Gloople

While most people understand the meaning of Social Media, the idea of Social Commerce puzzles almost every single person. In its simplest form, Social Commerce is the use of Social Media to control business online.
Using the World Wide Web for business is just as easy as in person. The advantages of doing so are endless when using the right collaborative tools to sell your products/services however, the competition for online commerce is ruthless and not everyone will survive. To make your business a success, you need a Social Commerce Strategy.

Having a Social Commerce Strategy
When getting involved in Social Commerce for your business, you need to have a structured plan which can be executed in the way you want it to be. Before you can even plan a strategy, you need to have some goal and objectives in which you want to achieve – they may be as simple as selling more products or even securing more clients.
If you are in a dilemma when deciding on your social commerce strategy- look to other people. A great resource is to see what ideas have worked for other people and apply them to your approach (if suitable for your business)

When forming your social commerce strategy, you must take into account;

• The Type of social media channel you want to use
• Your Goals and Objectives
• A timeline for your social commerce strategy
• Details about how you are going to use the specific social media channels that you have identified.

There is so much information out there for you to take advantage of as a business owner. Do you research and identify the tools that will be most effective for you – specifically the more established tools available.

Your specific goals

Looking at your specific goals, you need to approach them from different angles when creating a successful social commerce strategy.
Goal #1: Increased sales

When trying to increase sales, it is crucial that you gather as much information as possible on your current consumers’ needs and way of thinking.

• Follow the Crowd: When using social technology, what works for other people inregards to online sales – will also work for you. Allow your clients to shop more intelligently by helping them fully understand your products/services.
• Exclusivity: You need to offer your consumer something that is special or limited in some way so that they feel like they have received a personalised service.
• Expertise: You have worked hard to obtain your vast knowledge so make sure your clients are aware of your expertise when you are offering your services.
• Consistency: When approaching your clients, be aware that their first impression of you and your business will be the lasting one. Make that impression the best and most consistent so that your consumer feels safe and secure.
• Reciprocity: Offering your clients the chance to help someone in their community is a great way to generate more sales, if done right.

Goal #2: Acquiring more clients
When trying to obtain a larger client base, there are specific values that you will want to use.

• Experience: Use your personal experiences as a learning process for your customers.They will feel like you have connected with them in a personal way and will therefore, trust you as a creditable business.
• Getting Clients more Involved: Holding a poll or survey will let your consumers feel like they are valued and will show loyalty towards your business. People believe their opinions are important and are all about making a positive contribution; so let them.
• Provide Incentives: A great way to obtain more clients is to offer them a reward forgetting involved in your business. People love a reward as they feel they are getting something, for nothing in return.

Goal #3: Developing deeper relationships with your clients
When trying to build a stronger bond with your clientele, you should;

• Ask THEM what THEY want: The simplest yet rarely used approach is to ask your consumer what is important to them. Once they have told you, you can then help solve their problems.
• Promote Discussions with them: Having an in-depth two way conversation with your customer will help you connect with them on a deeper level. Interacting with them at every possible opportunity is a great way to help build a more valuable connection.

When used appropriately, Social Commerce can be an extremely effective tool when it comes to the success of your business. Using the above tips will help you achieve the best possible strategy and allow you to interact better with you consumers.

Is Social Commerce right for your business?

Warren Knight - CEO

Co-founder and CEO of Gloople. B2B Social Media and Social Commerce Expert and specialises in helping SME's use Social Media Marketing to better understand their customer.View Warren on LinkedIn