Is online social media influencing buying decisions for manufacturers? As many of us embrace, even reluctantly, the use of Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin for our personal lives, we know social media is also becoming necessary for our business lives. With the use of smart phones, we absorb personalized media messages, rather than generic messages like we grew up with on TV. Our professional and our personal interests have begun to merge. Ambitious business people know that our knowledge is what makes us unique in a competitive world. Social media is a valuable resource to increase our knowledge, deepen our expertise and build valuable relationships.

Our customers are smarter than ever. Most buyers are so well informed by the time they call us, there is very little general information sharing needed. Though many of us miss the good-old days of “So, tell me about your company,” the reality is, we’re short on time! We need answers at our fingertips. Social media is a powerful tool for aggregating ideas and staying current with industry trends. Once it’s online, it’s forever searchable. For manufacturers, social media does not offer an instant return on investment in most cases. It’s part of giving back to our business community.

We consider it an investment in our future, and in the future of our industry. This year at Stainless Sales Corporation, we are making a concerted effort to stay current with relevant posts on Google+, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, and to blog regularly. We encourage you to reach out and engage with us and other online manufacturing groups this year. It is sure to enrich not only your own career but also the lives of others who are dedicated to the manufacturing industry. Without a doubt, buyers will increasingly be influenced to buy from companies and individuals who demonstrate their expertise and involvement with online social media.