How to Get Orders from Instagram as a Small Business Owner: A Complete Guide for Handmade Product Sellers

Step 4: Master the DM Sales Process

Many handmade sellers in India get 70-80% of their sales through DMs. Here's how:

Encourage DMs:

• "DM me 'CANDLE' for our current scent list"
• "Want a custom order? Send us a message!"
• "Questions? My DMs are open!"
• "WhatsApp for instant response: [your number]"

The DM Sales Script:

When someone inquires:

"Hi [name]! Thanks for reaching out! 😊 I'd love to help you find the perfect candle. Are you looking for: - A gift for someone special? - Something for yourself? - Bulk order for festivals/events?  Also, do you have any scent preferences? We have Indian-inspired scents like Mogra, Rose, Sandalwood, and international favorites too!"

Then:

• Answer questions promptly and warmly
• Share photos/videos of the specific product
• Offer personalization if available
• Make the buying process CRYSTAL clear:
  • "Total is ₹599 + ₹50 shipping to [city]"
  • "I accept GPay/PhonePe/Paytm"
  • "Or I can send you a payment link"
  • "COD available for orders above ₹500"
• Follow up if they don't respond: "Just checking in! Let me know if you have any questions 💕"

Pro Tip: Many Indian customers prefer WhatsApp. Add your WhatsApp number to your bio and use WhatsApp Business for better organization.

Step 5: Create Urgency Without Being Pushy

Ethical Urgency Tactics:

• "Only 3 left in this scent."
• "Last chance to order for Diwali gifting (deadline: Oct 20)"
• "Limited batch, once they're gone, they're gone."
• Flash sales: "Weekend special: ₹100 off on orders above ₹500"
• Festival exclusives: "Diwali collection available Oct-Nov only"
• "Rakhi special: Order by [date] for guaranteed delivery"

Example Post: "PSA: Only 5 Mogra candles left 🌸 Once our small batch sells out, this scent won't be back until next month. Link in bio to grab yours!"

Step 6: Leverage Stories for Daily Sales

Stories are your secret weapon because they're seen by your warmest audience.

Daily Story Strategy:

• Morning: Behind-the-scenes of your process
• Midday: Product showcase with poll or quiz
• Afternoon: Customer testimonial or review screenshot
• Evening: "Shop now" story with swipe-up or link sticker

Story-Specific Tactics:

• Use countdown stickers for launches (especially before festivals)
• Use poll stickers: "Should I restock this scent? 👍 Haan 👎 Nahi"
• Share customer unboxing videos
• Show "Sold out!" notifications (creates FOMO)
• Do "This or That" polls with your products
• Behind-the-scenes of packing orders

Step 7: Run Strategic Giveaways

Giveaways build your audience AND drive sales when done right.

The Sales-Driving Giveaway Format:

"Enter to win a ₹1000 gift hamper! 🎁

To enter:

1. Follow @yourshop
2. Like this post
3. Tag 2 friends who love candles
4. Bonus entry: Share this to your story

Winner announced Friday! Everyone who enters gets 15% off with code GIVEAWAY15"

Why this works:

• Gets you followers
• Introduces your brand to new people
• The discount code converts people who didn't win
• Creates buzz and engagement

Festival Timing: Run giveaways 2-3 weeks before Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, Valentine's Day for maximum impact.

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Part 2: Getting Bulk & Wholesale Orders

Getting bulk orders from boutiques, gift shops, corporates, hotels, and event planners is a game-changer for handmade businesses in India. Here's how:

Step 8: Position Yourself for Wholesale

Create Wholesale-Focused Content:

Even if you're selling to individuals, also create content that appeals to businesses:

• "Our candles in [local boutique name]"
• "Custom corporate Diwali gifts—minimum order 25 units"
• "Premium candles for hotels & spas"
• "Perfect for: Corporate gifting • Wedding favors • Festival hampers • Hotel amenities"

Wholesale Highlight on Profile: Create a Story Highlight called "WHOLESALE" or "BULK ORDERS" with:

• Your wholesale pricing/MOQ (minimum order quantity)
• Photos of your products in retail settings or corporate gifts
• Testimonials from wholesale clients
• "DM for bulk inquiry" CTA
• Pricing for different quantities (25, 50, 100 pieces)

Step 9: Reach Out to Local Boutiques & Businesses

Don't wait for them to find you—be proactive.

