Do you know how to generate great leads for your business? Have you mastered the basic principles of lead generation? If so, you can still benefit from the advice you are about to read. If not, you need to understand these techniques so that you can start to boost your sales.
Look into opportunities where you may be able to pay for leads. Paying for leads is not a bad thing at all. In fact there are many companies out there that can deliver you leads at a surprisingly low cost. Just do your homework before signing up with anyone. There are scams out there.
Reward your current loyal customers for providing you leads. One way that many companies do this is by offering their current customers referral rewards. These rewards run from future discounts to actual cash back. This can be a lot cheaper in the long run than any form of traditional advertising.
Know going in that lead generation is a time consuming and ongoing process. It’s not a set it and forget it situation. You need to work at it. It takes building trust and thought leadership in the markets in which you sell. Be patient and work hard and you’ll really reap the rewards.
Set time every week to follow up with potential leads. It usually takes more than one touch point to turn a potential qualified lead into a real hot lead. SO after you’ve made first contact, set time a week or two later to touch base again. It’s about frequency here to make this person into a customer.
Do not pre-judge your lead gathering technique. Though you may think you are not going to get great results, or you are overly confident about the success, you cannot be sure. The only way to know if your lead generation is working is to put it into action without preconceived ideas about results.
Analyze the numbers surrounding your lead generation. Are you finding it takes lots of hours to discover potential leads? Are these leads qualified or rather weak? Measure the time you have in versus the conversion rate. This will help you decipher which tactics give you the best return on your investment.
Door knocking is always an option, so don’t rule it out. This can even be true if your business is B2B. Visit businesses and ask them about who they’re currently using for whatever it is you’re selling, then let them know why you’re the better option. Leave some materials behind and move on to the next location.
Use the phone to call people that may be interested in what you have to offer. You might underestimate how willing businesses and individuals often are to listen to your pitch. From Bibles to bookends, there is someone who wants what you’re selling, so give them a call.
Don’t forget your website! Many people create a site and then just leave it, believing that “if you build it, they will come.” They won’t unless you actually put some effort into it. Create a blog and update it frequently, or add new content as often as possible to the site itself.
If your company fits with them, try contacting local businesses. If you happen to be a landscaper, share your knowledge about seasonal flowers. A personal trainer could teach how to stay fit while on a business trip. If you are an expert in a particular field, don’t be afraid to share your insights and knowledge with other professionals in your community.
Look around for local lead groups. Such groups are comprised of local entrepreneurs and other businesspeople who leverage each other’s data to get new leads. You never know when your local dentist could put you in touch with a product or service you sell. At that time, you could hear clients talk about toothaches, so you can return the favor.
Direct mail truly isn’t dead. Those trying to market usually do so online, which means they forget about direct mail. You will establish yourself as a unique business if you utilize it. Give it a test run.
You can already start getting quality leads by taking the time to interact with the consumers you do have. Ask your current customers to opt-in to your marketing messages. Since you are asking people you already know to opt-in to receive messages from you, you have a higher chance of winning them over since they can already identify with your business.
Keep in mind that direct mail isn’t dead. Direct mail may not be dead. Many marketers have turned to email, so now is the chance to make any direct mail stand out. Figure out if this method is right for you through testing and segmentation. This can help you figure out the right people to send it to without wasting your money on those that aren’t interested.
Test your lead generation marketing campaigns. Sometimes simply changing a call-to-action or offer will lead to a whole lot more leads being generated. You won’t know unless you test. You should always be testing something. This can have immediate and lasting effects on the leads being generated by your company.
Don’t make your customers have to do too many things in order to reach the lead destination point. One of the main things to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t be asking for too much personal information. Keep testing your campaign for how much data you really need and how much you can live without.
This article has taught you a great deal about effective lead generation, but there is still more to learn. The more that you know about generating great leads, the better off you will be. Start using these tips and tricks today, and you will start to see the results you want before long.
