Social selling on Instagram can be a game-changer for finding new coaching leads, building relationships, and ultimately driving more sales.
You can’t just post random workout photos and expect clients to come flocking.
You need a framework for social selling that matches the strengths of Instagram as a platform.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about social selling on Instagram specifically for personal trainers. You’ll learn actionable tips for optimizing your profile, finding the right leads, sharing valuable content, and converting followers into paying clients. Let’s dive in.
What is Social Selling on Instagram?
Social selling on Instagram refers to using the platform to find, connect, and build relationships with leads and prospects in hopes of driving sales for your personal training services.
It’s not about spamming people with salesy DMs or posting constant promotional content.
Instead, it’s about providing value, building trust, and nurturing connections that can organically lead to new clients.
Why Instagram for Personal Trainers?
Instagram is a visual-first platform, making it the perfect canvas for personal trainers to showcase their work, share client transformations, and inspire others on their fitness journeys.
Here are a few reasons why Instagram should be a key component of your social selling strategy:
- Visual Storytelling: Instagram’s emphasis on visuals allows you to showcase your expertise through before-and-after photos, workout videos, and motivational content, helping potential clients envision their own transformations.
- Engagement and Community Building: Interactive features, such as Stories, Live videos, and direct messaging, let you engage with your audience, build a community, and grow meaningful connections.
- Credibility and Social Proof: Your clients are probably on Instagram already! By sharing client testimonials, success stories, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of your training sessions, you can establish credibility and provide social proof, which can significantly influence potential clients’ decision-making process.
How to (Socially) Sell on Instagram
To effectively use Instagram for social selling, you need a strategic framework. Focus on these three pillars to transform your Instagram into a lead-generating machine.
1) Optimize Your Profile
Your Instagram bio is your virtual business card, so make it count. Clearly state what you do, who you serve, and what sets you apart from the competition. Make sure to include a CTA (call-to-action) link that lets clients apply to work with you.
Your profile picture should be a high-quality, professional headshot that accurately represents you and your brand. Additionally, utilize Instagram’s Highlights feature to showcase your best content, client testimonials, and any special offers or promotions you may have.
Develop a cohesive visual style by using a consistent color palette, filters, and editing techniques across all your posts. This will help create a recognizable and memorable brand identity.
2) Engage Your Audience
Content is king on Instagram. But to effectively engage your audience and build relationships, your content must be valuable, informative, and relatable. Establishing a personable and authentic voice is essential.
We wrote an entire in-depth guide on social media writing and how to develop a unique style that your audience relates to, and buys from.
Like fitness, social media is about consistently putting in the work. Coming up with ideas for content can be hard, so here are some basic categories you can rotate through so you never run out.
- Educational Posts: Share fitness tips, workout routines, and nutritional advice to educate your audience. This positions you as an authority in your field and helps build trust with your followers.
- Inspirational Stories: Use your platform to share motivational quotes, success stories, and personal experiences that inspire and empower your followers. This creates a strong sense of community and encourages your audience to take action towards their fitness goals.
- Behind-the-Scenes Content: Give your followers a glimpse into your daily routine, workout sessions, or the process behind creating personalized fitness plans. This humanizes your brand and makes you more relatable.
- Interactive Content: Leverage Instagram’s interactive features like polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions to engage with your audience. This not only boosts engagement but also provides valuable insights into your followers’ preferences and challenges.
Remember too that social selling is all about building relationships.
3) Convert To Clients
Although building relationships is the starting point, you of course also want to make sales and grow your business.
Lead generation on Instagram is a critical skill to build. Go download our free guide on lead generation with Instagram to get all the proven strategies and detailed tips we’ve seen coaches excel with.
Our number 1 trick is to make it easy for potential clients to apply to work with you. If you use Superset, you can easily generate a link that directly lets clients apply to work with you.
When a potential client opens it, they get a lean and optimized web-page built to qualify if they are a good fit for your practice and move them forward in the purchasing process.
Respond to comments, answer DMs, and actively engage with your followers. Show genuine interest in their fitness journeys and offer support and encouragement. The more you interact, the stronger the connections you’ll forge.
Use that same link in your Instagram Stories and you are creating thousands of opportunities for new leads to flow in.
So much of the online fitness community has been built around Instagram. If you nail this framework for social selling, your business can get built on Instagram too!
