The Application of Social Networks to the Marketing of Industrial Products

Abstract

Social networking changes the way people share ideas and communicate. Advantages in portability, reach, and access contribute to acceptance of social networks and the likelihood that they will continue to grow. While these systems were initially used by individuals, they were not as widely employed by businesses. Some firms however are leveraging these tools and integrating social networking into their marketing. Where social networks are used by businesses, they are primarily focused on consumer goods, home and family, electronics and entertainment. Business-to-business applications are not as widely used and some question whether such tools offer significant benefits in such settings. This thesis studies social network marketing for a vehicle lift manufacturer. It addresses viability, strategy and practices for a vehicle maintenance equipment manufacturer. It analyzes data collected from other similar companies to identify best practices for the use of such tools and details the current state of the industry for this market.