Maximizing Your Facebook Presence: 7 Innovative Content Strategies for Online Sellers

Monday August 2626th Aug 2024
8 min. read
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Quick Facebook Content Tips

Diversify Content: Mix business-related posts with personal, relatable content to build authenticity and boost engagement.

Engage Actively: Use videos, polls, and live events to interact with your audience in real-time and gather valuable feedback.

Leverage UGC: Encourage and showcase user-generated content to build trust and foster a strong community around your brand.

Facebook remains a vital platform for online sellers, providing opportunities to engage with audiences, build brand loyalty, and drive traffic to your eCommerce store. However, with over 4 million businesses vying for attention, standing out requires a strategic approach to content creation. This guide will walk you through seven innovative content strategies that will help you make the most of your Facebook presence, enhancing your brand's reputation, fostering customer relationships, and ultimately boosting sales.

1. Post Content Unrelated to Your Business

In 2024, authenticity is more valuable than ever. Consumers are looking for brands that they can relate to on a personal level, not just businesses pushing products. By posting content unrelated to your business, you show your audience that there’s more to your brand than just selling. This approach humanizes your brand, making it more approachable and trustworthy.

Consider the interests, hobbies, and concerns of your audience. For example, if your target audience consists of young parents, you might post about parenting tips, healthy meal ideas for kids, or fun DIY projects for families. The key is to connect with your audience on topics they care about, even if those topics aren’t directly related to your products.

Example

Ruth Thomas, owner of Room31.co.uk, has successfully implemented this strategy by discussing fashion trends that aren’t directly related to her products. In one instance, she posted about the resurgence of 90s fashion, encouraging her followers to share their favorite 90s outfits. This post generated significant engagement because it tapped into a trend that resonated with her audience, without being overtly promotional.

Pro Tip

To further capitalize on this strategy, use trending topics or viral content as inspiration. Tools like SaleHoo Market Insights can help you identify what’s hot in your niche. By posting about these topics, you can increase your reach and connect with a broader audience.

2. Highlight Your Buyers and Build a Community

People love to be recognized and appreciated. When you highlight your buyers on your Facebook page, you create a sense of community and loyalty among your followers. This not only makes your customers feel valued but also turns them into brand advocates who are more likely to share their positive experiences with others.

Start by encouraging your customers to share their experiences with your products. This could be through photos, testimonials, or even short video reviews. Then, feature this content on your Facebook page, along with a personalized thank-you message. Make sure to tag the customer if possible, which not only shows appreciation but also increases the post's reach as it appears in the customer's network.

Example

Ruth and her team at Room31.co.uk regularly feature customers wearing their apparel. In one campaign, they encouraged customers to share photos of themselves in Room31 outfits with the hashtag #Room31Style. Ruth then featured these photos in a weekly “Customer Spotlight” post, along with a short story about the customer’s experience with the brand. This not only increased engagement but also showcased the brand’s products in a real-world context, making them more relatable to potential buyers.

Pro Tip

Take this a step further by integrating user-generated content (UGC) into your advertising campaigns. Facebook allows you to create ads that feature UGC, which can be more persuasive than traditional ads because they offer social proof. For instance, a video ad featuring a satisfied customer talking about their positive experience can be more impactful than a standard promotional video.

3. Leverage Video Content to Educate and Entertain

Video content remains one of the most engaging formats on social media. It allows you to communicate complex information quickly and effectively while also capturing your audience’s attention. In 2024, video content is not just about promoting products; it’s about telling your brand’s story, educating your audience, and entertaining them.

Create a content calendar that includes a mix of educational and entertaining videos. For educational content, you could create tutorials, product demos, or how-to videos that help your customers get the most out of your products. For entertaining content, consider behind-the-scenes videos, company culture videos, or even customer stories.

Example

Andy, a community member and online seller, runs a monthly video series where he shares tips and advice with his peers. One of his most popular videos was a tutorial on how to optimize product listings for SEO, which not only helped his followers improve their businesses but also positioned Andy as an expert in his field. This type of content fosters trust and encourages repeat visits to your Facebook page.

Pro Tip

Experiment with different video formats like Facebook Reels or Stories. These formats are designed for short, snackable content that’s perfect for quick tips, sneak peeks, or highlights. Additionally, consider live streaming on Facebook to engage with your audience in real-time, answering questions and offering instant feedback.

4. Engage Your Audience with Polls, Questions, and Feedback Requests

Interactive content such as polls and questions encourages active participation from your audience. This not only boosts engagement but also provides valuable insights into your customers' preferences, opinions, and behaviors.

Use Facebook’s built-in tools to create polls or ask questions directly in your posts. Keep your questions relevant to your audience’s interests and your brand. For example, if you sell home decor, you might ask your followers to choose between two design styles or to share their favorite room makeover tips.

Example

Vicky, who sells wholesale toys online, regularly engages her audience by asking for their opinions on new products. In one instance, she posted a poll asking, “Which new toy should we stock next?” Not only did this generate a lot of engagement, but it also helped her make informed stocking decisions based on customer preferences.

Pro Tip

Enhance your feedback requests by following up with personalized responses or actions. If you ask your audience to vote on a new product, announce the winning product and share how you’re incorporating their feedback into your business decisions. This shows your audience that their opinions matter and encourages further interaction.

