Make Them Feel Seen, Not Sold To: How Creatives should Use Instagram to Sell More products
Forget the pressure to go viral or post 10 times a day. If you want your art, merch, or handmade products to sell online, stop trying to perform for the algorithm, and start connecting with actual humans.
Because people don’t buy “stuff.” They buy a story. They buy a version of themselves they want to become.
So let’s talk about how to turn your creative chaos into a marketing plan that builds trust, grows your sales, and still feels authentic to you.
What Instagram Actually Cares About
Forget everything the “social media gurus” told you. Followers don’t matter. Views and retention do.
Instagram is a watch-time machine. Even if you post every day (like I do) and already have a solid audience, the only thing that actually pushes your content further is how long people stick around.
To prove it, here’s my analytics from October 2025, where I hit 6.3 million views in a single month, not because of follower count, but because the content kept people watching, sharing, and saving.
That’s the real growth metric. Not “Did this get likes?” but “Did this make people stay?”
Here’s what the algorithm actually measures:
Watch time – Anything above 30% is solid. 50%+? Chef’s kiss.
Share rate – People forwarding your post = you’re saying something real.
Follow-through rate – Are they tapping your profile, following, or clicking your links after watching?
Outliers – Look at your last 90 days. Which posts did just slightly better than average? Those are your “pattern breakers.” Do more of that.
The Psychology of Why People Buy From Artists
People don’t buy your work just because they like it. They buy a story. A feeling. A version of themselves they’ve been searching for.
Your job isn’t to prove how talented you are. Your job is to help your audience see themselves through your work, and finally feel like the main character again.
For example, I run an alt clothing brand Letter Shoppe, and I don’t just post the artwork or the behind-the-scenes process. I show how I actually style my own graphic tees with layered outfits, accessories, and attitude.
Because my ideal audience doesn’t just want a shirt, they want a persona.
They want to see:
how it fits into a real wardrobe
how it feels on a real body
how it helps them express an identity they haven’t had words for yet
That’s the shift: You’re not selling a product. You’re helping people recognize themselves in what you create.
What They’re Actually Buying
Not a T-shirt → self-expression that finally feels right on their skin
Not a mug → a ritual that reminds them who they are in the morning
Not a DIY kit → control in a world that feels chaotic.
Not a sticker → a declaration of identity that sticks with them (literally).
Not a download → a dose of serotonin you can hang on your wall.
Not a necklace → armor for their softer side.
Your Role as the Guide
You’re not just an artist or small biz owner, you’re the translator for your audience’s emotions. You help them find the words, colors, or textures that make them say, “That’s so me.”
You’re helping them solve real problems like:
I can’t find clothes that fit or feel good.
I can’t find art that actually feels like me.
My home feels sterile and I want more warmth.
I want to look put-together without losing my edge.
They’re the hero. You’re the guide. And when your content focuses on them instead of you, you don’t just attract fans, you attract customers who feel seen, not sold to.
Creative Marketing 101: Build Trust First, Sales Second
Let’s fix one of the biggest creative business problems out there: you’re posting what’s easy, not what’s effective.
People don’t want to hear “new drop!” every week. They want to see themselves reflected in your work, to feel understood, validated, and inspired. That’s what builds trust, and trust is what makes people buy.
Here’s how to do it step-by-step:
Step 1: Talk About Their Problems
Start by addressing what your audience is already struggling with, the things they can’t quite put into words but feel deep down.
External problems: How they want their life, style, or home to look.
I want to stand out again in my 30s and 40s.
I want to look bold, confident, and unique as a plus-size queen.
I want my home to feel cozy and warm but on a budget.
Internal problems: How they want to feel.
I can’t find clothes that fit my body or my vibe.
Everything feels itchy, tight, or boring.
I want my sarcasm and values on my sleeve, literally.
Your job: Name the problem better than they can with specific details like demographics and aesthetic. When they feel seen, they’ll trust you to help fix it.
Step 2: Show Them You Understand
Once you’ve named the problem, show empathy, make them feel like you’ve been there too.
Examples:
I used to hate everything in my closet because nothing felt like me.
I got tired of buying mass-produced decor that looked perfect but felt soulless
I started my brand because I couldn’t find products that matched my energy.
Empathy builds connection. It shifts you from “just another business” to “the brand that gets it.”
Step 3: Teach or Offer a Quick Win
Give them something valuable, a mini breakthrough, a tip, or a mindset shift. You’re not just selling; you’re helping them take one small step toward the identity they want.
Examples:
Here’s how I make alt vibes and comfort look intentional.
3 ways to make your minimalistic home feel more you.
How to style oversized fits together without looking sloppy.
How to make your home feel warm and witchy instead of sterile and staged.
Education doesn’t have to mean tutorials, it’s about helping them feel more capable after engaging with you.
Step 4: Invite Them to Go Deeper (The Funnel That Actually Works)
Once you’ve given value, offer a clear next step that feels natural, not pushy.
Here’s a simple funnel that actually converts while keeping your humanity intact:
Create a Reel about a relatable problem or pain point your audience has.
