7 Easy Ways to Sell on Social Media

Table of Contents

The topic of using social media to sell your products or services is one that’s covered by pretty much every social media expert out there.

But selling on social media using images?

That’s not something that gets nearly as much attention!

 

Updated March 1, 2021

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you likely already know my views on using social media to sell: generally speaking, the “hard sell” doesn’t work on social media.

In fact, if you’re constantly promoting your products or services, you’re more likely to alienate your fans and followers than to entice them to buy.

However, when you use social media to build relationships and to establish yourself as a trustworthy expert in your field, sales will ultimately follow. You don’t need to be fake, slimy or overly self-promotional in order to profit from social media! (For more on this check out my post How to Sell Without Sounding Salesy on Social Media).

Why are Images on Social Media so Important?

Sell on Social Media Using Images
Now, how do images play into all this?

What’s the role of visuals when it comes to social selling?

Images and videos can be a great, non-threatening way to share info about your products and services without coming across as overly-promotional.

Using images can also help your product info “stick” in people’s minds: research tells us that when information is paired with a relevant image, people retain around 65% of that info 3 days later…as opposed to only 10% when there’s no image (source: Brain Rules).

Using images can also help your product info “stick” in people’s minds: research tells us that when information is paired with a relevant image, people retain around 65% of that info 3 days later...as opposed to only 10% when there’s no image (source: Brain Rules).Click To Tweet

We also know that when Facebook ads contain images, they tend to be between 75% and 90% more effective (source: Consumer Acquisition), and that tweets that contain images have a 150% retweet rate (source: FinancesOnline). All this to say: If you want people to notice, remember and share your content, using images and other visuals is a great idea!

7 Easy Ways To Sell On Social Media Using Images

Now, onto the question at hand: How do we use images to sell our products or services on social media?

Here are 7 easy ways you can make the most of images on social media without alienating your fans and followers.

1. Promo Codes or Special Offers.

Sell on Social Media

Via Glossense

Have an upcoming sale or promotion?

Instead of posting a text-only announcement or discount code, take a few minutes to create an eye-catching graphic to promote your offer.

Some ideas for promotions you can advertise include:

  • $ or % discount
  • BOGO (Buy One Get One Free)
  • A coupon code (e.g. Use code CHRISTMASCHEER for 10% off)
  • Free shipping offer
  • Flash sale (see #7 below for more on this)

2. Product Features.

Sell on Social Media

Via Sanita

Why tell your customers about your product’s features when you can show them instead?

Visuals have a way of driving your message home in a way that text just can’t. An image illustrating the main features of your product will not only grab your followers’ attention, but will actually keep them interested long enough to learn about your product.

3. Useful Infographics.

Via Printwand

Content marketing is now one of the main ways marketers are reaching out to their audience; providing useful and valuable content (whether text, image or video-based) is far more effective than trying to continually convince your fans and followers to buy your products.

Infographics can be a great way to provide useful information to your readers and followers, all while keeping your company and products top-of-mind.

While you likely won’t see an immediate ROI on infographics, they’re great for driving traffic, gaining inbound links and increasing your company’s exposure online.

4. Image-Based Contests.

Via Kohl’s

Contests are a great way to get your business and products in front of potential customers…without being overly “salesy”.

There are loads of ways to use images as part of your social media contests, including:

  • “Caption this” or fill-in-the-blank contests: Best/funniest/most creative caption or response wins.
  • User-generated photo contests: Ask your fans or followers to submit photos of themselves using or posing with your product.
  • Play-to-win games: Some examples could be a “spot the differences” game, or a “scratch to win” ticket (where entrants “scratch” the image to reveal their prize or discount).

While contests may not directly lead to sales, they’re a great way to promote your products, keep your business top-of-mind, and generate a ton of buzz around your brand!

5. Product Pins.

Via Breath of Youth

If you’re using Pinterest for your product-based business (you ARE using Pinterest, right?), product pins should definitely be part of your repertoire.

When you use product pins, you can include a variety of information including:

  • Current availability
  • Up-to-date pricing
  • Product description from your website

The beauty of product pins is if you change any of the above info on your website, your pins automatically update with the latest info…no extra work required!

For more on using Pinterest to make sales, see my post How to Finally Monetize Pinterest.

6. Product Mockups.

Via Marie McGrath

Do you ever see those cool graphics that show a digital product – like an eBook, online course, or software package – in physical form?

Or an image of a t-shirt, mug or other customized product, that includes the customized text or images, before the product is even created?

These are what are known as product mockups, and they’re a great way to grab your followers’ attention – before your product even physically exists! You can create  your own stunning mockups quickly and easily using Smart Mockups. Give it a try for free!

7. Countdown Timers.

Via Lipsy London

Countdown timers can be a great way to catch your followers’ attention and get them to take action…fast.

