It’s time for a new blog series – and what better topic to focus on than social selling platforms themselves? 

Over the next few weeks, we will explore the core components that define effective social selling platforms and how specific features can help your team stand out.

We will provide valuable insights into what businesses should expect from their social selling tools and how these platforms can elevate sales performance. As part of this series, we’ll not only explore the fundamental functionalities that social selling platforms should deliver but also compare ReadyForSocial with competitors in the field. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and understanding needed to make informed decisions when selecting the right social selling solution for your organization.

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In dem heutigen Artikel erfahren Sie

• what high-quality social selling platforms are. 
• what content distribution and approval should look like. 
• how social selling platforms improve the lives of salespeople.
• why analytics are critical to social selling success.

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What is a social selling platform? 

In the dynamic world of modern sales, social selling platforms have emerged as indispensable tools for businesses aiming to enhance their outreach and engagement strategies. But what are they exactly? 

A social selling platform is a digital tool or software designed to facilitate and optimize the use of social media networks for sales and marketing purposes. According to a LinkedIn wissen study, sales professionals who adopt social selling are 51% more likely to exceed their sales quotas. These platforms provide sales teams with a centralized hub to engage with prospects and customers across various social media channels, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. 

Forrester Research found that 78% of salespeople who use social media outsell their peers who don’t. Social selling platforms typically offer features such as content scheduling and distribution, analytics, and collaboration tools. Overall, social selling platforms empower sales teams to use social media to build meaningful connections, establish credibility, and drive sales outcomes in today’s digital age. They are the cornerstone for transforming traditional sales approaches into dynamic, customer-centric endeavors.

What should a social selling platform do?

At its core, a social selling platform should empower sales teams to effectively use social media channels with the objective of building thought leadership, prospecting, and nurturing leads. It should provide a centralized hub where sales professionals can efficiently manage their social selling content, schedule their social media posts, and get insights into their audience’s engagement and interests.

A study by Aberdeen Group found that companies with strong social selling strategies achieve 16% year-over-year revenue growth, compared to 9% for companies with weaker or no social selling initiatives. This data demonstrates the tangible impact social selling platforms can have on revenue generation and business growth.

What does the content distribution look like?

One key function of a social selling platform is facilitating seamless content distribution. It should enable sales reps to effortlessly share relevant content across various social media platforms, ensuring consistent messaging and brand representation. Whether sharing blog posts, industry insights, or product updates, the platform should simplify the process of disseminating content to the target audience.

According to a study by Demand Gen Report, 71% of B2B buyers consume blog content during their buyer’s journey. This statistic highlights the importance of sharing valuable content with prospects to influence their purchasing decisions. Additionally, research by LinkedIn reveals that social selling leaders are 51% more likely to reach quota, underscoring the significance of leveraging content distribution as part of a successful social selling strategy.

Moreover, a report by Sales for Life found that companies with effective social selling programs experience a 10.4% increase in win rate, a 14.4% increase in deal size, and a 4.5% increase in deal closure rate. These statistics emphasize the correlation between content distribution through social selling platforms and improved sales performance.

Why is a content approval process necessary?

High-quality social selling platforms should incorporate features for content approval to maintain brand consistency and compliance. This approval step ensures that all content your sales team shares aligns with marketing-approved guidelines and messaging. By providing access to a library of pre-approved content assets, the platform empowers sales reps to engage with prospects while adhering to brand standards.

According to a report by Kapost, maintaining brand consistency can increase revenue by up to 23%. This data underscores the importance of ensuring that all content shared by sales representatives reflects the brand’s values and messaging.

Additionally, research by Aberdeen Group reveals that companies with strong alignment between sales and marketing achieve 20% annual revenue growth. And a study by Seismic found that 65% of B2B buyers indicate that vendor-related content significantly impacts their purchase decisions. Implementing a content approval process within a social selling platform fosters better collaboration between sales and marketing and ensures all shared content aligns with their pre-set strategies.

How does a social selling platform make a salesperson’s life easier?

A successful social selling platform should prioritize user experience and ease of use. It should offer intuitive interfaces, seamless integrations with existing tools and systems, and automation capabilities to streamline tasks, such as content sharing and scheduling.

Research by CSO Insights reveals that sales reps spend only one-third of their time actively selling, with the rest dedicated to administrative tasks. By automating manual processes and providing a centralized platform for managing content sharing, social selling platforms can help salespeople reclaim valuable time and focus on revenue-generating tasks.

Why are extensive analytics critical to social selling success?

Analytics are crucial in optimizing social selling strategies and measuring their impact. A robust social selling platform should provide comprehensive analytics dashboards that offer insights into individual and team performance. From tracking engagement metrics to monitoring network growth, these analytics empower sales and marketing to make data-driven decisions and refine their content strategies for maximum effectiveness.

According to a LinkedIn report, sales teams that use analytics to inform their social selling efforts experience a 10% increase in win rates and a 15% increase in revenue. This shows the significant impact of data-driven strategies on sales performance and overall business success.

But that’s not all! Research by Forrester Consulting found that companies prioritizing data-driven decision-making are 3.5 times more likely to experience annual revenue growth of 10% or more. By leveraging analytics to understand customer behavior and preferences, sales teams can tailor their approach and deliver more personalized experiences, ultimately driving better outcomes.

Get ready to compare social selling platforms.

Now you know the essentials of social selling platforms and why these handy tools are revolutionizing sales strategies in today’s digital age. From key features such as content distribution to user-friendly interfaces to advanced analytics, a high-quality platform is critical for driving social selling success. 

Next week, we will provide an overview of social selling platforms and compare ReadyForSocial to other leading platforms in the market. Stay tuned for an in-depth analysis of how RFS compares to competitors and what sets us apart as a comprehensive solution for modern sales teams.