Up until about ten years ago, aside from specific niches (such as lifestyle and fashion brands), marketing for manufacturers did not venture into the public arena. Back then, customers were found through private networks and referrals for the most part. Today though, the competition is fierce and B2B marketers frequently struggle to find qualified leads and engage with prospects.
This is why all kinds of manufacturers are using social media, content marketing, paid online adverts, SEO, and other inbound promotional methods to reach business customers online. The full benefits of a good digital marketing strategy for manufacturers are as follows:
1) Brand Visibility
Internet marketing is a time-tested way of increasing brand visibility, which encourages customers to be loyal and helps persuade stakeholders that you are the best firm to deal with. B2B marketers appreciate the importance of this, because they regularly mention it as a high priority when surveyed. An investment in quality industry-specific website content, social network marketing, SEO strategies and PPC advertising is an investment in your brand. This investment is likely to yield the following returns:
- Once somebody identifies a need for their company, you will be the manufacturer they think of first While discussing the purchasing options related to this need, stakeholders in the company will recognise your brand name
- The customers of your customer might know about your company and request your products -Your customer might want to use your brand name in their promotional messages, because it has a positive reputation.
2) Greater Credibility
Content marketing for manufacturers positions you as a thought leader, or a reliable source of useful information, expert guidance, education and training in your sector. This is particularly important if you sell complex or high-end products, or operate in a niche market. With digital white papers and case studies, you can attract targeted leads by making access to these documents conditional upon people setting up an account and providing their email address.
3) Increased Sales
In 2020, The Content Marketing Institute published a report revealing that almost seventy-percent of top B2B marketers use documented strategies for content marketing. A whopping eighty-four percent of struggling firms do not use such strategies - and this complacency obviously has ramifications. The most profitable B2B firms also use KPIs to nurture prospects, gauge marketing effectiveness, and ensure that the content they deliver to their target audience is educational rather than promotional.
4) Loyal Customers
A good marketing plan for a manufacturing company that encompasses the aforementioned benefits will boost the trustworthiness of your brand in the eyes of customers. This makes it more likely that businesses will trust you as well. Notwithstanding, even after you have captured and converted a lead, there is still much to do in terms of marketing. Interacting with people on social networks, sending email newsletters regularly, and running other online promotions are all methods that can generate repeat business.
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If you have no digital marketing strategy for your manufacturing company in place, you are putting yourself at a huge disadvantage. Contact us today to develop a profitable strategy that increases revenues and sales.
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