Use countdown timers to let your followers know about:

  • An upcoming product launch
  • A special sale or promotion
  • VIP access to a new product (see above)
  • A time-limited coupon code
  • Cart closing (e.g., when you’re going to close registration for an online course)

Final Thoughts

And that’s it – 7 easy ways to sell on social media using images.

At this point, I know some of you are probably thinking…

This sounds GREAT Kim! I want to use more images to sell on social media!

But, you may have no idea which tools to use, or where to even start.

That’s why I created THREE trainings that will help you get to your goals faster without a steep learning curve:

  • Quick and Easy Ways to Create Social Media Content for Non-Designers
  • 4 Simple Steps to Crafting Social Media Posts That Will SELL Your Product/Service
  • How to Use Mockups to Design Ah-May-Zing Visual Content

These online trainings will show you the EXACT steps and tools you need to create amazing images you can use on social media…even if you have zero graphic design skills.

To grab these trainings, simply click on the links above – OR, get ALL these trainings (plus 50+ more) at a huge savings by joining my Business Builder’s Academy.

How do you use images to sell on social media? Are images currently a major part of your social media strategy? Share below!

About Author

Comment Via Facebook
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

77 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Osby Iisbor
Osby Iisbor
9 years ago

Great article, i’ve been enjoying your articles on effective use of Facebook. It’s simply awaresome.

Kim Garst
Kim Garst
Reply to  Osby Iisbor
9 years ago

Glad you are getting value from my site, Osby! Thanks for dropping in!

Kristin
Kristin
9 years ago

Hi Kim! Thanks for all the great tips.

Ashley Andews
Ashley Andews
9 years ago

Thanks for all the great tips, Kim! I love infographics and definitely agree that they’re a great way to drive traffic to your website or social media channel.

Kim Garst
Kim Garst
9 years ago

Create images that doesn’t have as much text is about the only way around it, Lanre.

Diane Roark
Diane Roark
9 years ago

Thank so much for the great tips!

Melanie
9 years ago

Love your content Kim! Invaluable ideas! You save me time and money in a BIG way!

Kim Garst
Kim Garst
Reply to  Melanie
9 years ago

Luv hearing this 😉

Jodie
Jodie
8 years ago

Thank you so much Kim for your amazing quality information! You always put out the best information for us and I want to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Happy Holidays,
Jodie

Kim Garst
Admin
Reply to  Jodie
8 years ago

Glad you found them helpful, Jodie! Happy holidays to you as well :-).

Dr. Prof. Salam
Dr. Prof. Salam
5 years ago

Really very wonderful. Since we are entering a new growth phase on our new creative leadership programs ,your tips were very timely. Your enthusiasm is contagious, and we hope all our young CEO will benefit from what you have presented here.

All the best.

Mishika Dubey
Mishika Dubey
3 years ago

Hi,
This post is awesome!!! As it solves my many problems. Thank you for sharing it and loved your post.
Keep uploading like this!!!

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  Mishika Dubey
3 years ago

Thank you, Mishika. I share every week so keep posted!

Netwlog
Netwlog
3 years ago

Thanks For Sharing The Amazing content

Emile Ouosso
Emile Ouosso
3 years ago

Just discovered your blog, and I have been reading some of your articles. They are very instructive ! Thank you Kim.

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  Emile Ouosso
3 years ago

You’re welcome! Stay tuned for weekly posts.

Digital Marketing in Vizag
Digital Marketing in Vizag
3 years ago

Hello,
Very Helpful Content i really loved it.

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  Digital Marketing in Vizag
3 years ago

Thank you!

quality web
quality web
3 years ago

Hey,
Great article, very useful information for me.

quality web
quality web
3 years ago

Hey,
Great article,

Md Minhajul Islam
Md Minhajul Islam
3 years ago

best article, very useful information for me.

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  Md Minhajul Islam
3 years ago

Thanks, Mihajul! What’s your favorite among the 7?

Priya Sharma
3 years ago

Hi there! thanks for sharing these 7 easy ways to sell on social media using images this article is really very helpful for me.

Lealtex
Lealtex
3 years ago

Excellent article I used item 2. Product Features. and it worked perfectly for me. My engagement rate doubled … Thank you very much!

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  Lealtex
3 years ago

You’re welcome! So glad you found it helpful!

Suyash
Suyash
3 years ago

Hey Kim,
Thanks for sharing valuable information.

Harsh Kumar
Harsh Kumar
3 years ago

Hye thanks for giving best ways to sell on Social media.
You help me alot because first time I started selling my product thanks.

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  Harsh Kumar
3 years ago

So glad you find this useful, Harsh.

Harsh Kumar
Harsh Kumar
3 years ago

Nice post 👍🏿 Magnificent website. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to some pals. And obviously, thank you in your effort!