5. Personalize Your Updates to Strengthen Connections

Personalization is a powerful tool for building deeper connections with your audience. In a world where consumers are bombarded with generic content, personalized messages can make your brand stand out and feel more relevant to individual users.

Personalize your updates by addressing your audience directly and tailoring content to their interests. For instance, segment your audience based on their engagement history or purchasing behavior and create targeted posts that speak directly to their needs or preferences.

A month ago, at SaleHoo, we posted a personalized thank-you message to our community, acknowledging their contributions to our recent growth. The post included mentions of top contributors and a video message from our team. This not only made our followers feel valued but also encouraged others to engage more, knowing their efforts might be recognized in the future.

Pro Tip

Use Facebook’s dynamic content features to personalize your posts further. For example, you can create ads or posts that show different content to different audience segments based on their location, interests, or past interactions with your brand. This ensures that your message is as relevant and impactful as possible.

6. Host Virtual Events and Live Q&A Sessions

Virtual events and live Q&A sessions allow you to connect with your audience in real-time, fostering a sense of immediacy and exclusivity. These events provide an interactive platform where you can address customer questions, showcase new products, and demonstrate your expertise.

Plan a regular schedule for live events, such as monthly Q&A sessions or product launches. Promote these events in advance across all your social media channels, and encourage your followers to submit questions or topics they want to be covered. During the event, be sure to interact with viewers by answering questions live and responding to comments.

Example

A skincare brand hosted a live Q&A session on Facebook to launch a new product line. During the event, the brand’s founder explained the benefits of the new products, answered customer questions in real-time, and offered exclusive discounts to viewers. The event was a huge success, generating a significant amount of engagement and boosting sales for the new line.

Pro Tip

To maximize the impact of your live events, consider partnering with influencers or industry experts. Their participation can increase the credibility of your event and attract a larger audience. Additionally, record your live sessions and repurpose the content into shorter clips or highlights that can be shared on your Facebook page later.

7. Integrate User-Generated Content (UGC) into Your Strategy

User-generated content is a form of social proof that can significantly enhance your brand’s credibility. When customers see real people using and enjoying your products, they’re more likely to trust your brand and make a purchase themselves.

Encourage your customers to create and share content about your products. You can incentivize this by running contests, offering discounts, or simply by featuring the best content on your Facebook page. Use a branded hashtag to collect and showcase UGC, making it easy for others to find and participate.

Example

A fitness apparel brand ran a UGC campaign encouraging customers to share photos of themselves working out in the brand’s gear using the hashtag #FitInOurBrand. The brand then featured the best photos on its Facebook page and offered a discount to the featured customers. This not only generated a wealth of authentic content but also strengthened the brand’s community.

Pro Tip

Take UGC to the next level by incorporating it into your paid social campaigns. Facebook Ads that feature UGC tend to perform better because they appear more authentic and relatable to potential customers. Consider creating carousel ads that showcase different customer stories or product uses, all sourced from UGC.

The key to a successful Facebook content strategy lies in creativity, authenticity, and a deep understanding of your audience. By implementing these seven strategies—posting non-business content, highlighting buyers, leveraging video, engaging with interactive content, personalizing updates, hosting live events, and integrating UGC—you can build a stronger connection with your audience, enhance your brand’s reputation, and ultimately drive more traffic and sales to your online store.

Remember, your Facebook fans are more than just numbers; they’re individuals who want to be entertained, informed, and appreciated. Treat them as such, and your Facebook page will become a valuable asset in your online selling toolkit.

I would love to hear from you! Which of these Facebook content strategies are you most excited to try? Or do you have a go-to tactic that’s already working wonders for your business? Drop your thoughts and ideas in the comments below—let’s start a conversation and help each other grow! 💬👇

 

 
About the author
Jason Acidre
Co-Founder and Head of Strategy at Avaris IO

Jason is a technical SEO consultant specializing in creative SEO, link-building, and content marketing strategies. With 14 years of experience in highly competitive sectors like finance, real estate, B2B, SaaS, technology, and e-commerce, he has a proven track record of driving results. He also co-founded Avaris, one of the leading SEO agencies in the Philippines, further enhancing his expertise in the field.

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6 Comments
  • Werner Gaidosch 22nd of February
    Thanks for the info. My FB page is not published yet. Will keep you posted;
  • Carol Koussaya 22nd of February
    I often post non product related news. Living in a cold climate many of my fans appreciate when I post about basking on the beach. I also love sharing stories that my customers experienced using our products. It's a lot of fun. I also play scavenger hunts on my FB page which they really like. I must say, though, getting someone to like your page is like pulling teeth. People more often like your status rather than liking your page! My facebook page is www.facebook.com/thewishpearl
  • Diana Parker 23rd of February
    I have 2 facebook pages for my web sites. Dreamalildecor.com and Onceuponabed.com. I really appreciate the tips you have given here. They were things that I haven't thought about. I'm new at this and am really grateful for new ideas. Thanks!!
  • Maria Mazari 24th of February
    Great ideas. I will definitely try some or all of them. Thanks.
  • Alice Delore 24th of February
    Great post Lace! I love the take home tips you provided, I think we all learned something. I like what you said about sharing content that is beyond your niche - I've seen some top brands do this and it appears to work very well.
  • Lace Llanora 27th of February
    Just love how SaleHoo members are open to new ideas and generous with theirs too! :) Thank you Alice for the guest post opportunity, not to mention for always connecting with our community via social media ^_^ Lace