How to use Account-based marketing to grow small business | ABM for startups

In the ever-evolving domains of marketing and sales, the spotlight on Account-Based Marketing (ABM) continues to intensify. Recognized for its strategic prowess, ABM has become a beacon for businesses, offering a remarkable ability to generate substantial returns on investment (ROI). Notably, companies with ABM for startups in place report an astounding 208% surge in revenue, a statistic that underscores its transformative impact (Marketing Profs).

Why ABM is Pivotal for Small Businesses:

• Strategic Resource Allocation:
  • Diverging from traditional lead-based marketing, ABM empowers small businesses to allocate resources with surgical precision. Focusing on a curated group of high-value prospects elevates conversion rates significantly.
• Internal Alignment for Budgetary Support:
  • Despite potential costs related to personalization and a multi-channel approach, ABM fosters internal alignment across departments. This unity ensures that the budget for an ABM program can be efficiently sourced from various organizational departments.

Key Benefits of Using  ABM for startups:

• Maximized ROI:
  • ABM’s precision ensures resources are invested where they yield optimal results, leading to a maximized return on marketing efforts.
• Revenue Surge:
  • Hone in on high-value prospects to witness a substantial revenue boost. ABM emerges as a pivotal asset for catalyzing growth and expanding market influence.
• Efficient Marketing Spend:
  • Small businesses avoid dispersing their budget across diverse tactics and prospects, ensuring ABM’s streamlined and efficient allocation of marketing resources.

Account-Based Marketing Guide for Small Businesses:

Embark on an informed journey with our comprehensive guide tailored specifically for small businesses:

• Strategies Tailored for Small Businesses:
  • Learn the art of tailoring ABM strategies to align with the distinctive dynamics and requirements of small businesses.
• ABM as a Catalyst for Startups:
  • Explore how startups can leverage the potency of ABM to establish a robust market presence and propel early-stage growth.
• Implementing ABM for Sustainable Growth:
  • Uncover the nuanced dynamics of implementing ABM, unlocking its potential to foster substantial and sustainable growth.

Industry-Wide Impact:

• Global ABM Market Growth:
  • The global ABM market is projected to witness a CAGR of 11.4% from 2021 to 2028, emphasizing its growing significance on a global scale (Grand View Research).
• ABM’s Influence on Deal Size:
  • Organizations adopting ABM strategies experience a 171% increase in average annual contract value (ACV) compared to non-ABM counterparts (ITSMA).

In a landscape where strategic choices define success, ABM stands out as a beacon for small businesses, offering not just a methodology but a pathway to strategic and lucrative growth.

Key Steps to Implement ABM for Small Businesses:

Step 1: Put Together Your Target List for ABM

Identify and Define Your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)

Creating a target list is foundational to ABM. Much like crafting buyer personas in inbound strategies, ABM introduces the concept of Ideal Customer Profiles (ICP). Distinguish between buyer personas (for B2C campaigns) and ICP (for B2B campaigns). Begin by collecting customer data, focusing on real and perceived pain points to define properties of accounts that could become your best customers.

Step 2: Create Your Content catered for your small business 

Craft Personalized and Compelling Content

Quality content is the lifeblood of ABM. With your target lists in hand, create content that addresses specific pain points identified earlier. ABM requires a content-heavy approach, encompassing blogs, whitepapers, eBooks, infographics, webinars, and videos. Personalize content for account personas, tailoring messages to resonate with entire groups that share similar challenges.

Step 3: Pick Your Channels for ABM 

Select the Most Effective Channels for Targeted Engagement

Choose channels that facilitate direct engagement with your target audience. ABM channels go beyond generic content dissemination; they involve reaching specific individuals with personalized content. Common ABM channels include paid social media ads (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), display ads, direct mail, and email marketing. Tailor your approach based on the channels that align with your audience and business goals.

Step 4: Execute Your ABM Campaign according to business needs 

Ensure Consistency and Personalization Across Campaigns

Executing your ABM campaign requires a meticulous approach. Before launching, verify the consistency of your messaging across channels. While personalization is crucial, strive for a cohesive brand message. Use account-based advertising platforms for hyper-targeted ads, ensuring your content reaches specific lists of prospects, customers, or accounts.

Step 5: Measure Your Results 

Focus on Engagement Metrics and Bottom-Line Impact

ABM shifts the focus from traditional top-level metrics to engagement metrics. Measure success through conversions, white space (completion of contact info for targeted roles), meaningful engagement (accessing shared materials), meetings with accounts, and revenue (average sales). Embrace a deeper level of reporting to gauge the true impact of ABM efforts on your bottom-line revenue. 

Experiment, Expand, and Repeat: The ABM Journey

ABM is a deliberate and steady journey that cultivates better department alignment, shared goals with sales teams, and more efficient resource utilization. Small businesses can experiment with ABM on a smaller scale, comparing results with traditional inbound efforts to determine effectiveness.

As you embark on your ABM journey, consider leveraging platforms like HubSpot’s ABM Workbook to guide your efforts. Start small, refine strategies based on outcomes, and gradually invest in services that enhance personalization and scalability.

ABM Example for Financial Institutions

To illustrate how ABM can be applied in the financial sector, let’s consider an example plan aimed at gaining net new customers and encouraging business owners to apply for small business loans and open lines of credit.

Goal: Gain Net New Customers

Implementing ABM for Small Business Loans and Credit Lines

Define the goal of gaining net new customers for small business loans and credit lines. Craft targeted messaging addressing the pain points associated with financial needs, business growth, and tailored financial solutions.

Conclusion

Account-Based Marketing stands as a strategic linchpin for small businesses and startups, offering a pathway to personalized, efficient, and revenue-focused growth. Embrace ABM as a lifestyle that nurtures relationships and positions your business for sustained success in the dynamic market landscape.