagram even just for a short time, you’ve probably got firsthand experience of this AND you know just how it felt to be on the receiving end.

Granted sales is a numbers game, but crashing through Instagram on a wrecking ball (hoping to snag a couple of people who don’t mind this tactic) is going to peeve more people than it will please people… So, there’s better ways to spend your time than being a cold caller on repeat on social media. Like taking the time to get to genuinely get to know people.

2. The ‘2 likes, 1 comment & 3 questions in the DMs’ approach

As we’d say in Scotland… “Do I look like I just sailed up the Clyde in a banana boat?!” AKA “I wasn’t born yesterday”. This is 1 step up from sliding in cold. As I said in point 1, you’ve got to be genuine on social media. Number crunching and not taking the time to get to know people is no more than a one night stand of a sale.

Again, I’m sure you’ve all seen this approach and to be on the receiving end is sorta like that vibe when a cute guy is talking to you at a club and then when you’re answering his question, you look up to see he’s trying to catch another girls eye across the room.

When it comes to selling on social media, you’ve got to be in it. It has to come from a place of genuine intent. Know that you can provide value to someone. It might be through a screen, but people aren’t daft. If you’re not interested and you’re just number crunching… They’re going to know!

3. Not taking ‘no’ for an answer

Sometimes you just have to trust the process. You’ve had a deep and meaningful conversation, you nurtured someone for some time only to get a ‘no’ when you did pitch… It’s not always a ‘no’. Sometimes it’s a ‘no’ for now. Sometimes people just need a bit of space to come to a decision. Know when to walk away. This can be tough on social media, because the body language isn’t there.

But if it is a ‘no’ then hey, maybe they aren’t the right customer for you.

What’s sales tactics do you find sleezy on social media?