Sell on Facebook groups like a pro
Facebook sales groups are growing by leaps and bounds! Every day, thousands, if not millions of ads are published on the social network. However, these ads appear in the News Feed (so we don't always think to check out the group) in the middle of lots of other things, and catching the eye is not always an easy task!
Understanding the difference between Facebook and another classified ad site
Facebook is not a classified ad site but a social network. When you go to Leboncoin, Topannonces or a classified ads site, you go there to do research. On Facebook, you log on potentially every day and it turns out that transactions on the social network groups are more impulse purchases than the result of a specific search. You can compare Leboncoin to a shop you walk into, and Facebook to a street where you'll find not only shops, but also restaurants, bars, concert halls and yoga classes. Internet users are more distracted and subject to their emotions on a social network than on an ad site, and that's the big difference!
Between Hugo and Claire's weekend photos, the calls to 'like' Maxime's new start-up page and the latest news published by the media, it's not always easy for an ad to be visible. And yet that's what it's all about if you want to sell!
The results are much better when the price is clearly displayed!
Write the title, price display and body of the ad properly
If you want to sell effectively, it all starts with how you write the advert.
Work on the assumption that Internet users have a very short attention span, especially on Facebook, and that the first words should jump out at them, right from the price.
Forget about "123456789€" when you don't want to display the price.
Here's an example of what not to do:
Prefer the word "FREE" (by writing 0 in the price), even though we've seen much better sales results when the price is clearly displayed than when the seller doesn't want to communicate it, asks for offers or invites potential buyers to chat via private messages.
Next, structure your ad title. It should contain 3 key pieces of information:
- The state of the object
- Name of the product / model / characteristics
- The brand when you need it
Don't forget that this information will be the first thing that your advert will be read, so be thorough!
Keep in mind that people's attention spans on Facebook are very low. So you need to convince potential buyers in just a few words, without going into long tirades that will only discourage them from clicking on "View more".
Don't be stingy with the details either, especially for certain types of property with a rather high price tag - your potential buyers need to be reassured as soon as they read your ad, or you'll have trouble turning it into a success! An advert written in haste won't give you a serious image, and nobody wants to conclude a transaction with someone who doesn't take the time to make their case.
Get straight to the point: talk about the item and nothing else. Ideally, mention the name of the item, go into more detail about its characteristics, condition and any defects, specify how you would like to be paid and under what conditions (urgency of the sale, deadlines, etc.), and don't forget to emphasise the advantages of buying from you rather than someone else, wherever possible (competitive price, warranty still in force, rarity of the item, etc.).
Be honest and don't try to do too much
Finally, as Montesquieu said so well, "The best is the mortal enemy of the good"! Trying to perfect your ad too much, trying too hard to emphasise the qualities of your property while excluding any hidden defects or faults will ultimately do you no favours at all! Your buyer will end up seeing the object, and if you've preferred to hide the small problems, he'll be happy to give you bad publicity, which in some cases may be well deserved! So play the transparency card, because on Facebook, group members don't hesitate to denounce sellers or buyers who, in their opinion, have behaved inappropriately or deliberately embellished reality. Once again, this is a major difference between a classified ads site and Facebook: a social network is a place for exchange and discussion, and the good reputation of a group member can crumble from one moment to the next if a problem arises during a transaction.
If you behave correctly, don't hesitate to use Obvy for your sales. On the app, sellers and buyers rate each other and leave reviews, so if you play the game you'll find it much easier to win the trust of your buyers!
Catch the eye with your images
First thing: don't use screenshots found on the internet! Buyers know what the item looks like, and they also have Google Images. Take the time to take a photo of the item, from several angles, with close-ups of details or any small defects, and don't hesitate to highlight a photo that catches the eye! On the Obvy application, in the sponsorship section, you can upload a highly visual image containing your sponsorship code. It's an eye-catcher every time!
Publish on several groups in your region
When you choose to publish your ad, Facebook will suggest that you publish it on other groups. Jump at the chance! But be careful to choose the right groups, particularly in terms of geolocation.
Use the most secure payment method to buy and sell on Facebook!
Use Obvy to buy or sell on Facebook. This will allow you to keep a record of the transaction and the information relating to your purchase. This is absolutely essential if, in hindsight, you realise there's a problem.
And there you have it! By following these simple tips, you'll be able to stand out from the majority of ads on Facebook, and increase your chances of making a successful sale! If you need to optimise your clothes ads, follow our guide!