The convergence of traditional and social media in the B2B space is alive and well.

1. Four Guiding Principles of
B2B Promotions
Integrating Traditional & Social
American Marketing Association
Cincinnati Chapter
Interactive Special Interest Group
(SIG)

2. “Don’t find customers for your products,
find products for your customers.”
~ Seth Godin

3. With Social Media, Just When You Think
or Feel Your Comfort Zone…the Only
Constant Is Change!

4. Social Media Platforms Used by B2B
Marketers
 LinkedIn 91%
 Twitter 85%
 Facebook 81%
 YouTube 73%
 Google+ 55%
 SlideShare 40%
 Pinterest 34%
 Instagram 22%
 Vimeo 22%
 Flickr 16%
Source: North America Content Marketing Institute/MarketingProfs

5. B2B Social Media Effectiveness
Among B2B Users - % Believe (seriously) It’s Effective by Platform
LinkedIn 62%
Twitter 50%
YouTube 48%
SlideShare 45%
Vimeo 40%
Facebook 30%
Pinterest 26%
Instagram 23%
Vine 22%
Google+ 21%
Source: North America Content Marketing Institute/MarketingProfs

6. Other Statistical Tidbits…
 Content marketing usage is being used by 93% of B2B marketers (up
from 91%)
 B2B Marketers are using an average of 6 platforms (2013), versus,
five (2012)
 The social media platforms that have experienced the biggest surges
in use, year over year, are SlideShare (40% vs 23%), Google+ (55%
vs 39% )and Instagram (22% vs 7%)
 81% have articles on a company’s website
 80% eNewsletters
 76% have Blogs
 51% use Infographics
Source: North America Content Marketing Institute/MarketingProfs

7. Yeah for 2014!
Ready. Set. Go.
Two things I know to be true:
If you throw enough mud (Frequency) at the wall,
eventually some of it will stick!
Folks are worn out and frazzled with the constant
demands of being content geniuses!

8. Getting It Right. Get Engaged!
Pepsi-Cola is referred to as a partner in profit
 They provide their corporate clients with assistance in
-marketing
-customer service
-management development
Pepsi-Cola is more than a big red, white & blue truck. Their assistance
will translate into greater sales of Pepsi products

9. #1: Be Creative
 Use response based promotional marketing tactics, to create a
specific behavior within a very specific target market of businesses
(Existing or New)
 Specific Content Rich White Papers
 E-Books
 Surveys & Polls on Social Media
 The age-old marketing adage goes: It is easier to sell to
existing customers rather than search for new ones
 Reward repeat customers with incentives, bundled discounts or
preferential treatment
 Loyalty programs are especially effective in the service industry,
where repeat business contributes significantly to profits. In
recessionary times, focusing on retaining existing customers rather
than spending on marketing to woo new ones makes sense

10. #1: Be Creative continue…
 Ask customers & find shared interests to help them grow their
business by tying in with your business
 Partner with vendors – they may even help with the cost, content &
work
 Brainstorm with employees on possible ideas
 Look at other businesses outside your industry

11. #2: Self Promotion Can Serve As A
Win-Win
 Paid & non-paid
 PR is effective & has been under utilized
 Social Media does offer HUGE opportunities to share
across your own or partner/vendor/customer platforms
 Word of Mouth – B2B does not have to mean boring. Customers are
looking for an experience or a “relationship”
Source: HubSpot

12. #3: Community Involvement
 Really Engage with your “community” of customers &
give them better, more profitable reasons to buy
 Do something for them just because
 Keep in touch even when they are not buying
 Over deliver on promises
 Help build the bridge between Marketing & Sales

13. #4: Emphasize Quality, Not Price
 Service is less tangible than products but don’t under estimate it’s
lingering impact - Become a SERVICE then a PRODUCT
fanatic
 Old saying: The effects of quality linger long after the thrill
of a cheap price is forgotten
 Ask for your customer’s opinion (very good use of Social
Media)
 Create strategy & content that helps them by focusing on their
needs & their business

14. Susan LaBonte
ConnectionPoint Partners
Sales & Marketing Advisory
Practical Strategies for
Gaining & Retaining Customers
@bizlifeetc