Read on, and I will share with you the three ways I use one of my best online strategies – Facebook – to sell YOUR sheep-stuff right now (from raw fleeces to $500 felted fleece rugs)!
Some of you may already know me, but for those of you who don’t, I’m Amika! I have a small flock of Icelandic sheep in the beautiful Ruby Valley, Montana. And I make all sorts of value-added crafts with my sheep’s fleece, milk and pelts, which I sell online and at local events.
In addition to making a ton of sales locally, I also sell pelt pillows, felted fleece rugs, and sheep milk bath and beauty products online, at my Copia Cove website Shop. But today, I am here to share how YOU can sell your sheep-stuff online, right now, using FACEBOOK!
First, There Are a Few Ground Rules
Here are some tips to get you started with selling on Facebook:
Price Your Items Well
Research online prices for similar items. This is especially crucial to your non-value-added and lower priced items. The online market easily can become saturated with raw fleeces or milk soaps, for example, so you’ll want to be sure that you’re not too far off on your pricing.
Sometimes, if you have an especially exceptional raw fleece or piece of art (like a felted rug or pelt pillow), you can ask a premium price for it online. In general, however, play nice with other shepherds by not pricing your items too low or too high.
Simply do a search on Facebook sales pages that you are intending to use, for similar items, and use your best judgement when pricing your items.
Follow the Rules
Always follow Facebook’s guidelines for the community at-large. Also, be sure that if you’re posting to a Facebook Group, that you read the pinned post or admin’s document containing posting rules. If you’re not sure if your intended post will violate group rules, message the admin of the gourd before you post.
Video is HOT
Facebook algorithms LOVE videos right now. You will reach MORE people on Facebook with a mediocre video, over a bunch of awesome pics. So, if you want greater reach on your post, do a quick Facebook LIVE for a Show and Tell session with what you are selling.
Keep This in Mind
It’s important to keep in mind that people on Facebook do not want to be sold to (unless you are posting in a sales-specific group). And Facebook doesn’t want you selling to their users either!
People go to Facebook to connect with their friends and family. Most of the time, people are not specifically going to Facebook to buy something (or be sold something). Facebook will push your post out to more people if you aren’t being overly salesy.
Yes, Facebook’s algorithm is on the lookout for overly salesy stuff because they want their users to be happy and always coming back for more! So, keep your posts generally more informative and conversational.
The one exception to this, in general, is around the holiday season. You’ll find that your Facebook peeps will be more receptive to being sold to when it ’tis the season!
Three Things You Can Do Right Now to Sell Your Sheep Stuff on Facebook
So, now that we’re clear on some ground rules, lets get to the 3 Things You Can Do Right Now to Sell Your Sheep-Stuff on Facebook!
1. Post to Your Personal Profile and Business Page
Don’t overlook this! Definitely post an informative post (remember, not a for sale post) to your personal Facebook Profile and Facebook Business/Farm Page.
Say something like, “Hey friends! Look at what I made this weekend… 6 Icelandic sheepskin pillows! It was a lot of work, but wow, I LOVE how they turned out! Which one is your favorite?” It’s always great to ask a specific question. If people are interacting (good or bad) with your post, Facebook figures it’s good content, and they will push the post out for more people to see.
You may be wondering, “How will this strategy help me actually sell my stuff one Facebook?” Well, here’s the magic. Someone will always eventually ask if your items are for sale in the comments of the post. Once this happens, go for it!
Reply to the comment, and get more specific about the items you are selling (colors, size, materials, etc.) and pricing. Do this right in the post’s comments.
Once the conversation is started on the post itself, you can always send the conversation with individual buyers over to Messenger to work out the details of payment and shipping.
2. Content-Specific Groups
Content-specific groups are the groups on Facebook where your fellow shepherds and crafters connect, share, and have topic-relevant conversations. DO NOT go into these groups waving your For Sale sign. Rather, use the strategy I talked about above.
Go into these groups with a sharing mindset. Share your journey with your sheep or craft, post an awesome picture or better yet, video. Talk about how to make it, or how you got it out of or off your sheep. Share a story, take them behind the scenes, or get personal. Your primary goal is to add value to your community.
Drop a subtle hint that whatever you are talking about in your sharing post is for sale by saying something like, “I’m headed to a craft fair this weekend, so I made XYZ.” Or, “Here are my best fleeces of the year! This is what makes them special ____, and this is what my customers love to use them for, _____.” I guarantee this will prompt someone to ask if your sheep-stuff is for sale!
The more active and helpful you are to group members, the more people will want to interact with you, and even promote your posts! And don’t be afraid to ask group members to share your post if they are loving your stuff!
3. Relevant Sales Groups
There are Facebook groups that are strictly sales groups, and there is at least one group for just about any kind of craft or product imaginable. These groups are great for selling your items fast because the people visiting these groups are looking to buy!
Search for sales groups on Facebook that are VERY relevant to what you are wanting to sell. Follow the posting rules for that specific group, keeping in mind that every group has different rules. Some groups allow sales posts 24/7… 365. While other groups may only allow sales during special in-group events or on a certain day of the week.
Make sure you post good photos of your item(s), and that you provide an accurate description, including weight, dimensions, color, quantity, limitations, etc. Include the location that you will be shipping from, a clear price, and shipping and payment terms.
Now, check this out… I put together a list of my favorite sheep-related Facebook sales groups (because I love you, and all my sheepy peeps):
RAW WOOL 4 ALL DIRTY TO PRIME !! selling group
Advertise & sell handmade crafts only
Fibers & Yarns & Handmade for Sale
Yarns and fibers destashing for sale 2
Wool / Yarn for Sale, swap or trade
Tenney’s WHOLESALE Fleece and fiber buyers group (sales allowed intermittently)
DIY Sheep Crafts (sales allowed only during special group events)
Have you found a group that you LOVE that isn’t on this list? Scroll down and share in the comments!
A Word About The Facebook Marketplace
The Facebook Marketplace allows you to buy, sell, and trade within Facebook. Items are separated and categorized much like anything you would find on Craigslist. But it’s probably a bit safer than Craigslist because Facebook allows you to look up the profiles of sellers and buyers.
When you post to a sale-specific group, you will be given the option to post to multiple groups, and also to The Marketplace.
Full disclosure, I have NEVER sold anything directly from a post on The Marketplace, while having tremendous success selling in relevant sales groups.
It certainly doesn’t hurt to give it a try, though. Especially if it only takes one extra click to list your item in The Marketplace.
So there you have it, The Three Things You Can Do Right Now to Sell Your Sheep Stuff on Facebook!
Tried It? How’d You Do?
Do you have something that you can sell on Facebook right now? Give these three things a try and let me know how it goes. And be sure to stop by DIY Sheep Crafts on Facebook and post some pics, or better yet, a video, of your awesome sheep-stuff!
Shepherd Like a Girl!
