Social selling is becoming a popular way to do business. After all, people spend countless hours on social media these days so it’s no wonder that businesses have started seeking them out in this way. Every brand wants to be the ONE that people choose, time and time again. However, it’s hard to keep up with the changing technology, changing audiences, and the changing demands of today’s online shoppers.
The first thing that you can do to help yourself is to get to know social selling and what it offers, as well as how you can embrace the power that it offers for your business.
What is Social Selling?
This practice involves using existing connections on social media to market to clients and establish a stronger rapport with the audience. It fights the complacency of standard lead generation.
In addition, it helps create a positive impression that can launch brands into the future on other channels, as well. After all, if you can make a good impression as a social seller, your entire brand will become accepted for what it offers.
Every single social selling strategy starts with a customer-centric mindset. If you aren’t committed to delivering what your customer needs, you’re never going to succeed with social selling. Great salespeople have empathy and an ego drive that allow them to balance the values of quality and providing a solution with the drive for success and to conquer the market. Social selling says:
“Hi Joe, fancy running into you here on Facebook. Hey, by the way, that rotary tool that you wanted is on sale this week, and social media buyers get a special gift, too.”
Now, you wouldn’t just send Joe a message like this. It’s about how you present the information. You offer an ad for the tool or feature a marketplace listing in line. Then, you add the promotional post regarding social media customers to entice him further. Finally, you put it all together by delivering it at the exact right time, and BAM, Joe is suddenly a paying customer when he couldn’t commit to buying from the website directly.
Tips for Social Selling Success
There are several sales tips and practices that people will be able to transfer from one industry or channel to another. However, some stand out because they are designed specifically for niche markets, such as in the case of social selling tips and best practices. There is a lot that you can do to succeed with this unique sales tool, but these tips will get you started on the right track.
Build a recognizable brand that connects with people
You have to be the brand that you’ve always been. However, you also have to make sure that it lives up to what others experience about you; as well as sends the right message. You are being evaluated by; your customers, clients, and even your peers.
Therefore, you need to make sure that your brand is on point and can deliver what people need.
Figure out where to find your audience
Some companies will have a stronger following on Facebook, while others will have one of the hottest Instagram feeds in town. Even within the realm of social media, there are dozens of locations and ways that you can market socially to your audience.
Use your personal account to research social selling
By using your personal account, you can research your audience and start social selling. This creates that personal connection instantly and then keeps it there, even when you upgrade to a business page of some kind.
Start with what’s easiest or most familiar
There is no point in going to the site where you struggle to even create a functional page and trying to sell. If you’re a Facebook whiz and it’s got a strong following, start your social selling there.
Create well-optimized profiles for your brand
Make sure that you create an image that is professional, but not overly formal or stuffy. You will want to make sure that you appear friendly and trusting in the social selling world.
Use all the free real estate you get with social media
From the bio to the tagline and even the hashtags, you need to take advantage of the space to promote your brand and improve your visibility so that your audience will be able to find you wherever they go.
Content Counts
The biggest thing that brands miss with social selling is the content—you can’t just sell “stuff” anymore. You have to sell yourself and that includes the information and knowledge that you have about your industry. Social selling allows you to provide helpful, educational material that can inform your audience and help them make smarter decisions. It can also give you the chance to become a “likable expert;” even more so if you post videos or share other media beyond text-only posts and shares.
If you are attempting social selling, you are going to need to revisit your goals and plans. Furthermore, stop focusing on the “selling” part of social selling. Instead, focus on the first part—creating that connection with people on a social, personal level. By doing so, you’ll be giving them the confidence that they are working with a brand that they trust.
Summary: Use Your Resources
Social selling is supposed to be easy. When you’re just starting, you might not be sure how to handle shipping and inventory management.
Fortunately, there are 3PL providers and other logistics solutions that can take care of it all; from keeping your inventory to picking, packing, and shipping every single order that you take. Moreover, this makes it even easier to; get involved in the social sales game, saves you the hassle of dealing with logistics, and can help you get ahead of the competition with ease. Make sure that you track your efforts; as well as follow-up on your campaigns to see which are most effective.
In the end, you’ll be on your way to social selling success in no time at all.