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187 | How to Sell in Instagram Stories with Sara McDaniel

If you’re looking to boost your income using Instagram Stories, this episode is for you! Today’s episode is a returning favorite—Sara McDaniel from Simply Southern Cottage! Sara is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to Instagram Stories, and today, she’s giving us her best tips on how to use Stories effectively, grow your audience, and increase your income.

The Power of Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are one of the best ways to connect with your audience, build trust, and drive sales. But is there a secret formula for success? According to Sara, it comes down to showing up consistently, being real, and engaging with your followers.

She’s been using Instagram for over seven years, and her approach is simple yet effective. Let’s break it down.

How Sara Uses Instagram Stories to Grow Her Brand

Sara’s strategy is based on authenticity and consistency. Here’s how she structures her daily Stories:

  1. She Starts the Day with a Greeting:
    • Every morning, Sarah sets expectations for her audience by sharing what’s coming up that day.
    • This helps keep people engaged and eager to follow along.
  2. She Shares Real-Time, Everyday Moments:
    • Her content isn’t staged—it’s real-life storytelling that makes her audience feel like they’re right there with her.
    • Whether it’s pulling a shopping cart out of a creek or overseeing a new real estate project, Sarah takes followers behind the scenes.
  3. She Mixes in Affiliate and Promotional Content Organically:
    • About 20% of her content is focused on affiliate links, brand partnerships, or promotions.
    • She sprinkles in these offers between her everyday updates to keep the balance natural and engaging.
  4. She Uses a Simple Posting Schedule:
    • 7:30 AM – Posts a reel, carousel, or static post.
    • 9:00-10:00 AM – Starts Stories for the day.
    • Throughout the Day – Updates with real-time events, behind-the-scenes content, and occasional promotions.
    • 6:00 PM – Wraps up the day’s content.

How to Make Your Instagram Stories More Engaging

One of Sara’s top tips for boosting engagement is talking directly to your audience. Instead of saying “Hey guys!” or “Hey y’all,” she recommends speaking to one person and looking into the camera.

Here are a few more engagement hacks she swears by:

✅ Use the Poll and Question Stickers – These keep people interacting with your content.
✅ Encourage Direct Messages (DMs) – Instagram prioritizes Stories that spark DMs, so ask followers to reply instead of just using a question box.
✅ Turn on Story Notifications – Teach your audience how to get notified when you post so they never miss an update.

The Instagram Stories Selling Formula

Sara has been able to turn Instagram Stories into a profitable revenue stream by integrating affiliate links, brand deals, and strategic content placement.

How Much Can You Make Selling in Stories?

Affiliate income varies, but it can be a sustainable revenue stream when done consistently. Sara’s advice? Only promote products you genuinely love. Your audience trusts you, and that trust translates into conversions.

Is There a “Right” Way to Post Stories?

Some creators say that letting your Stories reset to zero views for 24 hours once a week can help increase overall engagement. Sara typically does this on Sundays to reset and recharge.

To restart her Story cycle, she begins with a text-heavy slide that asks followers to reply in her DMs. This signals Instagram that her Stories are engaging, which helps boost her reach.

Final Tips for Selling in Stories

  • Be consistent – Show up every day (or most days) to keep your audience engaged.
  • Batch content when possible – Pre-recording saves time and reduces stress.
  • Test different approaches – Try a mix of storytelling, product promotions, and engagement strategies to see what resonates best.
  • Don’t overthink it! – Stories are meant to be casual and fun. Treat them like a conversation with a friend.

Want to Learn Even More?

Sara is also the co-founder of Pink Creatives, a business retreat where she and Wendy from Chair Whimsy teach women how to scale their businesses. Registration opens April 1st for their next retreat in October.

Get on the waitlist HERE if you’re interested in joining them!

Take Action!

  1. Grab my Selling in Stories on Instagram Complete Guide – This all-in-one resource will help you make the most of Instagram Stories for sales and engagement.
  2. Follow Sara McDaniel on Instagram @SimplySouthernCottage to see her Story strategy in action.
  3. Turn on Story Notifications for your favorite creators so you never miss an update.

I’m sharing my Selling in Stories on Instagram Complete Guide—a step-by-step resource to help you master the technical side of Stories, optimize your highlights, and increase views and engagement. Plus, I’ve included a handy calendar template to simplify your selling strategy. Be sure to check it out below!

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

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