Here are eight reasons why B2B marketers should make time for LinkedIn:

1. LinkedIn increases visibility for the company 

Every time you like or share something, you make it visible to your contacts. On average, individuals have 300 contacts on LinkedIn. If 10 people share a post, it reaches 3 000 individuals (excluding their secondary contacts).

2. You'll have consistent brand ambassadors

Having a professional LinkedIn profile speaks to your personal brand and the company’s brand. LinkedIn gives you the edge over your competitors, who might not be active on this space.

3. It makes the business more human

People do business with other people, not brands. In the B2B space, this is even more relevant and, by having a professional profile and being active on LinkedIn, you make it easier for individuals to connect with you and the business.

4. You'll be able to make an emotional connection with consumers

B2B is seen as a purely rational market, which is not true. Decision-makers are often filled with emotions when it comes to selecting a provider. The result of these selections could affect their jobs, their careers and their overall stability.

Social media gives us the ability to have a closer connection with the buyer, not the entity. For example, videos of client testimonials that feel real and not scripted make an emotional connection and help to start the conversation.

5. It helps you avoid being invasive

B2B sales take longer. During a sales cycle, you don’t want to bother your prospect with too many emails or calls to make sure they remember you. Social media allows you to be present without constantly knocking on doors.

6. LinkedIn promotes you as a thought leader

Thought leadership in B2B builds trust, raises awareness among potential customers and will likely have an impact on their purchase decision. But great content is of no use if nobody reads it. Social media channels are the best and most efficient way to distribute content to targeted audiences in all markets.

7. It helps you gain clients’ trust

There’s one thing we all do when we’re interested in a company – we Google them. A website is not enough to gain trust. People want to see reviews of your business solutions, as well as comments from your clients and interactions.

Social media offers a window into a community where users can engage with your content, participate in your Q&A efforts and talk about their experiences. Having this presence will give you more credibility.

8. It can be used as a research tool

Before meetings, look up who you’re meeting with. See if you have shared connections. Look up the companies and see what they post, such as current celebrations, issues, pain points and news, all of which you can use as conversation starters.

For more information, visit www.stratitude.co.za. You can also follow Stratitude on Facebook or on Twitter.