Here’s what’s not being talked about enough online…

Trust is at an all-time low. People are burnt out from purchasing courses, memberships, and products that have been overpromised and underdelivered. 

People have gone into debt purchasing programs that promised to be life-changing, only to end up feeling scammed and worse about themselves. They’ve been shamed by gurus, pressured by coaches, and made to feel like they are behind if they do not “invest before they are ready.”

So you can’t blame them for feeling a certain way when they’re scrolling past another promo Reel.

But when you show up as the person who doesn’t shame, doesn’t gimmick, doesn’t manipulate? You stand out immediately. You become a safe place. And in a market where safety is rare, that is your unfair advantage.

Because the people who feel safe buying from you tell everyone else, and they buy from you again and again.

3 Ways to Build Trust Before the Sale

Share your values, consistently.

People don’t just buy from brands anymore. They buy from brands and people who share their same values.

Mine are simple: all are welcome, kind people only, ethical marketing, no gimmicks, no sleaziness, no shame. I say some version of that constantly. In my captions. On my podcast. In my emails. On stories.

When people show up to buy from me, they already know what they are getting into because I have told them a hundred times.

If you haven’t written one already, create a value statement and then post about it so that when people see your content, they don’t just see what you sell, but they can see what you’re for or against. 

Real Example: A recent viral Reel was just a woman filming her kids at the library with the text: “I think the library is cooler than Target. Three library perks I can’t believe are free.”

And instantly, you know so much about her values. Sustainability. Presence. Low screen time. Real family time over consumerism. People flooded her comments saying, “you make me feel seen.”

That is what values-driven content does. Not just information. Recognition.

Weave your values into your regular content. A Reel about your workflow, a caption about a decision you made in your business, or a Story showing how you handle a customer situation are all natural ways to communicate what you stand for.

Transparency >> Polished Content

Each time I share how my business is doing, what’s working, what’s not, how much things actually cost…I’m building trust.

Because transparency is inherently trust-building.

Here’s how you can do it too:

➡️ Show your process. 

➡️ Talk about your pricing openly. 

➡️ Share what hasn’t worked. 

➡️ Refund people when they ask. 

➡️ Answer questions in your DMs even when it does not lead to a sale.

Believe in what you sell and promote.

If I don’t personally use it, I’m not promoting it. Period.

That means I say no a lot and probably leave a lot on the table.

I pour my heart into Reels Lab, masterclasses, and speaking engagements because I truly am invested in the success of every person who reads my content, attends a class, or joins Reels Lab.

My followers can feel that and know that I wouldn’t put my name on something I don’t have faith in.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need flashy funnels or gimmicks to make sales on Instagram.

The people who are making money on Instagram are the ones who are focusing on building actual relationships with their audience FIRST, they share their values and are transparent about their business. And they’re genuine about wanting to help.

I promise you, the sales will come!

And for more tips to help you get more sales on Instagram, listen to this episode of Good Content!