Social media expert Dana Shaban has emphasised that entrepreneurs do not have to break the bank to commercially advertise their ventures when they can leverage the power of social media platforms to market their offerings and increase sales.
During a lively session titled ‘Important points in E-marketing’ at the ongoing 41st Sharjah International Book Fair on Saturday, Shaban shared several invaluable tips and tricks to increase sales to a packed SIBF audience eager to make a business breakthrough on social media.
Explaining the kind of reach possible on social media platforms, she said “For startups and individuals who cannot afford paid advertising, a good option is to utilise what is commonly known as Free Reach, which involves sharing posts and videos on social media. Integrating this along with securing a good position on search engines and using emails is a great way to promote products and services.”
The expert continued “Post stories and go live on social media to promote your products or services; this helps build your credibility and image.”
She added “Studies show that offers of discounts impact purchasing decisions of 80 percent of social media consumers. My advice is to offer at least a 10 percent discount on items or services costing USD 100 or less.”
She emphasised the importance of identifying target audiences and creating awareness through posting informative content on social media that promote the products or services. She noted that tagging brands and locations further help increase follower count and broaden exposure.
Shaban also stressed the importance of retaining customers. She said “Keep communication channels open with customers, ask for feedback on your offerings and ways to enhance them. This will cultivate trust and credibility and increase your reach through word of mouth.”
Discussing the concept of Paid Reach, she explained that paid advertising on Facebook and Instagram or through influencers is an excellent option if one has a budget for it. She pointed out that it’s best to advertise midweek, either at the beginning or end of the month.
“People usually stay home in the middle of the week and are out on the weekends. The beginning or end of the month is usually the best time to advertise because people typically get their salaries around that time, and there is greater scope to improve sales prospects,” she concluded.
