Recent statistics reveal that social media users reached 2.34 billion worldwide last year. Combine that with the fact that retail e-commerce sales are expected to nearly double between now and 2020, and it’s only natural that these two phenomena will eventually intersect. With the average user spending well over an hour every day on social media, it’s safe to say that there’s plenty of opportunity to market your brand on Facebook, Instagram, and elsewhere.
The average social media user has seven or more accounts, and each of these platforms offers unique ways to showcase your business. This means it’s never been easier (and simultaneously more complex) to grow your audience and turn them into real customers.
Social media can be overwhelming. What keywords and hashtags should you use? When is the best time to post? How should your LinkedIn message be different from Instagram? The good news is that there’s a formula for all of this. The bad news is that the formula is constantly changing.
How to sell on social media
Driving direct sales to your ecommerce site from your social media efforts is your ultimate goal. We get it. It’s entirely possible when you understand how to utilize your social media platforms . You need to identify your audience and create personalized content so that your marketing architects mailing list doesn’t feel like a sales pitch, but rather like a thoughtful observation. As your network grows, find innovative ways to connect them with your business. How-to videos, instructional infographics, or videos of your customers receiving and unboxing their items are just a few of the ways you can capture your audience with intriguing content . Be sure to link them back to your ecommerce site with the promise that there’s more where that came from.
Paid Social Advertising
Driving organic traffic to your company’s social media page is becoming more difficult with each new algorithm. Today, it’s important to segment your audience and drive them to your page. This is where having a paid social media strategy comes in handy. There are endless options when it comes to social media advertising . You can customize your ad by age, geography, and more. While it may seem as easy as filling out a few fields and entering your credit card information, there’s so much more to it than that. If you don’t know how to optimize your visibility, you could very well be wasting valuable time and money.
Private Messages
Easy online access to goods and services has created a demand for instant communication. Having a way for your customers to easily ask questions is important. Consequently, having a fast response time can mean the difference between making a sale or not. Facebook Messenger and similar services provide automated responses to private messages that create real-time customer service. Knowing how to maintain your brand tone and create a connection with your target audience is the best way to maximize these tools. A social media strategy includes identifying what is special about your brand and developing a message that transitions seamlessly across all platforms, including the private messaging area.
In-app purchases
For years, social media has been an undeniable brand builder. You could easily see what worked and what didn’t by how many likes, shares, or views a particular post generated. However, it was harder to see how much of that attention translated into direct sales. In-app shopping changed that with “buy now” buttons that elevate the user experience with a clear call to action. A large, clickable button encourages the user to buy from your store. This turns a social media visitor into an actual customer for your business.
What does it all mean?
Social media has become a positive force for the e-commerce world . When done correctly, it can be used to attract attention to your brand, form meaningful relationships with your target audience, and generate sales for your business, all in one place.
How can we help?
We make your business our business by understanding your unique goals and challenges. Then, we use what we learn to build your social media presence from that perspective. Our social media experts create, manage, and track your social media using the right formulas for each platform.
Still feeling stuck when it comes to social media and your ecommerce website – and all the elements that come with it? We’re here to help you design your logo, clarify your brand, and create the guidelines you’ll need. Contact us today to see how we can help.