There is no question that social media has grown and evolved over the last ten years and truly consumes our modern day world. Facebook has changed from becoming a place to connect with old friends to catching the latest news, seeing what events are happening around town, or posting a photo of your latest shareable moment. In short, Facebook and other social media platforms alike do not exclude much these days. As far as marketing is concerned, the same principle applies. The general belief was that social media is only for businesses selling directly to consumers, but that is not the case. Social media and online marketing is just as important to the manufacturing industry and should not be excluded.
A well rounded marketing strategy is more than just trying to sell your product. Potential buyers want to know about all aspects of your business – the people, culture, production and more. This is where social media comes in. Social media is where potential buyers come to validate your company, and see what you’re really all about. They want to know what it’s like to work with you, before they even talk to you. Social media allows you to share a consistent message, establish your company as an industry leader, and engage with future customers and prospective employees.
Social media can also be leveraged as a recruiting and advertising tool. Both LinkedIn and Facebook allow you to run specifically targeted job postings and ads. The manufacturing industry is facing a skilled labor shortage, and are needing to recruit those who aren’t necessarily looking for a new job. Social media marketing allows you to get your company in front of those people. In short, social media is more than just connecting with your old pals, it provides a wealth of information across all types of industries, including manufacturing, and is a key piece to any successful company’s marketing strategy.
