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B2B Sales Strategies: Navigating the Power of Digital Selling

Executive Summary

In the ever-evolving world of business, traditional B2B sales and marketing strategies are proving to be less effective. The cycle of failure and replacement in these sectors has been a recurring theme for over two decades. The problem lies in the fact that these strategies, designed for the consumer market, are being applied to the B2B sector, causing confusion and inefficiencies.

However, a new approach is emerging that promises to revolutionise B2B sales - digital selling and marketing. This strategy utilises live streaming, automated social media advert posts, and email marketing to engage with the entire Total Addressable Market (TAM) simultaneously. This approach not only boosts visibility but also allows businesses to reach their TAM in a more efficient and cost-effective way.

In addition to these strategies, the restructuring of content plays a crucial role in this new approach. By aligning content with this strategy, businesses can effectively engage with their audience, providing them with valuable information and insights.

In conclusion, the future of B2B sales lies in embracing these new strategies. By doing so, businesses can boost their sales, reach a wider audience, and ultimately, achieve sustainable growth. For more information, visit the SalesXchange website - a platform dedicated to helping businesses transition to these new and effective B2B sales strategies.


Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. The Problem with Traditional B2B Sales Strategies
  3. The Need for Change
  4. Introducing a New Approach to B2B Sales
  5. The Power of Live Streaming
  6. Automated Social Posting and Email Marketing
  7. The Role of Content
  8. Key Takeaways
  9. FAQs
  10. Conclusion

Introduction

Imagine you're on a hamster wheel. You're running as fast as you can, but you're not getting anywhere. This is what it feels like to be stuck in the world of traditional B2B sales and marketing strategies. You're putting in the effort, you're doing the hard yards, but the results just aren't coming. It's a cycle of exertion without progression, and it's as frustrating as it is exhausting.

For years, businesses have been stuck on this hamster wheel, using outdated sales and marketing strategies that simply don't work in the modern B2B landscape. They're making cold calls, sending out mass emails, and even knocking on doors, but the leads are drying up and the sales are dwindling.

And when these strategies fail, what happens? The sales and marketing teams are replaced. New faces come in, full of optimism and ready to make their mark. But they're given the same outdated strategies to work with, and so the cycle continues. It's like replacing the hamster on the wheel without ever questioning the effectiveness of the wheel itself.

This is the reality for many B2B businesses today. They're stuck in a cycle of failure and replacement, all because they're using sales and marketing strategies that are no longer effective. But it doesn't have to be this way. There's a whole new world of digital selling out there, ready to be explored. And it's time we stepped off the hamster wheel and started making real progress.

The Problem with Traditional B2B Sales Strategies

Let's take a step back and think about traditional B2B sales strategies. Picture a salesperson, let's call him John. John spends his day making cold calls, trying to get through to decision-makers who are often too busy to talk or simply not interested. He's constantly hitting brick walls, facing rejection after rejection. It's a tough gig, and it's not hard to see why.

Telesales and cold calling, the bread and butter of traditional B2B sales strategies, are like trying to find a needle in a haystack. You're reaching out to a vast number of people, most of whom have no interest in what you're selling. It's a numbers game, and the odds are not in your favour.  In fact it's a success rate of finding one (mildly interested) party out of making 300 calls a week.  

Now, these strategies might work in the consumer market, where products are often impulse buys and decisions can be swayed by a persuasive sales pitch. But in the B2B sector, it's a different story. Purchases are usually planned and budgeted for, and decisions are made by a team rather than an individual. It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole - it just doesn't work.

And then there's the issue of timing. With cold calling and telesales, you're interrupting people's day, hoping to catch them at a time when they're willing to listen. But in today's busy world, finding that perfect moment is like trying to catch lightning in a bottle.

So, what's the result of all this? Frustration, inefficiency, and a whole lot of wasted time and resources. It's clear that these traditional B2B sales strategies are not fit for purpose. They're designed for a different market, and they're not meeting the needs of B2B businesses.

But don't despair. There's a new approach on the horizon, one that's designed specifically for the B2B market. It's called digital selling, and it's about to change the game.

The Need for Change

Isn't it time we changed the sales and marketing process to a model that works for everyone? Isn't it time we stepped off the hamster wheel and started making real progress? The answer, of course, is a resounding yes.

The B2B landscape has changed dramatically over the past few years. The rise of digital technology has transformed the way businesses operate, opening up new opportunities and creating new challenges. Yet, many B2B businesses are still clinging to outdated sales and marketing strategies that are no longer effective.

Consider this: the average turnover of B2Bs has remained at approximately £120k per person per annum. This suggests that the existing one-to-one selling approach, using demand gen, lead gen, and ABM, is not viable. It's like trying to fill a bucket with a hole in the bottom - no matter how much you pour in, you're never going to see the results you want.

