18 Oct
A lot of stores and shops try different platforms but aren’t really sure which one will work best. And while the big ones like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter seem like obvious choices, there may be some other less common ones that could be a better fit.
So we came up with some tips to help you pick the right social media for your business. We are going to break down different factors to consider for each platform and what types of retailers might find it most useful.
1. Consider Pinterest for Product-Based Businesses
A lot of people think of Pinterest as just a site for crafts and design ideas. But it can be a great social media platform for any business that sells products like clothes, home goods, accessories, and more. On Pinterest, people search for and save ideas, recipes and anything visual onto boards. This means if your brand has eye-catching photos of your items, customers can easily find and save them for inspiration or to purchase later. Clothing boutiques, gift shops, and furniture stores tend to do well showcasing their inventory on Pinterest.
Some tips for using Pinterest – regularly pin new product photos onto boards grouped by category, use descriptive captions and tags, and link pins back to your website or online store. This allows people browsing ideas to easily shop what they see. You’ll also want to engage by replying to others and commenting to build connections in related categories on the site.
2. Try Snapchat or YouTube for Generation Z Consumers
If your target customer is Generation Z aged 13-24, then Snapchat and YouTube could reach them better than other channels. Members of this age group spend a lot more time on these video-based platforms than on Facebook or Instagram. Snapchat lets you post short-lived video or photo stories that disappear, making it fun and lighthearted. You could give sneak peeks at new products, behind-the-scenes looks, or contests and promotions.
YouTube is a social media marketing platform for longer-form video content like tutorials, reviews, and vlogs set in your store. Developing a YouTube channel requires more effort up front but it allows building a following over time with consistent uploads. Popular categories on YouTube that would benefit include beauty, electronics, toys, and sporting goods retailers. Snapchat and YouTube let you show personality and connect with younger customers in a way they prefer.
3. Consider LinkedIn for B2B Marketing
We typically think of LinkedIn as a professional networking site, but it’s also useful for business-to-business (B2B) marketing. If your company sells wholesale products or supplies to other businesses, LinkedIn lets you target other companies in your industry. You can build a Company Page to share updates and thought leadership content and showcase your brand to potential clients.
Connecting with similar pages, joining groups in your category, and engaging others can help you become discoverable on the platform. Writing articles, guides, or case studies demonstrating your expertise also builds trust and authority with other businesses on LinkedIn. This could be particularly good for wholesalers, suppliers, and distributors trying to make connections within their industry. Those aren’t typical places where customers may find you organically, so LinkedIn helps get your brand in front of companies you want to work with directly.
Also Read: Best Marketing and Promotion Ideas for Retail Stores
4. Explore Tumblr for Niche Audience Products
While less well-known social media for business marketing overall, Tumblr still has active communities within more niche interest areas like travel, crafts, fandoms, and independent artists. For any store catering to a specific subculture or passion-based products, Tumblr users could be very engaged. You can create customized Tumblr blogs to authentically connect with these audiences with visual posts, tips, behind-the-scenes footage, and more.
Think areas such as gaming merchandise, comic book shops, independent designers, and bookstores. Customers on Tumblr are always discovering new accounts within their interests, and interacting there helps tap into smaller but dedicated niche audiences not well represented elsewhere. Make sure to post regularly, reblog others in related corners of the site, and be genuinely knowledgeable in that category. Tumblr takes time but can reach customers hard to find on bigger platforms.
5. Consider SemHash or Saavy for Location-Based Marketing
If you have a small local storefront, then location-based mobile apps SemHash and Saavy could help boost discovery around your neighborhood. SemHash lists local businesses and provides a way for customers nearby to check in and engage. Stores can offer deals or discounts that show up for users when they open the app in the vicinity of your shop. Customers may be inclined to visit any business they see giving them an offer at that time.
Saavy is similar, allowing users to see nearby store listings, discover sales and events, then tap to get directions. Small retailers benefit since customers can spontaneously decide to shop local places right around them. Integrating these hyper-local check-in networks increases your visibility to passersby and potential new customers in the area. They are useful adjuncts for any store wanting to boost walk-in traffic and cater to a neighborhood audience.
6. Explore Nextdoor for Neighborhood-Specific Outreach
Nextdoor is another location-based platform mainly used as a message board among nearby neighbors to build local connections. However, it also allows businesses to post and engage within their designated neighborhood zone. This is a nice complement to the other location tools as you can run targeted campaigns or sales limited to those within a 1-2 mile radius of your storefront.
Customers can see your listing within the community section as a verified local business. Nextdoor ensures only residents of that specific area will see your posts, driving hyperlocal customers aware of sales, events, and inventory through neighbor recommendations. Consider combining Nextdoor posts with small giveaways, discounts, or tailored product selections for that particular neighborhood following your shop.
Also Read: Improve Customer Retention with Email Marketing
7. Think About Peer-to-Peer Sites Like Depop, Mercari, or eBay
If your business does clothing resale or styling, then sites like Depop, Mercari, and even eBay let you extend your customer reach through peer-to-peer sales. These marketplaces enable individual selling and curb appeal of unique finds. You can list pre-owned clothing pieces from your inventory, sell pieces on consignment for customers seeking new homes for old wardrobes, or style entire-themed outfits as a package deal.
8. Consider Facebook for Local Advertising
Facebook allows you to target advertisements very specifically by location, age, interests, and other factors. This helps you reach potential customers near your store that match your ideal audience. You can boost posts to promote sales, new products, or events. Testing small budgets for ads will help you optimize targeting over time. Facebook also has strong awareness as a most popular social media platform, so maintaining a business Page keeps your brand top of mind for customers who may discover and like your Page organically.
9. Consider YouTube for How-To Videos
If your products have assembly, setup instructions, or anything that can be demonstrated in a video, YouTube is great for creating an engaging “How To” series. Customers love learning solutions to problems through clear visuals. This builds your authority as an expert while driving traffic back to your website, social profiles, or online store. Plus, videos perform very well in search results, putting you in front of customers searching for related product information on YouTube.
10. Consider Instagram for product photography
Being the best social media marketing platform, Instagram shines for retailers wanting to showcase products and outfit ideas in a beautiful, visual way. Customers browse the platform to discover new items, get styling inspiration, and stay up to date on their favorite brands. Posting high-quality, consistent product photography in your feed keeps your offerings top of mind and helps potential buyers discover you. Instagram stories are also versatile for sneak peeks through reels, polls, live videos, and creative retail store marketing of seasonal collections or sales.
To take your online and in-store integration to the next level, consider using Hana Retail as your POS system. Hana Retail seamlessly ties social media, loyalty programs, and more into one platform to give you a 360-degree view of your customers and business. Contact us today to learn how Hana Retail can help you with retail marketing services!
