Keeping up with the latest trends in digital marketing is challenging, especially if you’re a small business owner. It can be even more difficult to stay ahead of the game if you’re juggling other responsibilities and don’t have time to read industry news and blogposts every day.
If you haven’t heard yet, Facebook has launched Marketplace, a new feature that allows people to buy and sell secondhand goods (like clothes or electronics) directly from their friends using their Facebook account. In this post, you’ll discover why so many businesses fail as sellers on marketplaces like these, as well as eight tips for becoming a successful seller on Facebook Marketplace.
When Facebook announced in October that its locally-based mobile marketplace, Facebook Marketplace, would be expanding to nearly 30 new markets, it was a sign of things to come. Many brands and sellers were already using the platform to sell their wares or unload gently used items.
In fact, there are a lot of ways sellers can leverage this growing platform. Here are some tips on how you can become a successful seller on Facebook Marketplace. If you’ve been selling your products on Craigslist or another local buy and sell site, then you’re ready for what’s next – marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace.
As with any business venture, becoming a seller on the platform takes some preparation and strategic planning. Here are 22 tips for becoming a successful seller on Facebook Marketplace:
1. Create a unique and recognisable profile
Facebook Marketplace is a robust platform, but it’s really the people that make it work. Before you even begin posting items for sale, you should go to your Facebook Marketplace Settings to create a unique and recognisable profile.
This includes your profile picture, name, and the name of your business (if applicable). If you’re using a business name, you may want to create a separate Facebook page for your Marketplace activities. When you’re setting up your profile, you’ll be asked to choose a category that best describes your products.
You can select more than one, but keep in mind that you’ll only be able to show up in one of those categories at a time. This category will help potential shoppers discover you more easily.
2. Develop your posting expertise
To be a great seller on Facebook Marketplace, you have to develop your posting expertise. There’s a lot to know about creating and optimising posts, including: When you’re creating posts for your products, you’ll have to decide what type of sale you’re running. You can choose between a Deal or a Price Drop.
Deals are set at a specific price, while Price Drops allow shoppers to set their own price. While many shoppers are drawn to deals, it can be just as effective to Price Drop your items.
Depending on what you’re selling, you may want to consider using an item condition. Facebook Marketplace has a specific place for this information. Be sure to fill it out if your item is not brand new.
3. Be selective about the products you sell
Before you start posting items for sale, you should be selective about the products you sell. First, you have to be sure that the items you’re selling are legally permitted to do so. Facebook Marketplace is a great way to unload gently used items, but you should steer clear of selling anything that is regulated or prohibited by law.
For instance, firearms are regulated by federal law and can only be sold by certain types of sellers. It’s important to check federal regulations before selling firearms on Facebook Marketplace.
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You should also make sure that the items you’re selling are in good condition. While you can’t require that shoppers purchase your items as-is, you can provide a condition note beside each listing. This is especially helpful if you’re selling a product for the first time.
4. Know your demographic
When you know your demographic, you can create custom posts for each group. For example, you may want to post in College and University groups if you’re selling plush toys.
If you’re selling a large item, you may want to post in City and Suburbs groups, as well as Travel. When you’re just starting out, you may want to post in general interest groups. You can then see what posts perform best and create posts that target similar audiences. You can also consider posting in groups outside your immediate area.
5. Optimise your ad spend
When you’re just starting out, it may make sense to spend a little more on your posts. You want to make sure that people see your products, and you want to make sure that they see them often. As you become more experienced and your sales increase, you’ll want to spend less on your posts.
You can use Facebook’s Ads Manager to track the performance of your ads. This will allow you to see what posts are bringing in the highest number of sales. You can also use the Facebook Power Editor to create posts that run both in your news feed and in Marketplace. Using this tool, you can create ads that are targeted to specific groups.
6. Be Transparent With Your Shoppers
When you first start out, you may be tempted to inflate the value of your products. While it’s understandable, it’s not a good idea. There are a few reasons why it may not be in your best interest to inflate the value of your products: These factors can help shoppers determine if the item is worth the price. If you inflate the value, shoppers may be turned off by the price.
7. Be aware of Facebook Marketplace’s platform limitations
There are a few limitations to keep in mind when you’re using Facebook Marketplace. These limitations make sense, but they can be frustrating to beginning sellers. Keep these in mind as you build your inventory: Facebook Marketplace is only available to people 18 and older. This means that younger relatives or children can’t use the app to make a purchase.
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Facebook Marketplace is only available in the U.S., U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Canada. If you’re outside of these areas, you won’t be able to use the app to buy or sell items.
You can only create one Marketplace listing for each item. This means that if you decide to sell more than one of the same item, you have to create a separate listing for each one.
8. Choose the right category for your items
As we mentioned previously, you can only show up in one category at a time. That category has to be the best fit for your items. Before you set up your first listing, you should take some time to think about which category would be best.
This is an important decision because it will affect the number of shoppers who discover and purchase your items. If you’re selling a rare brand of shoes, you may want to choose the Footwear category. If you’re selling a brand-new product, you may want to choose the Electronics category.
9. Use Messenger to communicate with potential buyers
If you’re having trouble managing your Facebook Marketplace inbox, you may want to consider using Messenger to communicate with potential buyers. This way, you can keep your inbox clean while still being able to communicate with shoppers.
You can also use Messenger to schedule appointments with shoppers to show them the product in person. You can even use Messenger to set up delivery appointments. This is a great way to get ahead of your inbox.
