Social Networks and Media Conquer B2B Social Networks are a flourishing phenomenon in today’s generation. It has already entered and affected the B2C network. In B2C network the social networks have become a concerning factor and plays a major role in marketing and communications.
As we are all familiar with the B2B network and what does it actually implies, the question arises whether the social networks can play an important role in B2B network and for B2B companies. Social networks are not another passing phenomenon; they have matured and have registered themselves highly in the minds of the customers. B2B network also gets conquered by the social networks the business houses that trade with each other are actually the customers of each other and they also engage themselves in social networking.
Some useful statistics from the social networking world states that the total time spent on social media has increased from 6% in 2007 to 20% in 2011. The registered users will almost reach 2 billion people by 2014. These figures show relentless growth and usage of social media. Already 91% of the B2B companies are active on Facebook, 53% on Twitter and 47% on LinkedIn. These statistics reveal that social media has conquered B2B network and has entered in that chain as means of effective communication and presentation.
B2B companies deal with people and not robots. So the influence of emotions before purchasing a product is applicable to them also as they are not immune to these influences. Hence, the first impression and the presentation affect them too. Social networks also affect them as they spend 99% time in surveying and analysing the product. Only 1% time is spent in buying the product. Hence, the social media content has a great influence and controlling power with respect to the choices of the B2B companies and their buyers. Also, 39% of the B2B clients use