With access to a Distributor base with a buying power over $1B, it's natural to want to understand your metrics and grasp what it is you're doing right, or as you begin to grow on the platform, what it is you can improve on to gain more value from your account. Most important to understand is that success on commonsku isn't as cutter cut as it might be on other social medias. In this article we'll help illuminate what it is to be successful on the community and how it is you can stay motivated by your activities!
To understand your engagement on the platform, you first need to appreciate what it is the Distributor is using commonsku for. Have you posted the same flyer to the commonsku community as you did on other social media platforms? In which case you're probably going to experience a comparable lack in likes or comments. Why is that?
Your flyers or 'static' images posted to the community will not get the same traction they might do on other systems. That doesn't mean your posts are going ignored per se, it does however mean your post is without a call to action for the Distributor. Because the community is a central hub of communications that allows users to pull your products directly from the feed to live projects, a static image can often be browsed over in search of products that have an 'add to project' button. With that in mind suggesting products will have more feedback and results, even if it gets no 'likes' or 'comments'.
Steer clear from habits better used on other systems and get creative with what it is you're posting to the commonsku user-base! Suggesting products is just one idea, but what about posting a video link that tours your office or warehouse facilities? Highlight how awesome your customer service team is or use your posts as an opportunity to educate what it is your company does in and out of the promotional products world; Does your company do any charity work, company events, team building activities etc.
There's no peak time, happy hour or a magic formula to post to the community and get the most amount of responses. commonsku is worldwide with active licenses in Europe, Asia, North America, South America, New Zealand and Australia so there's no singular time that all people can see your post. As well as this, it's important to remember what it is the community is being used for; although a Distributor may use the community on Monday to look for ideas, it doesn't mean that same person is using the community on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Traffic will fluctuate based on the needs and use cases of the person browsing and posting to the feed.
You've taken the time to suggest your products in the community or Collaborate, as well you've left comments on the activity in the Insights feed. You're doing everything by the book, but the Distributor isn't commenting back. Have no fear because as strange as it might seem, it's OK! Let's analyze this by putting ourselves in the Distributor's shoes …
As a Distributor I've used either of these options to source products. I've had loads of feedback, maybe from multiple Distributors as well as Suppliers (community), or I've had loads of Suppliers suggest products to my Project (Collaborate). With all of this feedback I'm going to add those products that I like and see if it's something my client's like too.
Am I going to reply personally to everyone that took the time to suggest products? Probably not.
Will I know who to contact if I need more information or have follow up questions on the suggested products? You bet ya!
As a Distributor I've added products to my Presentation and a Supplier (you) has commented letting me know they can offer virtuals, samples, or they've told me what production times are right now. This is all useful so I'm going to pass that information on to my client and see what they think!
Should I be polite and say thank you to the nice person to give me this information? Probably.
Am I going to comment on this sort of interaction every time? Probably not.
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Your inbox may not be filled with messages of gratitude BUT, your comments are undeniably contributing to the success of the commonsku community. Whether it's by showcasing your products to current partners or you've established an entirely new relationship with a Distributor that's never worked with you before, your success can be measured by how engaged and interactive you remain on the system.
With continued engagement posting, commenting and adding value your Insights activity will increase. This is a clear indicator to the successes of your suggestions and your time spent with the community.
Fun fact: Insights activity of newly onboarded suppliers increases by 15% in the first 3 months!
Utilize your Insights feed more effectively by assigning Distributors to your team if and when you suggest products through the community or Collaborate. Based on whether your suggestions are then used by that Distributor you can more efficiently see whether or not those products were used by the activity in Insights.
Want to learn more about assigning Distributors to yourself and using the Insights feed click here