For many years, brick-and-mortar business owners could effectively reach the majority of their customers through print media and television advertising, but those days have now passed. Instead, businesses need to turn to digital marketing platforms like social media to market their products and services to the public.
However, with so many different social media networks available, it can be difficult to know which ones are worth your time and which ones will simply waste it. This article explains how social media marketing for manufacturers can help reach their target audience and drive sales growth at the same time.
1) Think About your Location
Consider where your business is based, who your target audience is, and what platforms they use. For example, if you’re in a small town and your target audience consists of older adults who are less likely to use social media, Facebook might not be a good option. On the other hand, if you’re located in Silicon Valley and your target audience is young professionals who use Twitter daily, then Twitter may be a perfect fit.
If you’re unsure which platform will work best, consider experimenting with different options. Try adding five minutes each day to each platform before making a decision. Lastly, don’t forget about all the other social media channels available such as LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat! Remember that the success of your company on any one channel depends on how well it can resonate with your customers.
You should have an account on every site that makes sense for your industry – or at least take some time to explore them – because the success of your company depends largely on being able to reach potential customers through whatever channels they find most interesting.
2) Use what you have learned
Use what you have learned about your target audience and industry to choose the best social media platform for your manufacturing business. By doing this, you will be able to create an effective strategy, which will lead to positive results.
A good place to start is by analyzing how popular your targeted platforms are within your industry or with your specific demographic. The most important thing when considering which platforms to use is figuring out who will be using these platforms so that there is a balance between reaching those potential customers and allowing them a space in which they can communicate their feedback to you. When researching various options, look at things like monthly active users as well as how much time people spend on each site daily.
3) Monitor your brand’s performance on all social media platforms
To choose which social media platforms to use for your manufacturing business, it is important to monitor your brand’s performance on all social media platforms. If you find that a particular platform does not resonate with your customer base, it may be a good idea to discontinue its use. One of the best ways to measure success in social media is by measuring engagement rates.
A successful post would have high engagement and likes, while an unsuccessful post would have low engagement and few likes or shares. The goal of any company using social media should be to create engaging content so customers will take action and purchase products or services offered by the company.
4) Look at What Other Manufacturers are Doing on Each Platform
Many manufacturers are choosing Facebook as their primary social media platform. Facebook offers a variety of features that make it easy to post updates, interact with users and generate leads. LinkedIn is another popular choice because it’s an excellent platform for building relationships with potential customers and networking with other industry professionals. Twitter is a good option because it’s quick and easy, and allows you to share updates in real-time.
For those looking for something a little different, consider using Pinterest or Instagram. If your manufacturing business focuses on how products are made or what goes into them, then Instagram could be the best fit. You can also take a look at what other businesses in your industry are using and see if their strategy aligns with yours.
5) Stay focused
Choosing the right social media platform for your manufacturing business is a lot more than just choosing the one that has the most users. Businesses in this industry will need to consider how their target audience interacts with social media and which type of content they’re likely to share.
You’ll also want to consider whether or not your staff has time to dedicate to managing these platforms, or if outsourcing management is an option.
Conclusion
Choosing the right social media platform for your manufacturing business is an important decision. It is vital to do research and determine what will be best for your company’s needs. By taking these five digital marketing solutions for manufacturers into account, manufacturers can rest assured they’re making the right decision.
StratMg is a leading B2B digital marketing agency that can help you identify the best social media platform for your business. The marketers at the agency evaluate your business requirements to help you make the best choice.
