Marketing for Business to Business Selling and today’s Buyer’s Journey - Virtual CMO Mark Donnigan

The B2B buying process can be lengthy and complex, with multiple decision-makers and stakeholder groups involved. This can lead to long sales cycles and a lower win percentage for businesses. However, by understanding and catering to the needs of the buyer throughout the journey, B2B marketers can decrease sales cycle times and increase the chances of winning a sale.

The buyer's journey refers to the process that potential customers go through when considering a purchase. It typically consists of three stages: awareness, consideration, and decision. By understanding where potential customers are in their journey and tailoring marketing efforts to meet their needs and interests at each stage, B2B companies can shorten their sales cycles and increase their chances of winning business.

As buyers move into the consideration stage, they are actively comparing different options and weighing the pros and cons of each. B2B marketers can use this opportunity to highlight their product's or service's unique features and benefits, and provide case studies and testimonials to illustrate how it has helped other companies solve similar problems.
Once buyers have narrowed down their options and are ready to make a purchase, it's important for B2B marketers to be available and responsive to address any final questions or concerns. This may involve providing demos, samples, or additional information to help the buyer make a confident and informed decision.
By aligning marketing efforts with the buyer's journey, B2B companies can effectively shorten their sales cycles and increase their win percentages. By understanding where buyers are in their journey and providing the information and support they need at each stage, B2B companies can build trust and credibility, ultimately leading to more successful sales outcomes.
How B2B Marketing Will Change in 2023
As we move into 2023, B2B marketing is constantly evolving and adapting to new trends and technologies. Here are a few key areas where we can expect to see significant changes in the coming year:
The rise of virtual events: With the ongoing pandemic, virtual events will likely continue to be a popular and effective way for B2B marketers to connect with their target audience. This means that marketers will need to be skilled in creating engaging and interactive virtual experiences that deliver value to attendees.
Greater focus on data and analytics: As B2B marketers become more reliant on digital channels, they will also need to pay closer attention to the data and analytics that drive their campaigns. This may involve using data to understand the customer journey better and optimize marketing efforts, as well as leveraging tools like A/B testing to fine-tune messaging and creatives.
The rise of video content: Video content has exploded in popularity in recent years, and B2B marketers will likely continue to embrace it as a here powerful way to communicate with their audience. This may involve creating more video content for social media and other channels, as well as using tools like live streaming and video conferencing to connect with customers and prospects in real-time.
Increased focus on customer experience: As competition in the B2B space continues to heat up, companies will need to do more to differentiate themselves and stand out from the crowd. One way they can do this is by focusing on customer experience, and using marketing efforts to create personalized, seamless experiences for their customers.
Overall, the future of B2B marketing looks bright, with a range of exciting new opportunities on the horizon. By staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies, B2B marketers can position themselves to succeed in the changing landscape of 2023 and beyond.