When discussing social commerce sales, the United States is often cited as the laggard behind Asia. However, while social commerce sales in the US are presently just one-tenth of China’s market, they are gaining ground across the country. Within the next five years, the US is expected to see a major social commerce boom in revenue creation and consumer adoption.
Brands, retailers, and even grocers are sharpening their social media efforts and placing real content creation at the heart of everything they do to take advantage of this expanding market.
Today, several businesses are utilizing various tools such as live streaming and digital selling to generate social revenue. Here’s how you can follow in their footsteps.
Create a personalized digital service
Let’s face it, social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are the crème de la crème of digital customer service channels. The reason is simple: they are immediate, personal, and convenient.
People of all ages and backgrounds flock to their favorite apps to interact, learn from each other, and discuss common interests. This leaves a huge opportunity for businesses to get in on the action by offering a personalized service focused on the customer and growing the reputation of the company.
Whether live streaming Q&As with product experts, one-to-one chats with customer service reps, or even providing a digital concierge to help with product recommendations, there are many ways to create an engaging and valuable social customer service experience. And when you do, you’ll be able to build loyalty and brand equity at the same time.
Utilize UGC
User-generated content (UGC) is, without a doubt, one of the most powerful tools social media offers. People love seeing real people using and enjoying products, and they are more likely to make a purchase if they see that other people like them have had positive experiences. Research shows customers are 2.4 times more likely to believe UGC is more accurate than businesses that use brand-created content.
If you’re not already utilizing UGC, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to connect with your audience and boost sales! There are many ways to collect UGC, but some of the most popular methods include hosting social media contests, using hashtags, and featuring customer reviews and testimonials on your website.
Collaborate with the creator economy
The creator economy is a term that describes the growing trend of people making a living by producing content online. It includes everything from bloggers and Instagram influencers to YouTubers and Snapchatters. According to Forbes, the creator economy is expected to grow to a $104.2 billion market by the end of 2022.
As a business, collaborating with creators is an excellent way to reach new audiences and promote your products or services. You can do that by:
- Using influencer marketing (paying creators to promote your products)
- Sponsoring content
- Providing creators with free products in exchange for exposure
But the fact is that establishing connections with creators and managing all aspects of the relationship takes a significant amount of time and manual work, especially if companies want to broaden their marketing across several social media platforms. Luckily though, with platforms like GRIN, businesses can easily connect with creators, manage all aspects of the relationship, and measure their return on investment – all in one place.
Show the “raw” moments within your e-commerce experience
Authenticity is key when it comes to social media marketing, and one of the best ways to show authenticity is by sharing the “raw” moments that happen during your e-commerce experience. This could be anything from a behind-the-scenes look at your fulfillment center to a candid video of your team members hard at work. There’s no such thing as “perfection” on social media, so don’t be afraid to show the moments that make you human with tools like live streaming and stories.
For example, HelloFresh uses TikTok to show their workplace’s fun and fast-paced environment. Not only does this help to humanize the brand, but it also provides an inside look at the company that potential customers may find interesting and engaging. HelloFresh emphasizes brand values by focusing on the people who keep the firm running, from following workers during their day to sharing how food stylists prepare for photoshoots.
It’s a great example of how you can showcase your e-commerce operations in an informative and entertaining way. It helps to build trust with potential customers and makes the buying experience seem more relatable.
Tap Into Social Checkout Features
In recent years, social media platforms have been increasingly incorporating features that allow users to make purchases without ever leaving the app. This is known as “social checkout,” a feature that is growing in popularity among e-commerce businesses. Even after integrating with crypto exchanges and adopting tipping and in-app purchases, social checkout is still in its early stages.
Some of the most popular examples of social checkout are Facebook’s “Buy” button and Instagram’s “Checkout” feature, which allow users to purchase products without ever leaving the platforms. These features are available to both businesses and individuals and are a great way to increase conversion rates and sales.
As social checkout features become more commonplace, businesses need to consider how to use them to their advantage. There are many potential benefits, including increased sales, higher conversion rates, and improved customer experience.
The Social Commerce Boom – Final Thoughts
Social media has become an integral part of the online shopping experience, and businesses that want to succeed in e-commerce need to take advantage of the social commerce boom.
There are many ways to do this, but some of the most effective include using social media to connect with customers and build relationships, showing the “raw” moments of your e-commerce experience, and tapping into its features. Keep these tips in mind as you continue to grow your business, and you’ll be well on your way to success.
