• How long does it take a b2b marketer to be effective with LinkedIn? Facebook? Twitter? Blogging?
• Which social media platform is best suited to branding? Listening? Promoting?
• What are the adoption rates of LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and blogging in the b2b space?
• What percent of the average b2b marketing budget is allocated to social media marketing?
• What are the 3 the most popular tools to monitor the effectiveness of social media marketing?

• The ways Best-in-Class b2b marketers are using social to rise to the top of the pack.
• The single most important social site to b2b marketers.
• The social media platforms that are best suited to specific marketing needs (i.e. branding, promotion, listening, etc.).
• B2b marketing budgets for social media marketing.
• The integration of social media with other marketing channels.

The 2013 B2B Social Media Marketing: Best in Class Rise to the Top report is a unique look into how best-in-class b2b markers are using social media and what is working best for them.

This research will demonstrate:

• The most effective b2b social media marketing tactics and strategies
• The most effective social media sites for paid ads
• The most important metrics for demonstrating success
• The social platform most suited to specific marketing tasks
• How b2b marketers are budgeting for social media marketing

What's more, this report contains 18 case studies from stand-out marketing departments such as those at Adobe Systems, Aon, Cisco Systems, Dell and Intel Corp. Each of these capsule success stories provides a sneak peak under the hood of industry leaders, showing how they're making the most of Facebook, Video, Twitter, Mobile, LinkedIn and much more.

The 2013 B2B Social Media Marketing: Best in Class Rise to the Top report proves that without a doubt, social media marketing is no longer a phenomenon. It has emerged a powerful mainstream channel that b2b marketers must fully embrace to drive the most successful campaigns. With keen insight into the mind of the best-in-class, this research is essential for b2b marketers looking to step up their social media marketing.

Research Takeaways

Accelerating Adoption

Resarch Finding: Marketers who are "very" or "fully" integrated with social media marketing total 26%.

Takeaway: B2b Marketers who can quickly refine the social channel with a strong plan for integration in support of other marketing efforts will have the competitive advantage.

Social Platform Preferences

Research Finding: LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter still dominate, but Google+ continues to rank high.

Takeaway: B2B marketers should not ignore Google+. The platform's value for augmenting SEO ranking keeps it crucial.

Benefits of Social Advertising

Research Finding: Branding and Lead Generation are far and away the standout benefits for social advertising.

Takeaway: Marketers should carefully consider investments in social advertising. Certain platforms that work well for one task, may not be appropriate for another.