Many aspects of the business landscape have been transformed as a result of the pandemic, and B2B marketers are being forced to adapt to a “new normal” and restructure their strategies accordingly. A thorough understanding of the buying process is one of the most important components of a successful marketing strategy.
B2B buying behavior was already in upheaval prior to the pandemic, thanks to the growing availability of content and the growth of decision-making units. Buyers are not in hibernation, even if they are more cautious. They may appear to be more resistant to marketing and sales efforts as they grow numbed by the sheer number of sales and marketing content, but when they are ready to buy, they engage with B2B vendors.
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Here are some sales and marketing strategies to be considered.
It’s all about the timing
It’s one thing to know which accounts or sorts of companies to target. But it is also important to know when to contact them. B2B sellers, according to industry experts, do not approach them at the appropriate moment.
So, how to identify whether a business is ready to buy? If an ABM strategy is in place, account teams may be listening to social media, conducting desk research, and scouring social media for hints and clues. However, much of what is discovered is guesswork, and it isn’t scalable.
Third-party intent data can assist in figuring out which accounts are actively buying. These insights can be used to identify accounts that are consuming content related to a vendor’s product or service offering outside of their typical daily activities. Increases in research signal the beginnings of a buying journey, which can be followed from the beginning to the end.
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It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach
Since decision-making units (DMU) are made up of teams rather than single individuals, what works for one may not work for another when it comes to sales and marketing outreach.
Companies could consider implementing an account-centric strategy, such as Account-Based Marketing (ABM), which compels revenue teams to rethink how they communicate with accounts. For example, sales teams may not have the opportunity to talk directly with all DMU stakeholders, therefore an account-based campaign, in which customized messages may be displayed to those stakeholders at various points of the buying process, might assist impact the outcome.
Show empathy
Decision-makers are under enormous pressure when it comes to finances and shifting corporate priorities, as firms have experienced. Understanding and empathizing with their frustrations, on the other hand, can go a long way toward securing a sale.
Many customers believe that ‘listening more than talking’ and ‘asking the correct questions’ are critical qualities for marketers and salespeople to possess. Create high-impact questions and exercise deep listening skills to get customers thinking about the need to invest in a change in order to have a great sales conversation.
Increase brand awareness
It’s easy to disregard the relevance of a brand in B2B and dismiss it as a B2C domain. However, as businesses move beyond B2B and B2C to Human to Human, it’s crucial to remember the importance of the brand in assisting audiences in deciding which companies to put their time, effort, and money in.
Before completing purchase research, buyers prefer to select a B2B vendor if they have a positive impression of the brand, a statistic that cannot be overlooked. When buyers only want to be addressed when the timing is perfect for them, and there are various stakeholders who all need to think positively of a brand, maintaining a consistent, favorable brand perception is very critical.
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