B2B marketing with Alex Kim

B2B marketing with Alex Kim

Alex works for Brainrider as a B2B marketing strategist. He provided us with a lot of information and insight into the sector, as well as some distinctions between B2C and B2B. This semester, he was also one of the speakers in my Digital Media Marketing seminar class. I was excited to learn that we would be hearing from Alex since, as much as I love my programme, we don't get a lot of exposure to B2B marketing methods.

What’s the difference? B2B vs. B2C:

His preference for business-to-business was the ability to analyze and strategize with others in a collaborative setting. Another factor was the lengthy sales cycle, which required going through all stakeholders, establishing the value of the company, and creating a trusted connection with them. As a result, B2B marketing is increasingly focused on relationships and long-term solutions.

Benefits and Opportunities:

B2B marketing necessitates the use of highly specialized persons. Their thinking is controlled and deliberate in the sense that it is more of a "business-specific attitude." Whereas in B2C, you're putting on the hat of a consumer, consider a large target audience.

Furthermore, B2B is slower-paced and focuses on quality rather than quantity, giving you time to think and breathe. Hearing this remark alone makes me want to work in a B2B setting, which is how I imagined a job when I originally decided to pursue marketing as a profession.

Pipeline Marketing & Buyer Journey:

B2B marketers use the "pipeline" in the same way that B2C marketers use the "funnel":

There are five different stages – visitor, prospect, lead, contact, and customer.

Visitor stage – At this stage, customer does not know who they are and what they want.

Prospect stage – When a buyer subscribes to a newsletter, they are considered a prospect. The buyer is now known to the company, but it is unclear what they desire. As a result, during the prospect stage, it is critical to identify their pain points and narrow them down to what they require.

Lead Stage - Once their needs are identified, they can become a lead, which is then forwarded to the sales team to qualify and determine if they are a good fit.

Contact Stage - They become a contact when it is recognized that they may be interested in purchasing, and at that moment, the sales dialogue has already begun.

Customer Stage - Finally, after purchasing the product/services, they become a customer.

Question Prepared for Alex & His Response:

What challenges are there while working in a B2B environment?

Alex responded, "B2B is much more focused on what customers need and getting to the point is frequently what you're attempting to achieve. There are several, I would think." When we engage with larger firms that have long-term growth objectives, there is often a significant amount of bureaucracy within these organizations, and things might move too slowly. Often, you become upset because you are unable to accomplish things that you want to do since there are several stakeholders and other individuals who have a say and wish to have their voices heard. As a result, a lot of the time, what you do is work through the various alternatives and compromise"

I found Alex's comment to be quite helpful since, when working in a B2B landscape, one must be more focused on catering to the demands of the clients.

Would I ever work in B2B marketing?

I feel that a job in B2B marketing would be quite intriguing to me. I am excited about my future in marketing, and I am eager to be more flexible and willing to explore B2B marketing as well.

I'd want to thank Alex Kim from Brainrider for putting on such a fantastic and interesting lecture. It pushed me closer to considering a career in B2B marketing.