How to Generate B2B Leads Through Social Media
Innovative marketers are now finding more effective ways to connect more with their targeted audience and generate B2B (business-to-business) leads through the use of different social media platforms. Business owners are now aware of the numerous marketing possibilities social media can bring, such as an increase in brand awareness and sales.
Using the right marketing strategy, online businesses can benefit from social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter, and generate B2B leads that are cost effective.
The Effectiveness of Social Media
Back in 2013, a survey was conducted by Ascend2, comprised of marketing professionals as their respondents, and found that there was only a small percentage of B2B marketers who considered social media marketing as the most effective lead strategy. However, another survey done the following year, 2014, indicated a marked increase in social media being considered by B2B marketers as one of the most effective types of digital marketing.
Through the years, social media has changed the way businesses communicate their brand messages and gather information from their targeted audience, to generate leads and profits.
Using Various Platforms
There are various social media platforms you can use to generate B2B leads:
1. Facebook
If you plan to generate a significant amount of B2B using Facebook, be prepared to pay for ads at some point, although Facebook also offers inexpensive ads for as low as $.80. To generate B2B leads, try running an online contest as this draws huge attention from people, and is an excellent way to gather emails.
You can also treat your page as your official website by strategizing your content, posts and the kind of ads that you share. Make people aware that your brand is there for a purpose, and not just to create an increase in awareness.
2. Twitter
Promoted tweets or ads are getting more priority in the stream compared to ordinary ones. Use Twitter by using eye-catching images, an appealing copy, and reputable statistics. You can also track brand mentions on Twitter. Listen to what people have to say about your brand, always look out for the mention of your brand name, misspellings, industry-related keywords, including mention of your brand competitors.
3. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is known to be on the top social media platforms for generating B2B leads because it caters to networking and professionals in the industry. You can offer free samples because it is one of the most effective strategies that can generate highly qualified B2B leads.
4. Instagram
Instagram is a great way to gather a relevant audience. Be sure to connect with your followers from time-to-time. Be updated with their posts and comments. Make them feel important whenever you post on their IG account, information regarding your products.
Improve Target Options
To improve your targeting options, you can segment your audiences based on their age, location, gender, and interests. Facebook for one, has allowed its B2B marketers to use their ads tool to gather significant information and use it to target their audience better, generating more leads.
75% of consumers are influenced by social media. B2B consumers are intelligent, educated and tech-savvy. They don’t need face to face contact to make a purchasing decision.
Connect Through Real-Time Marketing
You can connect and become relevant to your target audience through real-time marketing. You can interact with them within minutes of posting your product content on social media. When you fully catch the attention of your targeted audience, then it is the right time to engage with them even further. Reply to any inquiries or questions they may have.
Generating B2B leads through social media is one of the most effective digital marketing strategies business owners are now using. Are you one of these marketers who use social media to generate B2B leads? Or are you planning to generate B2B leads through social media? Share with us your experiences with social media marketing by leaving a comment below.
