Help us with an FB experiment?

[TheOrangeApp]

One of our team members, Pam, recently found that when she shared her product links from Etsy, these were not shown to a single fan. She thought the only way to increase her reach was by trying paid ads.

We tried a little experiment in which she uploaded the image of the same product and added the link in comments. In one day, this was shown to 45 people (for free).

She found: "one thing I see already is that by posting an 'ordinary' photo, it has been seen by 45 people. If I post the same photo as a 'product photo' [link from Etsy], no one sees it unless I 'Boost' it"

Here is the discussion with Pam: https://www.etsy.com/teams/16272/facebook-for-etsy-a-z/discuss/13800945/page/1

It would really help us all if any of you would be willing to try out a similar experiment with one of your products and share your results with us.

Thanks!
Sahiba

[PugPaperie]

This is true :(

I never post my Etsy listings to FB... No one will see it. I must post a photo only then a link if I want to my shop.

[Former_Member]

I do the same... Put a photo, or a series of photos, a little spiel, like a simple sentence and then the link to my shop or that product.
This gets people to my shop.
I also follow up by reposting (ie: 'sharing') again a few days later.
Good luck

[Former_Member]

I am going to give it a try ... I have been so busy building my shop the last few days I have a feeling people may be sick of me posting photos to my fan page. Each time I post a new photo to my etsy site( photography site) I upload it to my fan page on fb . That is about 40 some photos in the last week . I hope I am not turning people off by this flood of posts ? tomorrow I will try it the new way and let you know how it goes . Cheers

[TheOrangeApp]

@MarySue, I just took a look at your page. On the whole, there is hardly any engagement with the Etsy links that you are sharing (I'm not sure what the reach of your links is). This is an indication that you should re-consider your strategy.

Some suggestions:

1. Post images as suggested above.

2. Try not to post more than 3 times a day. 40 posts / week are probably too many.
Learn more: https://www.etsy.com/teams/16272/facebook-for-etsy-a-z/discuss/12826178/

3. Post other engaging content.
See examples: http://orangetwig.com/blog/what-to-post-on-your-facebook-business-page?ref=az

Try to put yourself in your buyers / fans shoes. What do you like to see when you like a page? How often would you like to see updates? etc

See which posts get the maximum and engagement and try to post similar things. However, try to stay relevant to your business / brand. For instance, you may find that humorous posts get a lot of interaction. So it may be nice to post something funny once in a while, but don't only start posting humorous content since you will move away from your brand image.
Learn more: https://www.etsy.com/teams/16272/facebook-for-etsy-a-z/discuss/13391706/

Keep in mind that not all your updates are shown to all your fans, but fans who do engage with your posts get to see more of your posts in their stream.

[Former_Member]

Thanks very much Sahiba , I have gotten away from FB a bit and then when I opened my etsy shop I just atuomatically hit the share with fb button when I posted a photo. I will stop doing that and follow your advice . I have ( or did ) have a lot of social media going on and I am trying to pare it down now and do a better job with just a couple of things . I was just featured in someones treasury ..yay but being new to etsy not sure if I am supposed to do anything other than thank the person. ?

[Drakestail]

I've definitely found that to be the case. When I post a new item, I never click on the Facebook button that Etsy provides. I go into Facebook, write up a blurb and include a link to the new item. It actually gets views that way.

[PamsFabPhotos]

Ah, ha! The 'experiment' is working. So...now we know for certain.

Deep breath...and big sigh here...

Thanks,
Pam

[TheOrangeApp]

@MarySue, congrats for being featured in a treasury :)

You don't really have to do anything after being included in a treasury. However it's nice to send a convo saying thank you, plus if you like you can comment in the treasury itself.

[okac]

I just recently got my etsy shop back up and running, and then made the FB page. So I'm still in the baby stage of that.
I kind of had the thought that I'd prefer to upload the actual photo with the link rather than the shared post, so I'm going to try that next time!

I've been reading a bit in the team, thanks for all the info! Excited to read more after I get some rest :)

[Former_Member]

I will have to try this experiment out. I am curious just how many people are getting to view my product photos.

