B2B Demand Generation: The Ultimate Game of Business Chess
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Hey there, business gladiators! Let’s talk about something that’s more important than the last slice of pizza on a Friday night: B2B Demand Generation. Yes, you heard it right. It’s the heartthrob of modern business marketing.
It’s not just about selling a product or service anymore; it’s about creating a vibe, a demand, a desperate cry from businesses that say, “We need what you have!” But why is it so important, and more importantly, how the hell do we do it right? Buckle up, folks; we’re diving in!
The Big, Bad, Bold World of B2B Demand Generation
B2B Demand Generation is like being in a packed club and trying to get noticed by that potential client across the room. You’re not just trying to stand out; you’re trying to make them want and need you in their business life.
Think about it this way: You’re not just a business, you’re a rockstar, and your potential clients are your fans. Now, how do you make them scream your name?
But hold on a minute, aren’t we getting ahead of ourselves? What the heck is B2B Demand Generation anyway?
What the Heck is B2B Demand Generation Anyway?
In the simplest terms, B2B Demand Generation is the process of making other businesses realise they need your product or service. It’s not just about making them aware of your existence; it’s about making them understand that they’re missing out on something big without you.
Remember when the iPhone first came out, and suddenly everyone realised they needed a smartphone with a single button and many apps?
That’s demand generation – except in this case, you’re not selling to consumers but to other businesses.
So, now that we’ve got that sorted let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of B2B Demand Generation.
The Nitty-Gritty of B2B Demand Generation: It’s All About Strategy, Baby!
B2B Demand Generation is all about strategy. It’s like playing chess, but your queen is your product or service, and your opponent is the market. And the checkmate? That’s when a business realises they need your product or service and can’t live without it.’
Think about this: How often have you used a product or service and thought, “Damn, how did I ever get by without this?” That’s the goal of B2B Demand Generation.
But how do you achieve this? Here are a few ways:
- Content Marketing: According to HubSpot, 82% of marketers actively invest in content marketing. Why? Because content is king. It’s best to showcase your expertise and show potential clients why they need you.
- SEO: Google processes over 3.5 billion searches per day. You’re missing out on many potential clients if you’re not optimising for search engines.
- Social Media: With over 3.6 billion people using social media worldwide, it’s a platform you can’t ignore. Businesses are on social media too, and they’re looking for solutions.
- Email Marketing: Believe it or not, email is not dead. In fact, it’s thriving. With an ROI of $42 for every $1 spent, it’s a medium you should utilise.
Remember when Richard Branson said, “Business opportunities are like buses; there’s always another one coming”? Well, in the case of B2B Demand Generation, the bus is here, and it’s time to get on board.
The Real Deal: Statistics That Will Make You Swoon
I know you’re probably thinking, “This all sounds great, but where’s the proof?”
Well, prepare to have your socks knocked off because here are some statistics that show just how vital B2B Demand Generation is:
- B2B Digital Sales: B2B digital sales in all channels grew by 10.9% in 2019. Now imagine the growth in the years that followed. Furthermore, 61% of B2B transactions start online. This is the digital age, folks. If you’re not online, you’re not in the game.
- Customer Experience: 86% of B2B CMOs believe customer experience will be more critical in the industry in the coming years. A third of B2B buyers say that their customer experience expectations have increased. Focusing on customer experience, from front-end sales to ongoing support, can increase revenue by 5% to 10%.
- Business Partnerships: 91% of executives expect their business partners to play a more significant role in their operations. According to 60% of organisations, external parties influenced 35% of their annual revenue. Collaborations with start-ups and digital ventures have improved operations for 63% of B2B enterprises.
- Marketing Strategies: Some of the key B2B marketing strategies that companies use today are creating social media content (95%), creating blog posts or short articles (89%), sending email newsletters (81%), organising in-person events (73%), and publishing videos (71%). Emailing is considered the most effective channel for demand generation by 79% of B2B marketers.
- Content Marketing: 69% of B2B marketers have a documented content marketing strategy. 81% of early-stage B2B buyers find listicles most relevant, 72% prefer infographics, and 66% enjoy blogs. Meanwhile, late-stage buyers prefer case studies (39%) and user reviews (38%).
- Personalisation: 76% of B2B buyers have increased expectations around personalised and tailored solutions to their specific needs. Providing personalised website experiences can increase sales by 19%. 85% of B2B companies use live chat for sales, and 54% use the technology for marketing.
