by tradesmeninsights | Jun 19, 2012 | Marketing Tips, Traditional Marketing
We’ve talked a lot about mobile and what it means to both manufacturers and distributors when trying to reach the professional tradesmen. For those who are still on the fence about mobile and where it’s going, here is some useful info.
I recently read a few articles in emarketer.com on mobile that brought up several good points. emarketer.com interviewed Geoff Robertson from Grainger on how they are using mobile in their sales process.
Here are some highlights:
- Over the past 12 months, Grainger has seen a 400% increase in mobile activity.
- Beyond the location and availability issues, Grainger is trying to help companies streamline their workflow by giving those who are requesting the parts to list them, and then those responsible for purchasing can sign off all using mobile technology.
- Over 50% of their users feel comfortable ordering over mobile devices.
- Google has an entirely separate algorithm for mobile device searches.
- Google reported that 1 in 7 searches are now done on mobile devices.
If you don’t have a mobile strategy in place, it should get on your radar screen soon or you’ll be missing lots of opportunities.
If you like this post, you might want to read:
Are You Targeting Emails for Your Mobile Marketing?
Why a Mobile Strategy is so Important to Reach the Professional Tradesmen
What’s Your Mobile Media Strategy for 2012?
by tradesmeninsights | Jun 13, 2012 | Marketing Tips, Social Marketing, Traditional Marketing
I recently read a post by Jeffrey L. Cohen from Social Media B2B about storytelling that got me thinking on how folks in our space could be doing a better job of doing just that.
Think about if you’re at a party or other social gathering, where do you find the crowds of people (other than the bar)? It’s usually around someone who is entertaining people. Most of these folks are great storytellers and keep you engaged and interested because of the way they tell the story.
I think all of us in the business community get so involved in the day-to-day grind that all we’re worried about is “Just the Facts” and we’re losing opportunities to engage our customers or potentials in a conversation. If we’re interested in “Just the Facts” then we are not allowing for a conversation to begin, because either we’re too busy telling someone something or trying to get info out of someone.
I think we need to sometimes step back and re-evaluate how we’re talking to customers or prospects, especially if you’re using social media. No one wants to hear about your products, they want to hear how you can help solve their problems. One way to share this info is by telling them compelling stories. Most old timers struggle with this especially in the social media sector that the marketing is now customer-centric not product.
Jeff highlights 4 great ways to use storytelling in your business that will help you engage more people.
- Company History – Tell your story through the lens of the customer. Be authentic and leave out all the buzzwords. Use key events as sources for stories.
- Customer Successes – This should be an easy one. Tell how you solved a problem for a customer and even give a quote or two.
- Employee Activities – People like to do business with people they know, like and trust. Put a face with a name of those in CS or those who are writing for your social accounts. Let them tell their stories and what they are passionate about.
- Community Support – Every company does something locally. We support and do a tool drive for our local Habitat for Humanity. Let your customers see another side of you and what’s important.
Those are my thoughts on how to use storytelling. Do you have any interesting ones you’d like to share?
by tradesmeninsights | Jun 12, 2012 | Marketing Tips, Social Marketing, Traditional Marketing
We live in a 10 second sound bite world where everything needs to be done NOW.
If we take that attitude, especially in sales, new customers are going to be hard to come by. People buy from those they know, like and trust. That’s not an overnight thing in most cases. Patience truly is a virtue when it comes to selling.
It’s usually a process, and depending on what you’re buying, it may have more stages and take longer. No matter if it’s face-to-face or online, there’s a process most of us go through when purchasing something, whether it’s at work or home.
Most companies have identified the stages customers need to go through before making a purchase. Our challenge is finding out up front where they are in that process and then start moving them through the steps at their pace, not ours.
The key is being able to help them through the process without scaring them off. Here are a few suggestions on what might help:
- Make it about them and their issues (customer centric).
- Take baby steps in asking them questions to get them to the development stage in the process.
- Get info back to them that relates to the particular request with a possible solution and ask them another question to continue to engage them.
- The more tailored the information, the better chances are of having them buy from you when the time is right.
Those are some of the things we try to do to woo new customers. What are you doing?
by tradesmeninsights | May 30, 2012 | Marketing Tips, Traditional Marketing
With all the marketing activities we are all doing today, we sometimes forget to review some of the old standbys like your website to make sure it’s current.
Today we have a guest post from Derek Singleton from Software Advice, a company that helps companies pick the right software whether it’s for an application or industry. Derek has been a guest blogger before and it’s always good to get someone else’s insights. Enjoy.
Graphic courtesy of: Thomas Industrial Network, Industrial Purchasing Barometer
The industrial buying market is undergoing changes. An industry that once relied purely on traditional marketing to generate sales leads is now moving online. Survey results released by the Thomas Industrial Network recently found that 9 out of 10 industrial buyers research and evaluate their purchases online today.
