Tried nearly everything... B2B

[Laurence Ridge]

I run a small Limited company- Splitter HQ.



Splitter basically provides Short URLs/QR codes to businesses. These can be custom made or then be used for Advanced Targeting; Targeting the user based on their Location, Device, Platform, Timezone and much more.

So this is aimed at businesses.

We tend to get a new customer every 2 months.

In terms of marketing I have spent a fortune, I have tried numerous LinkedIn campaigns, many PPC adverts and even emailing companies. But just not getting anywhere. It makes me question if my product is worth it. But I know it is because we have huge major companies already on board.

What would be the best way to market to businesses, mainly marketing departments/I.T Departments.

Any suggestions welcomed.

 

[Annoying Donkey]

Any "huge major companies" have B2B lists? Would they endorse you to their clients?

I thought the QR code craze had died...?

And a splitter, to me, is audio/video equipment...

 

[Laurence Ridge]

I will follow this up!regarding endoresement. We have a couple of companies that regularly endose us.


You would be wrong. Died slightly over here, but other countries are mad on them, e.g Denmark.

It's more our advanced targeting features that customer like, such as targeting their customers based on their location, device, timezone etc.

Also we offer an app split; basically 1 short URL covers their app on all platforms.

 

[NickGrogan]

Have you picked up the phone and called people?

 

[webgeek]

Have you tried building your email list (linkedin as an example) then drip-feeding them insightful information that would benefit them, but which doesn't directly promote your product as the solution, so that you stay front of mind/front of wallet?

 

[Nochexman]

In terms of marketing I have spent a fortune, I have tried numerous LinkedIn campaigns, many PPC adverts and even emailing companies. But just not getting anywhere. It makes me question if my product is worth it. But I know it is because we have huge major companies already on board.

Would be interested to know how you demonstrate your product - if at all - in your campaigns. Seeing is often believing.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Having no knowledge of what you do (Splitter basically provides Short URLs/QR codes to businesses), I would suggest you get away from this type of technical inhouse speak and redefine your adverts into more laymans terms which everyone can understand

Maybe a good marketing company could help to write your adverts

 

[AllUpHere]

That can't be a hard business to market. Have you worked on any sort of strategic marketing plan, or are you just trying stuff and hoping for the best?

 

[Alby10]

Social Media and targeted paid ad placements on websites that your target audience visit. You sound like you have an idea of your target audience, which is a good start.

 

[Ashley_Price]

...because we have huge major companies already on board.

Ask them if you can use their names to promote your business, or if they will give you a testimonial. Being able to use the names of the major businesses who are already customers will make it easier to get other similar ones. And say that you will promote them as well. (If you see my testimonial page, you will note not only does it give the customer's business name, but the address of their website.)

Don't do this without permission, as some companies may not want people to know they are using you and if they see you are using their name without permission you will probably lose their custom.

 

[Elissa Dennis]

Hi Lawrence

I would suggest you take a step back from your marketing and really think about who it is you want to target, how you can reach them and how your product can solve a particular need that they have.

Build up a clear picture of who within the business you want to reach, what are your best channels to do that through and what are their most pressing issues now and in the future. How can Splitter HQ help solve these and what have you learnt so far that would be valuable information to these people? This doesn't require money, just time and focus.

Once you've done this really think about how you present this information. Test things out on your social media channel - see what themes get more engagement with your audience. You have a decent following on Twitter, so use it more. Try polls to get some audience insights and some data you can then share back to your audience. This can also form the basis of a blog post. Really think about how your channels work together. Are you on the right ones? Think about whether Instagram or Pinterest might work for you.

In my experience LinkedIn advertising is expensive. I would suggest you begin publishing posts more yourself about your experiences as an entrepreneur. You know the ups and downs of business and sharing these will bring a human face to the company and be useful to other people on there. When you're thinking about content always think about it from your audiences point of view - how it is useful to them, why would they be interested.

I really think it is a case of getting a proper strategy in place and integrating your efforts. Once you know how you are trying to reach, how to reach them and how you can help them you can create a marketing plan that I focused and will be more effective.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Have you done any physical networking?

Sort out your elevator pitch, find a few local groups and meet real people.

 

[fisicx]

You would be wrong. Died slightly over here, but other countries are mad on them, e.g Denmark.

But we aren't in Denmark. They never really caught on in the UK, You used to see them a lot on posters and packaging and in the newspapers but you see very few these days.

It doesn't help that your website isn't at all clear about what you do. This one for example: http://splitterhq.com/cases has left me more confused than I was after reading your opening post.

And £540/year is a lot of money for a QR code. I'd need a lot of convincing the ROI was good before I handed over my cash.

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

The copy is awful.

It has little substance and poor explanations of exactly what it is and how it works.

The site structure is also bad. The feature page is the only one which even comes close to explaining the system in an effective way. I don't know which landing page you were using for your PPC campaigns, but if it was something like the home page, I can see why it didn't work.

Even then though, the feature page is an ineffective stand-alone landing page. Making the headlines of the segments different to the side bar menu which leads to the same content is also a big no-no.

Keywords are another factor. Were you targeting terms which people will search for to find a specific service like this, or were they broad terms where you were trying to pair a partial need with the service?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Just looked at the website and could not work out what the product/service is.

Also, no major call to action.

 

[PrintDan]

Have you tried Networking, possible local BNI groups?

This way you can target local small businesses but you are probably going to be speaking to the owner who makes the decisions.

I did think the QR code has died slightly though...

 

[garyk]

I don't get it, what actual business benefit would be derived from having a short URL and/or QR code? Hate to be blunt but your poor uptake could be because you are trying to sell a solution to a non-existent problem.

 

[stephen@wp]

I would suggest to go mystartuptool.com and submit your startup to as many websites as listed there. Many professionals refers them to find some new tools that can help to easy their process.
Also you will get feedback!

 

[Nochexman]

Splitter basically provides Short URLs/QR codes to businesses. These can be custom made or then be used for Advanced Targeting; Targeting the user based on their Location, Device, Platform, Timezone and much more...

...What would be the best way to market to businesses, mainly marketing departments/I.T Departments...

Hey Laurence, would be interested to know what you decided to do after this?

 

[Smart Business Lab]

Your company's problems are not in the product/service itself. It's convincing people that there is a need for your product/service.

The UK market doesn't use QR codes as much as they used to.
Short URLs can be got for free from places like Bitly, so why would people pay your company for short URLs?

Other things to consider:

Your website is not converting, because it's awful. It needs major surgery in structure and copy before it will convert properly. I'd suggest starting completely from scratch.

Your marketing message is generic and doesn't seem to hit the spot. Some work on your ideal customer, their pain points, and re-presenting your solution is needed too.

Would suggest getting external help/guidance on this.

 

[stephen@wp]

Just looked at the website and could not work out what the product/service is.

Also, no major call to action.

Agree. The call to action is a key element on a webpage, acting as a signpost that lets the user know what to do next. There is no clear call to action on the landing page, it is more likely that the visitor will leave the site without completing any other tasks.