Smart Social Media is a Must for Manufacturers!

Posted September 24, 2013 & filed under Job Search

The other day, Business Insider posted an article reiterating the importance of Twitter to the success of professionals and aspiring trendsetters, making yet another case for how critical a strong social media presence is for businesses and business professionals. Manufacturers are no exception.

When used effectively, the full gamut of social media platforms (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) can help manufacturers transcend beyond the limitations of traditional marketing. According to a LinkedIn survey, 84 percent of users report that they’ve opened up channels for business opportunities while using the site. Other sites offer similar potential. Currently though, there seems to a lacking understanding of how social media sites can create a strong brand statement and an engaging cornucopia of seamless content.

Only 13 percent of manufacturing executives in a Manufacturing Leadership Council survey reported that they intended to digitize their overall production processes (which includes exploring the capability of social media tools). By 2023, the survey predicts that 53 percent of the industry will have adopted social media strategies but why wait that long? There are major benefits that can make a difference now.

The Domino Effect

Any social media presence can exponentially connect members of the manufacturing industry to countless people they’d never encounter otherwise. Each major site provides users with a glimpse into the web that connects them to the larger social schema. Twitter allows you to see followers, LinkedIn allows you to see second and third connections, and Facebook lets you look at the friends of your fans. After a steady stream of posts, a company’s exposure can ripple outward in exciting and unexpected ways, taking on new life as the follower base is further cultivated.

Open Up Your Brand

Social media sites offer businesses a chance to dictate the message broadcasted out to a broad spectrum of people and it allows them to do so at an incredibly fast rate. Since its inception, Twitter has consistently broken stories before major news media outlets had a chance to even jump from the diving platform. Thoughts and information spread at a near viral rate, expanding outward as posts are shared, commented on, and generally consumed by massive audiences.

Each manufacturer can use a completely different approach and still use these tools to their fullest. Social media campaigns simply need to hit home with the audience and capture the essence of the company in a unique way. A strong social presence can be a blend of industry news, networking opportunities, and even entertaining diversions to add some levity to the mix. Mashable recently posted a list of standout companies that really comprehend what these tools can do. The list includes companies and personalities who enjoy public recognition and are often considered among the top voices of the industry.