Question for those using FB for promotion... success?

[LMGildersleeve]

It's been a long time since I've used my FB business page. There is now a huge learning curve to create a "Shop" though it is intriguing to me.

I'm not a novice of promoting myself. I've done OK on other platforms using keywords in long descriptions, using popular hashtags where applicable, and nice images of the products since 2009 when I joined Z.

I'd sure like to know if anyone is currently using FB with some success using their Shop feature (or not). I know @AugieDoggyStore has had success with her dog themed FB page. I think having a specific theme would be wiser than just pushing out product links/photos for a variety of niches.

Any how I'd like to see what others think or if anyone has had some experience with using FB to get sales.

[AugieDoggyStore]

Since you tagged me 🙂 I'll give you my thoughts. I used to have a popular blog about my dogs, back before social media was a thing. When I eventually started a Facebook page, I already had fans, who wanted me to create merchandise with my doggies on it. I almost never created a post about my products. I'd post some dog picture, and then add a link to my shop or a sale underneath it. That way people who weren't interested in purchasing could ignore the link and still interact, and those who were interested could click.

(I haven't posted a link for a long time since both boys passed, but I will once I make new products with our new puppy! 🐶💕)

Anyway, I think if you're just going to go to Facebook and create a page and/or shop, without having fans or followers who want your products, then you'll probably be wasting your time. How (or why) would people find you? I don't think people go to Facebook to shop, for the most part.

Overall, I think your postings on social media have to give people something of value, even if it's just entertainment. Think about who you follow (organically--because you want to) and try to work out why you follow them. To give you an example, I'm trying to furnish a new home, so I follow a lot of home design pages on Instagram for tips and ideas. Every single one has affiliate links to the products used, but their posts aren't "here's a lamp," or "here's a rug." They show you how they incorporated said product into their designs, give you style tips, how-to's, etc. 

OK, that was Instagram, 😜 but the thought is the same. 

Not sure if this helped, but my final thought is don't bother with Facebook if you're basically starting from scratch.

[LMGildersleeve]

All great advice.

"but my final thought is don't bother with Facebook if you're basically starting from scratch"

That's all I needed to hear. 😄

[AugieDoggyStore]

😆That's just one person's opinion, not Facebook law! 

[Windy]

On the other hand, there are some good groups on Facebook where Zazzlers collaborate, share information and boost each others' listings. One is Zazzle Holidays Gifts Promotions. I participate in that not as a shop, but as a page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/zazzleholidaysgiftpromotions

[AugieDoggyStore]

Can you explain how that helps your sales, though? Genuinely curious.

[Windy]

@LMGildersleeve  and AugieDoggy, many POD groups on FB are pretty much only for posting your work, which as Augie points out, is not really useful. Anyway, all that I have joined seem to have been abandoned, which means if I post anything no one is around to approve my post, so my posts never get posted and never get seen. I have left all those groups. 

I do know of a few people who say they get all their sales from Facebook, and one of them is very active in the exact groups I have left (she was a member long ago and her posts are automatically approved now, even though there is no moderator active). 

The group I referred to above is a recent group, and is less about just posting products and  more about camaraderie and a spirit of sharing and reciprocating. People don't just post products. They ask questions, they give tips, there is a Facebook event currently underway which we were all invited to---and that event has new videos every day, some of with great instructions, some just for encouragement.

What surprises me is that quite a few people who have been around Z forever, are learning new functions of the design tool which they never noticed.

It's a good place for learning and it's a nice group for anyone who  needs more views of their products and who wants some reciprocation on their Pinterest boards. Like anything else in the POD world, we hope this will pay off. But I do think Augie is right. No one goes randomly browsing Facebook groups to find something to buy. There has to be value to the reader. In this case, in the group I mentioned, there is value to the participant. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2580926375287683

[AugieDoggyStore]

A group like that can help sales indirectly, if it gives you good tips to use, absolutely!

Funny, I just saw a quote related to what I wrote above. "People are either looking for entertainment, education or connection. If you are not creating those things and you only create ads, people just won't react."

[stevepaint]

I belonged to an FB group for contributors to a pod site that sold only pictures, no clothing etc. One of the members specialised in UK landscape. He had FB pages for each the different regions where he had shots and posted his prints there. He said it worked for him

[stevepaint]

But many if not all photography groups treat aas spam the posting of links to items posted

[LMGildersleeve]

Like Augie dog I'd like to know if there is any successes with those groups. If you could proved more than just a link to the group with your experience I'd appreciate that. 😊

[TerriV]

Hi LMGildersleeve!

I have a response I'd like to offer that might change your mind. I had an Etsy shop for 13 years that was wildly successful. One day, Etsy just shut it down, with not too much explanation or any way to defend the decision. Needless to say, I was devastated. So... I had to find another way. I created a Shopify store for my niche products and created a Facebook Business page from my personal profile. Yes, it was a bit of work to make it all official business-wise through Meta - you're right - quite a learning curve. But I'm so glad I pushed myself to learn it. There are SO MANY YouTube videos to help you set it up and literally walks you right through it. I relentlessly posted and posted entertaining content with solid SEO (SEO experience coming from Etsy) - but to not much avail. I'm a professional graphic designer, so I made sure it had value AND was nice looking. Some sales through the Facebook shop, but I was confused. Frustrated, I started a military themed niche store on Zazzle, and I knew I found my home here. They make it so easy to share to Facebook and other platforms - you definitely have to be consistent. Then I found out at FB pages don't get a lot of play on the public platform because they want you to pay for ads. I found an awesome YouTuber who taught me about Facebook Groups, and so I started one and started to promote it throughout all my social media channels including Pinterest, and using engaging ways to invite members in. I am seeing more traffic and interest in my group than 8 months of a business FB page. I invite through my personal profile & my business page to my group, and all 3 work in tandem. Members join my group, take a peek at my engaging content and go over right over and purchase from my Zazzle store! I was so shocked! AND + + + I get paid the referral % + my normal royalty %. It does really depend on your niche - niching down to a specific community really helps all around, and I'm still rather new, but the growth so far is really exciting - I just got my Z Pro Badge (I know, small potatoes, but in a short amount of time)! I hope you go through the Meta wilderness to create a branded page / shop /group on Facebook - I would really love to hear your process and success story in the near future ♥ Hope that gives a little different perspective - sending blessings!

TV

[LMGildersleeve]

@TerriVthank you for sharing your story. Congratulations on your Z Pro Badge! 🎉 I wish you much success in your Zazzle adventure. 💰