The Use Of Social Media For B2B (business-to-business)?

Hmm ok. But in that case, how would you use linkedin?

And btw, the goal is not only to reach the decision makers, but to use social media in B2B in general for whatever purpose.

Thanks for your feedback. This is basically what I said as well during that brainstorm . However, these managers didn't had a facebook account yet, or were actively using it So it might be harder to form relationships there compared to linkedin... But with those who does, it's definitely helpful!

What kind of test? And local businesses are probably smaller than the companies we're talking about now...

Thanks, no I don't sell social media packages. Just want to raise ideas for using social media with b2b.

That's a lot, and basically a good strategy indeed for b2b on linkedin! But do you talk with these people daily in discussion or private messages?

First of all there's far more to social media than twitter.

Second of all, you'd be really surprised who is an active twitter user... billionaire decisionmakers even. I am personally connected with many top shelf business execs all over the world via Twitter. No, they're not social media mavens and don't necessarily post about their choice of dog food. But they're there.

Did you ever stop to wonder why, with all the media channels and websites at his disposal, Richard Branson chose twitter? As did many others? Something to consider.

Lastly, if you understand B2B (which your comment leads me to believe that you don't), you already know that business purchases are made by committee decisions and groups of stakeholders, who each share some affected area within the business. Only the very smallest of businesses operate with a single decision-maker working on a unilateral basis to approve purchases. Once you get beyond a million or two per year in sales, there's a buying PROCESS that involves multiple parties. Any one of those people can influence the purchase process.

In fact, there's so much gold rush right now for B2B social media, there are entire blogs and magazines dedicated to it. Major marketing automation companies are helping to lead the charge - including Infusionsoft... one of the internet marketing beloved vendors.

No, it's not the usual internet marketing sales page, emotional hot button, pitch-based selling that oozes from ever oriface of internet marketing land. Not a lot of Clickbank and affiliate stuff going on there. But for those who understand the game, it's a far bigger play than anything this forum typically touches.

This is just simply wrong. Especially in the small business world there's plenty of business owners and solopenuers tweeting and making connections with other business owners, as well as consumers. I know because I've found plenty of businesses to work with via Twitter and I know of other business people doing the same thing.

Why do you think things like Tweetups (in person networking meetings with Twitter users) are so popular in many regions of the country? Why do you think there's so many blogs, books, and other publications about B2B social media marketing? Why are so many people positioning themselves as "thought leaders" in their field on Twitter? It's because Twitter can work, if you use it right rather than spamming it to death like many IMers do.