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Top 5 Trends Reshaping B2B Marketing in 2023

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B2B marketing1

Introduction

In recent years, we’ve seen a dramatic shift in the landscape of B2B marketing. With the advent of new technologies and changes in buyer behaviour, businesses are having to adapt their marketing strategies to stay ahead of the curve. Right from allocation of budgets to utilization of resources the trends a changing dramatically.

According to a recent survey conducted by Statista among B2B businesses worldwide, a significant 50% of respondents reported their intention to increase spending in the upcoming year. This highlights a positive trend in the industry’s growth and suggests that companies are willing to invest more in marketing strategies to achieve their goals.

Furthermore, another survey revealed the most popular marketing tactics implemented by B2B businesses, with email marketing being the most widely used tactic at 84%. Social media and social media advertising ranked second at 75%, followed by blogging and content marketing at 69%. SEO ranked fourth at 60%, while tradeshows and events came in fifth at 54%.

These findings indicate that digital marketing continues to dominate B2B marketing efforts, with email and social media being the primary channels used to reach target audiences. Here are some of the top trends that are reshaping B2B marketing:

  1. The rise of account-based marketing:

With the increased focus on developing relationships with key accounts, account-based marketing has become one of the most popular strategies among B2B marketers. This tailored approach allows businesses to better meet the needs of their most valuable customers.

  1. The power of content marketing:

In order to reach and engage today’s buyers, businesses need to create compelling content that addresses their specific pain points. From blog posts and eBooks to infographics and webinars, high-quality content is essential for driving demand and generating leads.

  1. The importance of data-driven decision making:

In order to be successful, businesses need to make decisions based on data rather than gut instinct. By tracking key metrics such as website traffic and conversion rates, marketers can gain insights into what’s working and what isn’t, and adjust their strategies accordingly.

  1. The growth of social media:

Social media has emerged as a powerful tool to reshaping B2B marketing, allowing them to build relationships with potential customers and create brand awareness. However, with so many platforms to choose from, it’s important to select the right ones for your.

Trend #1: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are two of the most talked-about topics in the business world today. And for good reason: these technologies have the potential to transform the way businesses operate and interact with customers.

In marketing, AI and machine learning can be used to personalize messages, understand customer needs and preferences, and even predict future behaviour. These capabilities are already being used by some of the biggest brands in the world to drive real results.

For example, Amazon uses AI to personalize shopping recommendations for its customers. Netflix uses machine learning algorithms to recommend shows and movies that users are likely to enjoy. And Facebook uses AI to help businesses target ads more effectively.

As these examples show, AI and machine learning are reshaping b2b marketing landscape. Here are three trends to watch out for:

  1. Personalization will become more important than ever before.
  2. Chatbots will become commonplace (and more sophisticated).

Trend #2: Automation of Sales and Marketing Processes

MyContactForm.com notes that with the increase in internet usage and online purchasing, many businesses are finding that regular “outbound” marketing methods are less effective than they used to be.

The costs of these methods – like print advertising, TV commercials, and direct mail – are also on the rise. In response, businesses are turning to more modern “inbound” marketing strategies that make use of digital tools and platforms.

One such trend is the automation of sales and marketing processes. By using software to automate repetitive tasks, businesses can free up time and resources for more creative and strategic tasks. Additionally, automation can help to improve accuracy and consistency in data collection and analysis. This can lead to better decision-making about where to allocate resources for maximum impact.

There are a number of different software applications available that can help with automation of sales and marketing processes.

MyContactForm.com notes that some popular options include Hub Spot Sales, Pardot, Marketo, Eloqua, and Infusionsoft. However, it’s important to select the right tool for your specific needs; not all of these applications will be a good fit for every business.

If you’re thinking about implementing automation in your sales or marketing process, myContactForm.com recommends doing some research to determine which application will work best for you. They also suggest starting small by automating only a few tasks at first, so that you can get

Trend #3: Increased Role of Emotional Connections

As we head into 2020, it’s clear that one of the biggest trends reshaping b2b marketing is the increased role of emotional connections.

