SMC Ed.
Latest posts by SMC Ed. (see all)
- Updated Topic: Using Social Media During a Tragic Event - May 9, 2013
- Your Blog Sucks: Business Blog Blunders - April 30, 2013
- Social Media Across Borders: 3 Rules for International Business - April 25, 2013
Reaping the benefits of executing an effective social media strategy is something that most manufacturing companies (and many others in the B2B world for that matter) have yet to take advantage of. Why is this? For one, social media has proven to be a gold mine for B2C companies, as they can easily identify and seek out and directly engage with customers. This is not the case for B2B companies. Since their communities are smaller, the people they interact with through social media will likely be other industry professionals.
“B2B is a smaller community than B2C marketing,” L.D. Davis’ social media manager Laura Standley said in an interview with E&T Plastics’ blog. “You have to focus on putting out the highest quality information because you’re not always talking to an ‘average Joe,’ you’re talking to another manufacturer who is well-versed in your product.” She goes on to state that following a “quality over quantity” content creation and broadcast plan is the major difference between B2B an B2C marketing techniques.
With this in mind, the challenge most manufacturing companies face when venturing into the realms of social media is overcoming the idea that, as a company, there’s nothing to say. This, however, isn’t true. “The truth is that a manufacturing company can reap the benefits of social media just as any other company does,” Abigail Phillips writes on Manufacturing Digital.
We agree. Simply put, the pluses far away the minuses when creating a social media strategy.
Pluses
- Build an online presence that outpaces your competition.
- Establish your company as thought leaders within the industry.
- Tell the story of your company through the creation of a blog and videos and share this unique content through social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter.
- More online content equals better search results for you company.
- Be a part of and control the online conversation about your company and industry.
- Avoid public relations nightmares (e.g.: Pink Slime).
- Build meaningful relationships with customers, partners and other people of interest within your industry.
- Gain insightful feedback.
Minuses
- It can be a 24/7 job creating, managing and monitoring your social presence.
SMC can help
The team at Social Media Contractors is currently working with multiple clients within the manufacturing industry. We are committed to providing an innovative and comprehensive approach to creating and monitoring unique and professional content for blogs, social media and other online outlets. If your company is lacking in its online presence, feel free to contact us today for a consultation.
Meanwhile, to help you get started, here’re some helpful articles by our staff of professional writers:
