How to Write Anti-Salesy, Solution-Focused Content That Will Actually Sell

Here I am, back once again, to tell you that posting about your offer doesn’t make you annoying. 

Say it with me: Selling 👏 is 👏 helping 👏

But that doesn’t mean you should be posting the exact same thing all the time. Some variety in your message can resonate with different people. 

And saying the same thing differently might be what makes them sign up/register/buy.

So if you need some variety in your sales messaging, use these value-based selling prompts as starting points.

1. “Here’s the problem you’re running into…” (Awareness Builder)

This is great for explaining the issue without pitching your offer. Right now, you might be spending your time sharing helpful tips or teaching your audience something new. 

And while that content might get likes, it doesn’t always translate into sales. 

When you build awareness of a potential problem your audience has, they’ll think hi yes, that’s exactly what I’ve been struggling with pls help and they’ll hire you because they recognize themselves in the problem you’re talking about.

Prompts:

• “If you’ve been trying to ___ but keep running into ___, here’s why it’s happening…”
• “Something I see a lot with people who want ___ is that they’re usually stuck because of ___.”
• “If ___ feels harder than it needs to right now, you’re not imagining it — here’s the real reason.”

2. “Here’s how to think about this differently…” (Reframe)

Your content doesn’t have to sell your offer to sell your offer. I know. Sounds backwards.

But think about the last time you hired someone you really trusted. You probably didn’t see one Instagram post, think “Welp, I’m sold!” and immediately hand over your credit card.

You probably saw them talk about a problem you were experiencing. You liked the way they approached it. Then you saw them explain something you hadn’t considered before. Eventually, you started thinking, “Okay, this person really gets it.”

That’s value-based selling, too.

The Reframe content strategy positions you as a guide, not a salesperson. You don’t need to constantly tell people what you do, how they can work with you, or why they should buy.

Sometimes, the best thing you can do is help someone understand their problem a little better.

When they trust your perspective, your offer starts to make sense.

Prompts:

• “Instead of focusing on ___, try paying attention to ___ — it changes everything.”
• “Most people approach ___ the hard way. The simpler way is to ___.”
• “You don’t need to ‘fix’ ___. You need a different system for ___. Here’s what I mean…”

3. “Here’s one small tweak that solves a big chunk of the problem…” (Quick Win)

Stop at the problem before you jump to your offer. You’re talking about the problem you solve, while giving your audience something to work with before asking them to buy anything.

Because who doesn’t love a quick win???

You can give someone a genuinely useful takeaway and remind them that you know how to solve it.

Prompts:

• “If you only change ONE thing today, make it ___. It removes ___ fast.”
• “Try this: ___. It’s simple, but it’s the #1 thing that helps my clients.”
• “Before you do anything else, make sure ___. It’s the difference between ___ and ___.”

4. “Here’s something people don’t realize about this problem…” (Myth Busting)

Your content can be sales-focused without being salesy.

Your content might:

• Help someone recognize a problem
• Challenge the way they’ve been approaching something
• Show them what’s possible when that problem is solved

And then it might eventually point them toward your offer.

You don’t have to hide your offer to avoid being salesy. Your audience is usually much more interested in their problem than your service.

So talk about their problem. Help them understand it. Give them a solution they can actually use.

You’ll still be selling, but it feels way more natural to both you and the person reading it.

Prompts:

• “Most people think ___ is the issue — but the real issue is ___.”
• “You’re not unmotivated; you’re missing ___.”
• “It’s not that you can’t ___. It’s that no one ever taught you how to ___.”

5. “Here’s what’s actually happening behind the scenes…” (Process Peek)

When I’m coming up with content for my business, I start with the problem.

• What are people struggling with right now?
• What questions are they asking?
• What are they getting wrong?
• What do they wish was easier?
• What do they need to understand before they’re ready to invest in my offer?

Those questions give you so much more to work with than just talking about the features included in your offer. You can explain your expertise without outright cold pitching. 

Prompts:

• “Here’s the exact step people skip when they try to ___, and why it matters…”
• “Behind the scenes, the real work is in ___. That’s what makes ___ possible.”
• “When I help someone with ___, we always start with ___ because it changes everything.”

6. “Here’s what life looks like on the other side…” (Vision Building)

Not selling, just painting the picture. You’re helping your audience actually see what it would be like to have this problem solved.

You don’t have to convince someone to hire you in every single post. You can use your content to build the kind of trust that makes the eventual sales conversation feel like the natural next step. 

Prompts:

• “Imagine handling ___ without having to ___.”
• “Picture this: you ___, and instead of feeling ___, you feel ___.”
• “What if ___ wasn’t stressful anymore? What if it was actually simple?”

7. “Here’s the mistake that keeps you stuck…” (Practical Insight)

Solution-focused content isn’t trying to prove how much you know. It’s trying to help your audience solve a problem by giving a tangible lesson. 

Now you’re using your expertise to make someone’s life a little easier.

And, conveniently, you’re demonstrating that you know what you’re talking about.

Prompts:

• “The biggest mistake I see with ___ is that people try to ___ instead of ___.”
• “If you’re feeling overwhelmed by ___, it’s probably because you’re doing ___ when you should be doing ___.”
• “Stop trying to ___ your way through this. Start by ___.”

8. “Here’s what I’d do if I were you…” (Helpful Mentor Energy)

Extremely non-salesy but makes you look like a genius. This is the one I love to use on Threads.

Your audience needs to understand why the problem matters, believe it’s solvable, and trust that you’re the best person to help them. 

Prompts:

• “If I were starting from scratch, I’d begin with ___.”
• “If I could recommend one thing to make this easier, it’s ___.”
• “If you’re trying to decide between ___ and ___, pick ___. Here’s why.”

9. “Here’s who this helps most…” (Clarity Without Sales)

Sales posts aren’t meant to convert everyone who reads it. You had a specific audience in mind when you created the offer, and that’s who you’re talking to.

These types of posts help people self-identify without pushing them to buy. 

You’re simply saying if this is you, I can help. And at the same time, you’re pushing people away who this offer ISN’T for, which is just as valuable. 

Prompts:

• “This helps people who want ___ but don’t know where to start.”
• “This is especially helpful if you’re someone who feels ___ or struggles with ___.”
• “If you’ve tried ___ and it hasn’t worked, this might be why.”

10. “Here’s a simple first step you can take today…” (Action Leadership)

This gives them a way to start solving the problem now. Because you care more about their success than another sale.

When you consistently help people solve problems, they start to associate you with solutions.

And that’s a much more powerful sales strategy than telling people to buy.

Prompts:

• “Today, try doing ___ instead — you’ll get clarity fast.”
• “If you want to get unstuck this week, start by ___. It’ll point you toward the real solution.”
• “One tiny action to try today: ___. It builds momentum for ___.”

And here are even more ways to talk about your offer!

You’re Not Annoying, I Promise!

But I bet you’ve felt that way a time or two, especially when it comes to marketing your business online!

Value-based selling doesn’t have to be uncomfortable, though. 

There IS a world where you can post your sales content AND feel good about it. “Cringe” and “annoying” aren’t the only options.

And if you still don’t believe me, I have a whole-ass workshop and dashboard of resources to help you overcome that “I’m annoying” feeling. 

In addition to the 90-minute workshop, you get extra support! 

Not only am I teaching you allll the neuroscience nerd things you need to know about how to switch your perspective, but I’m also helping you APPLY this knowledge and make selling easier!

I have a whole ass in-depth advice column for you, PLUS tons of reframes and sales exercises and supporting resources about the subject! 

Take the You’re Not Annoying Workshop, and you’ll legit neverrrrr feel annoying while selling EVER again.