iPads and tablets in general started out as consumer devices for consuming media, but they’ve since made their way into the professional world – and they’re staying. Here are five ways a good choice of iPad can boost your business presence and power your marketing.

Streamlined marketing in the field

For your agents out and about, an iPad is a great way to have all the relevant information at hand. They can store and access customer history, stock levels, the latest catalogs etc. Cloud services and online search remove the need to contact the head office with any questions that might pop up.

Not only does using a handy iPad save valuable time, but it also gives an air of professionality and proactivity. Whatever query the prospect may have, your field agent can answer right then and there! Moreover, you can choose a sales app tailored to B2B marketing efforts and take advantage of targeted filters.

Streamline your offer by showing your prospects only the “top X products in category”, “new”, “updated” etc. You can also filter your own daily tasks. Utilize your sales app or the iPad’s map to keep tabs on customers in the area, or who made no purchase in the last quarter, whose invoices are late, who is due for a check-in visit etc.

Efficiency at corporate events

Events are the perfect context for your iPad to show its power as a marketing tool. Bring it along to panels, trade shows, various networking events, and anywhere else you might be expected to speak.

You can pre-record demos and product videos and play them back with the right app. You can also showcase collections or even improvise walkthroughs right there on the spot. These apps usually have offline functionality as well, which is essential at large venues where the WiFi tends to hiccup.

Most importantly, the on-the-go accessibility of the iPad increases your chances of landing sales. You can rapidly make new customer accounts, put together relevant orders, and send them necessary confirmations. If you need to double-check some details to seal the deal, you can add those final touches when you get back to the office.

Convey a high-tech brand image

Businesses in every industry have to keep up with tech advancements if they want their products and services to maintain a competitive edge. This applies to the tech you use in your communications as well as your production process.

To portray your company as modern, forward-thinking, flexible, and responsive, consider providing your staff with tablets instead of (or in addition to) laptops.

Admittedly, it’s a bit of an overhead investment, but you can choose the tablets that would bring you the optimal ROI. You can research, for example, the new Apple iPad Air price or any other model that suits your needs and see what would be the best investment for your marketing department.

Switching to the dynamic tablet from the comfort zone of presentations can be a little daunting, However, you have to consider the situation from the perspective of your prospects. They’re busy with their own work. Which format of a B2B pitch do you think they would be more willing to listen to?

Facilitate conversations with prospects

The device you use to provide information to your potential clients or partners can make a big difference in how your message is received. Traditional pitches from a laptop, computer, or projector come across as school presentations. They’re outdated and boring at best, alienating and condescending at worst.

Your marketing efforts will have a much higher chance of success if you format them as conversations instead. Load a tablet with interesting media and engage your prospects directly. It feels much more like a natural conversation when both the seller and the viewer are sharing the device.

Presentations are off putting because they’re one-directional and preachy. Using an iPad discourages boring slides and encourages interaction. You can pitch your business using videos, graphics, live demos, and so on. When the prospect sees the same information as the seller, at the same time, it communicates transparency and increases trust.

Real time analytics

Finally, accurate insight is one of the most important aspects of any business. Whether you’re tracking sales, leads, engagement rates, or anything else, it is essential for your representatives to be up to date by the minute.

A good iPad can provide detailed information on various forms of marketing materials too. For example, you can see which segments of your videos were paused and rewatched the most, or which pages in a PDF guide were the most interesting to prospects or new customers.

Detailed analytics like these are important for building context. They tell you how your sales agents are using different content, so your marketing team can optimize the conversion process. They enable you to craft the right pitch for each lead, reach out to them at just the right moment, navigate the sales conversation more strategically, and close a deal more efficiently.

To sum up, a well-chosen iPad can be a powerful tool in your B2B marketing strategy. Tablets are more convenient than laptops and better for agents in the field. They improve your brand image and help foster conversations and connections with your prospects. As a bonus, you get real-time analytics insight and can optimize your process with far higher efficiency.