10 Ways to turn posts into profit (because 1M on the 'gram but 0 in the bank is not the way to go)

We’ve all seen it happen: A brand racks up thousands of likes, comments, and shares—only to realise none of that engagement is translating into actual revenue.

Congrats! You’re internet famous… and broke. If your brand’s social media presence is giving main character energy but your sales numbers are giving side character struggle, it’s time to make a change. But HOW do you turn that digital buzz into real-world bucks?

1. Make engagement a two-way street

Social media is not a megaphone. It’s a conversation. So if you’re treating your audience like a passive audience instead of potential customers, you’re doing it wrong. Respond to DMs, reply to comments (not just with emojis—be human), and engage with their content too. The more personal you get, the more likely they’ll trust you enough to buy from you.

2. Don’t just post—persuade

It’s cute to have an aesthetic feed, but if your captions are just “New drop 💨” or “Link in bio,” you’re leaving money on the table. What problem does your product solve? What’s in it for them? Think about it: people don’t buy a $50 water bottle because they’re thirsty; they buy it because it promises better hydration, status, and a subconscious belief that they’ll finally get their life together.

3. Leverage UGC (because nobody trusts you)

You know who people do trust? Other customers. If you’re not using UGC, you’re missing out. Repost real reviews, customer testimonials, and unboxing videos. Bonus points if you make it easy for people to tag you in their posts by creating a catchy hashtag or incentivising shares with a giveaway.

4. Use CTAs that actually work

“Shop now” is basic. “Swipe up” is expected. If you want people to take action after seeing your ads, make it enticing. Try something like:

• “You deserve this. Click here.”

• “Join 10,000+ happy customers—get yours now.”

• “This will sell out. Don’t wait.” A good CTA adds urgency, social proof, or a sense of exclusivity.

5. Create FOMO

Speaking of exclusivity—scarcity sells. Whether it’s a limited-time offer, a waitlist-only drop, or a disappearing discount, make people feel like they need to act now. Nobody wants to be the person who missed out on the trend.

6. Sell in the DMs (without being a fkn creep)

Some of the highest conversions happen in DMs, but there’s a fine line between helpful and desperate. If someone comments, “I need this,” don’t just like their comment—slide into their DMs with a discount code. For the love of marketing, do not copy-paste a robotic sales pitch.

7. Make buying stupidly easy

Every extra step between “I want this” and “I bought this” loses customers. If your purchase process looks like a scavenger hunt, you’re doing it wrong. Have shoppable posts, easy checkout options, and clear links. If you can, integrate direct shopping on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

8. Retarget like a pro

Ever looked at a product online and then seen it follow you around the internet like a clingy ex? That’s retargeting, and it works. Use social media ads to remind people what they almost bought. Offer a small discount to push them over the edge.

9. Reward engagement with perks

People love feeling special. Reward your most engaged followers with exclusive discounts, first dibs on new drops, or loyalty perks. If they feel like insiders, they’ll act like insiders—aka, buy more and tell their friends.

10. Track what’s actually driving sales

All the engagement in the world means nothing if you don’t know where your sales are coming from. Use UTM links, track conversions through social media insights, and keep an eye on which content is actually moving the needle. That way, you can double down on what works and ditch what doesn’t.

The bottom line?

Social media clout is nice, but cashflow is better. If you want engagement to turn into sales, focus on persuasion, personalisation, and making it stupidly easy for people to buy. And if all else fails? At least make sure your memes are funny.

-Sophie, Writer