In a world where consumers are bombarded with marketing messages from all angles, brands that can create an emotional connection with their audience are more likely to cut through the noise and stay top of mind.

One way to create an emotional connection is to tell stories that resonate with your audience. This could be sharing customer stories, or creating content that highlights your brand’s values. Another way to foster an emotional connection is to make it easy for customers to connect with your brand on a personal level. This could be through offering customizable products, or creating a social media hashtag that lets customers share their own experiences with your brand.

No matter what approach you take, remember that emotion should be at the heart of your b2b marketing strategy. By creating an emotional connection with your audience, you’ll be able to build long-lasting relationships that will pay off in the form of loyalty and repeat business.

Trend #4: Rise of Integrated Platforms for Seamless Execution

The rise of integrated platforms is one of the top trends reshaping b2b marketing. Seamless execution across all channels and devices is becoming increasingly important to b2b marketers, and an integrated platform can provide the foundation for this.

By centralizing data and functionality on a single platform, b2b marketers can more easily manage campaigns, analyse performance, and optimize results. Additionally, an integrated platform can help marketers connect with customers across channels in a consistent and personalized way.

Trend #5: Shift towards Digital advertising and Social Media Outreach

There are few things more important to the success of your business than having a solid marketing strategy. And while some things never go out of style—like word-of-mouth marketing, for example— other elements of your marketing mix will need to be updated to stay current. With that in mind, here are five trends that are reshaping b2b marketing:

  1. The rise of digital advertising

As consumers continue to spend more time online, it’s no surprise that businesses are following suit and investing more in digital advertising. In fact, according to a recent study by eMarketer, digital ad spending is expected to surpass $100 billion by 2021. From search engine optimization (SEO) to social media ads, there are a variety of ways to reach your target audience online. And with platforms like Google Analytics, you can track your campaign’s performance and make adjustments accordingly.

  1. The power of social media outreach

Social media is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal when it comes to marketing your business. Not only does it provide an avenue for promoting your brand and connecting with potential customers, but it also allows you to gather valuable feedback and insights. When used effectively, social media can be an invaluable asset in growing your business.

  1. The importance of mobile marketing

With over two billion active smartphones users worldwide, it’s clear that mobile is not going anywhere anytime soon. And as such, businesses need to find ways to reach

Conclusion

In conclusion, 2023 is likely to be a watershed year for reshaping B2B marketing trends. The data and demand are all pointing in the direction of customization, artificial intelligence, collaboration and personalization as being essential elements of success. These five key trends that we talked about will go a long way towards reshaping what was possible with B2B marketing in the past and taking it into an exciting future. Embracing these changes now could mean you have a substantial head start when the time comes to reap their rewards.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via dipo.olowookere@businesspost.ng

Economy

Crude Oil Prices Plunge 7% as China Imposes Tariffs on US Imports

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crude oil 1.27 million barrels per day

By Adedapo Adesanya

Crude oil prices plunged by 7 per cent on Friday as China ramped up tariffs on US imports, escalating a trade war that has led investors to believe a recession is near.

This brought down the price of Brent crude by $4.56 or 6.5 per cent to sell at $65.58 per barrel and the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude lost $4.96 or 7.4 per cent to end at $61.99 per barrel.

For the week, Brent was down by 10.9 per cent, its biggest weekly loss in percentage terms in a year and a half, while WTI posted its biggest decline in two years with a drop of 10.6 per cent.

As a result of this, prices slipped to their lowest level in almost four years Friday.

China said on Friday that it will impose a 34 per cent tariff on all US imports from April 10, in a response to US President Donald Trump levying 34 per cent duties on Chinese imports as part of a wider spree on 180 countries.

Retaliation from nations around the world could hurt economic growth and demand for key commodities such as crude oil and refined products.

China, the world’s largest oil importer, also imposed export controls on several rare earth elements — crucial for advanced technologies and almost exclusively mined in China — and banned Chinese firms from selling components to an additional 11 American companies.

Market  analysts warned that China’s retaliatory measures have boosted fears of a global recession.

