How to Use Instagram for Network Marketing

If you’re in the MLM or network marketing world, maybe you’ve tried to use Instagram to sell more of your products, but, if you’re like a lot of network marketers, you might not be seeing a return…

I get a lot of questions about how to use Instagram as a network marketer, so today I’m answering some of the most common questions I get, plus sharing three pillars to success to using Instagram for your network marketing business!

If you’ve ever struggled with knowing what to post on Instagram for your MLM business without feeling cringy or spammy, this is for you because I will share how you can use Instagram to grow your network marketing business.  

How to Use Instagram for Your Network Marketing Business

1. Create Relationships

Your network is your net worth, and this has never been truer than for MLMs.

Realize that as a network marketer, your job is to do just that – network and grow a community on Instagram. 

How do you do this? The key is to have conversations. 

Talking to your audience is critical to understanding what they need and how you can solve their problems. So set time aside in your schedule for when you are going to reply to Stories, comment on posts, or respond to Direct Messages. 

On that note… If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times: 

The money is made in the DMs! Especially with the rise of automated messages. 

The great thing about these messages is that they can kick things off for you by delivering the link right when your future customer wants it. And then when you have availability, you can follow up with them and have an even deeper conversation. 

P.S. Want to get started with automated DMs right away? Check out my Message Magic DM templates that give you everything you need to plug in and start sending ASAP.

2. Nail Your Branding

I recommend to my students when you’re building an Instagram profile to build both a personal brand and a product-based brand, but you have to make it clear that the product is helping you live the lifestyle you’re showcasing through your personal brand.

One common question I get about this topic is this, “Elise, because I’m selling both the products and the business opportunity, do I have two target markets?”

My quick answer is no, because the business opportunity is really ideal for someone who’s already passionate about the product and lifestyle you’re selling. 

The second common question I get is about niching… 

Here’s the thing, you have to niche on Instagram if you want to stand out, ’cause the truth is, not everyone in the world is going to be interested in your business opportunity. 

Your best bet is to lead with niching in on the person who’s going to be interested in the product first and then expand to the opportunity. Ideally it’s the same audience.

If you want to see how all of this plays together, check out this million-dollar Instagram makeover video, where I talk about selecting your profile picture, adding to your highlights, and more branding best practices. 👇

3. Create Viral Content

Remember that regardless of what you’re selling, your content needs to be relevant to your viewer. 

Relevant, valuable content on Instagram needs to be inspirational, educational, or entertaining. 

Your brand as a network marketer is more about your lifestyle, so give a full 360° look at your life, not just the products you sell!

People will buy from those they know, like, and trust. So if your Instagram feed shows you living your best life and it’s relatable to your target follower, then it’s going to become a no-brainer for them to take the next step and try the product. 

If you can focus on the benefits of the products versus just the features of the products themselves, then it becomes much more easy and natural for your followers to send you messages like, OMG how did you do that? or, How did you get your skin so clear?

Network Marketing Instagram Content Ideas

“But Elise, what do I actually POST?!” 

I hear you, friend. 😉 

So I put together nine Reels that product-based businesses can use RIGHT AWAY to sell more on Instagram. Remember, products can be either digital or physical–so no matter what company you’re with, these will work for you. 

Prefer to watch? Check this out. 👆

#1. My Favorite 

The first reel idea is a way for you to show off your FAVORITE thing–whether that’s your favorite product that you recently made, your favorite combination of products you sell, or even your favorite piece of feedback from a customer.

(And hint – that fave thing of yours will quickly become your viewer’s fave thing too)

Believe it or not, in a sea of 1000 options, people are looking to be told what to buy. So make it easy for them– and highlight a great product you love

Here’s an example:

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Ginger Taylor (@thecupcakeexperience1)

Ways to make it YOURS: 

• My favorite solution for this problem 
• My favorite new product from our summer collection 
• My favorite testimonial from a customer 

#2. Not To Be Dramatic, But:

The second idea I’m calling “Not to be dramatic, but” and is a perfect (and funny) way to feature something that can be genuinely life-changing for your customer. It also gives you the chance to show your product in ACTION, which gives viewers a POV experience–as if they already own and use your product in their life.

