B2C and B2B Marketing: What’s the Difference?

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What Do B2C and B2B Mean?

B2C and B2B what is the meaning of this word“B2B” stands for “business to business,” while “B2C” means “business to consumer.”

B2B businesses sell products and services directly to other businesses. Or, more specifically, they sell to the decision makers in any particular business. This can include everything from table management software for restaurants to marketing services to office chairs.

B2C businesses sell products and services to customers for per sonal use. This can include cruises,  clothing, cars, landscaping services and (obviously) so much more.

Read on to learn about the four primary differences between B2B and B2C marketing

1. Target audience

The lines between B2C and B2B marketing become more pronounced when it comes to the target customer.

B2B marketers go after key decision makers within an organization. They don’t have to bother about everyone in the company or even the end user.

For instance, it doesn’t matter if a medical software or device will be used by hundreds of clinicians and care teams; only the CIO, information technology officer and relevant hospital bosses will make the final purchase decision. So, B2B marketers should make sure that all of their marketing efforts are geared towards this small group of decision makers.

Like we mentioned above, B2C marketers sell directly to consumers, not retailers or any other business down the supply chain. B2C and B2B are two different process.

B2C marketers can direct their campaigns at just about anyone who can use their products or services, not necessarily the buyer. A kid who sees an ad for a PlayStation, for example, might convince their mom or dad to buy it for them. Even still, it is crucial for B2C marketing to reach the household’s decision maker.

2. Logic vs. emotion

Telling original, captivating stories is one of the best ways brands make people care. It’s also a great way to win customer loyalty and inspire a purchase.

However, B2C and B2B marketers tell their marketing stories differently.

B2B marketing is all about logic. Marketers have to tell decision makers stories about the product/service, its features, and how it’ll help the organization. There’s little to zero emotions involved in the process.

Of course, B2B marketers want to deliver their marketing message in a way that decision-makers can understand. After all, the use of complex, esoteric jargon is one of the biggest B2B marketing mistakes most companies make.

In B2C marketing, the consumer is most likely interested in the emotional grand scheme of things. When B2C marketers are crafting their stories, they should tell the benefits and value of the service or product in plain language. And not a long, boring story.

3. Return on investment

B2B customers want to know the return on their investment (RoI) right away. They want to know your expertise, and if your product or service will contribute to the efficiency and bottom line of the company. As such, most B2B purchases are driven by financial incentive and the logic behind the product/service.

That’s why data-driven marketing is important to B2B marketers. According to Combo App,  57 percent of B2B marketers who embrace data-driven marketing are “more effective and productive at delivering positive ROI through their work so B2C and B2B are two different process..”

Consumers, on the other hand, are more interested in entertainment, deals, and other exciting parts of the purchase process. They’ll probably care more if they can score a discount rather than if the product is durable.

4. Content marketing

B2B customers (or decision makers) expect to be treated well and catered to. They want to be educated so they can make great decisions on behalf of their organizations, which is where content marketing comes into the picture.

According to Digital Authority, 93 percent of B2B marketers say they will devote significant resources to content marketing in 2019. More importantly, highly detailed, educative content will be part of their b2b marketing plan. Here’s a step-by-step marketing plan guide for those in the healthcare sector.

B2C customers also love content. However, they want something that resonates well with them. They want content that “speaks” their language, and not necessarily something to do with the product.

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Co Founder & COO of Digital Treed | Sales & Marketing Manager