What Is Social Selling And How To Do It Right (+Examples)

What Is Social Selling? 🤔

• It doesn’t promise quick fixes.
• It isn’t random social media posts.
• It’s not directly selling products alone.
• It’s not about the size of your following.
• It doesn’t work in isolation from other marketing strategies.

10 Simple Ways To Boost Your Sales With Social Selling 💰

1. Find & Work With Micro-Influencers In Your Field 🤠

• Start by searching for influencers who share content relevant to your industry and whose followers match your target demographic. Use Instagram’s search feature, influencer platforms, or even hashtags related to your industry to find the right matches.
• Look beyond the number of followers. Check their posts for engagement rates – likes, comments, and shares. This will tell you how interactive their audience is.
• Send a personal message explaining why you think a partnership would be beneficial for both sides. Be clear about what you admire in their work to show that your interest is genuine.
• Be specific about what you envision for the collaboration. This could be anything from sponsored posts, product reviews, or shared content. Make sure it’s mutually beneficial so that both parties are motivated.
• If they are interested, draft a clear agreement outlining each party’s responsibilities, deliverables, and compensation. This will help avoid misunderstandings later on (which hopefully there won’t be any!).

Example

2. Use Flick For Easy Social Selling Post Scheduling 😎

• Start by planning out your content calendar. Use Flick to organize and schedule posts for different social media platforms from one central dashboard. This helps maintain a consistent presence without the daily hassle.
• Flick has analytics features that let you track your post’s performance. Analyze what content performs best and use these valuable insights to optimize your posting schedule for maximum engagement.
• Flick’s “Best Time to Post” feature analyzes your historical engagement data to recommend the most effective times to schedule your posts. Using this feature can significantly increase the visibility and engagement of your content.
• Ensure you never miss posting at an optimal time by setting up reminders. Flick can notify you when it’s best to post based on your custom schedule and audience activity patterns.
• Batch-creating content and scheduling it in advance can save time and reduce stress. Flick’s automation tools allow you to set up weeks or even months of content at once, giving you more time to focus on other aspects of social selling.

3. Use Social Listening To Find Leads 🎧

• Select social listening tools that suit your needs, like Hootsuite, Sprout Social, or Mention. These tools can help you track conversations across various platforms without manually searching each one.
• Configure alerts for keywords related to your products, brand, and industry, as well as your competitors. This will help you stay on top of relevant discussions and quickly identify potential leads.
• Look at the context around your alerts. Are people asking for recommendations? Complaining about a product? Praising a service? Understanding the sentiment and context can guide your approach to engagement.
• Once you identify potential leads, engage with them directly but respectfully. Answer questions, provide additional information, and offer solutions to their problems. This will position your brand as helpful and attentive.
• Keep track of which types of interactions lead to the best engagement and refine your alerts and responses based on what works. Continually optimize your approach to improve the quality of leads you generate.

4. Connect with Customers Using AI Chatbots 🤖

• Select a chatbot platform that integrates smoothly with your social media channels. ManyChat, Chatfuel, or MobileMonkey offer powerful features tailored for social media interactions.
• Clearly define what you want your chatbot to achieve. Whether it’s answering FAQs, providing product recommendations, or gathering leads, your chatbot should have a clear function that enhances the customer experience.
• Design chatbot dialogues to be friendly and helpful. Use natural language that mirrors human conversation. This can make interactions feel more personal and less automated.
• Equip your chatbot with answers to frequently asked questions about your products or services. This enables it to handle common customer inquiries effectively and efficiently.
• Make sure there are protocols for escalating issues to human agents when the chatbot encounters questions or problems beyond its capabilities. This helps maintain a high level of customer service.

