Knowing how to harness the power of social media is imperative for any business owner seeking to expand their customer base – but in the B2B world getting it right can be a challenge – here are three ways you can use it to your advantage.
CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on Bulq
On a personal level, platforms like Facebook and Instagram are a great way to connect with friends, keep up with current events, and maybe even watch a cat video or two. However, social media can also be a powerful tool for your online reselling business.
Whether you’re an established reseller or new to the game, having a social media presence can directly impact your bottom line. Office and procurement managers are seeking out brands that boast a great customer experience, even before making a purchase. Social media provides an opportunity for you to make a genuine connection with this audience, which can be converted into loyal customers.
So, here are three easy ways resellers can use social media to drive business.
Establish your credibility
Building trust with customers can be challenging, so can distinguishing yourself from the competition and being a brand that is remembered. Establishing a social media presence removes this anonymity by putting a face to your name.
To start, be sure all the language, photos, and other designs match the rest of your brand. Name your page the same (or as similar as you can get) as your business’s name. For your avatar (profile picture) and cover photo, try resizing your logo and sharing a nice display of some of your products. Be sure to thoroughly fill out your “About” or “Bio” sections to include links to your store. Your social media presence is an extension of your business- don’t make customers work hard to figure out who you are and what you offer.
Accruing followers is also important for establishing credibility. First and foremost, develop a calendar of content to ensure you post consistent, high-quality content on your pages. Once you have a couple of good posts, begin following and sharing content from other like-minded, reputable businesses to boost your visibility. You can also try posting on reselling forums and Facebook Groups. Just keep in mind many of these groups don’t allow you to directly promote your business, so you’ll likely need to post from your personal profile.
Advertise what you have to offer
Social media is a great way to alert current and prospective customers of what you have to offer. This can include posting photos of newly available inventory, promoting sales, or sharing your most popular products.
To ensure your customers see these alerts, encourage them to follow you on social media to stay up to date on your latest inventory and promotions. If you have a buyer list, send out an email letting them know your business is on certain social channels. You can also add a “Follow Us on Social” section to future emails and store pages so customers know where to find you.
Connect with current and prospective customers
Social media provides an opportunity for customers to ask questions, share feedback, and get to know you as a business. Try to respond to their comments as promptly as possible while personalising your answers. If a customer remarks how much they enjoyed a certain product, thank them and tailor your response to their purchase.
Keep in mind, customers may also turn to social media to vent frustrations or dissatisfaction with their experience. While negative feedback can be frustrating—especially if you weren’t responsible for the issue— respond promptly and thoughtfully. A courteous response will both mitigate the concerns of the customer and show them that you’re a reputable business owner.
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