It makes sense that B2C companies can find invaluable wealth in social media. They need to reach and keep customers up to date, and they need to attract potential customers. These companies are spending their time and effort to be where customers are most reachable – on social media. According to a Forrester Research study, 81 percent of adults are using social media – so it makes sense that B2C companies don’t want to miss out on opportunities presented by online networks. The combination of B2B Companies and social media seems like a whole different story – businesses don’t find social media an impactful way to connect with other businesses. However, B2B companies are also run by people, who can be swayed and convinced through online marketing. B2C and B2B firms are actually very similar; their core goals and objectives are the same, regardless of what product is being sold. All businesses seek to create awareness, promote, strengthen relationships with their clients, and of course, generate revenue. If B2C companies can use social media to guide these objectives, why can’t B2B companies do the same?
So, what are some specific ways that social media can help a B2B company? Start with LinkedIn, the social media website made for professionals. Get connected with many other B2B professionals – who knows, it might come handy one day where you wouldn’t otherwise have insider connections. The established social media platforms can also improve your SEO and generate leads. Social media can help get your business name out there, which is an important goal for all businesses. It’s also important for B2B firms to have closer relationships with their client – they’re dealing with more expensive and complex products, and the sales cycle is longer. B2B companies need to be closer to their clients, and their experience would allow them to gather more marketplace insights on social media platforms.
B2B companies can also find a wealth of resources on social media by knowing their audience and how to communicate with them.
