Grow Your Fans First
The first step to successfully selling anything on Facebook is to grow the number of fans you have on your Facebook page. The more people who click “like” on your page, the better your results when you start converting fans into product sales.
Incorporate Facebook into Other Marketing Campaigns
Many business owners have been building mailing lists to send weekly or monthly newsletters to their subscribers. Don’t forget to add your Facebook fan page link, and ask that people “like” you on Facebook. Your current customers may not realize you are on Facebook, so this will help them find you on the social media giant and continue growing your Facebook fans. Add a link or widget to your Facebook page on your own website and your business cards, too.
“Talk” Up a Storm on Facebook
The only way you will get sales from Facebook is to start posting regularly. You should post daily information to your Facebook page, and be careful not to make them all self-promoting and marketing-like messages. Focus on local happenings, topics related to the industry you’re in, and ask questions of the fans to encourage interaction.
Remember Facebook is a Community
Conversations on Facebook should not be one-way. It’s a community of real people, so if people post questions or comments to your page – answer them. If you ask questions and people start answering, make sure you respond again just like you would in a conversation. Facebook allows you to put a personality to the business, and is one of the most effective ways of establishing your brand image. When your fans feel closer to your business entity, they are more likely to trust and buy your products.
Install a Facebook Store App
When you’re ready to sell specific products, install a Facebook store app to your Fan page. This allows you to sell specific products by displaying them on your fan page when people come to visit. If someone decides to buy something they see, they can click on the product and they’ll be taken directly to your shopping site to complete the purchase.
Create Facebook-Only Promotions
Post special offers and promotions for Facebook fans, like free shipping or discounted products for a limited time if they order through your Facebook page or use a Facebook-related promo code during checkout. Not only does this encourage sales from existing Facebook fans, but it also encourages other people to “like” your page and become a fan, too – which is essentially the same as “opting in” to your mailing list and special offers.
These tips for selling on Facebook help your fans feel appreciated, encourages trust and loyalty and will result in additional sales for your business. Not only will they buy more from you, but they’ll share offers you post to Facebook and want their friends to know about you, too, which helps spread the word for more sales!
Debbie Dragon is a freelance writer and business owner providing content for Vendio.com. Vendio offers e-commerce software solutions including free shopping cart software and tips for selling on Facebook.