Download the Transcript of this episode Below 👇

DM to Dollars: How to Pre-Sell Your Offer

Launching something new? Whether it’s a course, a membership, or a service, one of the most effective ways to make sure your audience is ready to say “yes” the moment you open the doors is through pre-selling your offer.

In today’s episode of The Dream Biz Podcast, I sat down with the incredible Angelica Pompy—a photographer, business coach, and marketing strategist—to talk about how you can pre-sell your offer and create a launch strategy that doesn’t leave you burned out or second-guessing yourself. Angelica shares how she uses social media (specifically Instagram Stories) and DMs to connect with her audience in a natural and authentic way.

Let’s dive into everything we talked about!

Meet Angelica

I first met Angelica at Laylee Emadi’s Creative Educator Conference, where she gave an amazing five-minute speech on networking. Her energy is unmatched, and she’s someone who truly walks the walk when it comes to building relationships and showing up authentically.

Angelica wears two main hats:

1. She’s a full-service boudoir and maternity photographer in Jacksonville, Florida.
2. She’s also a business coach and marketing strategist helping female entrepreneurs show up confidently, secure the bag (a.k.a. make money), and market their businesses effectively.

She’s passionate about creating community and helping women step into their power.

Why Pre-Selling Your Offer Can Change the Game

One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when launching is putting in all this work without first validating the offer. Pre-selling lets you gauge interest, connect with your audience, and ensure people are ready to say “yes” when the doors open.

Angelica shared her experience launching Business Church, a membership she created for female entrepreneurs. Instead of building a fancy landing page or waiting for a “perfect” launch, she got straight to the point:

1. She polled her audience using Instagram Stories.
2. She followed up with video messages and personal DMs to the people who showed interest.
3. She was honest and transparent about the offer, inviting people to become founding members.

The result? 80% of the people she messaged said yes.

Here’s what I love about Angelica’s approach: It’s simple, it’s personal, and it works.

How to Use Instagram Stories when Pre-Selling Your Offer

Angelica is a queen when it comes to Instagram Stories. She shared that Stories are one of her go-to tools for pre-selling and building excitement around a launch. Here’s how she does it:

• Start with market research. Use polls to ask your audience what they want. For example, “I’m thinking of creating this—what do you think?” or “Would you prefer A or B?”
• Follow up personally. If someone votes or engages with your content, reach out with a voice or video message to thank them and ask clarifying questions.
• Reward engagement. Angelica shared that she often gives “first dibs” to people who engage with her Stories. For example, after her audience voted on a session type, she messaged them first with booking details before sharing publicly.

This approach makes people feel seen and valued while also helping you understand what your audience actually wants.

What If You Don’t Have a Big Following?

I know what you’re thinking: “That’s great, but what if I don’t have a big following?” Angelica had some great advice for this too.

If you don’t have a large audience yet, it’s all about connecting one-on-one:

• Slide into the DMs and make that initial contact.
• Say something like: “Hey, I’m doing some market research, and I thought about your business as I was creating this offer. I’d love to ask you a couple of questions.”
• Use voice or video messages to make the interaction feel personal and authentic.

Not only does this help you collect valuable feedback, but it also starts building relationships with potential clients or customers.

Building Relationships Through DMs

Angelica is one of the few people I know who uses video messages consistently in the DMs—and let me tell you, it works. There’s something about hearing someone’s voice or seeing their face that makes the interaction feel so much more personal.

If you’re worried about feeling salesy, here’s Angelica’s advice:

• Focus on serving first. If someone shares a struggle, offer a suggestion or small piece of advice.
• Keep the conversation natural. Don’t jump straight to the pitch—just have a genuine dialogue.
• When you’re ready to extend an offer, position it as a personal invitation. For example, “I’d love to personally invite you to this thing I’m working on.”

This approach humanizes your brand and makes the conversation feel authentic, not pushy.

How to Prime Your Audience Before a Launch

One of the key takeaways from our conversation was the importance of priming your audience before you pitch.

Angelica shared that the best way to do this is by focusing on the transformation you’re offering. Ask yourself:

• What problem does my audience have?
• How can I solve it?
• What does life look like for them after they work with me or buy my product?

When you show up consistently and give value, people start to see you as the expert who can help them. By the time you’re ready to pitch, they’re already excited about what you have to offer.

Make It Easy for People to Say “Yes”

Angelica’s final tip was to make it easy for people to say yes. You don’t need a perfectly polished landing page or a complicated system. Just:

• Be clear about what you’re offering.
• Make it simple for people to pay you.
• Follow through on your promises.

Join Angelica’s Business Church

If you loved Angelica’s insights, you’ll want to check out her membership, Business Church. It’s a community for female entrepreneurs where you get access to:

• Live Q&A sessions to ask your burning business questions.
• Content co-working sessions to create and get feedback on your content.
• Monthly workshops hosted by Angelica or guest experts.

The best part? Angelica is offering listeners one free month of Business Church! Click here to learn more and join the community.

Final Thoughts

Pre-selling doesn’t have to feel scary or overwhelming. By using tools like Instagram Stories, DMs, and personal video messages, you can connect with your audience, validate your offer, and build excitement before you launch.

Angelica’s approach is proof that when you show up authentically, listen to your audience, and focus on serving first, selling becomes a natural extension of your relationship with your people.

Want more tips like this? Be sure to tune in to The Dream Biz Podcast for actionable advice, inspiring guests, and strategies to help you grow your dream business.

Connect with Angelica Pompy:

• Get a Free Month of Business Church
• Website: angelicapompy.com
• Instagram: @angelicapompy

Listen to More Episodes of The Dream Biz Podcast