We all use social media--everyone in our generation does. It can be a great resource for a Magic trader or store. Finding your local outlets and, if needed, creating them, can have huge rewards.

I am on Facebook every day, and have access to an estimated 800 local players through Facebook groups. These were set up by local players who wanted to create a community where they can learn about local events, trade/buy/sell, and discuss MTG-related news. We can use these pages in a few ways, to help grow our stores, hobbies, or even speculation stock.

So I'm sure you're wondering, why am I even writing about this? It seems obvious. If I want to pick up Tarmogoyfs, I just make a post, stating I need Tarmogoyfs. Someone will reply if there are any available, and we'll work it out from there. Well, this article is from a bit of a different angle--we want to be the person replying to the post, not making it.

Don't Be That Guy

I've seen quite a few groups that turn into either a store advertising their events and new cards they've bought, or just everyone trying to buy cards at dealer prices. Any group can degenerate into this, so try not to contribute.

Share to the page from your page (if you have a page), but don't share everything. Add important posts such as door prizes, special events, or sales. If you are an online vendor like myself, or a hobbyist, share where you will be vending, or special deals. Again, try to limit your posts to 1 out of 20 or 30 posts on the page. If you spam, you'll be removed--or you will ruin the page.

Want people to follow you? Make a comment stating what they can find on your page in the post, and ask them to follow you.

Discuss Prices via Private Message

This one I learned early on, and it certainly hurt me. I posted on a page where someone was selling a few cards, asking for $70. I was able to offer $55, and I made a comment saying I would pay that. I made it clear that my store was making the offer.

Within a few minutes another store owner had posted stating he would buy them for $56. Then, a few people started trash talking both myself and the other store, stating we were lowballing, money-grubbing, so on and so forth. They saw $70 as a decent deal for the cards, as they may pay as much as $80 for them.

As I wasn't interested in a bidding war, or discussing the merits of operating a business, I removed my comment and sent a message. The comments went very long, with quite a bit of arguing, but I decided to abstain.

After this experience, I decided to take a very different approach. I made a comment, with my store name, stating I was interested in purchasing, and would send a PM. That way, I got exposure for my shop (I was tagging the store page in the comment), and let them know that I had sent a message. Since I changed course, I have had no issues with other people on the pages, and never start a bidding war.

Be Clear and Honest

When you send a message, don't just send an offer. Make sure to outline your intentions.

Hello %player, I am %name from %store. I am interested in buying a few of the cards from your earlier post. I can't offer quite what you asked for, but I can buy all of it. If you prefer to give it some time, my offers are good for 48 hours from the time I send this message, and I can happily adjust for any cards no longer for sale. Here is what I am interested in:

Snapcaster Mage - $45
4x Verdant Catacombs - $22
Liliana of the Veil - $65

Total: $198

This way, you are not only being honest, and presenting yourself as a store, but you aren't being pushy. By putting all of the power in their hands, and being flexible, you greatly increase the chances they will want to contact you.

But, there is more--while this message is straightforward, there is much more you can add, and a few opportunities to make the deal quicker. Let's try that again.

Hello %player, I am %name from %store. I am interested in buying a few of the cards from your earlier post. I can't offer quite what you asked for, but I can buy all of it. If you prefer to give it some time, my offers are good for 48 hours from the time I send this message, and I can happily adjust for any cards no longer for sale. Here is what I am interested in:

Snapcaster Mage - $45
4x Verdant Catacombs - $22
Liliana of the Veil - $65

Total: $198
I'll go ahead and round that to $200, if you do sell it all to me--and I do offer a store credit bonus if you prefer to trade.

If you do have any other cards for sale, I'd be happy to take a look. I buy most cards, even bulk commons and uncommons. If you want more information on my buy prices, feel free to message me.

Now, we want to always include the information they want the most at the top of the message; they don't want to wade through a wall of text before finding the numbers. If they keep reading, you've offered a store credit bonus, and to buy anything else they want to get rid of.

Since I've started adding that, I've had quite a few people message me, even weeks later, asking what I'd buy a certain card at. It can be a great way to build a larger customer base, and a great way to get more stock!

I do recommend commenting when you have cards in stock. Don't list prices, just ask them to let you know if interested. Always discuss prices in a PM.

Make a Name for Yourself

Even if you aren't a store, people should know about local people who buy and sell. You may have lower margins, and be able to make better offers. So, be the guy everyone goes to. If I see someone who always has stock, is always making an offer, and seems to be a nice guy, I may message them when I need cards or cash. Be sure to always be reasonable and honest; it goes a long way!

Have you had any experiences or strategies on social media? Let me know in the comments!