# Instagram And The Art Of The “Soft Sell” - Link: https://chatterblast.com/blog/instagram-and-the-art-of-the-soft-sell/ - Published: 2015-10-06T15:34:01-04:00 - Author: chatterblastteam With all the [recent buzz](http://chatterblast.wpengine.com/blog/instagram-continues-the-evolution-of-advertising/) surrounding Instagram’s advertising changes, you may be wondering, _“Is it time for my company to start throwing money at Instagram?”_ Although the answer may be _yes_, the [budget may be a _no_](http://www.pennapowers.com/instagram-advertising-and-costs/). But don’t fret! There are _tons of ways_ to build a community of loyal customers and sell products on Instagram without actually selling (or paying for) a thing. And while the art of the [**soft sell**](http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/soft-selling.html) is nothing new, Instagram is breathing new life into how it’s done. **_Don’t be afraid to give expert advice. _** When it comes to certain products, people need to _see_ how they actually work before making a commitment. This couldn’t be any truer than it is for the cosmetics industry. _After all_, how are you supposed to buy a tint for your lips if you don’t know how to use it? Well, thanks to Instagram’s video feature, you can show your followers just how to properly use (and get amazing results with) your latest product. Take makeup cool kid, [Benefit Cosmetics](https://www.benefitcosmetics.com/). They use quick, 15-second video tutorials to showcase how to use their newest products, and in the process, hopefully convince you that you can’t live without them. [⌊Blog1⌉⌊Blog1⌉[ **_Do it with style._** Like it or not, Instagram is an _artsy_ place. People use the image-centric platform to show off their _best_ self (not to mention, embellish just how fabulous their life _really_ is…Valencia filter anyone?). What does this mean for you? No matter what you’re selling on Instagram, your customers don’t want their carefully-curated- newsfeeds clogged up with tons of text and unfiltered pictures. **Jackie Kollar**, Senior Digital Strategist and resident fashionista here at ChatterBlast, loves following [**Kinfolk**](http://www.kinfolk.com/), a lifestyle magazine that encourages its readers to simplify their lives. The magazine sells its mission by using Instagram in a clean and artful way. Jackie says, “_The color pallet, the photo quality, balance of people and products, and the simplicity of it all_” keeps her coming back and makes her buy into the ideals( and products) that the brand promises her. [⌊Blog 2⌉⌊Blog 2⌉[ **_Be on brand._** Instagram is the _perfect platform_ to discover what your brand looks and feels like. Posting pictures of the product is great, but try enhancing your account with inspiration that matches the lifestyle your brand promises. Take quirky, Australian sock maker, [Odd Pears](http://www.oddpears.com/). Their socks are _deliciously _colorful and their Instagram account is no exception. ** Rebecca Solomon**, ChatterBlast’s newest intern, follows the account because, “_They post a lot of eye-catching artistic inspiration that always leaves me wondering what they”ll post next_.” And although she doesn’t own a pair (or pear) _just yet,_ she plans on buying the whole collection after she makes her first million. #goalz [⌊blog3⌉⌊blog3⌉[ _**Get a spokesperson. **_ People like people. People really [casino online](http://www.victoryag.org/) like _famous_ people. And as a general rule in advertising, no one can sell your product better than someone famous. Taking it one step further, people tend to develop a connection with who they follow on Instagram, so leveraging any sort of celebrity connection or spokesperson will make your products stand out. Don’t have a spokesperson? Real customers turned brand ambassadors are _just as powerful_. And while **Kelly Devine**, ChatterBlast’s Account Manger, loves [Top Shop](http://us.topshop.com/en/tsus/category/clothing-70483/jeans-4593087?geoip=noredirect) for its jeans, she keeps it real with why she’s _really_ hooked on their Instagram.“ _Gigi Hadid is their spokesperson sooo its pictures of her all the time_.” Also, Ms. Devine has no shame. [⌊blog4⌉⌊blog4⌉[** ** _**People will still buy the cow, even when the milk is free.**_ Sometimes, an effective way to push product on Instagram, isn’t to sell it at all. Wait. _What?_ That’s right. Many retailers use giveaways and enter-to-wins as a way to sell their customers on a new line or product launch. It’s a _fantastic way_ to build excitement _and_ reward your loyal customers. ChatterBlast’s Intern Queen Bee, **Nora Ransick**, follows local retailer [South Moon Under](http://www.southmoonunder.com/), just for that reason. “_I love South Moon Under’s Instagram. Not only is it always up to date with the latest fashion trends, but they’re always doing giveaway of products that I would **actually** want!_” So there you have it, the Queen has spoken. [⌊blog5⌉⌊blog5⌉[ And those, my friends, are some ideas for ways to make a sale _without selling a thing_ on Instagram. So pick up your phone, get on the ‘gram and be the art director/ product expert/branding god that you always knew you were! …[Or you can just call us](http://chatterblast.wpengine.com/contact/).