Tips to optimize social media as a sales tool

Social networking platforms provide the latest information, both positive and negative, regarding any product or service to the common people. Prior to taking any decision, people often go through the networking sites for feedbacks and reviews.

The same principle is also applicable for a recruiter while hiring an employee. Instead of going through your long polished resume, a recruiter prefers to refer social networking sites to get an idea that how active you are.

Here are given some useful tools to optimize social networking sites as a sales tool:

Though every business cannot get success by following the same strategies, however, these are some basic tips which are applicable to all the businesses.

1. Start with Online Network Profile

Considering the potentials and qualities hidden in you. What makes you different from other? Create an online networking profile highlighting your qualities and incorporate links related to your company so that the users can access the brand you are promoting and important sales pages. Don't forget to verify that your contact information is accurate and ensure that you are easily accessible to the users. Keep in mind that your network profile is searchable on search engines, thus use some catchy keywords in your profile. Try to review your Facebook profile, Twitter profile and LinkedIn profiles synchronously. As Twitter and LinkedIn profiles will not always draw much traffic like Facebook, they will be available in search results and you should ensure that they coordinate with your Facebook page.

Though your profile may not lead to many direct sales, they will work as an introduction. A well-structured profile will grow the users' interest about your brand and the website.

2. Publicize Your Profile

Use your LinkedIn account to grow your network by providing access to your e-mail address book to other account holders. It also allows you the invite other people to join your network. Additionally, you can use your LinkedIn profile badge on outgoing e-mails as well as on your website. If you publicize yourself like this, more people will start connecting to you.

3. Ask for Recommendations

Once you build an online sales network, you can use the network alike regular social network. You may ask people to recommend your brand and products, and to refer to you to new contacts.

4. Join Groups

Join The Power of Selling group on LinkedIn. Connect yourself with a local professional group and other groups which you think can help you to sell your products.

5. Develop Content

Add comprehensive contents on your page which can demonstrate your brand and products. For instance, write a blog and link it to your Facebook page or post tweets related to your brand and products which you sell on Twitter. Make people follow you and direct them to your company's website or the content you have developed.

Social networking enables you to showcase and sell the content which you create.

6. Start Using Social Selling Tools

There are tools such as Shopial or Soldsie which allow you to sell directly from social media. Using these tools you can transform your profiles into e-commerce-enabled pages where users can buy a product by leaving a message in a post's comment section. It then syncs up with PayPal or renowned e-commerce platforms such as Shopify or Amazon to finish the deal. The method purchasing fast and easy for buyers.