Content That Converts: What to Post & Why
- Andrea Ratzlaff
- Apr 8
- 5 min read
Let’s get real. You can post pretty pictures all day long, but if your content isn’t converting, what’s the point? If you’re ready to turn your Instagram into a sales machine, you need content that doesn’t just look good—it needs to move the needle.
So, what does that look like? It’s a mix of value, strategy, and personality. And it’s all about understanding what your audience needs, how they engage, and most importantly, what will make them want to buy. Let’s break it down into five types of content that will actually get your followers to swipe their credit cards.
Product Showcases – Make Them Irresistible Without the "Buy Now" Push
We’ve all seen it—those Instagram posts that scream “BUY NOW!” with a product photo and a sales pitch. But here’s the thing: that’s not the vibe. You can showcase your products in a way that sparks desire without being too in-your-face about it.
How do you do that? Easy: show off the lifestyle. Show your product in action. Make it about the experience, not just the product itself. Here’s how:
Create aspirational vibes: Show your product being used in real life—whether it's a customer using your product or you showing it in an everyday scenario. Let them feel what it would be like to have it in their lives.
Highlight the benefits: Don’t just show the features. What does your product solve? How does it make life easier, better, or more fun? Focus on outcomes.
Avoid the hard sell: Keep the tone subtle and focused on value. Say things like, “Imagine how easy your morning routine could be...” instead of “Buy it now!”
Pro Tip: Use lifestyle imagery and anticipation to drive desire. Think of how the brand “Apple” doesn’t just sell the product; they sell the lifestyle—the ease, the status, the feeling of owning it. Create that same vibe and people will start dreaming about owning it too. And when they dream, they’re more likely to buy.
User-Generated Content (UGC) – Social Proof is Your Best Friend
User-generated content is the secret sauce for building trust and credibility. People want to know that real customers like your products. And that’s where UGC comes in. It’s the best form of social proof, and it works like magic for converting followers into buyers.
Repost customer photos: When people tag your brand or share photos using your products, repost them! It shows potential customers that real people are loving what you sell.
Share customer testimonials: Screenshots, reviews, or even short video clips from happy customers give your brand instant credibility.
Incentivize UGC: Offer a little something in return, like a shout-out or discount, to encourage more of your customers to share. It’s a win-win.
Pro Tip: Feature UGC regularly—don’t just wait for customers to tag you. Actively ask for reviews and create a dedicated hashtag for your brand so you can easily find content. Make it clear that you love sharing customer stories and photos, and it will turn into an ongoing, free marketing campaign.
Behind-the-Scenes & Storytelling – Let Your Brand Feel Human
People don’t buy from faceless corporations—they buy from brands they can relate to. That’s where behind-the-scenes and storytelling content comes in. This type of content builds connection by giving your audience a glimpse into who you are, what you stand for, and what goes into creating your products.
Show your process: Whether it’s the making of your product or a peek into how you run your business, people love seeing what happens behind the scenes.
Share your story: Talk about why you started your business, what challenges you’ve overcome, and what you’re passionate about. People connect with real stories.
Humanize your brand: Show the people behind the product. Whether it’s you, your team, or the artisans making your products, put faces to the name and make your brand feel more approachable.
Pro Tip: Use storytelling to create an emotional connection. Don’t just talk about what you do—share why you do it. Why does your product exist? What problem does it solve in a way that’s personal to you? This goes beyond product benefits and shows your audience why they should root for you as a brand.
Educational & Value-Based Posts – Teach Them Something They Can’t Ignore
Content that adds value is content that gets shared and saved. When you teach your audience something useful, you establish your brand as an authority. You also build trust by helping them solve problems.
How-to guides and tutorials: These are perfect for showing your audience exactly how to use your products. Step-by-step instructions or video tutorials work wonders.
Problem-solving tips: Think about the problems your target audience faces and offer simple solutions that tie into your products.
Repurpose valuable content: Share expert insights, industry tips, or case studies. Make your content a resource your audience can come back to.
Pro Tip: Go deep. People love detailed, actionable content, especially when it comes to solving specific pain points. Don’t just skim the surface—offer in-depth advice, bonus tips, and downloadable resources. The more value you pack in, the more people will save and share your content.
Instagram Carousels & Reels – The Highest-Performing Content Formats Right Now
Carousels and Reels are where the magic is happening right now. These content formats are the highest performers for engagement and conversions. Why? Because they’re dynamic, engaging, and can tell a more complete story.
Instagram Carousels: These are perfect for breaking down complex ideas or showcasing a variety of products. Use them to tell a step-by-step story, show the transformation, or highlight multiple benefits.
Reels: They’re short, fun, and packed with potential for virality. Use Reels to showcase your products in action, give quick tips, or show behind-the-scenes content. The more creative and engaging, the better.
Call-to-actions: Both formats are prime real estate for strong CTAs. Whether it’s swiping to your website, DM’ing you for more info, or checking out a special offer, make sure the last slide or frame has a clear action for your audience.
Pro Tip: Create carousel stories to increase engagement. Instead of just one slide with a CTA, give followers a mini-story they can swipe through. Keep each slide punchy, and use your final one to make the offer irresistible. For Reels, think of attention-grabbing hooks in the first 3 seconds to get people to stop scrolling and engage.
The Power of Consistency
Here's a little nugget that’s often overlooked: Consistency is everything. You don’t have to post every single day, but you do need a consistent flow of valuable content that shows up regularly enough to stay top-of-mind with your audience. The more your followers see your content, the more likely they are to convert.
Create a content calendar: This helps you stay organized and ensures you’re balancing all the types of content—product showcases, UGC, educational posts, etc.
Post with purpose: It’s not about posting just for the sake of it. Make sure every post aligns with your brand’s goals, whether that’s educating, engaging, or driving sales.
MagnetPro Turns Content Into Customers
If you want to turn followers into customers, you need content that does something. No more random posts or “just to stay active” content. You need content that converts.
From product showcases to UGC, storytelling, educational posts, and high-performing formats like carousels and Reels, there’s no shortage of ways to engage your audience and drive sales. Get creative, stay consistent, and always keep your audience’s needs in mind.
And if you’re looking for a way to grow faster, with less guesswork, Magnet Pro has your back. With a proven strategy for driving engagement and boosting conversions, Magnet Pro will help get your brand in front of the right people—and turn those followers into loyal, paying customers.
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