When social media websites like Facebook and Twitter first splashed onto the scene, few probably imagined how many possibilities would spark from the platforms’ creations. Today, you’re not just limited to connecting with old friends, following your favorite athletes and celebrities, and planning your wedding or home décor. New technological innovations have allowed consumers to shop directly from social media websites, watch live stream videos, and catch the newest deals and products.

Want to know how you can improve your business with social media next year? Here are my favorite hacks from Adweek today:

  • Sell it on Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter
    A company called     Zantler just launched Shoppost, which lets Amazon Webstore clients such as Harley-Davidson create e-commerce posts to share on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. You can’t buy an item directly from those posts, but you can customize colors and sizes on an item of clothing, for instance. And when you click the shopping cart icon, it links to a store’s checkout page. Shoppost calls it an in-stream social media storefront, and it adds some e-commerce capabilities that aren’t widely available on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
  • Make an Instagram post “shoppable”
    You can buy an ad on Instagram, but there are free ways to post images that act like ads.     Shoppable posts are becoming popular with brands like Target and Nordstrom, who have used Curalate’s Like2Buy button. The tool lets users click the “like” button for a product featured in an Instagram post, and then the retailer emails the user a confirmation to buy the product. Also, Amazon just started using a shoppable Instagram tool that lets users click on images that link to checkout pages, where they can finish the purchase.

 

Photo Credit: Curalate

Photo Credit: Curalate

  • Snapchat big savings and product launches
    Snapchat made disappearing photos popular, and brands have been experimenting with disappearing offers ever since joining the app.     Amazon is sending offer codes in its Snapchat messages for deals on holiday gifts this year. Also, many brands use Snapchat for product launches—the app’s photo and video functionalities seem to go well with such revealing moments. For instance, when Taco Bell created a lineup of sauces this fall, it showed off the new salsa packets on Snapchat. Acura revealed a new car on the network earlier this year.
  • Go live from your Facebook page
    Brandlive lets brands livestream videos from their Facebook pages. And alongside the livestream, they can share links to items featured in the broadcast. Last month, Cake Boss held a baking event and streamed it on Facebook. Fans found quick links to Amazon and Kohl’s, where they could buy all the baking items promoted in the video. Also, services like BumeBox are enabling brands to offer real-time Facebook chats with celebrities and influencers.

    Cake Boss

    Photo Credit: Adweek

Check out the full list of 5 Social Media Hacks Every Marketer Should Know by Adweek’s Garett Sloan.