Manufacturing Companies Are Finally Getting Social Media Right

The use of social media in manufacturing companies

For decades, manufacturing companies treated social media like that weird cousin at family dinners. Awkward. Unnecessary. Best avoided.

But here's the thing: 75% of B2B buyers are scrolling LinkedIn and Instagram before they ever pick up the phone.

That includes the people buying your products. Plant managers. Procurement specialists. Engineers who decide which suppliers make the cut.

So if you're still thinking social media is "just for consumer brands," you're missing out on deals. Big ones.

What Changed?

Manufacturing used to be about relationships built over handshakes and plant tours.

Now? Your future customers are researching you online first. They're comparing your capabilities to competitors. They're checking if you actually know what you're talking about. And if you're not there? You don't exist.

The Playbook That Actually Works

Show How The Sausage Gets Made

People are obsessed with "how it's made" content. Use that.

Film your production line. Post 30-second timelapses of raw steel becoming precision parts. Show sparks flying, robots moving, quality checks happening.

Why does this work? Because it's real. And real beats polished marketing copy every time.

Turn LinkedIn Into Your Lead Generator

LinkedIn isn't just for job hunting anymore. It's where your buyers live.

Post weekly updates about new capabilities. Share industry insights with your take. Run targeted ads to purchasing managers in your sector.

The secret? Don't just broadcast. Engage. Comment on industry discussions. Share other people's content. Be human.

Make Technical Stuff Accessible

You know more about manufacturing than 99% of people. Show it.

Create simple infographics explaining your processes. Write how-to posts about maintaining equipment. Share case studies with real numbers.

But here's the key: Skip the jargon. Write like you're explaining it to a smart 12-year-old.

Yes, Even Machines Can Go Viral.

Instagram isn't just for influencers and food pics.

Share high-res photos of your equipment. Film "satisfying" clips of automated processes. Use macro photography to show craftsmanship details.

Some of the most popular content on social media? Machines doing precise, repetitive tasks. It's weirdly mesmerizing.

Solve Your Hiring Problem

Can't find skilled workers? Social media can help.

Show what it's really like to work at your company. Celebrate employee milestones. Highlight training programs and career growth.

Great culture attracts great talent. And social media lets you broadcast that culture 24/7.

What Not To Do

Don't try to be Nike. You're not selling sneakers to teenagers.

Don't post generic stock photos of handshakes and hard hats. Your audience can spot fake from a mile away.

Don't expect overnight results. Building trust takes time. Especially in manufacturing.

Track Everything

Social media without analytics is just expensive entertainment.

Watch what content gets engagement. Do videos outperform photos? Do technical posts get more saves than behind-the-scenes content?

Double down on what works. Cut what doesn't.

Our Take

Manufacturing companies that ignore social media are playing with fire.

Your competitors are already there. Your customers are definitely there. And every day you wait is another day someone else gets the business you should have won.

The good news? Most manufacturing companies are still terrible at social media. Which means the bar is low. Be authentic. Show your work. Engage with your audience.

Do that consistently, and you'll stand out faster than a precision-cut part in a pile of scrap metal.

Ready to build a social strategy that actually drives leads? Let's talk.