I think you need to "dumb" it down step by step. How do you find a person to buy a grill that does not yet exist? Or do you post pics of a done grill and promise to give them one like it? Do you have a bunch of in-stock ready to restore? Sorry for being thick on this. I do understand short selling stock;-)
Can you share the link where you have this active social media presence?
Absolutely. Everything I do is on Facebook. I started by creating a Facebook page from my main identity. On it, I publish “as-is” photos of each grill as I acquire it along with a little back story blurb to go with it. I also regularly post pics and updated stories as a project is in progress. And I always post the finished product on my page for my followers to see and have first crack at before hitting the facebook Marketplace and local Facebook garage sale sites. This generates an “insider” feel for these followers even if it is only an hour or two of a head start. They like and comment and my exposure grows. It is really all about providing a steady stream of content when it comes to social media. You have to post regularly and you have to interact with those who comment and show interest if you want to grow your reach and audience. I recently documented the process of curing and smoking my own bacon in a series of posts. I was just trying to generate some early season activity through my page and it turned into a surprisingly high interaction piece and buzz generator of likes and comments. I picked up several new followers out of it that I wasn’t expecting in any way. Another thing I do is to always add a bio and directive to each ad I post. It reads verbatim...”I repair, refurbish and restore Weber grills as a hobby. See The Weber Guy here on Facebook to learn more about me and to see additional examples of my work. While you’re there, maybe even give me a follow if you like what you see.” I actively pick up a few new followers with each grill I post and sell by doing this. And it costs me nothing. I’ve never paid for an ad or listing. I’ve never tried to sell on Craigslist. I am 100% tied to Facebook for everything I do and it has paid off remarkably.
I just followed you. Really nice work on the page and grills. Now I finally understand. Maybe I'll consider something like that some time down the road after I move so it is local.
I hope you give it a try. I’ve found that I enjoy the hobby even more by having an audience to share it with. Going in, I never could’ve imagined how much of a positive effect a social media presence would have on the financial side of things, but I am thankful for how well it has worked out for me thus far.
I get referrals or repeat customers from grills or parts I sold. I also try to develop a dialogue with respondents of ads that don’t get the advertised grill. Just ask them if they ever had a Weber. If the answer is yes usually I can help them out.
@BPratt touches on the edge of an important aspect of social marketing here with referrals. You're not just reaching the initial person that interacts with you when someone likes and comments on your post or page. Their list of friends that they regularly engage with will see that interaction and then have the opportunity to learn more about or engage with you as well. This continues to expand your reach much like branches on a family tree to possibly grab you new followers and/or potential customers as you go.
www.facebook.com
Here ya go, Bruce. I’m almost done with this Platinum C. I’m not sure if it deserved all these shiny new bits, but it’s got all brand new parts including the cook box and complete lid along with the suggested grates.
