Benefits of Social Media Marketing for Manufacturers

Social Media Marketing – Benefits for Manufacturing Business Owners

Social media is used by businesses the world over to grow brand awareness, generate leads, and increase sales. The use of social media by manufacturers, however, has been greatly ignored and underutilized – for a variety of reasons. Some common objections include:

• My manufacturing business is complex – social media won’t work for me
• My products aren’t sexy enough – social media won’t work for me
• My ideal customers aren’t on social media – social media won’t work for me
• I don’t have a marketing budget or marketing team – social media won’t work for me

As a marketer for a small aerospace manufacturing company using LinkedIn – I’m here to tell you that those myths are wrong and it’s time for something to change!

With over 72% of the American population and 40% of the world’s population on social media, it is crucial that your business jump on board.

Where To Begin

No matter the size of your company, the type of products you manufacture, or the marketing budget you have (or don’t have!), developing a social media presence will help your business grow. And while huge companies with large teams and fat budgets can run campaigns on multiple social media channels, that is simply not feasible for smaller manufacturing business owners.

So, if you are deciding on a place to get started and join the MILLIONS of others on social media, LinkedIn is the place to begin.

After all, LinkedIn is the only social media channel dedicated to business! LinkedIn is the only major outlet that has more users age 50 to 64 than they do age 18 to 29 – all professionals.?On LinkedIn, everyone has already told you what industry they work in and what their job title is, so you can get right to the decision-makers you need to get in front of!

How to Begin

There are some basics you will want to establish when setting up your LinkedIn account.

For starters, you will need to set up a personal profile as well as a company page. Next, start to connect and engage with others (by liking or commenting on posts).

Don't make the mistake of getting your profile/page set up and then immediately start spamming the world about your fantastic products/services. Take time to get the lay of the land. Visit groups, and read comments and status updates of customers, suppliers, and others in your market. Start engaging with top voices in your industry.

And then it’s time to start posting! But how do you know what to post?

A solid place to start is with your sales team. What are the top 10 questions they are asked on a regular basis??Are there specific details of your product that people want to know? Answering questions that your customers ask is always a winning approach.

There is a wide variety of content that you may consider posting, from employee spotlights to industry updates, to benefits your products provide. To see how it’s done, check out RCF Technologies company page and see how our aerospace manufacturing company is doing it on LinkedIn.

Whatever you post, aim to put out content that your audience cares about and commit to posting consistently. Whether it’s once a week or more frequently – find a rhythm that is sustainable for you and stick to it!

Benefits

While social media marketing isn't the first thought for many manufacturers, once you get started, it can become an effective way to set yourself apart from the competition and meet your company's growth goals. When you tap into the world of LinkedIn, you are offered the opportunity to:

• Increase brand awareness and loyalty
• Reach your target buyer
• Increase sales and revenue
• Generate more leads
• Gain customer insights
• Build relationships with customers

So, give it a try. Don’t get left behind!

If you want to use LinkedIn to grow your manufacturing business without breaking the bank, please sign up for my Marketing for Manufacturers Newsletter. You will receive how-to guides, free (or cheap) online tools, strategies, templates, as well as other resources that can help you on your creative journey into the world of marketing for manufacturing on LinkedIn (Because social media works for us too!).

Or, check out www.paulierose.com for more information.