Remember that time I went to the Worlds of Learning summit in 2022? It was a blast and I got to see Mari Smith the “Queen of Facebook” herself give an amazing presentation about selling online courses on Facebook and Instagram.
She dropped some serious knowledge bombs and I’m here to share all the juicy bits with you.
Want to build a thriving online course business? 🤯 Mari Smith’s got the secret sauce, and it’s all about building community! 🔥 Get the inside scoop on Mari’s 5-step strategy now!
Mari Smith’s Golden Nuggets: Building a Community to Sell Your Courses
Want to build a thriving online course business? 🤯 Mari Smith’s got the secret sauce, and it’s all about building community! 🔥 Get the inside scoop on Mari’s 5-step strategy now!
The thing about Mari is she doesn’t just tell you what to do she helps you understand why you should do it. It’s all about building relationships with your audience you know? She calls it P2P – People-to-People. Think of it like this: everyone whether they’re a business or an individual is just a bunch of people at the end of the day. So your content needs to connect with those people on a personal level. Make it relatable genuine and heartfelt.
Short-Form Videos: The Key to Engagement
Another key takeaway from Mari was that short-form vertical videos are the hot ticket right now.
Think Instagram Reels TikTok and even YouTube Shorts.
Why? Well video is super engaging and it makes up a huge chunk of mobile traffic.
So make those videos snappy informative and fun.
You’ve got about 3 minutes to capture their attention.
Mari’s 5-Step Strategy for Selling Courses on Facebook and Instagram
Mari breaks it down into five simple steps and they all work together like a well-oiled machine:
1. Capture High-Quality Leads
This means having those irresistible lead magnets that draw people in and make them want to give you their email address.
Think of it as a freebie that offers incredible value right out the gate.
Why? Because you want to build your email list.
Remember those social media platforms are rented land.
You don’t own your audience there.
But an email list? That’s your own territory.
What Makes a Great Lead Magnet?
- Value: It should deliver tons of value right away within those first 5 minutes. Make people think “Wow this is awesome! I want more!”
- Relevance: It should be related to your course or your niche. That way you’re attracting people who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer.
Examples of Lead Magnets:
- Free Newsletter: Share valuable insights and updates with your audience.
- Samples: Give them a taste of your course content to whet their appetite.
- Live Webinars: Host interactive sessions to provide in-depth knowledge.
- Email Courses: Deliver a series of emails packed with actionable tips and advice.
- Contests/Giveaways: Run engaging contests and giveaways to attract attention and generate excitement.
- Quiz Results: Create a fun quiz that reveals valuable insights about your audience.
2. Nurture Those Leads
Think of it like building a relationship.
You want to nurture your leads provide them with valuable content and show them that you care about their needs.
This is where your email list comes in handy.
It’s your chance to stay connected with your audience and guide them through their learning journey.
The Power of Email Marketing
Don’t underestimate email marketing.
It’s still a powerful way to connect with your audience and keep them engaged.
Behind each email address is a real person with real needs wants and challenges.
Your courses are there to help them solve those problems and reach their full potential.
3. Content is King but Community is Queen
Now let’s talk about the types of content you should be posting on Facebook and Instagram.
Mari emphasizes visuals videos and Reels.
They’re just more engaging than plain text.
But there’s a bit more to it than just posting random stuff.
It’s about creating a strategy that pulls people in and keeps them coming back for more.
Content Strategy Tips:
- Targeting: Make sure your content is specifically tailored to your target audience. What are their pain points interests and aspirations?
- Boostability: Think about which content can be repurposed or amplified. This is where those short-form videos come in handy. You can easily turn them into ads or share them on other platforms.
- Community Building: Content is great but building a strong community is key. Engage with your followers respond to comments and create a sense of belonging.
Mari’s Content Ratio for Facebook
Mari recommends a specific content ratio for Facebook posts to keep things engaging:
- 80% Value: Share valuable insights tips and advice that your audience will find useful.
- 10% Promotion: Promote your courses or products in a subtle non-pushy way.
- 10% Personal: Share personal stories behind-the-scenes content or things that showcase your personality.
Examples of Content Types for Facebook:
- How-To Tutorials: Teach your audience a valuable skill or technique.
- Case Studies: Share real-world examples of how your course has helped others.
- Live Q&A Sessions: Answer questions and provide insights in a live format.
- Inspirational Quotes: Share motivational quotes that resonate with your audience.
- Behind-the-Scenes Content: Give your audience a glimpse into your process and personality.
- Customer Testimonials: Feature happy customers who have benefited from your course.
Calls to Action (CTAs) – The Gateway to Conversion
CTAs are your chance to nudge your audience towards a specific action.
Make them clear concise and irresistible.
- Specificity: Don’t be vague. Tell them exactly what you want them to do.
- Urgency: Create a sense of urgency to encourage immediate action.
- Clarity: Make it easy for people to understand what they need to do.
The Power of Unicorn Posts
These are the posts that go viral and generate amazing results.
You can either use paid campaigns or amplify them organically by sharing them as much as possible.
Organic Reach on Facebook: The Reality
Organic reach on Facebook is notoriously low.
It’s around 1% to 6%. So rather than relying solely on organic reach focus on building meaningful communities that extend beyond Facebook.
4. Leverage Facebook Groups for Engagement
Facebook groups are a powerful tool for building engagement.
Think of it like creating a special club where your audience can connect share and learn from each other.
Tips for Using Facebook Groups:
- Active Moderation: Be present in your group. Respond to comments answer questions and foster a sense of community.
- Content Variety: Share a mix of engaging content including videos articles polls and discussions.
- Contests and Challenges: Host contests and challenges to keep things interesting and drive engagement.
- Expert Interviews: Invite industry experts to share their insights and knowledge.
5. Remember: Content is King but Community is Queen
Mari says it best: “Content is King but Community is Queen and she rules the house.” Content is important but without a strong community your courses won’t reach their full potential.
Mari’s Community Resources
- Mari Smith’s Social Scoop: This Facebook group is a great place for leaders of all types to connect share and learn about social media trends. Mari and her team regularly share tips news and special offers. You can even ask Mari questions directly!
- Mari Smith’s Superstars: This online community is for fast-moving people who are looking for guidance mentorship and support. Mari’s superstars come from all walks of life and share a common desire for personal and professional growth.
Remember Mari’s strategy isn’t about pushing your courses on people.
It’s about building authentic relationships providing valuable content and fostering a sense of community.
And when you do that you’ll find that selling your courses on Facebook and Instagram becomes a lot easier and more fulfilling.
Want to build a thriving online course business? 🤯 Mari Smith’s got the secret sauce, and it’s all about building community! 🔥 Get the inside scoop on Mari’s 5-step strategy now!