Example

5. Send Personal Videos To Build Stronger Bonds

• Look for moments where a personal touch would be most impactful, such as after a purchase, in response to a specific inquiry, or to thank a customer for their loyalty.
• Use tools like Loom or BombBomb to create and send videos easily. These platforms let you record yourself or your screen and send the videos directly via email or social media.
• Aim for videos that are 1-2 minutes long. Keep your message clear and concise to keep the viewer’s attention throughout the video.
• Mention your customer’s name and reference specific details about them. This personalization shows that you are paying attention to their needs and value their business.
• End your video with a clear and straightforward call to action. Whether it’s inviting them to reply, scheduling a meeting, or visiting a website, make sure they know what you would like them to do next.

Example

6. Host Live Demos To Showcase Products

• Before going live, plan what you want to showcase about your product. Prepare a list of features you want to highlight and anticipate questions that viewers might ask. This preparation helps you stay focused and engaging during the live session.
• Pick a social media platform that best aligns with your audience. For example, Instagram and Facebook Live are popular choices for their ease of use and built-in audience.
• Announce your live demo in advance on your social media channels and other marketing platforms. Use engaging posts, countdowns, and reminders to build anticipation and ensure a good turnout.
• During the live demo, encourage viewer interaction. Ask for questions and respond to them in real time. Interaction makes viewers feel valued and helps maintain their interest throughout the demo.
• After the live demo, follow up with participants. Send thank you messages, offer additional information, or provide exclusive discounts to attendees. Following up can convert interest into sales and build lasting customer relationships.

7. Encourage & Showcase User Testimonials

• Make it easy for customers to leave feedback across various platforms. Include links to review sites in follow-up emails, or directly invite reviews at the end of transactions.
• Consider offering a small incentive for customers who leave a review. This could be a discount, entry into a contest, or access to exclusive content. Make sure that incentives comply with any platform rules.
• Feature positive testimonials prominently on your social media channels, website, and marketing materials. Use visually appealing formats like graphics or video testimonials to draw attention.
• Engage with people who leave reviews, thanking them for positive feedback and addressing any concerns raised in less favorable reviews. This shows that you value customer input and are committed to improving their experience.
• Use features like Instagram Stories or Facebook Highlights to create a dedicated space for user testimonials. This makes them easily accessible to new followers and helps build trust.

Example

8. Keep Up With Social Commerce Trends To Improve Your Strategy

• Sign up for newsletters from leading digital marketing and social media news sources. This will help you stay informed about the latest developments in social commerce.
• Participate in industry webinars and conferences. These events are valuable for learning from experts and can provide insights into successful strategies and emerging tools.
• Keep an eye on influential figures in social commerce. Following these leaders on social media can provide you with regular updates and thought leadership on where the industry is headed.
• Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok frequently update with new features. Test these features as they roll out to see if they can enhance your social selling efforts.
• Watch what your competitors are doing in social commerce. Analyzing their tactics offers clues about what works and what doesn’t, helping you refine your strategy.
• Use analytics tools to monitor how effective your social selling strategies are. Insights gained will help you understand consumer behavior changes and adjust your tactics accordingly.

9. Showcase Exclusive Deals Through Engaging Content

• Use high-quality images, videos, and graphics to grab attention. Platforms like Instagram are visual-first, so your content needs to stand out.
• Whether it’s a discount, bundle, or access to limited-time services, make sure your deals feel exclusive to your social media followers to encourage a sense of community and loyalty.
• When you post these deals, be prepared to engage. Answer questions, thank commenters, and keep the conversation going to build relationships.
• Make your deals easy and enticing to share. You might even create a campaign asking followers to tag friends who would love the deal to broaden your reach.
• Keep track of which deals get the most attention and why. This will help you tailor future offers and content to your audience’s preferences.

Example

10. Highlight Achievements & Share Knowledge Through Social Content

• Share content that gives followers a glimpse into what goes into winning awards or creating podcast episodes. This openness can help you form a stronger bond with your audience.
• Create posts that educate your audience about your field. Share tips, industry news, and insights to encourage followers to see your social channels as a learning hub.
• Involve your team in your social media strategy. Having team members contribute to the podcast or celebrate awards on social media humanizes your brand and adds authenticity.

Example

Conclusion