Online marketing is a complex forest with so many twists and turns it is easy to get lost and possibly, overwhelmed. Business owners may spend so much time focusing on traffic and other analytics that they miss the forest for the trees when it comes to obtaining new leads.
Savvy entrepreneurs in any business are always on the lookout for actionable lead generators to maintain and grow their customer base. Lead generation is one of the most important ways to grow and sustain a new business.
But what is lead generation?
Lead generation is the process of attracting and converting new and prospective clients to your business. Tactics and strategies for lead generation run the gambit since every business is unique and has its own qualities to appeal to an ever-changing clientele. There are, however, some tried and true methods that have stood the test of time.
Content
You’ve heard it before and I’ll say it again: “Content is king.”
Content is your most powerful lead generator because it’s why prospective clients came to your website in the first place.
Case studies
Here’s where you get to showcase what has worked for you and your clients. Case studies and testimonials are powerful storytelling devices to demonstrate your business’s or product’s capabilities and establishing your brand as an authority on the subject.
Gated content
Downloadable digital products such as spreadsheets, PDFs, ebooks, and worksheets are invaluable assets for successful lead generation.
Whether you’re diving deep into a specific subject in an in-depth guide or explaining a complex idea in an easy-to-understand way with an infographic worksheet, obtaining user information in exchange for helpful and effective information is a great way to generate leads from excited and engaged users.
Engagement
The goal of any successful business is to help your customer find exactly what they need and constantly trying to find new ways to solve the problems that they have. With useful and exciting content and problem-solving tools, you can keep the user engaged on the site for longer, allowing them to become more acquainted with your brand.
Quizzes
Fun and interactive quizzes are some of the highest-converting lead generators out there. No matter what your business’s niche, visitors to your site always want to show off their knowledge and skills. These work especially well in hobby-type industries.
Quizzes can also be a good way to find out your clients’ pain points which will then enable you to better help them in solving their problems. If a visitor knows that the answers to their dilemmas are one email away, they’re far more likely to part with their contact information (and more importantly, come back if the info you sent is on-point).
Gathering user data in exchange for the results to an entertaining quiz or problem-solving survey is a mutually-beneficial trade for both parties that will have your business buzzing in no time.
Tools
Tools are all-the-rage now in the world of online marketing. They can be a great way to rank higher and get more traffic and with an opt-in, can be incredibly useful lead generators as well.
Tools (as lead generators) come in all shapes and sizes. From financial number crunchers to pool volume calculators, website analysers to cost of living converters, tools are seriously useful.
Implementing a tool on your website not only increases your audience’s engagement, gets you some social mentions, and helps them solve a problem, but they also validate demand for a product or service, serving to demonstrate the number of people out there looking for a solution.
Coupons & giveaways
Everyone loves a good deal!
Giving guests a small token of your gratitude for showing up is a great way to make new friends (and keep good clients). From a killer deal with an exclusive coupon code to a small giveaway for completing a survey or subscribing, these types of lead generators can be very effective.
It’s important to strike a good balance here, however. Sometimes business owners can go a bit crazy and create a giveaway that ends up costing them more than it nets them in the long run. Just make sure to be discerning with your freebies and that you’re attracting interested customers rather than spambots and you’ll be good to go.
Finding the right fit
Lead generators or “conversion assets” are essential to building an engaged and loyal customer base and therefore, to growing any business. There is a huge range of possibilities out there but the important thing is to get creative!
Finding the right method for your business may mean a lot of trial and error but if you keep the customer in mind at all times, you’ll be starting on the right track. Furthermore, finding a local lead generation business can help with the necessary skills and know-how for your campaigns.