10. Take advantage of Facebook’s built-in analytics
While you can track the performance of your ads in Facebook’s Ads Manager, you can also track the overall success of your Facebook Marketplace activities. This includes views and clicks on your posts, as well as the number of sales.
This information is accessible through Facebook’s Graph API. If you’re familiar with using APIs, you can take advantage of this information to make better business decisions.
11. Don’t forget the customer experience
When you’re selling products, you need to consider your customer experience. You’re selling your products online, but you still have the opportunity to create a great customer experience, no matter where that sale is taking place.
Ensure you’re keeping your customers’ needs in mind at all times. Create a positive buying experience for your customers so they’ll be more likely to come back for more once they’ve received their product.
This will help you gain more customers and increase your sales in the long run. Additionally, when you’re selling products online, you don’t have the ability to display the products in-person. With Facebook Marketplace, you don’t even have a place to showcase the products.
Everything is done through the platform’s photo-based system, but that doesn’t mean you can cut corners. Take the time to create high-quality photos for your products and leave nothing to the imagination.
12. Leverage Facebook’s platform
Facebook Marketplace is a platform that was built with sellers in mind. While platforms like Craigslist have been around for years, they were built with buyers in mind. Facebook’s marketplace, however, is built with both sellers and buyers in mind. With all of Facebook’s robust, built-in features and tools, you can create a more streamlined selling experience.
This also ensures that you’re staying within Facebook’s terms of service. Facebook Marketplace is a great place to sell your gently used products. You can also sell new products by creating a storefront where you can engage with customers, and sell products directly through Facebook.
You don’t have to just rely on the marketplace feature. Facebook has a wide range of selling options to help you tailor your selling experience to your needs and wants.
13. Don’t just rely on FB Marketplace
While Facebook Marketplace is a great place to start when it comes to selling your products online, you don’t want to keep your eggs in one basket. After Facebook Marketplace rolls out to your area, you should absolutely use it as your go-to selling platform. But you should also explore other local marketplaces like Amazon and Craigslist.
Each marketplace has its own set of rules and regulations. But the advantage to selling on multiple platforms is twofold. First, you’re diversifying your selling options. This means you’re not relying on just one place to sell your products.
And second, you’re tapping into more potential customers. Each platform has its own set of customers and demographics. By selling on multiple platforms, you’re increasing your potential customer base.
14. Lock down your inventory and schedule
Becoming a successful seller on Facebook Marketplace means having a well-managed inventory and sales schedule. You’ll have to decide how many products you want to sell each day, as well as which products are best suited for Facebook Marketplace.
As with any type of selling, you’ll want to make sure you’re managing your inventory carefully. This includes making sure the products you’re selling are still in good condition.
It’s a good idea to visually inspect products before listing them. It’s also important to keep track of your inventory and sales as you conduct business on Facebook Marketplace. This will help you stay organized and make better decisions moving forward.
15. Develop a strong call-to-action
When your potential customers are looking at your product listings, they’ll want to know why they should buy from you and not someone else. If you’re selling your own products, create a strong call-to-action that will encourage people to buy from you.
When you’re selling other people’s products, you want to make sure you’re representing their products accurately and in a positive light. For example, if you’re selling a used product, be sure to note that it’s used.
Explain any blemishes or flaws in the product. This will help avoid any confusion or misconceptions on the part of the customer. If you’re selling a new product, be sure to represent it as new.
16. Make sure everything’s in tip-top shape
When you’re selling products, you want to make sure everything is in tip-top shape. This can include cleaning products, repairing products, or replacing broken parts. This will help ensure your products are operational and ready to be sold.
If you’re selling clothes, make sure they’re clean and free of stains and odors. If you’re selling food items, make sure they’re fresh and safe to eat. This will help ensure your products sell quicker.
17. Create great photos
We’ve talked a lot about the importance of creating great photos for your products. But in this instance, you’re not selling the product itself. You’re selling a lifestyle. This means you’ll want to create photos that focus on the features and benefits of your product. You’ll want to create photos that draw customers in and make them want to buy what you’re selling.
18. Utilize ad strategies
When Facebook Marketplace rolls out to your area, you can create an ad and promote your products. This will help you reach a larger audience and tap into Facebook’s robust advertising platform. Be sure to follow Facebook’s advertising guidelines. You can also use your product listing to direct customers to your ad.
19. Establish trust with your customer base
At the end of the day, you’re dealing with other people’s money. You need to establish trust with your customer base. This means being honest and straightforward with your customers. It also means resolving any issues that arise quickly and fairly.
20. Utilize effective marketing techniques
Facebook Marketplace is a great place for local sellers. However, it’s also a great place for local advertisers. This means you’ll want to utilize effective marketing techniques on Facebook Marketplace. This can include creating compelling ads, asking friends and family to like your listing, and leaving thoughtful, helpful reviews on other products.
21. Become an active member of the Facebook community
Becoming an active member of the Facebook community is one of the best ways to grow your business and gain new customers. Join groups devoted to your product category and engage in discussions. This will not only help you build a reputation as an expert but will also help you develop new relationships with potential partners and customers.
You can also join Facebook Marketplace Groups dedicated to buying and selling used goods. This will enable you to network with other sellers, share ideas, and get inspiration from others.
Facebook Marketplace is a great place to buy and sell goods. Once Facebook Marketplace rolls out in your area, start preparing to use it to build your business. Create a strong call-to-action, clean and repair products, create great photos, and establish trust with your customer base. Become an active member of the Facebook community and you’ll be well on your way to success.