How the channel partners (distributors/agents) of B2B companies globally can utilize social media. If they are small operations without their own websites, social media is an ideal way to get their message out.
2. “Social media is about communication,
not marketing. It‟s about connecting
and engaging, not about pushing your
products.”
(Jonathan Wichmann, Head of Social
Media at Maersk Line)
3. That quote is relevant to ALL B2B social
media - wherever you are in the world.
4. It all starts with good content
What is good content?
It‟s helpful to your customers:
◦ Relevant product info
◦ Instructions and „how to‟ guides
◦ Industry issues & insights
◦ Lists - „5 reasons you should use‟…
◦ SFC company news from newsletter
◦ Videos – instructional
Give people a reason to follow you
5. That‟s where social media comes in!
Distribute all this great content via relevant
social networks
6.
7. LinkedIn
Twitter
Facebook
Google+
YouTube
Sina Weibo & YouKu - China
Regional:
◦ Xing – German-speaking countries
◦ vKontakte – Russia
Choose 1 or 2
Which ones will depend on your market
8. It‟s what you say and how you say it that
matters
Be helpful and don‟t blatantly sell
That‟s a general principle relevant to all B2B
social media
9. The global professional network
Mouthpiece of your company
Features:
o Product pages
o Targeted ads
o Groups - interact
o Recruitment
The more you post, the more followers you‟ll
get
10. Great for networking with:
o Customers
o Industry bodies
o Industry experts
o Trade media
Follow relevant people and they‟ll usually
follow back
Show your expertise
Be interesting and people will re-tweet
Don‟t sell!
11. Over a billion users
B2B companies are using it
Encourage interaction:
o Special offers
o Events
o Industry news
o Questions
o Videos
Customer service
Understand EdgeRank
Don‟t sell!
12. Google is evil, but we need it
G+ business page – like your LinkedIn page
G+ posts rank higher on Google
One login for everything
Unique features:
o Circles – keep your contacts segregated
o Communities - like LinkedIn groups
o Hangouts - video calls with up to 10 people
o Google authorship
13. Essential if you have videos
Same login as Google+ and Gmail
It‟s easy to make basic videos
Post SFC videos when they‟re available!
15. China
◦ Facebook and Twitter are blocked
◦ Sina Weibo, Qzone and YouKu are popular
◦ Halma China uses Sina Weibo and YouKu
Russia
◦ vKontakte – more popular than Facebook
◦ Odnoklassniki – like „friends reunited‟
Germany
◦ Xing – professional network similar to LinkedIn
16. Social media or B2B is about communication,
interacting & networking – not selling.
This applies to all social networks anywhere in
the world.
Think of it as a virtual conference – a place to
network and make valuable connections.