- Buyer’s Journey: Close to 70% of the B2B buyer’s journey is completed before a prospect ever reaches out to sales. 48% of B2B buyers rely on vendor websites when doing research for purchase decisions and doing ROI analysis. 53% of B2B buyers use social media as a resource during the buying process.
So, do these statistics make you want to jump on the B2B Demand Generation bandwagon? If not, I’ll have to assume you’re allergic to success.
Why Does B2B Demand Generation Matter?
Imagine you’re at a party. You’re having a great time, but you notice a group of people in the corner who seem out of place. They’re the B2B marketers trying to navigate the complex digital world.
They’re the ones dealing with an industry that saw a growth of 10.9% in digital sales across all channels in 2019. They’re grappling with an industry where 61% of transactions start online. And here’s the kicker: they’re doing all this without spilling their drinks. Impressive, isn’t it?
But why do they do it? Is it because they love the thrill? Or because they’re masochists who enjoy the challenge?
Nah. They do it because they know that B2B demand generation is the lifeblood of their business. It’s the engine that drives growth, fuels innovation, and keeps them ahead of the competition.
The Good: B2B Demand Generation Strategies
So, what’s the secret recipe for B2B demand generation? Well, it’s a bit like making a perfect cocktail. You need the right ingredients in the right proportions, mixed in the right order.
Here’s the recipe that successful B2B companies are using:
- Creating social media content (95%)
- Crafting blog posts or short articles (89%)
- Sending email newsletters (81%)
- Organising in-person events (73%)
- Publishing videos (71%)
Sounds simple, right? But here’s the catch: it’s not just about having the ingredients. It’s about using them in the right way.
The Bad: B2B Demand Generation Pitfalls
Remember that group of B2B marketers at the party? Well, they’ve got a lot on their plates. For starters, only 42% of B2B companies consider themselves in the “sophisticated” or “mature” phase of content marketing maturity.
That’s like being at a party and realizing you’re the only one who can’t do the Macarena.
And it’s not just about dancing. B2B marketers also have to deal with buyers who feel overwhelmed when given more than ten types of sales content (86%) and buyers who feel overwhelmed when given more than five (42%). It’s like trying to juggle while doing the Macarena. Not easy, my friend.
Bringing It All Together: The Future of B2B Demand Generation
So, where is all this heading? What’s the future of B2B demand generation? Well, if I had a crystal ball, I’d probably be on a beach in Bali right now. But since I don’t, here’s my best guess:
The future of B2B demand generation is about creating meaningful connections. It’s about understanding your buyers, meeting them where they are, and offering them value every step of the way.
And who knows? If you play your cards right, you may become the life of the party.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why is B2B demand generation important?
B2B demand generation is important because it drives growth, fuels innovation, and keeps businesses ahead of the competition.
What are some effective B2B demand generation strategies?
Some effective B2B demand generation strategies include creating social media content, crafting blog posts or articles, sending email newsletters, organizing in-person events, and publishing videos.
Conclusion: The Last Dance at the B2B Party
In this wild party of B2B demand generation, we’ve danced through the good and bad and faced the ugly truth. We’ve seen the rise and challenges of digital sales, the nuances of content marketing, and the ever-changing expectations of B2B buyers.
We’ve laughed at the complexities, raised a toast to the strategies that work, and acknowledged the steps we need to take to make the dance smoother.
As the music fades and the party winds down, let’s not forget the core of B2B demand generation: meaningful connections. It’s about understanding your buyers, meeting them where they are, and offering them value every step of the way.
It’s about being the life of the party, not by stealing the spotlight, but by ensuring everyone has a great time.
The B2B demand generation party is far from over. It’s an ongoing celebration of innovation, learning, and growth. So, keep dancing, keep improving, and keep generating that demand. And remember, in this party, everyone can be a great dancer with the right moves.
Let’s get back out there and keep the dance floor alive! Here’s to you, the B2B marketer – the real hero of this party.
Konger
Up until working with Casey, we had only had poor to mediocre experiences outsourcing work to agencies. Casey & the team at CJ&CO are the exception to the rule.
Communication was beyond great, his understanding of our vision was phenomenal, and instead of needing babysitting like the other agencies we worked with, he was not only completely dependable but also gave us sound suggestions on how to get better results, at the risk of us not needing him for the initial job we requested (absolute gem).
This has truly been the first time we worked with someone outside of our business that quickly grasped our vision, and that I could completely forget about and would still deliver above expectations.
I honestly can't wait to work in many more projects together!
Disclaimer
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