Finding Prospects:

1. Search Instagram for local boutiques, gift shops, home decor stores in your city
2. Look for concept stores and sustainable/eco-friendly shops
3. Check Zomato/Google for spas, salons, boutique hotels
4. Look for businesses that align with your brand values

The Cold DM Approach:

"Hi [Shop Name]! I'm [Your Name], and I create handmade soy candles here in [city]. I've been following your store and absolutely love your collection—especially [specific product/post you liked]. I think my candles would be a beautiful fit for your customers who appreciate natural, handmade products.

Would you be open to a quick conversation about stocking my candles? I'd love to send you some samples. Here's my Instagram: @yourhandle Price list: [attach or send separately] Thanks for your time! 🌿 [Your name]"

Success Story Example: "I reached out to 15 boutiques in Bangalore via DM. 4 responded, 2 wanted samples, and both placed initial orders of 30-50 units each. That single effort generated ₹18,000 in revenue."

Step 10: Target Corporate Clients

Corporate gifting is HUGE in India—especially during Diwali, New Year, and for employee appreciation.

Corporate-Friendly Content:

• "Looking for unique Diwali corporate gifts?"
• "Custom branded candles for your company"
• "Minimum order: 25 units • Turnaround: 2 weeks"
• "Perfect for: Client gifts • Employee appreciation • Conference giveaways"
• Photos with custom labels/branded packaging

Best Timing for Corporate Sales:

• September-October: Diwali corporate gifting (biggest season!)
• December: New Year gifts
• February-March: Year-end appreciation
• August: Independence Day corporate events

How to Find Corporate Clients:

• Search hashtags: #corporategifts #corporategiftingindia #diwalihampers
• Connect with event planners in your city
• Join Facebook groups for entrepreneurs and business networks
• Network on LinkedIn
• Reach out to HR managers, Admin heads

Corporate DM Template:

"Hi [Name], I noticed you handle corporate gifting at [Company]. I specialize in handmade soy candles that make memorable corporate Diwali gifts. We can customize labels with your company logo, create custom scents, and handle bulk orders from 25-500+ units.

Our candles are:

✅ 100% natural & eco-friendly

✅ Premium quality

✅ Custom branding available

✅ On-time delivery guaranteed Would you be interested in discussing options for your Diwali hampers? I'd be happy to send a sample. Best, [Your Name] [WhatsApp/Contact]"

Pricing Strategy for Corporate:

• Offer tiered pricing: 25-50 units, 51-100 units, 100+ units
• Include GST clearly
• Offer combo deals (candle + matches + gift box)
• Sample: ₹400/piece for 25 units, ₹350/piece for 100+ units

Step 11: Weddings & Events

Indian weddings and events are MASSIVE opportunities for bulk orders.

Wedding-Focused Strategy:

Content to Post:

• "Wedding favor candles for your special day"
• "Minimum order: 50 | Turnaround: 3-4 weeks"
• "Personalized with names and wedding date"
• Photos of candles at real weddings (with permission)
• "Perfect for: Mehendi favors • Sangeet gifts • Return gifts"

Finding Engaged Couples:

• Follow and engage with local wedding planners
• Use hashtags: #delhiwedding #mumbaibride #bangalorewedding #indianwedding
• Connect with venues, decorators, photographers
• Join wedding planning Facebook groups
• Partner with wedding vendors

Wedding Package Ideas:

• Mehendi favor sets (small candles with custom labels)
• Couple candle set (bride + groom scents)
• Bridesmaid/groomsmen gift boxes
• Guest return gifts

Pricing Example:

• 50 units: ₹250/piece
• 100 units: ₹220/piece
• 150+ units: ₹200/piece
• Add ₹30-50 for custom labeling

Key Dates: Target engagement season (Nov-Feb) and wedding season (Oct-Mar).

Step 12: Festival Hampers & Gift Sets

India runs on festivals—tap into this!

Festival Opportunities:

• Diwali (October/November): Biggest gifting season
• Raksha Bandhan (August): Sister gifts, hampers
• Valentine's Day (February): Couple candle sets
• Mother's Day (May): Gift sets
• Christmas (December): Festive candles
• Holi (March): Spring scent collections

Create Festival Hampers:

• Diwali: Candle + diya + sweets box packaging
• Rakhi: Candle + small gift + card
• Valentine's: Couple candle set with rose scent
• Christmas: Winter spice candle collection

Market Early: Start posting festival content 4-6 weeks before the festival.

