Okay so how to promote products as an influencer without looking like that guy at the flea market trying to sell you a “Rolex” for ten bucks. Im slouched on my saggy couch in my tiny Queens apartment, radiator hissing like its got beef with me, thinking back to my early influencer days. Yall I was hot garbage. I posted these cringey ads for protein shakes, sounding like I was reading a telemarketer script. My followers slid into my DMs like, “Girl, what’s this used-car salesman vibe?” It stung like stepping on a Lego but they was right. Promoting products without being pushy is like trying to pet a pissed-off cat—push too hard, you’re scratched.
Heres my messy no-BS take on how to promote products as an influencer without being that person, straight from my life in the US, where Im still figuring it out, spilling coffee on my jeans, praying I don’t tank.
Why Being Pushy Feels Like Selling Your Soul
Look nobody likes feeling like they’re getting scammed. I was at this bodega in Astoria yesterday tryna grab a coffee and the cashier was hyping some new energy drink like it was gonna make me a TikTok star. I was like “Bro chill I just want my latte.” Thats how your followers feel when you’re too pushy with product promos. It’s like “Who even are you right now?”
I learned this the hard way. I posted this super fake ad for a fitness app once and my engagement was deader than my phone battery after a night out. A 2023 Influencer Marketing Hub post says 61% of people vibe with influencers who keep it real over them who sound like a TV ad. I lost some followers after that flop, felt like I’d been ghosted by my bestie. So how do you promote products as an influencer without that slimy vibe? It’s about being you—messy human maybe a little stupid sometimes.
My Half-Assed Tricks for Non-Pushy Product Promo
Ive got a couple tricks I lean into now mostly from screwing up and overthinking while stress-eating bodega pretzels. Heres what’s kinda worked:
- Tell a story not an ad. I promoted a lip balm by ranting about how it saved my chapped lips during a freezing walk across the Williamsburg Bridge. I didn’t list ingredients or nothing just whined about the wind making my face feel like sandpaper. My followers was like “SAME” and it landed.
- Own the collab. Don’t be shady. I tried being vague about a sponsored post once and my comments turned into a total shitshow. Now Im like “Yo this brand sent me this thing heres my real thoughts.” Honesty’s key—Forbes backs me up.
- Actually use the damn product. I did a post about a meal kit showing my tiny kitchen looking like a crime scene dropping a carrot and cursing. It was chaos but people related to the struggle.
- Don’t act like it’s perfect. If the product’s okay but not life-changing say so. I promoted a water bottle but admitted it leaked if you shook it too hard. People still checked it cause I was straight-up.
My Cringiest Product Promo Fails (Dont Do This)
Oh lord I got stories. There was this one time I promoted a face mask—super hyped about the paycheck not gonna lie. I posted this over-edited selfie looking like a plastic Barbie and my followers was like “Did you CGI your whole face?” Yeah I overdid the filter. I hid in my apartment stress-eating Doritos too embarrassed to post for a week.
Another time I went way too hard on a blender. Like every post for days was about this damn blender. My engagement tanked felt like I’d let my people down. Pro tip don’t spam your followers with promos. Mix in some real stuff—like me ranting about the subway smell or my cat knocking over my coffee mug—to keep it human.
Promoting Products When You Feel Like a Total Fraud
Heres the tea I still get imposter syndrome bad. Like who am I to tell people what to buy? Im just some chick in Queens surrounded by empty LaCroix cans and a plant I named Steve that’s basically a stick now. But that self-doubt? It’s kinda your secret sauce. I posted about a notebook once admitting Im trash at journaling and mostly doodle cats in it. People loved it cause it was real AF.
When Im spiraling I do this:
- Write down why I like the product. Like I promoted a scarf cause it kept me warm when the L train was late and I was freezing my ass off.
- Share something dumb. I admitted I spilled coffee on that notebook day one and ruined it. People laughed started real convos.
- Ask your followers what’s up. I’ll throw up a poll like “Yall tried this? Or am I just obsessed?” It’s fun doesn’t feel like a sales pitch.
Tools That Keep Me From Totally Screwing Up
Im no tech wizard but some tools save my butt. Canva is my go-to for making graphics that don’t scream “BUY THIS.” I use Later to schedule posts so Im not flooding my feed with promos. Also analytics are clutch. Instagram Insights showed my stories about a reusable straw got way more love than a feed post so I leaned into that. Wild right?
Wrapping This Up Keep It Real Yo
So how to promote products as an influencer without being pushy is doable but it aint perfect. I still mess up—like when I rambled too much about a shampoo making my hair look like I stuck my finger in a socket. But being real telling stories owning your dumb moments? Thats the juice. Im sitting here smell of my neighbor’s takeout tacos creeping in reminding myself to stay human. You got this too.
