It's official - understanding how others perceive us online is critical for B2B demand gen and with 52% of adults using multiple social platforms, we all know that one wrong move on social media can cause an avalanche of problems. How can Vendors help Channel Partners avoid the pitfalls of social media etiquette? Look back to some of the most basic but important lessons learned as children and help Channel Partners apply these building blocks when developing a social media strategy:
Social media makes companies appear
“white lies” on social. Transparency breeds trust which is the fundamental building block to online success so, don't hide company weak spots. Instead, help channel partners embrace flaws and use social platforms to show how they learn from mistakes.
The more often your content is shared, liked, or favorited, the more exposure for your brand, which means a growing audience for both Vendors and Partners. Sharing relevant content from relevant websites encourages others to share yours.
Anything broadcasted on social media or things said to a prospect or customers has the potential to be amplified with a few keystrokes. Before saying anything, think about what would happen if someone were to post it for everyone to see. Social media is the new word of mouth for marketing. Help Channel Partners understand how to prevent a customer service mishap from tank their business and for those few and far between events where Partners might receive negative social media feedback help them prepare by creating a plan for negative commenting.
Of course, sharing opinions via social media is a great way to spark conversation, but sometimes it drums up the wrong type of conversation. Since everything on the Internet is eternal, help Channel Partners learn to be careful when posting
Without a social media platform, generating leads, sales, and maintaining customer relationships is increasingly difficult, especially in B2B where 70% of the buyers’ journey is now done digitally. Partners who know how to (politely) navigate the fast-paced digital world have a significant advantage. But remember, the screen doesn’t hide our flaws so remind your Partners to filter everything they do.
Help Channel Partners embrace these basic old-school manners learned as a child and it will make it easier when they hop on the social media bandwagon!
Looking for more information to help channel partners leverage social media for growth? Check out these blogs:
Social Media Selling: Why Partners Need it for Channel Enablement
7 Tips to Boost your Partners' Social Media Image
Engage Partners Through Social Media
Photo Credit: NewsOK