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Part 3: Converting Followers into Customers

Step 13: Consistent Posting Schedule

Recommended Schedule:

• Feed posts: 4-5 times per week
• Reels: 3-4 times per week (Reels get amazing reach in India!)
• Stories: Daily (minimum 5-10 slides)

Best Times to Post (Indian audience):

• Morning: 8-10 AM (people checking phones during commute)
• Lunch: 1-2 PM
• Evening: 7-9 PM (highest engagement!)
• Weekend: 11 AM - 1 PM

Why consistency matters: Instagram's algorithm favors active accounts. Plus, people need to see your product 7-10 times before buying.

Step 14: Engage Authentically

Engagement = sales. Spend 30 minutes daily:

• Responding to every DM and comment (in Hindi/English as needed)
• Commenting on followers' posts (genuine, thoughtful comments)
• Engaging with potential wholesale clients' content
• Answering questions in Stories
• Replying to comments in Hindi if that's comfortable for your audience

Example: If someone comments "This looks beautiful!", respond with: "Thank you so much! ☺️ This is actually our bestseller—customers love it for their evening relaxation. DM me if you'd like to order one! Free delivery in [your city]"

Step 15: Use Testimonials & Social Proof

Nothing sells like happy customers in India.

How to Showcase Reviews:

• Screenshot 5-star reviews and Google reviews
• Create a "REVIEWS" highlight
• Share customer photos and unboxing videos
• Post video testimonials (even short WhatsApp videos work!)
• Display review counts: "500+ happy customers ⭐"

Request Reviews: Include a card in your packaging: "Loved your candle? Share a photo and tag us @yourshop for a chance to be featured! Leave a Google review and get ₹50 off your next order"

Use Hindi/Regional Languages: If your audience is comfortable, mix Hindi/English in your captions for better relatability.

Step 16: Offer First-Time Buyer Incentives

Make that first purchase irresistible:

• "First order? Use code FIRST10 for ₹100 off"
• Free shipping for orders above ₹500
• Free tea light with first purchase
• COD available for first-time buyers (builds trust)
• Gift with purchase during festive seasons

Step 17: Payment & Delivery Options

Make Payment Easy:

• Accept UPI (GPay, PhonePe, Paytm) - mention this clearly
• WhatsApp payment links
• COD for orders above certain amount
• Instamojo/Razorpay payment links
• Bank transfer for bulk orders

Delivery Information:

• Be transparent about shipping time: "Dispatch in 2-3 days"
• Mention delivery areas: "Free delivery in Bangalore, ships all India"
• Use Delhivery, Shiprocket, or India Post
• Offer local pickup if possible
• Festival rush: "Order by [date] for Diwali delivery"

Step 18: Retarget Engaged Followers

If someone engages but doesn't buy:

• Send them a Story DM: "Hey! I noticed you liked our Mogra candle post. Any questions? Would love to help you choose! Free delivery in Delhi 💕"
• Create a "VIP Customers" close friends list for exclusive deals
• Post "Last chance" reminders for limited products
• Follow up: "Still thinking about it? Here's ₹50 off to help you decide 😊"

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Part 4: Advanced Strategies

Step 19: Collaborate with Micro-Influencers

You don't need celebrities. Micro-influencers (5K-50K followers) are more effective and affordable for small businesses in India.

How to Find Them:

• Search local hashtags (#delhiblogger #mumbaifashion #bangalorefoodie)
• Look for lifestyle, home decor, sustainable living influencers
• Check who's already engaging with your content
• Join influencer collaboration groups on Facebook

Collaboration Offer: "Hi [Name]! I love your content about [sustainable living/home decor/lifestyle]. I'd love to send you some of our handmade candles to try. If you love them, I'd be honored if you shared them with your audience. No pressure—just excited to connect! Would you be interested?"

Barter vs Paid:

• Start with product gifting (barter)
• For bigger influencers, offer ₹500-2000 per post depending on followers
• Track which influencers actually drive sales (ask for discount codes)

Step 20: Leverage WhatsApp Business

WhatsApp is essential for Indian businesses.

Set Up WhatsApp Business:

• Create catalog with your products and prices
• Set up automated greeting messages
• Use quick replies for FAQs
• Share payment links directly
• Create broadcast lists for regular customers

WhatsApp Strategy:

• "DM for instant response or WhatsApp: [number]"
• Send product catalogs via WhatsApp
• Share tracking updates
• Festival offers via WhatsApp broadcast
• Create WhatsApp groups for VIP customers

Step 21: Use Indian Festivals Strategically

Festival Content Calendar:

Diwali (Oct/Nov):

• Start posting in September
• Gift hamper ideas
• Corporate gifting packages
• "Order by [date]" reminders
• Limited edition festive scents

Raksha Bandhan (August):

