For some, creating content for their social media is the most challenging part of their marketing plan. One of the biggest complaints is that it takes too long, or they don’t know what to talk about. If this sounds like you let’s break it down.

Laying the Ground Rules

If you don’t use your FB page on a regular basis, I am sure you have heard that Facebook rewards consistency. Showing up at least once a day and providing valuable content for your audience is the secret to growing your audience.

We also know that Facebook rewards us even more if we are posting Live or a video. If not knowing what to say was a problem, doing it in front of the camera is an even bigger challenge for most. We worry that we’ll get tongue-tied; we don’t like how we look, and we don’t like how we sound.

Tip # 1 Behind-the Scenes

Let’s look at some ideas for giving people a BEHIND THE SCENES  look at your business. Most of us have inquiring minds and we like to know how things work. Your customers have no idea what it takes to run your business and get your product or service to them. They don’t know the number of hours it takes. So, let’s break it down and look at some ideas.

If you create or produce your product or products, this can be very interesting to see how it is done. This could be anything from an artist or pottery studio -or any kind of DIY shop. It might be handmade soap or a tea blend that you sell. Maybe something you sew or quilt. If you are a gift shop it could be how you put your gift baskets together.

 

 

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If you hear your customers commenting on your displays talk about what it takes for you to accomplish that. Do you set up displays throughout your store? Do you do this with a plan and purpose in mind? How often do you change them? How long does it take to create these displays? Maybe you have used interesting pieces in those displays to draw attention. These are all things people would find interesting. If your customers didn’t notice it before they will now.

Back of the House is Interesting Too

One thing most customers know nothing about is inventory. They know there is stuff on the shelf, but they have no idea what goes into making that happen. How has your inventory changed since you first opened your store? What were some of the flops and some of the successes? How do you choose item that are standard for you? Talk about what is involved with ordering your merchandise.  Do you go to market for your particular industry? How often do you go? Where do you go to market? Do you go to find new items for your store?

Focus on Products

This is also is also a good way to promote a product or product line. Take a specific section in your store and focus on that. If you are a gift shop, look at candles or housewares or small décor. Pick items up and talk about them. Use descriptive words. If you are a bookstore, pick a specific genre. Talk about the most popular books in that category. Talk about the variety you have in that category. Is this a number 1 category for your store? Craft stores are super easy. Pick a craft and show the supplies that go with it. Is this a category that you also host workshops for? Is this for beginners or is there a range of skill available. What age group is attracted to this craft?

So, let’s recap some of the ideas we talked about.

• Product creation and production
• Merchandising your store
• Inventory
• Buying
• Focus on departments

 

This might seem a little scary but remember, you are the expert. People will believe what you say so stand in your position and own it.  Take that first step today and create a behind-the-scenes video and see what kind of response and engagement you get.