WHICH TOP SOCIAL MEDIA SITES WORK BEST FOR B2B MARKETING?

Of course you should be creating social media buzz! The question is which top social media sites will work best for B2B marketing?

1424MarketingGroup.com Let’s Talk: +1 202.618.1424

SOCIAL MEDIA AND B2BAccording to Pew Research, in 2014 about 75% of the people who used the Internet participated in social networks.

So, if you are still wondering IF you should be involved with social media get that thought right out of your head. Of course you should be creating social media buzz!

1424MarketingGroup.com Let’s Talk: +1 202.618.1424

SOCIAL MEDIA AND B2B

The question is which social media strategy will work best if you are a B2B company?

And to answer that question you need to know this:

Where does your target audience hangout online?

1424MarketingGroup.com Let’s Talk: +1 202.618.1424

SOCIAL MEDIA AND B2BComplicating matters for B2Bs is the fact that while, yes, you’re selling to other businesses, you also have to be aware that each of those businesses is made up of real people who also use social networks.

So, in a way, you are selling to both businesses and individuals.

Let’s look at the four top social media sites — LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Google+ — and see if we can sort this out.

1424MarketingGroup.com Let’s Talk: +1 202.618.1424

LINKEDINWhat is it?

You may think of LinkedIn as a place people go when they are job hunting, but it’s more than that.

It has become a hub for professional networking for many industries, especially for businesses offering technology services, consultants and self-employed individuals offering a variety of creative services.

1424MarketingGroup.com Let’s Talk: +1 202.618.1424

LINKEDINWho uses it?

You’ll find — and can get access to — business owners and high-level executives on LinkedIn.

Demographically its user base skews a little older, is very well educated and earns a six-figure or better income.

1424MarketingGroup.com Let’s Talk: +1 202.618.1424

LINKEDINHow do I get started?

After you sign up, create a strong personal profile (especially if you are a freelancer) and an official company page if you want to promote your brand.

1424MarketingGroup.com Let’s Talk: +1 202.618.1424

TWITTERWhat is it?

Twitter is effective at reaching a broad audience with short (140-character) and clear messages, so it may not necessarily be your best choice for B2B marketing.

1424MarketingGroup.com Let’s Talk: +1 202.618.1424

TWITTERWho uses it?

About 19% of adults online use Twitter.

It is a youngish audience (over half are 18–49) that communicates via mobile devices and has completed at least some college — but with an income that is probably less than $75k/year.

1424MarketingGroup.com Let’s Talk: +1 202.618.1424

TWITTERHow do I get started?

Because of the focus on immediacy and “newsiness” be prepared to Tweet often if you choose this social network.

Go to twitter.com to sign up.

1424MarketingGroup.com Let’s Talk: +1 202.618.1424

FACEBOOKWhat is it?

The … Big … Dog. … At least for now.

An amazing 71% of adults online use Facebook; 864 million people login to Facebook every day. It is a network that encourages interaction among its users (with the LIKE and SHARE buttons), and those users stay an average of 20 minutes every time they visit.

1424MarketingGroup.com Let’s Talk: +1 202.618.1424

FACEBOOKWho uses it?

Almost 30% of Facebook users fall into the 25–34 age group, a prime demographic for many businesses.

And there’s a pretty even distribution between men and women.

1424MarketingGroup.com Let’s Talk: +1 202.618.1424

FACEBOOKHow do I get started?

If you’re among the 29% of adults online who don’t have a Facebook account, sign up here. Create a business page.

Facebook advertising allows you to get very specific about the requirements for your target audience, so this is one place you might consider spending a little of your marketing budget.

1424MarketingGroup.com Let’s Talk: +1 202.618.1424

GOOGLE+What is it?

This is Google’s answer to Facebook — and it is beginning to gain some traction thanks to the way Google treats it in search results.

1424MarketingGroup.com Let’s Talk: +1 202.618.1424

GOOGLE+

Who uses it?

About 22% of adults online use Google+ and roughly 25–30% of Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z login each month.

1424MarketingGroup.com Let’s Talk: +1 202.618.1424

GOOGLE+How do I get started?

We recommend you follow these steps to get started with Google+.

1424MarketingGroup.com Let’s Talk: +1 202.618.1424

JUST DO IT

We hope this helps you decide which social networks to start with as you establish your B2B marketing strategy.

Be prepared for a bit of trial and error. Every business (and their approach to social networking) is unique; what works for one may not work for all.

So, make your best decision and jump in — and let us know how it goes!