WIKISMM
WIKISMM
3 years ago

Great article, i’ve been enjoying your articles on effective use of Facebook. It’s simply awaresome. good sir

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  WIKISMM
2 years ago

Glad you got some value here.

Afak Ali
Afak Ali
3 years ago

Social media marketing is the use of social media platforms and websites to promote a product or service. Although the terms e-marketing and digital marketing are still dominant in academia, social media marketing is becoming more popular for both practitioners and researchers.

Aditya Pattekar
Aditya Pattekar
3 years ago

You just shared with us a lot of useful things which will definitely help in getting more online sales. Definitely, I apply these rules.

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  Aditya Pattekar
3 years ago

Happy selling on social, Aditya!

Akash Kumar
Akash Kumar
3 years ago

This is very helpful website and helpful article

Vishwa Jani
Vishwa Jani
3 years ago

I am also planning to do business online. The information here are really useful .

furqan
furqan
3 years ago

really useful information, I would like to share it among my community.

Mayur
Mayur
3 years ago

Thankyou for writing this article. It was so informative.

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  Mayur
3 years ago

Glad it was of some help to you. Keep posted for more, Mayur.

Pavan
Pavan
3 years ago

This article is owesome, Nice information

SLR Shipping Services LLC
SLR Shipping Services LLC
3 years ago

Great list you have here. Thanks for your informative and helping post.

SLR Shipping Services LLC
SLR Shipping Services LLC
3 years ago

Thank you so much for sharing this awesome content.

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  SLR Shipping Services LLC
3 years ago

You’re welcome! Keep posted for more.

Diego Soares
Diego Soares
3 years ago

Thanks for the tips!!

silver shades
silver shades
3 years ago

Hi There !!! This articles was very helpful ! really loved it Thankyou

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  silver shades
3 years ago

You’re welcome!

William Jone
William Jone
3 years ago

wonderful ways to sell on Social media using images. All strategies are awesome. thank you for share.

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  William Jone
3 years ago

Thank you, William!

Gilgit Bazar
Gilgit Bazar
3 years ago

thanks for sharing social media marketing tricks.

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  Gilgit Bazar
3 years ago

You’re welcome, Gilgit!

Karan Kd
Karan Kd
3 years ago

It is a helpful article for me.

Jay
Jay
3 years ago

Amazing post and nice explain

englishgrammarguru
englishgrammarguru
3 years ago

Hello, I love your post. i got why social media is so important now a days.

siya gupta
siya gupta
3 years ago

This blog of yours on “7 Easy Ways to Sell on Social Media” was really interesting. I liked your words slection quality. The way you expressed your thoughts was very innovative and good. Thankyou for giving us such information.

Sewayam
Sewayam
Reply to  siya gupta
3 years ago

Really very wonderful. Since we are entering a new growth phase on our new creative leadership programs ,your tips were very timely. Your enthusiasm is contagious, and we hope all our young CEO will benefit from what you have presented here.

Sewayam
Sewayam
Reply to  siya gupta
3 years ago

Thanks information

Sewayam
Sewayam
3 years ago

Good written and vary nice guidelines

Sewayam
Sewayam
3 years ago

The best artical written them , love this article

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  Sewayam
2 years ago

Glad to know, Sewayam. Thanks for dropping in!

Muhammad Umar
Muhammad Umar
3 years ago

thanks for information. i do this

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  Muhammad Umar
3 years ago

You’re welcome!

Mohit Bhargav
Mohit Bhargav
3 years ago

Amazing post and well explained… You really nailed it

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  Mohit Bhargav
3 years ago

Thank you, Mohit.

Sheriff
Sheriff
3 years ago

Nice info….thanks

Kamal Markam
Kamal Markam
3 years ago

kim
your content is so nice thank you so much for this information

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  Kamal Markam
3 years ago

Thanks, Kamal.

Smith
Smith
3 years ago

From this, I learned a lot from what I don’t know. Thanks for sharing your tips.

ALI ABDULZAHRH
ALI ABDULZAHRH
3 years ago

THANKS, This is really helpful information.

Nikki
Nikki
3 years ago

Hi Kim,
Thanks a ton for the idea of Infographics. It is really valuable information.

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  Nikki
3 years ago

You’re welcome, Nikki.

Anonymous
Anonymous
3 years ago

Thank you for the tips! Will have to try these in our social media marketing.

Abhijit
Abhijit
3 years ago

Superb ideas to make look images very appealing, thank you for sharing with us.

Boa Dica
Boa Dica
2 years ago

Thanks information

Kim's Team
Kim's Team
Reply to  Boa Dica
2 years ago

Stay tuned for weekly posts, Boa Dica.

Get FREE Access to 51 Mini Digital Product Ideas that people will line up to buy!
4K Shares
Share
Tweet
Pin
Reddit
Email
Buffer
Share