How To Use Social Media To Sell Your Products

Similar to traditional marketing tactics, selling your products on social media starts with targeting your audience and spreading the word. However, your sales efforts require a more casual approach than the direct methods that are conventionally practiced in the off-line world. Even though social networks are primarily used for information and entertainment, they also provide insights about your prospects' interests, needs, and concerns. This can then be used to gradually convert your social media followers into loyal and satisfied customers. Here are some more tips to follow.

Determine the best social venue

Each social network is predominantly composed of one type of audience. LinkedIn is ideal for building business-to-business (B2B) relationships while Instagram may appeal more to younger people interested in the latest trends such as lifestyle and fashion. Meanwhile, Twitter's broader audience often attracts early technology adapters who want to stay informed about their interests on the go. Establish a solid presence on the most appropriate social network based on your business's products, services, and objectives.

Deliver a great presentation

Speak the same lingo as your audience by presenting your information in fun and digestible ways to help maximize your reach. Rely on visuals, such as images and videos, along with concise headlines, to grab the attention of your followers immediately. For example, Instagram recently reported that the time users spent watching video increased by over 40 percent, suggesting a powerful trend that could lead to higher engagement and leads. Additionally, establish a likable persona that is consistent with your prospects' primary way of communicating, such as using mild humor in your posts and updates.

Build trust and authority

It is nearly impossible to sell your products on social media without building a mutual sense of trust with your followers. Connect with those who have expressed interest in your industry by searching for business-related phrases and buzzwords. Posting updates with relatable hashtags (where applicable) allows more people to see your posts and potentially establish a connection with your business. Engage with your audience by answering their questions and concerns, as well as sharing any thoughts that are relatable to your industry. Most importantly, remain consistent about your posting schedule to establish a friendly and familiar presence over time.

Avoid excessive pitches

Social media is primarily a place for people to observe, learn, and have fun. For this reason, you should typically promote your products by presenting them in fun, interesting, and creative ways. For example, try linking to an article on your company blog that has a highly engaging headline, then let readers know of a relatable product that aligns with their interests. Moreover, make sure that the majority of your social updates are not directly selling a product.

Provide exclusive benefits

Having an active, lively social network account allows you to create a tight-knit community, which opens the doors to certain consumer benefits. Post exclusive offers that are available only via social networks, provide a code that shoppers can use for a discount on online and in-store purchases, and periodically reveal coupon codes to your followers. Accompany these deals with a sense of urgency, granting them only for a limited amount of time.

Run an advertising campaign

Due to increased competition, running an advertising campaign may be ideal for reaching your target audience and establishing new leads. Set a monthly advertising budget around your target demographics, track your conversion rates, and tweak the campaign according to results. For instance, using the aforementioned discount tactics could potentially boost your following and help sell more products as a result.

Retain your audience

Establish other ways to reach your social media prospects to streamline communication and potential sales. Occasionally invite your followers to sign up for your company newsletter for periodic updates that resonate with their needs and interests. This is especially useful with existing customers, as they may be more inclined to buy additional products because they have already had a positive experience with your offers.

Social media can be a viable and cost-effective venue for selling your products. Start with these tips, and consider using Vionic, which grants The UPS Store customers up to 52 percent off on powerful marketing software for platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Grow Your Social Media Presence: 6 Unconventional, Powerful Resources

It is no secret that having a great social media following is becoming increasingly important for businesses in nearly every industry. And while you can certainly do well with a smaller, niche audience, you should always strive to attract more followers and subscribers. Here are some unconventional resources and tactics you can use to grow your social media presence.

1. Advertise through your apparel

According to a study by Funders and Founders, the average person meets approximately 80,000 people over the course of his or her life. Why not leverage your daily interactions by using your apparel to get your name out there? Print your social media handle on hats, shirts, or other appropriate merchandise as a way to advertise your brand when you are running errands or working out at the gym. In an effort to attract the ideal prospect, you can even add a succinct one-liner that describes your business.

2. Use your vehicle as a billboard

As a small business owner, you can use your car as a moving billboard that calls attention to your social media accounts and your company as a whole. When using this method, make sure that your text is large enough so that other drivers can read your advertisement with ease. As the average driver travels an estimated 13,476 miles per year (according to the Federal Highway Administration), advertising on your car allows you to reach prospects in your local market on a daily basis.

3. Leverage your competition

Your competitors can actually help your business flourish in unexpected ways. As a small business owner, it is valuable for you to interact with your rivals' existing followers by resharing a relevant comment or by engaging them in conversation. Additionally, spying on your competition can help you to improve your own social media strategy. Ask yourself: Is your competitor's following larger than yours? If so, why? Do your competitors receive greater attention by writing a certain type of content, using more multimedia or posting at a specific time of day? These are just some of the many questions that can ultimately help you determine how to grow your social media presence.

4. Use powerful aggregation tools

With the vast amount of social networks available today, keeping up with each platform can be difficult. Growing your social media presence requires consistency, and this is where mass social aggregators come in. Tools like Hootsuite and Sprout Social allow you to manage all your social media profiles from a single dashboard, and even schedule updates at timed intervals. Moreover, their detailed analytics reports give you the power to measure your social performance and make smarter marketing decisions as your audience grows.

5. Contribute to charitable organizations

Working with a charitable organization is one of the most meaningful and rewarding things you can do as a small business owner. As an added bonus, these partnerships are a great way to spread the word about your brand.

Perhaps your company could sponsor a local soup kitchen event or clothing drive. By doing so, you could truly make a difference in your community. Ask the organizations you work with to tag you in relevant social media posts to create community goodwill. At the same time, you could leverage any print or online materials regarding the event to expose potential customers to your company. For example, you could get your logo on the official event website to link to your social media profiles, which could help you connect to a new audience.

6. Take advantage of online venues

While exploring unconventional resources is always ideal, you should not neglect the many smaller, laser-targeted communities that flourish online. Dig deeper into social media by interacting in various niche corners, including Facebook and LinkedIn groups, as well as forums where your audience tends to spend time online. As more people join your social media community, you will have more opportunities to engage with potential customers regarding special deals and promotions.