The Internet has changed the way we communicate and conduct business. Studies are showing that more than 70% of the sales process has actually moved online. That’s why it’s critical for manufacturers to adapt with technology and use all available communication tools to enhance brand awareness and drive sales.
Social media has emerged as an important method for companies to network, nurture leads and drive website traffic. In a recent survey of salespeople, nearly 80% of those questioned stated they use social media in the sales process.
Many manufacturers have expressed interest in joining social media, but don’t always know where to start. “What sites are the most important?” “What does each social site do?” “Where do I begin?”
This social media for manufacturers blog series is provided so that manufacturers have some tips on how they can get started and use social media to their benefit!
First up in the series: LinkedIn. If you haven’t joined LinkedIn yet, it’s probably the best place to start with social media. LinkedIn is designed specifically with the purpose of allowing professionals to network. It currently has over 277 million users and a new person joins LinkedIn every 2 seconds.
LinkedIn is so appealing because it provides an easy way to connect with others and opens doors to new business opportunities. While there are definitely advantages for companies to utilize other social networking sites, LinkedIn is designed specifically for business professionals and community interaction.
In a nutshell, you can think of LinkedIn as a major “Business Card Exchange.” Users create a professional profile conveying their business experience. Then, they officially connect with other professionals. When you connect with professionals on LinkedIn, you also get the benefit of viewing a list of all of your connection’s connections.
LinkedIn provides a great webinar recording that you can view to learn all of the basics. To help you get started, here are 10 quick tips on how you can improve your LinkedIn usage:
Be on the lookout for our next entry on social media for manufacturers! By subscribing to our blog, you can get automatic notifications on when new entries are posted. All you have to do is enter your email address and click ‘subscribe’ where it says Subscribe by Email on the upper-right-hand portion of your screen.
Another great reason to join social media is the Made in California program! On our Made in California social media sites, you can stay on top of industry news and network with other California manufacturers. Check out our sites:
CMTC Social Media Sites | Made in California Social Media Sites |