What is B2B Marketing?

The Editorial Team , writer

Published at 24/09/2018, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min

What is B2B marketing? Good question. B2B marketing isn’t as complicated as it sounds, and the following guide will help you understand the role it plays and how you could start a franchise in this industry.

What is B2B marketing definition?

B2B (business-to-business) marketing is the name given to the advertising and promotion of products or services by one business, to other organisations and companies.

What is B2B marketing and how is it different from B2C marketing?

Still confused? There’s no need to be. Essentially, B2B marketing techniques rely on the same basic principles as B2C (business-to-consumer) marketing but are applied differently.

If you're thinking of buying a new phone, you may be influenced by the price, but there will also be other factors that you'll take into consideration. You may base your decision on the popularity of the brand, how it makes you feel, and recommendations from family, friends or social influencers.

When it comes to B2B purchasing decisions, it's much more straightforward. This is because B2B buyers make purchases based on price and profit potential alone. Return on investment is their only concern.

What is B2B content marketing?

Because businesses just want information and facts about products or services when they're considering purchasing, B2B content marketing has become much more popular. Informative content can address any key questions that businesses may have when they're in the buying cycle.

Furthermore, content can be published on websites to improve SEO and shared through email to reach the key decision makers within businesses. Here are a few of the most popular B2B marketing types and channels:

• Blogs

Through the use of blogs, businesses can incorporate many different types of content format to keep potential customers educated and updated. From infographics to case studies, the most effective way of communicating with the target audience can be chosen. What’s more, regularly updated blogs will help to increase organic traffic to business websites.

Vlogs (video blogs) are also becoming increasingly popular as a way to inform businesses of product and service features in a visual and engaging way.

• Search

There’s no use creating content if it’s not providing answers to the questions being asked. This is where SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) comes into play. Google and other search engines monitor content based on many different elements, which can change at any time, to make sure that content is useful, relevant and unique.

• Social media

Social media networks are an affordable way for businesses to reach and engage a high number of prospective customers. The use of social media by B2B buyers is becoming increasingly popular as they provide a convenient platform to research potential suppliers.

B2B marketing franchise opportunities

There are many B2B marketing franchises for you to consider if you think you’ve got what it takes to provide a valuable service to other businesses. You could either offer a marketing service to SMEs or you could provide coaching to help them to market their products and services better themselves.

Activ Net Marketing

Activ Net Marketing provides web design services to companies who require professional, eye-catching web designs that incorporate the latest SEO techniques and social media management services. By focusing on small and medium-sized businesses, as well as new enterprises, Activ Net ensure there’s always a market for their product.

As an Activ Net Marketing franchisee, you would have lots of freedom and flexibility. Not only will you be able to work from the comfort of your own home, but you can choose to work on a part-time or full-time basis. How much you work and earn is entirely your choice.

Minimum investment: £9,995

Minuteman

Minuteman specialises in providing businesses with design, print, and marketing services helping to create a professional, modern, and appealing image. As a franchisee, you’ll be given access to Minuteman’s easy-to-use marketing software so that you can produce websites, logos, brochures, and much more, in next to no time.

You’ll also receive lots of support to get your business off the ground. Minuteman provides new franchisees with plenty of support and will assist in the leasing of equipment, finding a property, and launching the business. This high-level of support has led to Minuteman winning many awards for its franchise programme. Just last year, the franchise was voted the number one franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine.

Minimum investment: £20,000

ActionCOACH

You may be an experienced and skilled entrepreneur that would like to inspire and teach other SMEs how to build strong teams, robust systems and increase their profit.

As a franchisee, you don't need to have any experience as a coach, but an established background in business is essential. The skills that you will have gained from owning or managing a company can help you as an ActionCOACH franchisee.

You’ll need to have a good understanding of the fundamental principles of business, a healthy entrepreneurial spirit, a positive attitude and be self-motivated. Add to this passion and a drive to help others, and you are the ideal candidate for starting a franchise with ActionCOACH.

Minimum investment: £18,000

Business Doctors

Business Doctors is another franchise that helps SMEs to grow and realise their full potential. The franchise aims to provide high quality, affordable business consulting services to companies with a desire to succeed, expand, and increase their profits.

Business Doctors is looking for franchisees who are passionate about encouraging businesses to become the best in their chosen fields. You don’t need any previous consultancy experience, as long as you’re prepared to learn the complexity of the business support industry and are keen to help SMEs be the best that they can be.

Minimum investment: £39,500

Conclusion

In answering the question, ‘What is B2B marketing?’, hopefully, you’ve understood what is involved in this industry and if you have the necessary skills to run a successful B2B marketing franchise.

All four of our featured franchises offer different marketing services to businesses and require different skills and investment amounts. Before you decide to buy into a franchise, it's crucial that you do your research, talk to franchisors and existing franchisees, and take plenty of time to make the right decision for you.