When Likes Aren’t Enough: How to Tell If People Will Buy

Likes feel good.
Comments are flattering.
DMs saying “this is so helpful!” are encouraging.

But if you’ve ever had a post blow up — and still didn’t sell a thing — you’ve already learned this lesson:

Engagement isn’t the same as demand.

People “liking” your content doesn’t mean they’ll take out their wallet.
Sometimes they’re just clapping. Sometimes they’re just being kind.
Sometimes they’re not your customer — just your audience.

So how do you tell the difference?
How do you know if someone’s actually interested in buying… not just supporting you with a double tap?

Let’s walk through that.

1. Look for Action, Not Applause

It’s easy to think:

“This post got 50 likes — that means people want this, right?”

Maybe. But likes are low-effort.
People hit that heart button for a million reasons:

• It was pretty

• It was relatable

• They liked you, not the offer

• They were just being supportive

Buying is a different energy.

It involves risk, commitment, money, and intention.

The better question isn’t “Did they like it?”
It’s: “Did they do something?”

2. Signs People Might Actually Buy

They clicked your link
They saved the post or shared it with someone
They asked follow-up questions in the comments or DMs
They asked “When is this available?” or “How do I get this?”
They replied to your email — even just to say “I’m in” or “Tell me more”
They filled out your interest form
They joined your waitlist — even before you finished the offer

Each of these is micro-behavioral proof that the idea has legs.

Even if it’s only 2–3 people, that’s more valuable than 200 likes.

3. Try a Call-to-Action That Requires Tiny Effort

Before you build, post something like:

“Thinking of creating a mini course for [problem]. If you’d actually want access to that, reply with the word ‘interested’.”

Or:

“Working on a resource that helps [fix specific issue]. Not ready yet, but if you want early access, I’m making a list. DM me.”

This shifts the conversation from passive support to active interest.

You’re not asking them to buy — you’re asking them to raise their hand.
That’s the first real step toward validation.

4. Create a No-Frills Pre-Sell Page

Still unsure? Offer a beta or early-access version. Keep it simple:

• One-page description

• Limited seats

• Discounted price

• Delivered live or in-progress

Then post about it:

“I’m opening 5 early seats for this — before I finalize everything. You’ll get first access, and it helps me shape the content. Want in?”

If even 1 person buys — that’s clarity.

If no one buys, you haven’t wasted weeks building something nobody needed.
That’s also clarity.

5. Don’t Be Afraid of Small Signals

You don’t need hundreds of people to say yes.

You just need a few to show they’re willing to invest — with time, attention, or money.

Most offers start small.
5 buyers → becomes 15
15 buyers → becomes a launch
That’s how you grow with focus, not frustration.

Final Thought

Likes feel good. But they don’t pay the bills.

The next time a post does well, don’t just ride the dopamine hit.
Ask: Did this create interest I can follow up on? Or just attention I can’t use?

If you want to know if people will actually buy, look for movement — not just momentum.

Less noise. More signals. That’s how real businesses grow.