Ep 102: Why Instagram Sales Feel Slower Now
Instagram Isn’t Dead—But It Can’t Carry Your Sales Strategy Alone
If selling on Instagram feels slower or harder lately, you’re not imagining it. Things have changed—not just on Instagram, but across online marketing in general.
And honestly? Buyer behavior has shifted too. People take longer to make decisions. They want to really know you before they say yes.
It’s kind of like when your kids hit a new stage and the bedtime routine that used to work like magic suddenly… doesn’t. You don’t toss out the whole routine—you tweak it so it fits where they’re at now.
That’s exactly what we need to do with Instagram.
Why Instagram Feels Different Now
A few years back, you could post a couple of reels with trending audio and—boom—reach thousands of people. Even with a tiny audience, you could fill your coaching spots or programs without much effort.
It was magical.
But now? Instagram is pickier about what content it pushes. Buyers are more cautious. They’re checking you out across multiple touchpoints—your emails, your blog, your podcast—before they commit.
And you know what? That’s not a bad thing. Those slower “yeses” usually come from your best-fit clients. The ones who stick around, refer you to friends, and send you those glowing testimonials.
So the goal isn’t to fight this shift. It’s to adjust your marketing strategy so Instagram plays to its strengths without eating up every ounce of your time and energy.
The Five Steps to Sales (Still the Same, But…)
The framework I teach hasn’t changed:
Growth – Getting in front of the right people.
Engagement – Sparking conversation and curiosity.
Connection – Sharing stories, client wins, and relatable moments.
Trust – Showing your process and expertise.
Sales – Making the offer when they’re ready.
If you’re new to it, I break it all down in this episode on the five steps to sales framework.
But here’s the shift: Instagram no longer carries all five steps.
Instagram’s New Job: Growth + Engagement
Instagram is still amazing for two things:
Growth → Getting visible and reaching new people.
Engagement → Starting conversations and fostering early relationships.
It’s not that you’ll never sell on Instagram. Of course you’ll mention your offers during a launch—it would be silly not to. But expecting Instagram to handle the entire sales cycle? That’s not the best use of your time, especially if you’re building a business in the cracks of your day.
Instagram is the spark, not the whole fire.
Where Connection, Trust, and Sales Actually Happen
So, where do the other three steps fit?
Connection + Trust → Long-form content is your best friend here. That could be your blog, podcast, or YouTube channel. These are the spaces where you can tell deeper stories, showcase client results, and explain your process in a way that builds confidence.
Sales → Your email list is gold. It’s the warm, intimate place where people are most ready to say yes. (I dive into this more in this episode on why email marketing builds deeper trust).
This is why a single Instagram post won’t cut it anymore. But when your platforms work together, you stop feeling like you’re starting from scratch every time you create content.
Messaging: The Piece That Holds It All Together
Here’s the truth: you could have the perfect platform mix and still struggle if your messaging isn’t clear.
Strong messaging is what makes someone stop their scroll and think, “Wow, she’s in my head.”
It’s what makes your audience recognize your voice whether they’re reading your email, listening to your podcast, or watching your Instagram stories.
If you need help here, check out this episode on clarifying your message for dream clients.
Without strong messaging? Your marketing feels scattered, and dream clients slip through the cracks.
With it? Every post, every email, every podcast episode works like breadcrumbs leading people closer to a confident “yes.”
Working Smarter, Not Harder
The goal isn’t to hustle harder on Instagram. It’s to stop asking it to do everything.
When you let Instagram handle growth and engagement—and let your email and long-form content take care of connection, trust, and sales—you get:
More impact from every piece of content (no more starting from zero every time you post).
A consistent client journey that feels natural, not pushy.
Better results without burning out.
This is also where content repurposing comes in clutch. If you haven’t yet, listen to my episode on how to repurpose content across platforms. It’s exactly how you stop spinning your wheels.
So if Instagram feels slower, it’s not you. It’s just the stage we’re in. Your job isn’t to fight it—it’s to adapt.
Because just like parenting, the routines change as things evolve. You tweak, adjust, and move forward so you still get the end result you want.
And in business, that result is dream clients who feel confident, excited, and ready to work with you.
Want Help Putting This Together?
I created a free resource to make this simple: The Buyer Journey Content Map.
It walks you through how to spread the five steps to sales across Instagram, your email list, and long-form platforms—so every piece of content works together to guide your audience from “just found you” to “I’m so excited to work with you.”
👉 Grab the Buyer Journey Content Map and start mapping your own connected sales strategy.
