Marketing Tools to Generate Leads
Generating leads is easy if you learn to use the right tools. Advertising platforms allow you to purchase leads, and many free methods exist for generating leads. The Internet offers several opportunities to interact directly with people in your market and show them your offers.
Other People Are Reading
-
Video
-
On the Internet, the more traffic you get allows you to generate more leads. Online videos tend to rank higher in search engines than regular Web pages with standard text. Videos can go "viral" -- that is, spread around the Internet quickly -- after you post them to several video sites and social networking websites. Post video clips with a message on how potential clients can obtain your services; direct them to your main website, include a new-customer form so they can submit contact information you can enter in a database or include a phone number on the video's Web page, so they can call you directly.
Social Networks
-
Social networks allow you to interact with prospects informally. Post pictures and videos on websites like Facebook and MySpace, and chat with people in your target markets. This long-term marketing tool requires you to build relationships to generate leads. Spamming -- posting unsolicited messages on other members' websites -- is a banning offense.
-
Internet Ads
-
Purchase advertising space to display your offer. Online pay-per-click advertising allows you to display your offer to a targeted audience and pay only when these viewers click on your advertisement. Cost per click depends on your ad's position and market competitiveness. Text ads and image ads are available; some ad platforms also offer video ads.
Direct Mail
-
Although direct mail is much more expensive than sending email, it can make up for costs with increased conversion rates. Direct mail can range from a simple handwritten note to a digitally printed multi-page brochure with images and a sales letter. Don't use direct mail for a bulk marketing campaign that targets a general market rather than a specific market. For example, if selling discounted college textbooks, a bulk marketing campaign would send the offer to all ages and a targeted campaign would send it just to college students and possibly their parents. Targeted campaigns save money and increase conversions. For example, college students will purchase discounted college textbooks at a much higher rate than a general market.
Webinars
-
Webinars are just like seminars except they take place over the Internet. Moderators can post slideshow presentations and interact with virtual attendees via microphones and Web cams. Sign up for a webinar service provider for a small fee and ask people to watch your webinar free of charge. Review information relevant to your market during the webinar and end with a marketing proposition to generate leads.
-
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