This is a clear indication that change is needed. We need to move away from these outdated strategies and embrace a new approach that aligns with the realities of the modern B2B landscape. We need to adopt strategies that are designed for the B2B market, not the consumer market.

And that's where digital selling comes in. This innovative approach to B2B sales and marketing is designed to meet the needs of today's businesses, offering a more effective and efficient way to reach your total addressable market. It's time to step off the hamster wheel and start making real progress. It's time for a change.

Introducing a New Approach to B2B Sales

Imagine you're a sailor, navigating the vast ocean of the B2B market. For years, you've been using an old, outdated map - a map that's led you in circles, leaving you lost and frustrated. But now, you've been given a new map, a map that promises to lead you to the treasure you've been seeking. This map is digital selling and marketing, and it's about to revolutionise the way you navigate the B2B market.

Digital selling and marketing is not just a new approach to B2B sales - it's a complete paradigm shift. It's about moving away from the outdated strategies of the past and embracing a new, more effective way of reaching your total addressable market.

So, how does it work? Let's take a journey together.

First, we start with live streaming. Imagine being able to engage with your entire Total Addressable Market (TAM) simultaneously. Instead of knocking on doors one by one, you're broadcasting your message to everyone at once. It's like hosting a party and inviting everyone in town - a party where you're the star of the show.

Next, we move on to automated social media advert posts and email marketing. These are your invitations to the party. You're not just waiting for people to stumble upon your event - you're actively inviting them to join. And with automation, you can send out these invitations at scale, reaching a larger audience without increasing your workload.

Then, we have content restructuring. This is where you tailor your message to your audience, ensuring that it resonates with them and drives them to action. It's like choosing the right music for your party - music that gets everyone on the dance floor.

And finally, we have analytics and tag manager. This is how you measure the success of your party. You're tracking who came, who stayed, and who danced. You're using this data to refine your strategy, making your next party even better.

This is the power of digital selling and marketing. It's a more effective and profitable way for businesses to grow and reach their total addressable market. It's a new map for navigating the B2B market, and it's time we started using it.

The Power of Live Streaming

Imagine standing on a stage in front of your entire Total Addressable Market (TAM). Every potential customer, every decision-maker, every influencer - they're all there, waiting to hear what you have to say. This is the power of live streaming.

Live streaming is like having a megaphone that reaches every corner of your market. It allows you to broadcast your message to a vast audience, engaging with them in real-time. It's a game-changer for B2B sales and marketing, offering a level of reach and engagement that traditional strategies simply can't match.

Think about it. With traditional strategies, you're reaching out to potential customers one by one. It's a slow, laborious process, and it's not always effective. It's a well-known fact that a small percentage (1% to 15%) of your TAM begin their buying journey every week.  So, if your TAM is 10,000 businesses, that's going to be somewhere in the region of 100-1500 business who are going to star looking.  And with live streaming, you're reaching everyone at once. It's like comparing a single firework to a grand finale - the impact is just so much greater.

And it's not just about reach. Live streaming also allows for real-time interaction. You can answer questions, address concerns, and engage with your audience in a way that's simply not possible with other strategies. It's like having a conversation with your entire market, building relationships and trust on a massive scale.

In the world of B2B sales and marketing, live streaming is a powerful tool. It's a way to reach more people, engage with them more effectively, and ultimately, drive more sales. So, are you ready to step onto the stage and grab that megaphone?

Automated Social Posting and Email Marketing

Let's imagine you're throwing a party - a big, exciting event that you want everyone to attend. You could go door-to-door, personally inviting each guest. Or, you could send out a mass invitation, reaching everyone at once. Which sounds more efficient?

This is where automated social media advert posts and email marketing come into play. They're your mass invitations, your way of reaching a large audience without the time-consuming task of individual outreach.

Think of it like this: you're using automated social media advert posts to create a buzz about your weekly live stream show. You're posting engaging content, sharing behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, and building anticipation for the event. And the best part? It's all automated. You set it up once, and it runs on autopilot, leaving you free to focus on other aspects of your business.

At the same time, you're using email marketing to send out personalised invitations to the show. You're reaching out to your existing contacts, reminding them of the event and providing them with all the information they need to attend. It's a direct line of communication, allowing you to connect with your audience on a more personal level.

Let's take a real-life example. Imagine a tech company launching a new product. They set up automated social media posts to share teaser images and videos of the product, building anticipation in the lead-up to the launch. At the same time, they send out emails to their contact list, inviting them to a live stream launch event.

On the day of the event, they have a large, engaged audience tuning in to their live stream, all thanks to their automated social media and email marketing strategies. The result? A successful product launch, with a high level of engagement and a boost in sales.

