Chirpify Expands To Instagram For In-Stream Commerce

(UPDATED) Chirpify, which up until today was solely a Twitter-based
e-commerce platform, has now expanded to enable in-stream commerce on
Instagram. The service first built a name for itself by providing a simple way
to turn tweets into the sale of tracks, concert tickets and other goods that
can be delivered digitally. With this new expansion into Instagram, Chripify provides
music fans a new way to buy, donate and exchange funds with musicians without
ever leaving Instagram, turning comments into immediate in-stream transactions.

Selling and raising funds with Chirpify
on Instagram is just as easy as it is on their Twitter-based platform. Artists can create
a listing directly from within Instagram, and in order to sell in-app, all they
need to do is post a photo and set the initial comment to "#InstaSale
$amount”. From there, Chirpify automatically creates a listing that people can
transact with by commenting back.

Looking raise funds instead of sell? Fundraisers
can list requests for donations by setting the initial comment
to "#InstaFund $amount”. Chirpify will then post back a comment on
the photo that instructs followers how to purchase.

Consumers would need to connect their
Instagram and PayPal accounts, and once linked, comment on an Instagram post to
transact with “buy” or “donate.” Chirpify then sends a download or receipt via
email.

Chirpify charges 5 percent per transaction to a seller, fund raiser or peer to peer collector any time a person, organization or company gets paid. However, businesses and organizations can pre-negotiate a monthly fee to use Chirpify that includes some advanced features. 

“If people can't buy it in-stream, it's
not social commerce – it's advertising,” said Chirpify CEO Chris Teso. “We turn
attention re-routing advertising into high value in-stream transactions.”

Actress and singer Kat Graham, tattoo artist Kat Von D, hip hop artists
Meek Mill and Wale, and many others are said to be launching Chirpify social
commerce campaigns on both Intstagram and Twitter in the coming days.

Back in April, Chirpify raised $1.3 million in series A financing from Voyager
Capital, angel investor Geoff Entress, BuddyTV CEO Andy Liu, former Facebook
executive Rudy Gadre, HootSuite CEO Ryan Holmes, and TiE Oregon Angels.

With 40% of the world’s most popular brands now on Intagram, and considering
how ideal Chirpify’s service is for mobile users (being that full transactions
occur within one web page or app), the move to Instagram is a wise choice and
a natural evolutionary step for the Portland, Oregon-based company. 

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