Social media has been the talk of the town for some time now. There is no doubt that social media has become one of the most critical elements of digital marketing. It is one of those platforms which reaches out to millions of people all over the globe. And with least effort.

One share on social media, and if it can interest your consumers, then yes, the results are tremendous. Your post will get many shares, and your brand will get noticed.

See, the point is, in a world where social media is the heart of marketing, it is easy to reach your goals.

Hence, a successful business needs a social media presence. As more and more social media platforms come into existence, enterprises are finding it easier to connect with customers and further increase brand awareness. This, in turn, helps boost your leads and sales.

Social media platforms have broken down barriers between customers and companies. Communicating with customers have become effective.

The advent of social media has contributed to too many changes in the business world. Certain features like Innovative approaches to winning new clients and sustaining profits are seen in these platforms.

Also Read: Benefits of Geo-Targeted Database for Social Media Marketing

Companies that have used social media to their advantage are many. They have stood out in the crowd, making a big difference to their customers. Here is one such example that puts forth the real benefit of social media.

An Inspiring Example

Airbnb has changed the way we travel. The company has grown over the last few years, with a total value of $31 billion as of 2017. Its digital marketing strategy is one that can teach us a lot. Airbnb’s social media posts on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are not only directed to the travelers but also the hosts. The company shares user-generated videos and images on the various social media platforms. And this has allowed it to get all the attention it deserves. I mean, come on, most people came to know of Airbnb through social media. So, now it all makes sense.

Using social media correctly can give businesses the right exposure it deserves. Airbnb focused on the various travel sites from around the world and created such similar content for their social media posts. They picked the most important aspect of their business, crafted content to suit the same and well, we know how successful they have become.

Thus, highlighting the point again- social media is essential for a business to thrive in today’s business landscape.

The Essential Social Media Platforms for Businesses

Now there are vast numbers of social media platforms. Each one of them yields different results. While some businesses may find it easier to connect with their audience on Facebook, some might rely on Instagram to interact with their customers.

For B2B marketers, it is essential to know every social media channel. They should be well-versed with each of the platforms to ensure that they are using it to the optimum and enhancing their business.

So, notwithstanding further, let us take a look at eight essential social media platforms for B2B marketers.

1. LinkedIn

Launched in 2003, LinkedIn has established itself as one of the best channels for businesses to connect with their potential customers. LinkedIn has more than 467 million registered professionals. It is used for business purposes like generating leads and converting them to paying customers.

For business owners, 80% of leads from social media generate on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn helps B2B marketers focus on professional opportunities and build brand reputation. According to various studies, about 50% of LinkedIn members have decision-making authority for their companies.

Furthermore, LinkedIn has established itself as one of the best ways to educate the prospects and claim to be a thought-leader. LinkedIn is inexpensive and draws more traffic to B2B websites and blogs than any other social media channel.

To drive a successful social media marketing campaign on LinkedIn, you should depend heavily on content. Amplify your content, and it becomes easier to reach to the target audience using LinkedIn.

2. YouTube

Though some B2B marketers argue that YouTube’s popularity for B2B marketing has decreased over the last few years, reports show that YouTube is still the 4th most popular social media channels out there.

Since the millennials are more inclined towards consuming video contents (given people watch 5 billion videos daily), it is easy to distribute the same on this fantastic platform. Even though other channels have introduced video sharing features, YouTube remains the king of the video search engine.

YouTube is useful in demonstrating your product/service to the customers, giving them a proper idea about the same. It allows you to put your brand into perspective. Conducting webinars or uploading simple videos about your business is a great way to provide solutions and connect with your audience.

Starting a YouTube channel can make a huge difference in marketing strategy. It is also essential to have a YouTube content strategy planned to set up your goals and measure your results. As for YouTube content, posting how-to videos (the educational ones) is a great engagement strategy. But don’t forget to add strong CTAs and video descriptions. Also, ensure to keep your video content unique.

As a universal social sharing platform, YouTube is always to remain.

3. Facebook

There is something about Facebook. Something about it that makes it so different, so accessible. Facebook is a valuable application that allows companies to shine out amidst their competition.

The demographics on Facebook is varied, which opens up new avenues for businesses to try. Also, it is easier to find and connect with your potential audience on a platform that is built to bring people closer.

