SMEs are a significant opportunity for many B2B marketers, but how best to open a conversation? Well, I asked 450 of them and here\'s what they said about their marketing channel preferences.

1. How to ensure marcoms reach SMEs Exploring channel preferences

2. 451 buyers of B2B services in UK SMEs interviewed Q: Below are various methods a prospective supplier might use to engage with potential buyers like you. Thinking about the main products and services you buy in a professional context, please indicate whether each source would be very, quite, not very or not at all effective in gaining your attention Average scores calculated with weighted importance (very = 2, quite = 1, not very = -1, not at all = -2) www.circle-research.com/blog

3. An overview: SME’s marketing channel preferences Prioritise Handle with care Deploy selectively Think carefully Trade Directories Conf. Speaking Telemarketing Trade Shows Networking Direct Mail Seminars Blogging Tweeting SMS Search Engines Email Marketing Trade Articles Trade Advertising www.circle-research.com/blog

4. Visit www.circle-research.com/blog for commentary and interpretation

5. An analysis by size

6. The view from: Sole traders Trade Directories Conf. Speaking Telemarketing Trade Shows Networking Direct Mail Seminars Blogging Tweeting SMS Search Engines Email Marketing Trade Articles Trade Advertising www.circle-research.com/blog

7. The view from: Micro SMEs (1 – 9 employees) Trade Directories Conf. Speaking Telemarketing Trade Shows Networking Direct Mail Seminars Blogging Tweeting SMS Search Engines Email Marketing Trade Articles Trade Advertising www.circle-research.com/blog

8. The view from: Small SMEs (10 – 49 employees) Trade Directories Conf. Speaking Telemarketing Trade Shows Networking Seminars Blogging Tweeting SMS Search Engines Email Marketing Trade Advertising Trade Articles Direct Mail www.circle-research.com/blog

9. The view from: Medium SMEs (50 – 249 employees) Trade Directories Telemarketing Blogging Tweeting SMS Email Marketing Trade Articles Seminars Search Engines Trade Shows Trade Advertising Direct Mail Networking Conf. Speaking www.circle-research.com/blog

10. An analysis by industry sector

11. The view from: ICT Trade Directories Conf. Speaking Telemarketing Trade Shows Networking Seminars Blogging Tweeting SMS Search Engines Trade Advertising Email Marketing Direct Mail Trade Articles www.circle-research.com/blog

12. The view from: Financial Services Trade Directories Telemarketing Trade Shows Direct Mail Blogging Tweeting SMS Search Engines Email Marketing Trade Articles Trade Advertising Networking Seminars Conf. Speaking www.circle-research.com/blog

13. The view from: Marketing and Media Trade Directories Conf. Speaking Telemarketing Trade Articles Trade Shows Networking Direct Mail Seminars Blogging Tweeting SMS Search Engines Email Marketing Trade Advertising www.circle-research.com/blog

14. The view from: Business & Legal Services Trade Directories Conf. Speaking Telemarketing Trade Shows Networking Seminars Blogging Tweeting SMS Search Engines Email Marketing Direct Mail Trade Articles Trade Advertising www.circle-research.com/blog

15. The view from: Retail Trade Directories Email Marketing Conf. Speaking Telemarketing Trade Shows Networking Direct Mail Seminars Blogging Tweeting SMS Trade Articles Search Engines Trade Advertising www.circle-research.com/blog

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