During the initial stages of a new client meeting, the discussion often turns to the integration of social media platforms. For some companies the potential is obvious and the strategy comes naturally. B2B social media strategy often takes more effort, but can hold enormous potential. Below are a few tips for B2B companies who want to dip their feet in the social media waters.
Start Small
Listening and observing the conversations that are going on in social media can provide immense understanding. Part of your strategy should include observing how your industry is using social media and how each platform is utilized. It is unwise to jump into every social media platform at once. Your success in any platform is directly related to how much time and energy you have to put into it. Social mention is a great tool to use so that you can see what conversations are going on and where. Take some time to search for conversations that include the products/services you sell and your company name. These conversations will help to guide you in the direction you should take.
Get Linked
LinkedIn is a great platform for B2B’s looking for a place to start in social media. It can be used for employment, making connections, and professional discussion. LinkedIn recently updated their personal profiles to create a sleek, simpler and more user friendly look. Business profiles could be on the horizon for an update as well, so it might be time to create a profile or add to the one that you have. LinkedIn groups are a great way to join a community or establish one. Starting a group requires time because you will need to promote the group and also moderate and start the discussion. Before starting your own group, join one to gain a better understanding of how it works and what to expect.
Build Credibility
A blog is an excellent place for businesses to create valuable content that holds mutual benefits for both the creator and the reader. Search engines look highly upon new content, so as long as your blog is embedded into your site you’ll begin to reap the rewards of creating fresh content. New content also gives your visitor a reason to return to your website. Up-to-date content presents an excellent opportunity for internal linking which is another way to optimize your site for search engines. Tie your social media efforts to your blog by providing sharing icons so that visitors can share your content through different social media platforms. In addition to the SEO opportunities, blogs also give companies an opportunity to build their reputation as an expert in your industry.
Whether you are starting your social media strategy or adding to one that already exists, Starkmedia can help. We have experience with everything from the creating a social media strategy to developing the applications that will support it.
