How to ethically close sales in the DMs — without sounding like a scammer.

We’ve all gotten those DMs:

“Hey boss, I help entrepreneurs 10x their income. Wanna hop on a quick call?”
“I see you’re into business — I’ve got an opportunity you’ll love.”

🚨 Unsolicited. Unclear. Uninspired.
And worst of all? They never work.

But what if we flipped the script?

What if your DMs actually built trust, opened conversations, and led to real sales — without ever being pushy?

Let’s break down how to do DM sales the right way — especially if you’re a creator, affiliate marketer, or service provider.

Here’s what turns people off instantly:

◾ 🚫 Copy-paste scripts

◾ 🚫 No personalization

◾ 🚫 Pitching in the first message

◾ 🚫 No value, just vibes

◾ 🚫 Desperation disguised as “enthusiasm”

That’s spam. And your audience can smell it.

The good news? There’s a better way.

Let’s simplify it into a 3-phase framework:

◾ Show up with useful, clear content

◾ Optimize your bio: say who you help and how

◾ Make your posts and stories “invitation-based” (e.g., “DM me ‘EBOOK’ for the free guide”)

💡 You’re pulling people in — not pushing yourself into their inbox.

Don’t pitch right away. Just connect.

Start with:

◾ “Hey! Thanks for checking out my story/post. What caught your attention?”

◾ “I saw your comment about struggling with XYZ — wanna chat about that?”

◾ “I noticed you downloaded the freebie — curious how it’s going so far?”

This feels natural, not salesy.
Now you’re in a real conversation — not a cold pitch.

When they express a clear need or interest, and you genuinely have a solution, it’s time to invite.

💬 Try:

“Would it be helpful if I shared something I use that could solve that?”
“I’ve got a quick guide/course/tool that helped me with the same thing — want the link?”
“Want me to break down how this works for you?”

🎯 The goal is permission-based selling — not pushing a link and running.

Here’s how to write like a real human that still sells:

✅ Keep it short

DMs are not emails. Stick to 1–2 lines per message.

✅ Use their name (or context)

“Hey Leila, saw your post about burnout — I’ve been there.”

✅ Ask thoughtful questions

“What’s your biggest challenge with writing content right now?”

✅ Be generous with free value

“Here’s a free checklist I use — it might help you too.”

That builds so much goodwill — and makes the sale feel natural later.

Instead of saying:

“Wanna buy my thing?”

Try:

🟢 “Would it be helpful if I sent you a breakdown of how I do it?”
🟢 “If you want, I can send over a free resource to help you out.”
🟢 “No pressure — but I do have something that fits what you’re describing.”

These open the door — they don’t slam it.

Don’t go from “Hi” to “Here’s the link.”

That’s like walking up to a stranger and proposing marriage.
It’s not bold. It’s weird.

Instead, build context first.
The sale is the result of a good conversation — not the goal of the first message.

1. Warm Lead from Story/Freebie

“Hey! Saw you grabbed the free guide on X. Let me know if you have questions — happy to help!”

2. Someone Engaged with a Post

“Hi Sarah! Appreciate you commenting on my post about freelancing. What’s your experience with it so far?”

3. After You’ve Identified a Pain Point

“Sounds like you’re juggling a lot right now. Would it help if I shared a system that made this easier for me?”

4. Soft Offer

“Totally optional, but I’ve got something that might solve this for you. Want me to send the link?”

◾ Post a story with an invitation CTA (e.g., “DM me ‘CHECKLIST’”)

◾ DM 3 people who engaged with your content — just say thanks and start a convo

◾ Audit your past DMs — are they value-first or pitch-first?

Selling in the DMs isn’t about being slick.

It’s about:

◾ Listening well

◾ Serving first

◾ Offering when it fits

◾ Letting people say no without pressure

That’s how you turn messages into money — without turning people off.