As more industrial buying activity moves online, manufacturers will need to focus on building their online presence. In order to make the most of the increase in online activity, manufacturers need to create a website that meets buyer expectations at each step of the purchasing cycle:
1. Discovery – Site visitors are just starting their research process and are trying to find companies that make what they need.
2. Research – Visitors are looking for information on product specs, operations procedures and materials used.
3. Sourcing – Individuals are ready to see detailed pricing and want schematics to ensure that your product works with what they’re building.
4. Procurement – This will usually happen offline.
Beyond modeling a website that guides visitors through the sales cycle, there are four other areas manufacturers should focus on to improve their websites.
- Show Off Your Facility & Processes – It’s important to use your website to show off what differentiates you from the competition. If you have a clean, modern looking facility, then you should show it off with pictures or a video tour. If you’ve received awards or other accolades, let visitors know about it.
- Create a Product Catalog – The product catalog is a great way to provide visitors with an easy way to navigate the products you make. It shouldn’t, however, simply be an electronic version of a print catalog. In the online world, buyers expect to be able to compare multiple products side-by-side. Your website should allow for this so visitors can narrow their options quickly.
- Provide Detailed Product Specs and Schematics – Beyond product comparisons, buyers these days want to see detailed information on each product. It’s essential that photographs, detailed measurements, product tolerances, and schematics are provided for each product so they can move further along the sourcing process. Not providing this information can result in the visitor leaving your website.
- Create Downloadable CAD Files – A final element to include in your website is the downloadable CAD file. Providing visitors with access to these files is a great way to speed up a purchase as it allows visitors to determine with greater precision whether your product meets their needs.
Naturally, content is only part of the equation. This content needs to be coupled with calls to action (CTAs) to convert visitors into leads. One critical CTA that works well for manufacturers is the request for more information. By balancing a website with the right content and CTAs, manufacturers can generate more leads online.
To see a few examples of how these web elements are being put to use on manufacturer websites, visit Software Advice, a site that reviews manufacturing software. You can find more detailed information at: Manufacturers, Listen Up: 5 Tips to Convert Your Web Traffic.
by tradesmeninsights | May 22, 2012 | Marketing Tips, Traditional Marketing
Mobile is one of the fastest growing segments in the market. Does it make sense for you to use it to engage your customer base?
Here are a few tips to think about if you’re considering using emails to go after your targets.
- Ask your customers if mobile is the best way to reach them.
- Ask them what kind of info would be useful to receive on their phones.
- Keep it simple – make sure things like your subject line are clear so they know who it’s from.
- Keep it short – get to the point and make sure your most important part of the message is up front.
- Keep images small if you’re going to use them.
- Also do a text version with links.
- Lots of white – remember where they are reading this.
- Make sure landing pages are optimized for mobile.
- If you’re going to ask for info, make it simple and don’t ask for a lot.
by tradesmeninsights | May 15, 2012 | Marketing Tips, Marketing Tools, Marketing Trends, Social Marketing, Traditional Marketing
The reality is you can’t be all things to all people. Pick a side, draw a line in the sand. Your company will be better for it.
Content marketing over the last few years has become the big buzz word and is often associated with social media. While it can be used to foster social media relationships, content marketing goes way beyond that. As a matter of a fact, it defines who you are and what you stand for.
Years ago you had limited ways to communicate your value proposition, not so today. Today specialists not generalists (no matter what field) are the preferred choice when folks are looking for something and they have a multitude of ways to get information about your company. And people like to be associated with leaders.
Let me ask you a question. If you think this assumption is correct, what do you or your company stand for? Have you chosen a niche? Are you considered the leading expert in it? If not, you’d better do it soon or you may not be around in 10 years. So how are you going to define and get the word out about your specialty? Content marketing.
By creating good content and sharing it, you can establish yourself as the thought leader in your niche. You can attract and retain customers by creating and curating valuable and compelling content on a consistent basis.
Ten years ago before anyone heard of social media, companies still stood for something. I believe you’ve heard of IBM or Apple? You knew one was known for main frames and the other for PCs. Today when you think of either brand, what do you think of…computers or other things? IBM may still make main frames, but they got their butt kicked in PCs and are known more now for their consulting services. Apple was defined by the PC, but not today. When you think of Apple, you think phone, tablet and soon TV.
The point is, both of these companies reinvented themselves and used content marketing to help spread the word in different ways. IBM took advantage of both traditional and social media methods to communicate their position. Apple, on the other hand, didn’t rely on social media directly, but worked the social media system by getting great content out to bloggers and others on the social network to create the buzz for them.
What are you doing to spread the word? Are you using content marketing?
I’d like to hear your thoughts.
Here’s a few other posts you might find interesting:
How Are You Managing Your Content Marketing?
Four B-to-B Marketing Efforts That Can Improve Your Results