This is the power of automated social posting and email marketing. It's a way to reach a larger audience, engage with them more effectively, and drive more traffic to your live stream shows. It's not just about selling - it's about creating an experience that your audience wants to be a part of.

The Role of Content

Now let's think of your content as the fuel for your digital selling engine. Without the right fuel, your engine won't run efficiently. It might sputter and stall, or it might not start at all. But with the right fuel - high-quality, engaging content that's tailored to your audience - your engine will run smoothly, powering your digital selling strategy and driving your business forward.

Restructuring your content is like refining your fuel. It's about taking what you have and making it better, aligning it with your new digital selling approach. It's not just about what you say, but how you say it. It's about creating content that resonates with your audience, that speaks to their needs and interests, and that drives them to action.

Let's say, for example, you're a software company. In the past, your content might have focused on the features of your software. But in the world of digital selling, that's not enough. You need to show your audience how your software can solve their problems, how it can make their lives easier, and why it's the best solution for their needs.

So, you restructure your content. Instead of listing features only in written articles, you tell stories by every means available and that includes; podcasts, video, live streaming and of. course articles too. You share case studies of businesses that have benefited from your software. You create how-to guides and tutorials, showing your audience how to get the most out of your product. You engage with your audience through live streams and social media posts, answering their questions and addressing their concerns.

This is the role of content in digital selling. It's not just about informing your audience - it's about engaging with them, building relationships, and driving action. It's about providing value, not just selling a product. And when you get it right, your content can be the most powerful tool in your digital selling arsenal.

For more insights on how to restructure your content for digital selling, check out our guide on copywriting. It's packed with tips and strategies to help you create content that resonates with your audience and drives your digital selling strategy forward.

Key Takeaways

  1. Embrace Digital Selling: Traditional B2B sales strategies are no longer effective. Embrace digital selling as a more efficient and profitable approach to reach your Total Addressable Market (TAM).

  2. Leverage Live Streaming: Use live streaming to engage with your entire TAM simultaneously. It's a cost-effective way to reach a larger audience.

  3. Automate Social Posting and Email Marketing: Use automated social media advert posts and email marketing to invite business prospects to your live stream shows. This can increase your reach and engagement without increasing your workload.

  4. Restructure Your Content: Align your content with your digital selling strategy. Focus on creating content that resonates with your audience and drives them to action.

  5. Monitor and Measure: Use analytics and tag manager to monitor the success of your digital selling strategy. Use this data to refine your approach and make your strategy more effective.

FAQs

Q: What is digital selling?

A: Digital selling is a modern approach to B2B sales that leverages digital technology to reach and engage with your Total Addressable Market (TAM). It includes strategies like live streaming, automated social posting, and email marketing.

Q: How can live streaming benefit my business?

A: Live streaming allows you to engage with your entire TAM simultaneously. It's a cost-effective way to reach a larger audience and build relationships with your prospects.

Q: What is the role of content in digital selling?

A: Content is crucial in digital selling. It's about creating content that resonates with your audience, that speaks to their needs and interests, and that drives them to action.

Q: How can I measure the success of my digital selling strategy?

A: You can use analytics and tag manager to monitor and measure the success of your digital selling strategy. This data can help you refine your approach and make your strategy more effective.

Q: What are the benefits of automated social posting and email marketing?

A: Automated social posting and email marketing can increase your reach and engagement without increasing your workload. They allow you to invite business prospects to your live stream shows and engage with your audience on a larger scale.

Conclusion

In the modern B2B landscape, traditional sales strategies are no longer effective. Businesses need to embrace digital selling as a more efficient and profitable approach. By leveraging live streaming, automated social posting, and email marketing, businesses can reach their Total Addressable Market (TAM) in a more effective way. Additionally, restructuring content to align with this new approach is crucial. With the right strategies in place, businesses can navigate the B2B market more effectively, driving sales and achieving sustainable growth.

Let's start by having a conversation about your business to see what you can achieve.

Go to our Digital Selling pages to see how you can change the way you work and scale up your business.

05 July 2024

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Author

The author and founder of salesXchange, Nigel Maine is a B2B marketing and sales expert with a proven track record in scaling up growth for Technology, SaaS, and Professional Services organisations. With 30 years hands-on experience and unique approach, Nigel has developed an effective strategy that dramatically increases exposure and profitability for B2B organizations.

Nigel has founded multiple start-ups, is a published author, public speaker and hosts both a podcast and business live streaming show, broadcast on LinkedIn Live, YouTube & Facebook. He also has extensive knowledge of MarTech software, creative hardware and software, and A.I. prompting tools.  Contact: 0800 970 9751 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.