As the world changes rapidly, people change their buying patterns. From buying at local stores and online, people are now moved to buy all of their needs online. People care about the business they buy from, no matter how close or how far they are located. In times where many businesses, big to small, found themself struggling. People all over the world started to buy gift cards as a way to show loyalty and support to their favorite businesses to help them stay afloat.
Gift card e-commerce sales went up by 54% and having said that, 26% of people who plan on buying digital gift cards are interested in buying one from a business they care about.
Many retailers are now looking for ways to sell more gift cards. Facebook and Instagram stepped up to help small businesses do so, through their social media accounts.
Nowadays two of the largest social media platforms give small businesses a way to reach out to their community and ask for help, and it’s all for free.
So, how can you use your social media account to sell more gift cards?
Put It on Your Business Profile
The first way to attract more customers to buy gift cards is to let them know you are selling gift cards.
With Instagram’s new feature, you can add a Gift Card button on your business profile.
On Facebook it’s a little different, once you register with a certified partner, your gift cards are automatically featured on Facebook to everyone in your local community (based on the Facebook user’s ZIP code). The fact that your store will be exposed automatically doesn’t there are no other ways to promote gift cards on your business page.
Try changing your call out button to purchase Gift Card.
Don’t stop there, post on your Instagram and Facebook account that you are selling gift cards, and people can buy them as a way to support your business.
Spread the Word
500 million people use Instagram stories on a daily basis, and 1 in 4 looks for Stories of the products or services they want to buy. What could be a better way to let your fans know you are selling Gift Cards? Using the New gift card sticker, you can let your followers know you are selling Gift Cards and let them buy one directly through Instagram.
Use your followers as a way to reach new customers. Ask your followers to share your gift card sticker on their stories, and in return, you can offer them a gift card as a token of your appreciation. Doing so, you will reach new people and gain new followers. Everyone that shares your Gift Card sticker is basically saying to their followers – this is a great brand, I’m buying from it and so should you.
Use Your Community
The people that will most likely want to support your brand are the people from your community, the people you see when you walk down the street and say hello to.
Find your community group on Facebook and post there. Let people know how much you miss seeing them on a daily basis and that they can help you out by buying your gift card. Make it easy for them and add a link to your gift card page product on Facebook
Be Proactive Creative and Bold
Gift cards are great, but if no one knows you are selling them you might as well not sell them at all.
Promote your gift cards everywhere you can think of. Leave a poster on your shop window, or add a pop-up banner on your home page. Reach out to your loyal customers through email marketing or SMS and give them an extra incentive to buy gift cards from you right now.
Don’t do the same thing twice, be creative! Give your unique point of view on things. Show different sides of you and your brand. You can show your followers a glimpse of your new collection – kind of like a backstage view on how the new collection come to life.
Push your limits and try out new things. Use your social connections through your social media to attract more customers. Try to go live and talk about your product, your struggles, or even your family and how it’s been for you, be sure to mention your gift cards as a way to support your business.
We Are All in This Together
Even when it seems there is nothing more to do, and things are starting to take a turn for the worse our friends and families are there to reach out a friendly hand. Nowadays social media is everywhere, anyone can be a friend, and everyone can reach out and help.
Use your social connections and come out of this as winners.
Has the Coronavirus effected your brand?
Learn about new ways to re-engage with your customers during these times in our COVID-19 Resource hub.