(Example: “Why every soft girl outfit secretly itches and how to fix it.”)End with a call-to-action like:
→ “Comment COMFY and I’ll send you my favorite texture-safe shirt recs.”
→ “Comment PRINT if you want my free checklist for turning your art into sellable prints.”
→ “Comment STYLE if you want outfit inspo that doesn’t make you want to cry.”Use ManyChat (or your favorite DM automation tool) to collect their email in a way that feels fun and personal.
And if you want a real example, here’s one I use all the time:
I let my audience vote on which doodles I should turn into real products, and all they have to do is comment a keyword to cast their vote. It not only drives engagement, it’s also how I grow my email list on autopilot, because the DM reply includes the voting link and a prompt to join my newsletter for early access.
That single “vote-to-create” system brings in new subscribers every week without me having to constantly beg people to sign up.
Then the last part of the funnel is to trigger a welcome email sequence that:
Positions you as the guide
Reduces decision fatigue
Invites them into your community
Includes a simple no-pressure offer (like 25% off or a bundle deal)
How to Make Video Content That Actually Works for Artists
This is where most creatives freeze, the “what do I post?” panic.
So here’s your cheat sheet: three difficulty levels, each designed for different comfort zones (and executive functioning levels).
But before we get into formats, here’s how I personally make video content actually do its job:
I write one long-form piece of content first, usually a blog post just like this one. Then I turn that single article into 3–5 talking head videos, each one pulling a different point, opinion, or mini-rant from the post.
Those videos then serve three purposes at once:
They become feed content (Reels, TikTok, Shorts)
They act as ads that drive people back to the full article
The article itself is where I place product links + my newsletter signup, so the sale never feels forced, it’s just the natural next click
Example: I recently did this with my article: Why “Dress for Your Body Type” Is the Worst Fashion Advice Ever
Every single one linked back to the full blog post, and from there they discovered my shop, my email list, and my products... without me ever saying “Hey! Buy this!”
That’s the secret: use content to start the conversation, not to close the sale.
Easy Mode: Green Screen or No-Face Content
Best for: Camera-shy creators, ADHD brains, or anyone just getting started.
Record process clips, time-lapses, or finished product reveals.
Overlay text that says what your audience is thinking.
If every shirt you try on feels wrong, this one might fix your life.
For everyone who can’t wear wool without crying, I see you.
If your walls feel boring, this print might cure your serotonin.
If your stickers keep ending up on your laptop instead of your heart, same.
Keep in mind: You don’t need to show your face to be authentic, but when you do, your recognition skyrockets. Your face is your logo.
Wanna learn more? Check out my Faceless Artist Social Media Playbook. A step-by-step audio course + plug-and-play templates that teach you how to grow, get more engagement, and convert followers into buyers — without ever showing your face.
Medium Mode: Walk & Talk (or Desk & Talk)
Best for: Artists ready to test being on camera.
Talk about what you’re making and why it matters.
Walk through your creative setup, your inspo board, or a chaotic pile of fabric that somehow became art.
Keep it conversational, not salesy, “This design came from a meltdown and three cups of tea.”
No-face option: Film your hands while narrating or adding captions.
Quick Tip: People remember your energy more than your lighting. Don’t wait to “look perfect.” Start now and adjust later.
Hard Mode: Weekly Series
Best for: Artists who love structure or already have content flow.
Pick one idea and build a repeatable format:
Get ready with me for my next market.
Join me as I design my spring drop.
What your favorite sticker says about you.
Watch me turn a sketch into a final print.
Behind the scenes of my 2026 calendar art.
Keep it to 6 episodes max per theme so both you and your audience don’t get bored. Each episode should teach, entertain, or validate your audience’s feelings. Then end it with a CTA to shop, join your newsletter, or follow for more.
Content Output Goals (Without Losing Your Sanity)
Ignore everyone yelling “post three times a day or fail.”
You’re not a soldier for the algorithm, you’re a tired human with Wi-Fi and anxiety.
Start small. If you’re posting nothing, start with two posts a week.
Once that feels natural, add a third, then a fourth.
When you’re ready to scale up, mix heavy-lift content (like your weekly series) with easy wins:
5-second POV text clips
Meme reposts (with credit if watermarked)
Quick flatlays or process loops
Reposts of your art and product photography
Your creativity should feed your business, not drain it. Consistency builds confidence, not perfection.
Build a Brand That Feels Human
Instagram isn’t your enemy. It’s just a mirror.
When you post from a place of clarity, knowing who you’re helping, what problem you’re solving, and what belief you’re challenging, your content becomes magnetic.
So next time your inner critic screams “I should be doing more,” remember:
You don’t need to post constantly. You need to post intentionally.
And if your brain’s already melting from all this info? Bookmark this article. Take a walk. Then come back when you’re ready to turn all this chaos into a real plan.
Because this is literally what I help artists do, one messy, meaningful post at a time.
Join my 6-Month Artist Reset Mentorship or book a 1:1 strategy session. We’ll make your marketing feel less like a meltdown and more like a money-making machine.