[PamsFabPhotos]

Hi, All -

I've noticed that I really need to be careful about what I include in the 'comments' on my FB business page under a photo. I dare not indicate that it is something I'm selling. (I'm just needing to add that I am very disappointed about this situation.)

Pam

[TheOrangeApp]

Pam, as far as I know there's no problem in adding that you are selling something in the comments in your business page. Have you noticed something different?

[Former_Member]

Funny that I just found this out last night in a test of my own.

I posted to FB a link from Etsy and in 3 days I only got 7 views (only have 109 likes)
Then last night a posted a photo of a Etsy item (just because a uploaded photo is bigger) and in 14 hours I got 20 views.

So yes for me it works out better not to link and post my own photo to FB.

[Former_Member]

I will give this tip a try. I know for a fact that the new FB algorithm is a disaster for us small biz owners.

[Former_Member]

I never realized this was the cause! Initially I used to post directly however later noticed the Etsy option but my views went down to be very low / zero. Now I know it's not just my products or page. Thank you for sharing! I will go back to the tried and tested way of posting the picture with comments and link. Thank you!!!

[Former_Member]

I realized that was happening after I could see no stats on the traffic. If I copy the link from etsy and put it in a post it works, but not if I just follow the 'post to your facebook page' link on etsy. Super bummer.

[Former_Member]

I tried the experiment and it worked. More eyeballs on the photos than on the links. Also, timing is everything. I stopped posting Mon - Wed. No one was seeing the posts let alone engaging.

[Former_Member]

Great info! Thanks!

[katherinefathisilver]

I may be missing something. I don't know if the way I do it is correct, but when I list something I post it by way of the fb button that includes a sentence or two. I get an occasional "like" on these, but no number is furnished as to how many people viewed the post. After I share the listing on a few teams and put it on pinterest and twitter, I post a picture of the item from my desktop to the fb page with a little more information.I get more responses (likes,comments) and I get notification as to how many people viewed the post. I don't understand how this works at all.

[KLKingDesigns]

I'm new to this team, and I found it right on time! I'm so thrilled to find a team I can really learn something with.
I am in the process of updating and connecting all my social media sites.
I decided not to bother with the twitter feed, because when you open it, it just shows a lot of links and descriptions.
I just posted a new sewing thread photo today on my FB page, and saw the add a link option. I'm glad to know not to use the etsy FB button.
It also appears the FB button was taken down from the front page of our shops, and only visible to customers when they open a link.
I did read that FB requires at least 35 likes before Google analytics (or their tracking) will start giving info. I have 3 as of today!
My graphic designer is working on my FB set. I'm sure to have it up tomorrow!
My new strategy is to really start working on my blog and FB. They have been sorely neglected lately.

[KLKingDesigns]

I'm new to this team, and I found it right on time! I'm so thrilled to find a team I can really learn something with.
I am in the process of updating and connecting all my social media sites.
I decided not to bother with the twitter feed, because when you open it, it just shows a lot of links and descriptions.
I just posted a new thread photo today on my FB page, and saw the add a link option. I'm glad to know not to use the etsy FB button.
It also appears the FB button was taken down from the front page of our shops, and only visible to customers when they open a link.
I did read that FB requires at least 35 likes before Google analytics (or their tracking) will start giving info. I have 3 as of today!
My graphic designer is working on my FB set. I'm sure to have it up tomorrow!
My new strategy is to really start working on my blog and FB. They have been sorely neglected lately.

[TheOrangeApp]

Welcome Karen. I'm so glad you're finding the team helpful :)

[PaperSimplicity]

Sahiba, Thank you so much for this team as it makes me feel I am not alone and there is some place I can raise questions.

Usually, with my post on FB, I have a mix of link or direct photo post. I notice that when you list and post on FB from Etsy pictures are quite small and sometimes are overlooked. Time to time I put my shop link but I hardly have anyone coming to shops but they do view and like pictures.
I am very skeptical about FB generating business but I am trying.

[TheOrangeApp]

@Abhilasha - Here's an article you may find useful on how FB gives more weightage to images than to other media like links: http://orangetwig.com/blog/why-my-facebook-fans-dont-see-my-posts?ref=s