When was the last time you bought something after seeing an advertisement?

[Deleted20833]

I've been trying to do direct response type ads on
Facebook and I'm not getting the best type of results
I could which had me thinking...my ads must suck!

But then I remember seeing great ads on facebook
and also not buying, not because the ad and product
sucked (it was great) but due to not knowing who the
hell the person was...which made me come up with a question

when was the last time I bought a product from a social
media advertisement which I didn't have prior knowledge
from and the answer I came up with is "Never."

Which makes me think...I wonder who else has had
this experience?

 

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[Mattie]

I can't even remember the last time I clicked on advertisement, alone bought something from doing it. I think ads are just something I've tuned out, because unless it's like on this forum where it's big and huge in my face I don't see it much. You get used to ads being everywhere and it's kind of like anything in your house, once it's been there for awhile, you just don't bring your attention to it. That's why I always wonder if it's worth spending money on ads on in face book because most people tell me it doesn't work.

When I shop I know exactly what I'm looking for and search the reviews first. And then go buy it. That's just what I did for the writing software. Went on Amazon and other sites to see what the reviews were all saying and what program they liked the best and why? Otherwise if it's word of mouth and I think it's something that I can use.

 

[RazorCut]

Is your problem lack of click throughs or lack of conversions once they are there? Facebook ad's are all about the image used. 80%+ of your success will depend on the image. And that image may not have a lot of bearing on your product. Sooooo create 20 images all with the same text and test, test, test. FB marketing does work but you have to go at it like a scientist. If your current campaign is not converting odds are you haven't tested enough images.

 

[Deleted20833]

I'm getting 7% click through rate but CPC is .50 ..which is going to be hard to keep up since my product sells for $29 bucks

Is your problem lack of click throughs or lack of conversions once they are there? Facebook ad's are all about the image used. 80%+ of your success will depend on the image. And that image may not have a lot of bearing on your product. Sooooo create 20 images all with the same text and test, test, test. FB marketing does work but you have to go at it like a scientist. If your current campaign is not converting odds are you haven't tested enough images.

 

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[eqttrdr]

I've been trying to do direct response type ads on
Facebook and I'm not getting the best type of results
I could which had me thinking...my ads must suck!

But then I remember seeing great ads on facebook
and also not buying, not because the ad and product
sucked (it was great) but due to not knowing who the
hell the person was...which made me come up with a question

when was the last time I bought a product from a social
media advertisement which I didn't have prior knowledge
from and the answer I came up with is "Never."

Which makes me think...I wonder who else has had
this experience?

exactly why ever single HUGE advertising/marketing firm I have ever spoke with says to think of social media as simply a "Billboard" for your product or service. When was the last time you saw a billboard on the highway and immediately bought whatever it is.
Social media traffic is NOT in a buying mood. Amazon type traffic is..

Thats not my .02, thats a huge list of really expensive advertising/marketing agencies I have paid $1000s in phone and in person consulting fees to get their thoughts.

 

[1step]

I bought a product from a facebook advertisement recently because the targeting was spot on and it solved a problem I had. I didnt know there was a solution to the problem prior to seeing the ad.

exactly why ever single HUGE advertising/marketing firm I have ever spoke with says to think of social media as simply a "Billboard" for your product or service. When was the last time you saw a billboard on the highway and immediately bought whatever it is.
Social media traffic is NOT in a buying mood. Amazon type traffic is..

Thats not my .02, thats a huge list of really expensive advertising/marketing agencies I have paid $1000s in phone and in person consulting fees to get their thoughts.

Marketing agencies told you the only way to target Social Media traffic was through "branding" type ads?

 

[Deleted20833]

I bought a product from a facebook advertisement recently because the targeting was spot on and it solved a problem I had. I didnt know there was a solution to the problem prior to seeing the ad.

Marketing agencies told you the only way to target Social Media traffic was through "branding" type ads?

Do you have experience using direct response type ads?

 

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[eqttrdr]

Marketing agencies told you the only way to target Social Media traffic was through "branding" type ads?

I always thought FB ads would normally return a good ROI based on the ability to laser target alone. I was continually proved wrong through my own testing. Not wanting to give up and figure out what I was doing wrong I reached out to 10 different 400k/yr minimum investment marketing/pr agencies and although I could not afford their services asked If I could pay for a call or two to pick their brains.

Independently of one another they all said the same thing. Social media is useless for conversions and should only be thought of as a "billboard" type of advertising. All of them went on and on and on about how social media isnt what everyone thinks its used for -- selling.

So who am I ? Nobody.. I defer to those who's services I could never even dream about affording, the agencies who laugh at my 10k/mo budget for advertising/marketing/branding services.

They ALL told me the exact same thing. While I dont want to personally believe them, its exactly what they all said.

 

[Deleted20833]

I always thought FB ads would normally return a good ROI based on the ability to laser target alone. I was continually proved wrong through my own testing. Not wanting to give up and figure out what I was doing wrong I reached out to 10 different 400k/yr minimum investment marketing/pr agencies and although I could not afford their services asked If I could pay for a call or two to pick their brains.

