Search Engine Optimization

B2B Fast-Track to New Media Success by Designated Editor

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It’s true: Most new media successes stem from B2C. And so many B2Bs seem lost. Designated Editor’s Suzanne McDonald offered a fast-track for B2Bs in this presentation, requested by Swissnex Boston and hosted by the Cambridge Innovation Center.

B2Bs & social media: Where we’re at

“Ninety-two percent of prospects almost never book a meeting from a cold call or email. In 2012, rather than make cold calls, sales executives will first seek connections through social media networks, and then increase response rates with warm introductions.” – UNC’s Kenan-Flagler School of Business, reported by Mashable.

Social Media Reality-check

AdAge recently reported:

“Although few CMOs will admit this, social media costs less to execute on a per-impression basis than TV, print, and radio. But the organizational cost – both the number of people needed to execute these programs and the changes to corporate culture – can be significant.”

Stage 1: Get your website together

Key components: WordPress, themes, usability & identifying with your audience

Tools: Keywords (Google Keyword tool) and use them in the right places (titles, meta & content)

Remember: Search is increasingly becoming more about social (Google Alerts)

Stage 2: Blog & email

Key components: Blogs enable you to demonstrate thought-leadership, brand personality; brand all of your experts as experts, not just the CEO

Tools: Editorial Calendars should include trade shows, industry news, client questions, processes; make it multimedia; leverage blog to feed email

Remember: B2B = P2P -> people want to interact with other humans, blogs & social make it possible, changing the way businesses interact forever

Stage 3: Social integration: Optimize profiles & content for you & team

Key components: Reserve brand profiles across platforms, determine which social platforms make sense, based on your audience

Tools: LinkedIn use verify leads, connect, community; Twitter enables fast engagement, use hashtags, SlideShare = decision-makers; YouTube #2 search engine; Wikis, PitchEngine/HARO, Zemanta, Podcasts, Meetup, Facebook, Pinterest, Quora, Google+ (too many to bold)

Remember: You don’t have to be everywhere, so focus on your audiences and where they are

Stage 4: Measure & refine

Key components: Know what’s working & what’s not: Refine & adjust

Tools: Facebook Insights, Bit.ly, Klout, Google Analytics

Remember: You won’t know until you try & each brand is unique (or should be), so there’s no 1 size fits all

Designated Editor is working on “B2B New Media Success Guide” eBook & would love to feature your tips. Please share in the comments & be sure to comment on anything we’ve overlooked.

Many thanks to Swissnex Boston and the Cambridge Innovation Center, looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Here’s to helping B2Bs succeed via new media!

E-Marketing for Artists panel features Designated Editor, Newport CVB

E-Marketing and new media tools and tips for artists

E-Marketing for Artists infographic by Designated Editor for the Newport Arts and Cultural Alliance

E-Marketing best practices

Claim & maintain your profiles on the major platforms

Fish where the fish are

Form relationships with individuals

Don’t forget customer service

Know you are not in control

80/20 rule: Only talk about yourself 20% of the time

Be useful and helpful to your fans/followers on social media

Offer incentives to visit to your gallery/business, consider other deal types

Use tools and services available beyond simply sharing, such as Facebook ads

Make it easy to share: Include, at minimum, the Like button on your site/blog

Track progress via Facebook Insights, Google Analytics and Email open rates

Monitor activity constantly: Hootsuite/Tweetdeck and smartphones are helpful

Embed and cross-pollinate: Embed YouTube videos in your blog, share your blog posts

Buckle up: The rules and platforms will continue to change and evolve, creates opportunities

E-Marketing: How to get started & make progress

Get your house in order: Focus on your website to ensure social users will not find it confusing/messy

Add a blog: Great for Google rankings and a spot for you to compile all your great content

Learn a little about SEO & develop an editorial calendar to keep your blog on track

Build an email list & establish an e-newsletter schedule; go for big photos & deals

Claim your brand on various social media platforms (see infographic above for current top picks)

Determine which social media platforms your target audiences are using

Start with the platforms that your best customers are using, most likely Facebook

Cross-pollinate: Your blog will help feed your social media and email newsletters

Thanks so much to the Newport County Arts & Cultural Alliance for hosting a fun panel on E-Marketing for Artists.

And thanks to fellow panelists @Annie Collela & @Andrea McHugh of the Newport and Bristol County Convention and Visitors Bureau for sharing your insights and contributing to this post.

And, last but not least, thanks to the Preservation Society of Newport County for hosting.

Social Media resources from Designated Editor

Prior presentations, Powerpoint slides & posts by Suzanne McDonald of Designated Editor

Leveraging LinkedIn: Free tips to prospect and engage

Facebook for Business 101: Branding to Engagement to Ads to ROI

New Media Tips to Land Your First Customer