If you work with social media and attend client meetings, the top questions are likely “How quickly will we start selling?” “How do you plan to sell my product?” and so on. Today, we decided to answer the key questions on this topic.
What and on which social media platforms can you sell?
SMM, or social media marketing, is now on everyone’s radar. Everyone understands that promoting a company on social media is necessary. But how exactly should it be done? More precisely, how can you sell products on social media? Let’s try to answer the most common questions on this topic, starting with a brief look at the statistics.
Experts from GfK Ukraine analyzed what, where, and how often Ukrainians buy online. It turned out that last year, over 39% of online shoppers purchased goods and services through social media. For comparison, in 2013 this figure was 12%. The products Ukrainians most often buy online include clothing, accessories, gifts, footwear, cosmetics, and perfumes. It’s not difficult to draw conclusions and understand that, predominantly, the buyers on social media are women.
This information suggests that it is worth entering social networks and that they do generate sales. But how can this be done correctly?
What needs to be done to sell products through social media?
For your products to sell successfully through social media, several key conditions must be met:
➤ Your company’s audience must match the users of the chosen social network.
➤ The purchasing process must be as simple as possible: no unnecessary registrations, no delays in order processing, and no other obstacles for the customer.
➤ You have invested in the development of your community: regularly publishing useful content, building an active audience, and achieving a medium or high level of engagement.
➤ You have earned the trust of customers through quality work with feedback and reviews.
➤ You understand that online sales take time — usually at least 3 months to achieve stable results.
If you can confidently check off each of these points—congratulations! You are moving in the right direction.
Now we will share professional techniques that will help you sell your products effectively on social media.
1. Indicate the actual product price
There’s no need to create unnecessary barriers to purchase. Many are afraid of scaring off customers with a high price and prefer to reveal it only after the buyer shows interest. In reality, those for whom the price is unsuitable will leave anyway, and you will waste extra time. Clearly stating the cost saves time and effort and immediately filters out unsuitable customers.
2. Simplify the ordering process
For an online store, it’s important that the purchase process is as simple as possible. Avoid unnecessary website redirects, registrations, and other complicated steps. The ability to place an order directly under a post or via private messages increases the chances of a successful purchase and makes the process clear for the customer.
3. Update your assortment and offer choices
Customers like to choose, compare, and analyze products. This is especially true for women, who most often shop online. Provide the opportunity to browse albums, see current items, and select the desired product. Make sure that albums always reflect the up-to-date assortment—for example, create an “In Stock” section to prevent dissatisfaction due to unavailable items.
4. Leverage trends
Keep track of what people are talking about online, which topics and products are currently popular. Trendy products always attract more attention and sell faster than standard assortments. By adapting your product to current trends, you increase audience interest and stimulate purchases.
5. Constantly update community information
Regularly post news and updates to show customers that products are arriving and the community is active. This helps you stay visible to potential buyers. When a user has a need, your community will be the first one they think of.
6. Respond promptly to comments
Quick responses to user questions directly influence the likelihood of a purchase. The longer a customer waits for an answer, the higher the chance they will buy from a competitor.
7. Community management
Community management helps build trust and loyalty among your audience. Respond publicly to negative comments, don’t delete them, and acknowledge mistakes when necessary. Collect reviews from satisfied customers—they increase loyalty and can bring in new buyers. The key is that reviews should be genuine and authentic.
8. Promote through attractive offers and campaigns
If you use advertising, emphasize discounts, promotions, and special offers. This increases the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and stimulates more sales.
