Do you want to get people talking about your products and services? Do you want to use social media to generate a buzz, to get the online community talking about what you have to offer and to increase product sales and services? Here are some simple ways to do this:
1. Give Aways/Freebies
Free has in. It’s become the fastest, shortest route to creating demand. Free use to cheapener a brand, now it’s a brand’s best friend. Post recession, it’s even cool again to cut coupons (buyers redeemed 3.3 billion coupons in 2009, a 27% increase from the year before). Giving a free eye exam like OpticMasters, providing a free meal plan trial like The Healthy Italian or free EFT classes like Balance & Power Inc. do generate interest and get the traffic through the door. But, it will be the perceived value of these products and services that will convert those persons into clients.
2. Scarcity
Nothing gets people talking like something they can’t get their hands on. Years ago, Google launched Gmail as an invitation-only experience. You had to know someone who knew someone to get your own account, which came with 5 – only 5 – invitations you could share with your favorite friends. Limited supply not only made you choose wisely, but also created infinite demand.
Were you one of hundreds that slept on the sidewalk outside an Apple store to get one of the very first iPhone 4s? Pretty soon every man, woman and child in the Northern Hemisphere will have an iPhone 4, but right now they’re scarce – and that makes sleeping on grubby concrete for 3 nights straight worth it.
Generating scarcity is simple. Create less of what you have, not more – and tell people about it. Make a waiting list for people who want to use your service or product.
3. Exclusivity
Finally, if you’re going to get people talking, try yanking the exclusivity chain. It’s what makes you jealous when someone whips out their Black Platinum Centurion Diamond credit card, or why you feel so special eating tasteless tiny no-crust hummus sandwiches in the British Airways Club Lounge.
Exclusivity is the velvet rope of social media: everyone wants to be special enough to be on the right side of it. But exclusivity isn’t limited to stuff. Information and knowledge can be the basis for incredible chatter. Why do we all want to talk about the secret ingredient in Coca Cola?
So put these tactic to the test and get a buzz going for you company, products and services. Do share with us other ways we can generate buzz online that will drive sales.
Great advice, Sandra
And you are so like me, always trying to put people in the spotlight. Eileen, Arthur and Joe will be happy to read this !!
Hugs,
Yvonne