Thinking Outside the Box as B2B Marketers

The B2B world is full of creativity and constant learning, so if you’ve ever heard the phrase "B2B marketing is not fun," we couldn't disagree more. 

We know that no matter the marketing approach, it needs to be fun and generate emotional connections. This means that your marketing efforts need to be relevant and able to connect with your business's audience in a meaningful way. 

Let's be honest, many B2B organizations assume they can't leverage creativity to connect with their audience because of the products or services they offer. Now, don’t be afraid of seeking to do things differently. We know that even the not-so-fun products or services can be marketed in a meaningful, engaging, and entertaining way, always keeping in mind your audience preferences and needs.

Let us show you how you can start thinking outside the box as a B2B marketer in 5 ways:

Focus on being customer-centric

B2B marketing needs to bring value to customers in a personalized way. Customer experience is about being human. People have different interests and personalities, so think about how you can connect with your customers in a meaningful way. This is another great example on why the essence of B2B marketing has to be human-centric.

It is not just about making sure your brand name is everywhere; it's about connecting with your customers on an emotional level. These days, companies aren't looking for yet another vendor who is only trying to sell them a product or service —they're looking for someone who understands their needs and helps them meet their goals; it's about building valuable relationships and not just selling.

Show the company's culture and values

One of the most valuable strategies is to keep your company's content true to who you are, what you stand for, and how you want to show up in the world. So, instead of worrying about how to get people's attention, work hard on making sure your company's content does a great job at reflecting your values as a business.

Start sharing content on social media and creating new strategies for the business's website in a way that shows off your brand's personality and values. Customers should always be first and treated with good care. At the end of the day, we always look to be treated as human beings, not just like another client. 

If we do that, people will already know what kind of business we are before they even truly know you!  

Don't be afraid of using the power of creativity

Creativity is vital when it comes to delivering value for your customers. Instead of saying, "this is the way it's always been done," start looking for new ways to connect with your customers, new ways to engage them, new ways to make their lives better.

Look for inspiration in the world around you. Think about the things that excite you, the things that make you forget your problems, and the challenges of B2B marketing—and find ways to integrate those into your work.

Always try new things

If you're anything like us, you have been heavily influenced by the idea that B2B marketing is a "professional" or "serious" practice—and that can mean that you are less inclined to take risks. We know because we've all been there. It all changed for good when we started taking risks with our marketing efforts and trying new things. It was so worth it!

As B2B marketers, we must constantly try new things. That's how we grow, learn, and get better at what we do! So go forward and remember to experiment with as many new ideas as possible.

Take customer feedback seriously

We can all agree that customer feedback is a vital part of any business. If your clients aren't satisfied with your service, they're not going to stick with you for very long or tell other colleagues about you.

So, how can you make sure to get the feedback you need—and know how to act on it?

Here are some general tips and tricks for gathering and acting on feedback from other businesses:

1. Ask specific questions.

2. Use responsive surveys.

3. Make it easy to leave feedback.

4. Remember that the more specific the feedback, the easier it is to act on it!

Hopefully, you're convinced that there are many ways to think outside of the box as B2B marketers. It's not something reserved for just a single, stand-out individual. Instead, there are many innovative ways to redefine the norms of what a B2B company is, who it serves, and how it accomplishes its goals.

That's why we've decided that it's time to stop putting ourselves inside of a box because we want you to see how we can help you reach your company’s full potential by having the ideal B2B marketing strategy. 

Interested in learning more about B2B Marketing? Subscribe to our newsletter!