Independently of one another they all said the same thing. Social media is useless for conversions and should only be thought of as a "billboard" type of advertising. All of them went on and on and on about how social media isnt what everyone thinks its used for -- selling.

So who am I ? Nobody.. I defer to those who's services I could never even dream about affording, the agencies who laugh at my 10k/mo budget for advertising/marketing/branding services.

They ALL told me the exact same thing. While I dont want to personally believe them, its exactly what they all said.

Since facebook ppc isnt the way to go..what would you suggest be a good marketing method to sell a physical product like a clothing line...I was thinking native content marketing and in person selling

 

[eqttrdr]

physical product like a clothing line...I was thinking native content marketing and in person selling

I am no expert when it comes to selling clothes but from what I have seen from friends of my wife who had their lines take off..

Things they do that work:
-Partnering with other companies to cross-sell products
-google/bing/yahoo PPC buying keywords
-guest blogging
-sending free samples to high volume youtube channels for reviews on video
-sending free samples to people with high social media following in exchange for mentioning the line and pictures wearing the gear
-setting up booths at events/conventions related to their niche

All I can say is what I see them do that works...

 

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[randomnumber314]

It really depends on what you're selling. If you're selling cars or landscaping, FB is probably just a good place to get brand awareness, but not for sales. If you're selling dating, or fitness supplements, FB might be a great place to get traffic to a landing page / sales funnel.

Since facebook ppc isnt the way to go..what would you suggest be a good marketing method to sell a physical product like a clothing line...I was thinking native content marketing and in person selling

You'll probably do well if you use FB to grow your brand, without ads, while using instagram and/or pinterest to do the same. Brands tend to require social proof of their prowess, and social media is how you get people to spread the fact that people like what you're making.

 

[1step]

Do you have experience using direct response type ads?

Yes

Independently of one another they all said the same thing. Social media is useless for conversions and should only be thought of as a "billboard" type of advertising. All of them went on and on and on about how social media isnt what everyone thinks its used for -- selling.

I know many people who make FB work to get conversions. Obviously it won't work for every product but it definitely works.

I want to mention that just because you're talking to an agency who requires hundreds of thousands in spend doesn't mean they have your best intentions in mind.
Whats the goal of a "branding" ad?
So how do you measure if the company is doing a good job spending your money?
How much time does it take to manage a branding ad?

Whats the goal of direct response ads?
How much harder (than branding ads) is it to manage direct response ads?
How much more time does it take to prove their are effectively spending your money?

Which type of campaign would require much more of their time?

How do these agencies get paid?
Which type of campaign would be more profitable for them?

Is there a reason they would push you towards branding ads?

 

[RazorCut]

Unless the ad agencies specialise in Facebook conversions they are going to say it doesn't work. Why? Because THEY can't make it work and they are not going to tell you that now are they?

Facebook is not an easy nut to crack and you have to devote time, money and effort to it. However don't just base your metrics on unique sales, work out what 1 new customer is worth over the buyers lifetime.

If your average customer buys off you 3 times a year and sticks around for 2 years and your average profit per sale is $10 then each new customer is worth $60 to you. If it costs you $10 to get that customer that means $50 to your bottom line.

There are people making money on Facebook promoting their Teespring shirts http://teespring.com If they can do it you can too.

This women http://kimraluna.com spent $18k on Facebook ads for a return of almost $900k in her first year of business.

 

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[edrobinson]

Hey guys, just thought I'd throw in my 2 pence... FB is generating leads for me at very low cost.

If its not working for you then you have to ask yourself why?

Are you trying to persuade people to buy without schmoozing them first?

If they don't know you, they wont like and trust you.. Are you showing them:

A that you care about them and understand their situation
B Providing some value up front?- eg Showing them the way?
C Are you capturing their details and building a relationship with them?

Or are you just slapping them in the face with a big "Buy my ****" page?

Think seduction, think winning their trust, think providing them value upfront and building a relationship and then providing the solution to their problems...

PS: Here's a killer tip... Get some of them to enter a conversation with you... Either over the phone or email so you can find out exactly who is responding to your ads... Get a feel for them and you'll know for sure why they aren't buying!

PLUS: You'll find out exactly what they want!! give it to them!

Peace and Love

 

[RazorCut]

Great advice @edrobinson. Hope we get input from you more often now that you have broken your duck.

 

[eqttrdr]

This women http://kimraluna.com spent $18k on Facebook ads for a return of almost $900k in her first year of business.

Is there proof of this somewhere ? I would love to read more as thats extremely inspirational but just because someone says so on their website doesnt make it true..lol

 

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[Deleted20833]

Update..im getting 3.2% ctr to website with a .76 per click

 

[Deleted20833]

I also run a blog where im getting "free" clicks to the store..so Im thinking Im going to go all in with content marketing as far as online is concerns and giving free clothes to pple with big social media influence in exchange for a shoutout and setting up booths...Im still debating offline choices..im thinking of cold calling

 

[AndrewNC]

When was the last time you saw a billboard on the highway and immediately bought whatever it is.
Social media traffic is NOT in a buying mood.