• Sister gift ideas
• Combo offers with rakhi
• Hamper sets

Valentine's Day (Feb):

• Couple candle sets
• Romantic scents
• Gift for partner ideas

Holi (March):

• Spring collection
• Bright, fresh scents

Mother's Day (May):

• Gift sets for moms
• Spa-like scents

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Tracking What Works

Key Metrics to Watch:

• Link clicks from bio
• DM inquiries per week
• Conversion rate (inquiries → sales)
• Average order value
• Which content gets most engagement
• Which products sell best via Instagram
• Festival season sales vs regular months

Monthly Review:

• What content drove the most sales?
• Which posts got the most engagement?
• How many wholesale inquiries did you get?
• What can you double down on next month?
• Which festivals/seasons worked best?

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Only posting product photos with prices → People need to connect with your brand story

❌ Inconsistent posting → Algorithm punishes inactivity

❌ Not responding to DMs quickly → Indian customers expect fast responses

❌ Making your buying process complicated → Every extra step loses customers

❌ Not offering COD → Many Indian customers still prefer COD for first purchase

❌ Ignoring festivals → Festivals are when Indians shop the most!

❌ Not offering UPI → UPI is the most popular payment method in India

❌ Ignoring WhatsApp → Most Indian customers prefer WhatsApp over Instagram DMs

❌ Missing Diwali season → Can make or break your yearly revenue

❌ Not asking for the sale → Don't assume people will figure it out

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Real Success Timeline

Month 1-2: Build foundation (optimize profile, create content strategy, post consistently)

Month 3-4: Start seeing regular DM inquiries and small orders (₹10-15K/month)

Month 5-6: Land your first wholesale client or bulk order

Month 6-12: Build predictable monthly revenue, expand based on what sells

Real Example from My Journey: "I started implementing these strategies in January. By March, I was getting 8-10 DM orders per week. During Diwali season (Oct-Nov), I made ₹1.2 lakhs just from corporate orders! Instagram went from a hobby to my primary sales channel, and now I'm consistently making ₹40-50K per month, with spikes during festival seasons."

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Want Personalized Help for YOUR Candle Business?

Every handmade business is unique. Your city, your pricing, your target audience—everything matters. What works in Mumbai might need tweaking for Delhi or Bangalore.

Book a 1:1 Consultation With Me: CLICK HERE!

I offer personalized Instagram strategy sessions specifically for handmade candle makers and small business owners in India. In our session, we'll:

✅ Audit your current Instagram profile and content

• What's working, what's not, and why

✅ Create a customized content strategy

• Exactly what to post, when, and how to make it convert for Indian audience

✅ Develop your sales funnel

• From follower to customer to repeat buyer

✅ Build your wholesale & corporate outreach plan

• Scripts, target lists, and follow-up strategies for Indian market
• How to tap into Diwali corporate gifting season

✅ Optimize your DM and WhatsApp sales process

• Templates in Hindi/English that match your voice
• Payment and delivery strategy for India

✅ Festival marketing calendar

• When to post what for maximum sales during Indian festivals

✅ Pricing strategy for Indian market

• Retail, wholesale, and corporate pricing guidance

What You'll Get:

• 60-90 minute personalized video/phone call
• Custom strategy document tailored to your city and audience
• DM templates and scripts (Hindi/English)
• Wholesale pitch templates for Indian market
• Festival marketing calendar
• 2 weeks of follow-up support via WhatsApp/email
• Recording of our session for reference

Who This Is For:

• Handmade candle makers in India who have Instagram but aren't getting consistent orders
• Makers ready to land wholesale and corporate accounts
• Business owners who want to leverage festival seasons better
• Sellers feeling overwhelmed and need a clear, India-specific roadmap
• Anyone wanting to turn Instagram into their primary sales channel

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Final Thoughts

Instagram isn't just for posting pretty pictures—it's one of the most powerful sales tools available to handmade business owners in India. With the right strategy, you can:

• Turn followers into loyal customers
• Land wholesale accounts that scale your business
• Make ₹1-2 lakhs during Diwali season alone
• Build a community that champions your brand
• Create consistent, predictable revenue

The key is consistency, authenticity, understanding the Indian market, and making it ridiculously easy for people to buy from you.

Start implementing one strategy at a time. Track what works. Double down on those tactics. And remember: every successful handmade brand started exactly where you are now.

Don't miss the upcoming festival season—start preparing now!

You've got this! 🕯️✨

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Questions? Drop them in the comments or DM me directly, I read and respond to everything! Let's grow together! 🇮🇳