If you’re not selling on social media, you’re missing out. Sales on social can be an extremely effective means of boosting your overall business sales. The first step is to familiarize yourself with the sales funnel—a map that illustrates the progression of the customer’s journey. Here are the 5 stages of the sales funnel:
5 Stages of the Sales Funnel
1. Awareness
Here’s where you grab the attention of new potential customers. The goal is to be seen. So creating engaging content, posting consistently, running ads, and using relevant tags are helpful ways to increase visibility and brand awareness. Here’s How to Get on the Instagram Explore Page.
2. Interest
Now that people are aware of your brand, it’s your job to pique their interest with content that provides value (i.e. solutions to your customer’s ‘problems’). Create blog posts, videos, and free resources related to your products and services.
3. Consideration
Here, your audience is considering if your product or service is a good fit for them. Persuasion and encouragement are critical at this stage. Make use of testimonials, case studies, comparisons, and UGC (user-generated content) to nudge your audience to the next stage.
4. Conversion
Congrats! Your customer is ready to make a purchase! Make sure the purchase process is seamless and supportive with customer service and clear instructions. Up the ante (and urgency) with limited-time offers, discounts, and special deals. Here’s all about If Discounts and Free-Shipping Impact Sales.
5. Retention
Your work isn’t done. Getting a customer is great, but keeping them is where the money is at—literally. So, it’s important to keep your customers satisfied and coming back for more. Encourage them to provide feedback and keep them updated on new products and services. This stage is perhaps the most important in fostering brand loyalty and cultivating repeat customers.
The sales funnel doesn’t just ‘happen.’ You have to actively guide your potential customers through the process—providing value, support, and investment all along the way. And, although you’re now familiar with the sales funnel, we don’t recommend jumping right into selling on social media. Selling on social media is different from other modes of commerce (selling via your online website, third party site, or brick-and-mortar store). Here are 10 tips to maximize your sales on social:
10 Tips To Optimize Your Sales On Social
1. Get to know your audience
We’ve said it a million times. Get to really know your audience. The more you understand who they are and what they want, the better you can cater to them.
2. Post engaging content
#NoFluffAllowed Content should be valuable, informative, and entertaining. Incorporate a mix of photos, videos, carousels, infographics, and UGC to keep things interesting.
3. Post consistently
Stick to a regular posting schedule. We recommend utilizing a social media management app like Planoly to keep you organized and on track. Here’s How to Post Consistently on Social Media.
4. Utilize multiple platforms
Different social media platforms offer different features and are preferred by different audiences. Instead of limiting yourself to just one platform, explore how being active on 2 or more platforms can enhance your reach and impact. Here’s How to Know Which Platforms Your Brand Needs.
5. Work with others
Collaborate with influencers and brands that can expand your reach and provide credibility. UGC (user-generated content) is also an inexpensive yet effective means of marketing. Here’s all about Social Media Partnerships and Influencers.
6. Create value for your audience
Not all of your content needs to be a sales push, but it all needs to provide value. We recommend the standard breakdown of splitting up your content: 10% entertainment, 10% inspiration, 40% education, and 40% brand-specific content.
7. Engage with your audience
Social media is just that: social. Respond to comments, messages, and mentions promptly. Remember that engaging with your audience builds trust and loyalty.
8. Run promotions and contests
Create a sense of urgency by running exclusive promotions and contests only on your social media. Not only will this engage existing customers, but you’ll attract new ones as well.
9. Use targeted ads
Make use of the advertising tools available on nearly all social media platforms. Since you know your audience, you can target specific demographics, interests, and behaviors that match.
10. Analyze progress
Review your social media analytics to better understand what’s working and what could be improved upon. Here’s How to Make Sense of Social Media Analytics. Remember that all 10 steps are continuous—never stop learning, experimenting, and improving upon your marketing efforts.
Now you’re ready to sell on social. Either create a shop directly via a social media platform or link your content to your brand’s own website. Keep up-to-date on your analytics to see how engagement and sales are impacted by this change.
Need help launching your social media sales campaign? Look no further. Schedule a discovery call with Media À La Carte and we’ll work together to implement an effective commerce plan for you and your brand.
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