This year I have had three totally different Facebook Posts that stood out among the rest.

The first was this…

Can you all help me out? 

I need to hype up our JUST FOR FUN SALE that starts this Thursday 9:30am to 6pm.

Hundreds of great toys, hobby and baby products at deep discounts including LEGO and Playmobil, including ride-on toys and summer toys, including board games and puzzles, including dolls, including tons of arts & crafts, including bedding and feeding accessories, including a whole lot more.

Please hit the Share button and help me spread the word.

Thanks! You are the best fans ever!!

That post had a reach of 7,316 people (yet we only have 2890 fans). I got 179 Shares from that post. I had engaged enough with my fans that when I asked a favor of them, they responded in a big way! They responded because I had built up trust. I can’t go to this well too often or I’ll lose that trust and they’ll run away.

The second was this one…

We have a whole bunch of pallets from the many great shipments we have received this winter. Anyone want them? (please?)

There was also a picture of the pallets. Within 17 hours the pallets were gone. Total reach 4,136, including 48 shares. (My dad would say this just goes to show that any fool can give it away.) 

The third was this…

A crib mattress shouldn’t do this.

You shouldn’t be able to fold it in half with one hand while you take a picture of it with the other.

Your baby needs a firm flat surface for sleeping for a number of reasons… skeletal growth, proper breathing, protection from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), etc. The more firm, the better.

Don’t take my word for it. The American Academy of Pediatrics says it, too. So does every other organization interested in the health of your child (The Danny Foundation, First Candle, SIDS Alliance, et al)

Firm mattresses don’t fold in half as easily as this one did. 

When you go shopping for your nursery, there are three things you don’t want to skimp on – the crib, the mattress and the car seat. 

We won’t let you get a mattress that won’t be safe for your child. Apparently other stores don’t feel the same way as we do.

There was a picture of a crib mattress being folded in half with one hand. This reached 3,518 people including 28 shares. There was an emotional edge to the post. Baby safety is a hot topic right now. Hit the right emotional topics and you’ll see a lot of interaction and engagement.

Note than they all had a different style. They all also reached way more than 100%. One was asking for help. One was giving something away. One was sharing information.

The point to take away from this is that variety is the spice of life. Mix up your posts. Don’t make them all the same. Try new things and measure the results. When you find something that works, use it, but not too often.  Engage, engage, engage. Give your fans something shareworthy, regardless of whether it is about selling your store or your products.

-Phil Wrzesinski
www.PhilsForum.com

PS There are easy ways to “beat” the Facebook Algorithm. My FB posts for Toy House regularly reach 50% or more of our fan base. Click here to find out why.