Digital Advertising?

[Bronze_Palms]

Hi! Do any of you guys use Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest ads to promote your business? 

Would love to hear your experience and the type of business you run. Thanks!

[Candlestore]

@Bronze_Palms ;

We have a Candle Store and also sell Soaps and Lotions etc.  We have an Instagram and Facebook business accounts.  We post Pictures and tell about specials on those platforms but have not Paid for any ads on either Platform.  So our Followers are the only ones that see the ads and their friends if they Share the ads.  When we post an ad we do see an increase in sales on our website. Which reminds me I will have to post on Facebook again about out Special of the Month.  Our Patriotic Summer Candle which is RED, White and Blue in color and each color is a Different Scent.  I just partnered with a local Resort that when their customers come in with their Guest Key, they get a Discount.  So this advertising is Free to me until a Purchase is made.  I like this since it does not cost $$ upfront hoping to attract customers, but I give a discount when I get customers only.

[PartyManiaMD]

Generally I avoid paying for social media marketing because it's hard to gauge how much of it is just paid views versus genuine interest in our store. Not to mention being a brick and mortar store people come to us for stuff when they need it so if they aren't having a party typically our ads get ignored. While it's tempting to throw money at social media we find it's far more effective to do the occasional google ad and focus on providing great products at competitive pricing. 

Most of my efforts have been focused on local events and promoting organic growth by using our loyalty program as effectively as possible. None of our competitors have a rewards program and we're averaging lots of new rewards members each month, which translates into a more loyal customer base because why shop at our competitors when they're more expensive AND they don't get 10% back in rewards.

I'm also a firm believer in organic growth and social media while a great tool leads to a lot of fake engagement. We have a candle line that went viral on tiktok but the candles just don't sell in store because what's viral doesn't always translate to sales.