Top 4 Tips for Authentic Marketing on Instagram and TikTok (No Ads Needed)
If you’re looking to make consistent sales as a creator, the key lies in consistently marketing your products.
However, it’s crucial to figure out how to do this authentically — balancing what feels good for both you and your audience.
This is no easy feat, but with the right approach, it’s entirely achievable.
Here are three effective strategies to market your products to your followers in a way that feels genuine and resonates with your audience. Since it often takes several impressions before someone makes a purchase, these varied strategies will help you build a well-rounded marketing plan.
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1. Tell Your Authentic Story
Your audience follows you for a reason: they’re connected to your journey.
They appreciate the unique way you share your content, and they see themselves in your story.
When you share your authentic personal story, it creates a sense of connection. Your audience realizes that you’ve faced challenges similar to theirs, and they’ll look to you for guidance.
Think about your journey from point A to point B — where you started and where you are now.
Your followers are at point A, and they need a guide who has already made that journey. Sharing your story of overcoming obstacles and finding success demonstrates your expertise and shows that the product or service you offer can help them on their journey.
A great example of this approach is Antonio, a real estate investing creator.
He started in a 9-to-5 job he didn’t enjoy and has now transitioned to full-time real estate investing and content creation.
Many of his followers are still in corporate jobs, dreaming of making a similar transition.
Antonio’s success story has resonated with millions because he shares his journey in a relatable and inspiring way, offering guidance to those looking to follow in his footsteps.
2. Provide Value First
Never make a marketing video that exists solely to sell a product.
If your content is purely promotional, it’s unlikely to perform well, and it could even be suppressed by platform algorithms. Instead, focus on providing value to your audience before making any sales pitch.
The most effective marketing content offers genuine value first, guiding your audience step by step toward achieving a goal. Once you’ve provided that value, you can seamlessly introduce how your product or service can help them achieve even more.
Take Jackson, a social media coach, as an example. He offers a monthly subscription to his trend watch sheet, helping his followers stay on top of social media trends. In his videos, Jackson first shares valuable info and tips on finding trending sounds, demonstrating his expertise and providing immediate value. Only then does he mention his subscription service as a convenient tool to help his audience save time and effort.
By leading with value, you build trust and establish yourself as an expert. This approach not only feels authentic but also makes your audience more likely to support you by purchasing your products.
3. Let Your Customers Sell for You
Customer testimonials are a powerful tool in your marketing arsenal. They offer an authentic endorsement of your products or services, helping potential customers see the value you provide from someone else’s perspective.
Some of the most effective marketing content is simple: creators take a screenshot of a customer testimonial and share it, perhaps adding a bit of their own flair to make it engaging.
These testimonials serve as social proof, reassuring potential customers that others have had positive experiences with your products.
To maximize the impact of customer testimonials, make them a regular part of your content strategy.
Aim to share at least one testimonial each week, giving your audience a role model to emulate in their own journey.
Over time, as you continue to deliver great results, your satisfied customers will create more testimonials, generating a flywheel effect of positive feedback and new customers.
4. Build a Consistent Marketing Strategy
To effectively market your products, consistency is key.
Integrate your marketing content with your regular content schedule, ensuring a mix of promotional and non-promotional posts.
Consider going live regularly, as live sessions are a highly effective way to convert followers into customers.
Remember, every piece of content you post is an opportunity to market your products — if done authentically. Don’t shy away from showcasing your offerings or including a call to action in your content.
Lastly, be mindful of how platform algorithms work. For instance, many platforms now suppress content that mentions “link in bio.” Instead, use phrases like “visit my store” to direct your audience to where they can make a purchase.
Building a sustainable business requires a consistent marketing effort. By creating content that provides real value to your audience, you can market authentically and feel good about promoting your products. You’ve put in the work to develop your offerings, and now it’s time to share them with the world. So go ahead — market your products confidently and authentically, and watch your business thrive.
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