Do you think direct sales via social media is a poor marketing strategy?

 

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[Deleted20833]

Do you think direct sales via social media is a poor marketing strategy?

I don't think its a bad strategy if you can be profitable doing it..which is the hard part

 

[eqttrdr]

Do you think direct sales via social media is a poor marketing strategy?

I believe in testing everything as there is no set rule as far as I am concerned. However based on my track record if I had just done the opposite of whatever it is I have thought I would be 100x ahead right now.

Listen to no one, question and test everything. It just seems like too much on this forum people have "rules" which if others question they are immediately chastised as wrong.

There isnt anyone who ever invested millions online who didnt A/B test the crap out of whatever it is they were doing.

 

[RazorCut]

Listen to no one, question and test everything. It just seems like too much on this forum people have "rules" which if others question they are immediately chastised as wrong.

Totally agree with question and test everything (within reason) but if you listen to no one you are not going to learn much and there is little point in being a member of a forum. Listening to no one just makes you ignorant surely. Also how can you effectively test your own assumptions if you live in a virtual vacuum?

Personally I think there is a hell of a lot less noise and BS here than on many other forums and there are a number of contributors here who's opinions I respect enormously.

I would say listen/read everyones opinion while weighting those whom you know have some authority on the subject appropriately. Don't discount opposite opinions either but listen to both sides of the debate and make up your own mind.

When I was at Uni the trick to getting a high mark on a paper was to find two opposing arguments for the subject, stand the middle ground and discuss the merits of both then come down on whatever side you considered the most reasoned and logical in your conclusion. You didn't get marks for sitting on the fence. It is often those that debate a thread from wildly different angles that often provides the most insight. I'd hate to lose that.

We all have opinions fashioned from our experiences of life which is what makes forums both informative and sometimes exasperating. I'll give you that.

There isnt anyone who ever invested millions online who didnt A/B test the crap out of whatever it is they were doing.

Amen to that. It's probably that enquiring mind that got them started in the first place.

 

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[RazorCut]

Is there proof of this somewhere ? I would love to read more as thats extremely inspirational but just because someone says so on their website doesnt make it true..lol

Very good question. I came across the information on this podcast:

http://rickmulready.com/kimra-luna/

 

[RazorCut]

Update..im getting 3.2% ctr to website with a .76 per click

Nice one Hugo. Are you making money at those stats?

I started a Facebook campaign over the weekend. Tested several ad's and went from a cost per click of $1.14 and Click Through Rate of 1.569% to a CPC of 21 cents and CTR of 6.122% by today. Despite that the campaign is not yet profitable so I am going to have to insert and test out a range of landing pages to increase conversions.

 

[ChrisJTurner]

I once read someone that said Mercedes start advertising to kids when they are 6, so then when they grow older and been subjected ads all their life, they`ll buy one eventually.

I guess it worked on me

 

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[RazorCut]

Geez Chris I didn't realise Mercedes had been in existence that long.

 

[Deleted20833]

Nice one Hugo. Are you making money at those stats?

I started a Facebook campaign over the weekend. Tested several ad's and went from a cost per click of $1.14 and Click Through Rate of 1.569% to a CPC of 21 cents and CTR of 6.122% by today. Despite that the campaign is not yet profitable so I am going to have to insert and test out a range of landing pages to increase conversions.

No money is being made off that...the CPC is too high. I'm getting likes on the ad and clicks to the store so they are "raising their hand" proving they are at least intrigue but to make sales I' would be running the ad at a lost and hoping to recruit later. Since I'm a start up, I need to find the quickest path to the sale...which in my experience is by targeting my market and either cold calling or a cold drop-in. My market is 18-35 year old men who are into the tattoo culture. My strategy is to go tattoo shops and try to sell the workers there...will report back with the results

 

[Stu_Hefner]

What's your product? Nobody can help you of you don't know What your product is.

The truth is a lot of people don't make money on the front end. best outcome is if they break even. Buying is a commitment and people buy when they are ready. They might have to come across your product 7 times. this is why retargeting ad campaigns have gotten so popular recently. Now a days ads follow you across the internet to speed you the buying process of those that are interested. You should consider the same thing. Grab an email, send them follow up email, teacher with Facebook, send them more content ect

 

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[Deleted20833]

What's your product? Nobody can help you of you don't know What your product is.

The truth is a lot of people don't make money on the front end. best outcome is if they break even. Buying is a commitment and people buy when they are ready. They might have to come across your product 7 times. this is why retargeting ad campaigns have gotten so popular recently. Now a days ads follow you across the internet to speed you the buying process of those that are interested. You should consider the same thing. Grab an email, send them follow up email, teacher with Facebook, send them more content ect

It's a t shirt line with tattoo type designs

 

[RazorCut]

Well Teespring campaigns have been very effective on Facebook for affiliates and their percentage would be a lot less than your margin so you should be able to make it work. Mind you $30 for a T shirt seems high so could that be the issue? Also are you breaking your age range down or have them as one Adset? What does your sales funnel look like?