Social media isn’t just for scrolling—it’s a powerful tool to grow your business and drive sales. Whether you’re selling handmade products, services, or digital goods, the right social media strategy can help you attract customers, increase engagement, and boost revenue.
Follow these 7 steps to turn your social media pages into sales machines!
1. Choose the Right Platforms
Not all social media platforms work for every business. Focus on the ones where your customers are.
Which platform is best for your business?
- Instagram & TikTok – Best for visual businesses (fashion, art, beauty, food, handmade goods)
- Facebook Marketplace – Great for selling physical products locally
- LinkedIn – Best for B2B services like consulting or tutoring
- Pinterest – Perfect for DIY, lifestyle, and home decor brands
Example: A student selling custom jewelry found that TikTok videos showing the design process led to 100+ new orders in one month.
Take Action:
Pick one or two platforms to focus on and create a business account today.
2. Optimize Your Bio for Sales
Your bio is the first thing people see—make it clear, professional, and action-driven.
What to Include in Your Bio:
- Who you are – Ex: “Handmade jewelry by a Fullerton College student”
- What you sell – Ex: “Custom rings, necklaces & bracelets”
- Call to Action (CTA) – Ex: “Shop now”
- A Link – Use Linktree or Beacons to add multiple links (shop, contact, booking page, etc.)
Example: A student photographer changed their bio from “I take photos” to “Book your graduation photos today 🎓📸” and saw a 30% increase in inquiries!
Take Action:
Update your bio today with a strong call-to-action and a link to your products or services.
3. Post Content That Sells (Without Feeling Salesy!)
Instead of just saying, “Buy this!”, create content that naturally draws customers in.
Best Content Ideas for Sales:
- Behind-the-Scenes: Show how your product is made or how your service works
- Customer Testimonials: Post screenshots of happy customers
- Tutorials & How-To’s: Teach people how to use your product
- Limited-Time Offers: Urgency creates more sales!
Example: A student selling vegan cookies posted a taste-test reaction video of their classmates trying them—and it went viral, leading to 50+ new orders!
Take Action:
Create a short, engaging video about your product or service and post it today.
4. Use Instagram & TikTok Reels for Maximum Reach
Short-form video content (Reels, TikToks) gets the most visibility on social media.
Winning Video Formula:
- Grab attention in the first 3 seconds – Ask a question or make a bold statement
- Keep it under 15 seconds – Quick videos perform better
- Use trending sounds & hashtags – Helps reach a bigger audience
- Include a call-to-action – Ex: “Comment ‘YES’ if you want one!”
Example: A student selling custom sneakers posted a 15-second time-lapse of painting a design—it got 200K+ views and 50+ orders in one week!
Take Action:
Film a short video about your business and post it as a Reel or TikTok today.
5. Engage With Your Audience (It Boosts Sales!)
People buy from businesses they trust—so make your brand feel personal.
Engagement Strategies:
- Reply to all comments & DMs – Builds relationships & increases visibility
- Ask questions in captions – Ex: “Which design do you like better?”
- Use Instagram Stories’ Polls & Q&A – Encourages followers to interact
- Go live – Answer questions & showcase products in real-time
Example: A student selling stickers & art prints started replying to every comment on TikTok and saw a 200% increase in sales from engaged followers.
Take Action:
Reply to every comment & DM today—engagement leads to more sales!
6. Leverage User-Generated Content (UGC)
People trust real customer photos and reviews more than ads.
How to Get More UGC:
- Ask happy customers to tag your business in their posts
- Offer a small discount in exchange for a photo or video review
- Repost customer photos on your business page
Example: A student selling handmade candles encouraged customers to share photos of their purchases, leading to more credibility and more sales!
Take Action:
Ask one customer today to tag your business in their post.
7. Run Promotions & Giveaways
Giveaways and special deals attract more customers and create hype around your brand.
Easy Giveaway Ideas:
- Tag 3 friends to enter – Increases brand awareness
- Follow & Share this post – Gets more eyes on your business
- Limited-Time Flash Sale – Creates urgency
Example: A student selling digital planners ran a “Tag a Friend to Win” giveaway and gained 500+ new followers overnight!
Take Action:
Plan a small giveaway or promo and announce it this week!
Bonus: List Your Business on the Hornet Student Marketplace
Social media is powerful, but don’t rely on just one platform. Listing your business on the Hornet Student Marketplace gives you extra exposure and connects you with customers looking for student-run businesses.
Why Join?
- Get free visibility on Fullerton College’s marketplace
- Build credibility with a professional business listing
- Access exclusive student entrepreneur events & promotions
Pro Tip: The more places people can find your business, the more sales you’ll make!
Take Action:
Sign up for the Hornet Student Marketplace today! Register here
Final Thoughts: Start Selling with Social Media Today!
Social media isn’t just for fun—it’s a game-changer for student entrepreneurs. Start small, stay consistent, and keep experimenting!
Your Next Steps
Post Online
Post one sales-driven video today
Engage
Engage with your audience – Reply to every comment & DM
Register
Join the Hornet Student Marketplace –
Sign up here!
Stay Connected
Follow @HornetBiz on Instagram for student entrepreneur tips