TriComB2B
Strategic marketing for
technical products and services
technical products and services
5 Ways to Start Your Social Media Program
Those of us watching social media in the B2B space are now willing to admit that it is here to stay. Here are five things you can start to do today to establish your social media presence.
- Establish your content objective. What topics can you address authoritatively? What issues are of interest to your target audience? Reviewing industry pubs and competitive activity is a good starting point.
- Spend time reaching out to current and former colleagues and associates through LinkedIn. Make sure you choose words for both your personal profile and your company’s LinkedIn profile that will help search engines identify you more effectively.
- Involve a small team in starting a blog. Creating interesting ongoing blog content may seem like a daunting task but involving a small team can make it much easier. Try to write something once a week.
- Repurpose your written materials into videos or podcasts as much as possible and add to your Web site and YouTube routinely.
- Add all of your social media usernames or Web sites to your email signature.
Industries We're Watching
TriComB2B knows a lot about the industries we have traditionally served, but we're also aware of businesses in a time of transition. With an economy just now recovering from the effects of recession, all of us are asking questions about what the next emerging industries will be. Some of these industries are new to the American economy; others are being redefined to remain competitive. Get our perspective on these important industries and find helpful resources by clicking the links below:
- Wind Energy Supply Chain
- Precision Tooling and Machinery
- Information Technology
- Medical Device Manufacturing
Social Media Has a Place in B2B Marketing
Social media in the context of B2B is akin to the Wild West. One, it’s largely uncharted territory, and two, it’s a wide open space for companies to explore where opportunities are seemingly endless. And if you play your cards right, you just might strike it rich.
Despite all the seminars and news coverage, finding the best application for social media within B2B marketing (especially the industrial and technical sectors) is difficult. We have lots of great examples from B2C and also the IT space and we think it is only a matter of time before B2B catches up, particularly with reduced marketing budgets predicted over the short term. So how can you get started?
Social Media Education
The options for social media application vary greatly across different industries and markets. We can point you in the right direction for the best educational resources for social media and how it best applies to your business.
Setting a Social Media Strategy
Before any decisions can be made in about your company’s particular social media strategy, you must first take these crucial steps:
1. Determine where your online community or audience is and learn as much about them as possible.
2. Examine, explore and learn from your competitors’ social media activities.
Launch a Content Rich Social Media Program
One of the key components to successful social media program is content – content that resonates with your online community and is compelling. Once your content is in place, then a variety of methods for sharing your content are available to you regardless of the social media channels you use.
Gather Intelligence By Listening to Your Community
Once you are participating in your social media program, it is imperative to begin listening to your online community. Intelligence about online conversations is critical: companies need to know what’s being said about their brand, industry and competitors online.
Businesses also need to measure, analyze and report on their social media efforts. This will determine whether your program objectives are being realized or need to be adjusted.
What We Think of Social Media:
- TriComB2B Social Media Survey Results
- Social Media Distortion
- What is All The Twitter About?
- Social Media – Not Just Kid’s Stuff Anymore