B2B marketers rely on Facebook as a primary method of communicating with audiences. And it is easy to get noticed on Facebook because it allows you to target your business activities to specific audiences.

Without a doubt, everyone can locate your business page quickly. More than 2 billion people are active on Facebook and they spend a considerable amount of time on it. So finding your business becomes comfortable with Facebook. The only point to keep in mind- you have to get noticed.

Sharing valuable content or putting up live videos are some of the most common tactics used by B2B marketers to promote their brand on Facebook.

Also Read: 5 Ways to Fix B2B Content Marketing Strategy

4. Pinterest

Surprisingly enough, if you’re not using this platform for marketing your products or services, you’re missing out.

Pinterest allows B2B marketers to connect with people and to communicate with your followers related to your brand or business. Like YouTube, Pinterest enables users to share images, videos, and GIFs. Given how interactive these types of content are, the interest peaked from this platform is genuinely surprising.

Consistently sharing your content will get more leads, sales, and conversions. Through this widely acclaimed social media platform, you can increase your site visibility and build a good reputation.

Competition is sky high now, and every brand must struggle to come out at the top.

Millions of people now use Pinterest, and it can drive massive traffic towards your site. Thus, using the platform correctly creates chances of more people coming across through your business.

Pinterest is the best source to connect with people, as it is a fantastic visual tool for effective online marketing for B2B marketers. If you have amazing content to share, you’d like to share with your followers. Pin away!

5. Instagram

Instagram has more than 700 million users. This makes it a gold mine for B2B marketers, especially for the ones looking to connect with targeted prospects. People turn to Instagram to be visually surprised and inspired, often scrolling through their feed until something stands out.

When it comes to connecting with people, Instagram has one of the most active and engaged user bases. It helps to communicate with customers, receive feedback, and build relationships that last for a long time. Getting attention on Instagram is comparatively easy. If an image or video is appealing enough, it will get shared and viewed.

Hashtags also play a vital role in allowing businesses to get noticed. The content you create in Instagram enables you to share it on other social media channels like Facebook and Twitter.

According to recent reports, a social media platform like Instagram is doing more than generating engagement. It is also responsible for driving sales. Brands not only connect with their potential audiences but are also selling products/services using paid ads.

Due to the deep engagement that Instagram enjoys, it has become the perfect social media platform for B2B marketers. And if your idea is to sell your product/service, that works too.

For Instagram, select the most outstanding (and engaging) image or video. Adding long descriptions to explain the image or video makes it more viable to the audience. Use the hashtags right to ensure you trend.

After a recent update, you can add image descriptions and alt tags, which ultimately helps search engines to notice you.

5. Twitter

With a total of 326 million active users, Twitter can benefit your company in the most unlikely ways. Be it branding or establishing stronger relationships, improving traffic to the website or enhance search engine rankings, Twitter is a golden ticket for businesses. And when used right, it becomes better.

Most big brands use Twitter today to communicate with their audiences. If you want the latest news about your industry or need updates on the latest trends, Twitter is the place where you should flock.

Tweets are one of the best ways to send short yet crisp messages to your audiences. And the right use of hashtags can further enhance your ability to get noticed. Also, most consumers use Twitter to place forth their complaints against a company’s product/service. Twitter is a necessary marketing source for quick updates, and it sure can give your businesses an online presence. If you need your voice to be heard, you need to be on Twitter.

The ability to respond immediately with someone is vital in the business world, especially given how competitive the landscape has become. Twitter helps build trust and monitors what customers are saying about your product, brand, company, or service. To use Twitter to its optimum capacity, make sure that you maintain the character limit (280 characters to be precise) and use hashtags that are trending. Add a bio that allows you to stand out in the crowd. Oh, and also post regularly.

Conclusion

Social platforms are considered to be the best places for businesses to be. Though initially, it seemed like a convoluted idea; however, it has become one of the most likely places to enhance your business’s credibility.

Most brands have an account in at least one social media platform. A company without a social media account loses its credibility to its audience. With so many social media channels, you can either pick one, or you can opt for all to promote your business,

As B2B marketers, it is necessary for you to plan effectively for social media platforms. Use them appropriately, and you can too reach the epitome of success.

Do you want to get updated with more such content on various aspects of marketing? Then subscribe to Esalesclub today.

If you want to boost your business to the next level of success, then opt for the geo-targeted email lists from Esalesclub.