JP Morgan raised the probability of a US and global recession by year end to 60 per cent on Friday, forecasting that the effects of President Trump’s levies are “likely to be magnified through retaliation, a slide in US business sentiment and supply chain disruptions.”

On its part, Goldman Sachs analysts cuts their 2025 targets for Brent and WTI by $5 each to $66 and $62 respectively.

Further pressuring oil prices, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) decided to advance plans for output increases.

The group now aims to return 411,000 barrels per day to the market in May, up from the previously planned 135,000 barrels per day.

A ruling by a Russian court that the Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s (CPC) Black Sea export terminal facilities should not be suspended also pressured prices lower. This decision could avert a potential fall in Kazakhstan’s oil production and supplies.

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Economy

Nigeria’s Domestic US Dollar Bond Emerges West Africa Deal of the Year

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Domestic Dollar Bond Sale

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria’s first-ever domestic US Dollar bond has been named as the West Africa Deal of the Year at the 2025 Global Banking & Markets Africa Awards, following a highly successful issuance that raised $917 million.

Announced by the Debt Management Office (DMO) on August 19, 2024, the bond initially targeted $500 million but was oversubscribed by 180 per cent.

The raise came with a five-year tenor and was listed on both the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) and FMDQ Securities Exchange.

The landmark issuance attracted a broad spectrum of investors, including local institutions, diaspora Nigerians, and international players. Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) served as Global Coordinator.

The Ministry of Finance said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, that the Minister of State for Finance, Mrs Doris Uzoka-Anite, received the award at the Bonds, Loans & ESG Capital Markets Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

She formally presented it to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun in his office in Abuja on Thursday.

“This award marks an important step in our ambition to position Nigeria—and Lagos—as a leading international financial centre,” Mr Edun said.

“It also reflects growing confidence in the expertise and resilience of Nigeria’s financial system, which has once again delivered under challenging global conditions”, the Minister affirmed.

The ministry noted that the prestigious award underscores Nigeria’s commitment to developing its capital markets, improving its investment landscape, and attracting foreign investment, adding that it is also a testament to the country’s potential for economic growth and its determination to become a leading international financial centre.

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Petrol Station Owners Caution Refiners Against Importing Substandard Crude Oil

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Utapate crude oil blend

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has cautioned refinery operators against importing substandard crude oil, following the expiry of the Naira-for-crude deal.

In a statement signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Mr Joseph Obele, the association said imported crude must meet global standards to ensure the production of high-quality petroleum products.

The group stressed that Nigerian crude oil, classified as Sweet Crude due to its low sulfur content of less than 0.5 per cent – ranks among the best in the world, and importation possess a high risk.

“We see no reason why imported crude oil should be of lower standards. The importation of substandard crude oil will compromise the quality of petroleum products, undermine the growth of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, and ultimately harm consumers.”

PETROAN also expressed concern over speculations that petroleum product prices may rise following the expiration of the naira-for-crude arrangement and called for continued access to imported refined petroleum products to stabilize prices and ensure energy sufficiency.

“The permutations in the media that petroleum prices might increase as the Naira-for-crude deal comes to an end is a serious concern to PETROAN. In order to avoid this scenario, we advocate that the window for importing refined petroleum products should remain open.”

The group  urged regulatory agencies to conduct rigorous laboratory testing on all crude oil imports to verify their quality.

“We call on regulatory agencies to be on high alert and conduct thorough laboratory analysis on all crude oil imports to ensure they meet the required standards. We also urge the relevant authorities to ensure that refinery operators adhere to the highest operational standards.”

The association further called on the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, to conduct a comprehensive review of the Naira-for-crude initiative to determine the next steps in Nigeria’s energy sector.

“The reforms introduced by the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, encourage competition in the downstream sector. Competition is a catalyst for price reduction in any sector. We believe that as the market adjusts to the new realities, prices will stabilize and eventually decrease.”

PETROAN also announced plans to conduct independent laboratory testing on refined petroleum products.

“We will conduct laboratory testing on refined petroleum products to determine which refinery or depot our members should buy from. This is to ensure that our members and the Nigerian public are not sold substandard products.”

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