Here’s an example:

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Christina Heinritz • Homesteading & Non-toxic Lifestyle (@thermaland.oaks)

Ways to make it YOURS:

• Not to be dramatic, but this product can totally transform your meal-prepping
• Not to be dramatic, but this dress could get dressed up or down for almost any occasion
• Not to be dramatic, but this tripod could totally revolutionize your content creation game

#3. How To:

The third reel is a classic “how to” tutorial. “How To” videos are great because they not only show your product being used, but they’re also SHARABLE and SAVABLE (two things that Instagram likes to see happen to your content). 

Plus, your video being shared means you get in front of NON followers, which is the key to growth these days.

Here’s an example:

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Lara W (@what_a_view_cottage)

Ways to make it YOURS:

• Show how to use one of your products
• Show how to pair a few of your products together
• Show how to gift one of your products

#4 If Your Goal Is To:

This idea tells your audience that you understand their long-term goal and gives you the chance to share exactly how your products help them with that goal. And you can make this video any time–it doesn’t have to only be in January!

Here’s an example:

Ways to make it YOURS: 

• Share one of your products your audience should use if they want to hit a goal
• Share one of your products your audience could use if they want to get rid of an annoying problem
• Share one of your products that you used to change your life for the better

#5 I Got You:

Your audience might feel like you’re in their head when you post this one — but it shows that you listen to your customers and have thought of all of the things that might hold them back from using your product

Here’s an example:

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by The Antlered Doe ™ (@theantlereddoe)

Ways to make it YOURS:

• Highlight one of your products and share a common complaint you hear from your customers 
• Highlight one of your products and share a common question that your audience has
• Highlight one of your products and share different ways your customer can use it

#6. What I _____ Today:

This is a fun idea that gives your audience the chance to see inside of YOUR day-to-day life (using your product or running your business). 

Bonus points if you can add some humor like this example:

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Utah Wedding Cake Artist (@cakesbycamryn)

Ways to make it YOURS:

• Share what you did as a product-based business owner on a certain day
• Share how you used one of your products in your day-to-day
• Share what you ate and somehow relate it back to your product!

#7. POV:

This is a trend that has not died in YEARS! The POV or point of view. 

Get up close and personal with this one — REALLY give your audience the chance to see what it’s like to see what your product is all about. 

Remember: you are sharing something from either your POV or your customers

Here’s an example:

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Leanne Barlow | Style Inspo (@leannebarlow)

Ways to make it YOURS:

• Share your customer’s POV when they’re using your products
• Share your POV when you’re creating your product – use this as a chance to highlight something that they might not know goes into the process!
• Share your POV of when/where/how you get your next product idea

#8. You Have 1 Minute:

Who doesn’t like a hypothetical forced deadline decision? 

This idea gives you the chance to feature several of your products at once AND boost your engagement by asking viewers to vote on their favorite in the comments.

Example:

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Bridalshop Romford (@bridalshopromford)

Pro tip: Use an automated DM messaging tool to follow up with commenters to really make the most out of this reel.

You know those posts that say “Comment CODE WORD and I’ll send you more information”? Well, you can easily create them yourself and I’ve got 13 ways to jumpstart your DM automations templates I’ve written out for you. 

If you’re not sure where to start, check out these templates, where I’ll give you everything you need to set up your core sequences!

Now here are a few ways you can make this idea YOURS:

• Share a few products and have your audience pick one in 30 seconds
• Share a few product options and have your viewers pick ONE to deal with a certain pain point
• Share different versions of a new product and have your audience pick their fave

#9. Essentials To Achieve/Do ________

Dive right into the heart of your customer’s desired result or pain point with this idea (you can even do that if you decide to show your essentials for creating the product). 

Here’s what I mean:

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Natural stone jewelry (@lindeza_jewelry)

Ways to make it YOURS:

• Share products that are essentials for your customer’s desired result
• Share products that are essential to stop your customer’s pain point
• Share things that are essentials for YOU while you create your products (ideally, it’s one of your products)

Want 100s of comments and a ravenous audience who’s eating up every product you put out there?

I’ve got you covered… 😉 That’s why I created the Message Magic Templates!

These DM automation flows include the setup and copy you’ll need to easily (and automatically) share your freebies, challenges, promotions, launches, sales, or capture emails from your followers.

Here’s exactly what you get inside: 

• 13 DM Message Magic Templates (Value $497)
• BONUS: Basics of Manychat (Value $197)
• BONUS: Copywriting Tricks (Value $197)

Total Value: $891