Lead generation is the name of the game in today’s business world. Without leads, you simply cannot get your products or services out into the market. The most successful companies in the world are the ones that have mastered the art of generating leads.
One of the biggest challenges businesses, big and small face is acquiring the customers they need to keep growing. While there are many methods for growing your business, one of the most effective is lead generation.
In marketing, lead generation is the initiation of the consumer’s interest or enquiry into the products or services of a business. The methods for generating leads typically fall under the umbrella of advertising but may also include non-paid sources such as organic search engine results or referrals from existing customers.
Modern brands use various lead generation strategies such as:
Social media
Social media platforms have become hugely important to companies over the last decade. Businesses can use social to gauge feedback and public perception, provide convenient customer service, and promote brand identity.
Most platforms make it easy to include a call-to-action (CTA) in your post. Instagram Stories have a swipe-up option and tweets can include short Bitly links for viewers to click on. Social media is also useful for promoting other lead generation channels, such as blog posts and downloadable content.
Email marketing
When it comes to using email for lead generation, there are two different strategies: outbound and inbound.
Outbound emails are messages you send to potential customers who haven’t asked you to contact them.
Inbound emails, on the other hand, are messages you send to leads who have expressed some interest in your brand. If a consumer, for example, signs up for a newsletter, they have essentially opted in to receiving inbound emails. That naturally makes them a more receptive audience for lead generation strategies, though you may still have to compete for their attention.
Live events, seminars, and webinars
Another effective lead generation strategy is holding an event, seminar or webinar that allows you to build deep, meaningful relationships with potential customers.
One way to do this is to hold a seminar or event directly related to the field that your business or service specializes in. You will be able to appeal directly to potential clients and customers by emailing them with something far more valuable than a cold sales pitch. Plus, not only can attendees learn something from you, they can also network with each other, your own employees, and other existing loyal customers.
Although holding an event or seminar may seem like it will take significant planning and money, there are other ways to spin this strategy depending on your business, your audience, and your budget. Instead of an event or seminar, you might host an online webinar.
Website landing pages
Gone are the days when only digitally-focused businesses, media companies, and tech organizations needed to be impressed with compelling websites. Even if you run a brick-and-mortar store, you should still have a website that marries elegant, smart design with speed and efficiency.
However, you should not just have a website just for the sake of having one, your website should give visitors the who, what, where, and why behind your company and compel them to take some sort of action. You will want to think about what you want customers to do once they come to your website and how you can get them to take that action.
You will want to create a call-to-action (CTA) driving them to certain product pages, or maybe even a discount landing page for first-time customers.
These are just a few strategies that you can use to attract potential customers to your product or offer. There are many more strategies such as blogging, hiring influencers, learning the benefits of organic search results and more to generate leads. Most companies prefer to stick to what works best for them, as lead generation strategies differ according to industry.
With years of experience under our belt, Hashtaqs will be able to determine which lead generation strategies would be the best for your business and help you implement them for your business growth.
Hashtaqs uplifts business through brand transformation and marketing advisory and implementation online and offline, internationalisation through business matching and community development.
Our consultancy work is supportable with the funding scheme of up to 80% for local SG businesses. Contact us for a consultation at +65 8868 1418 or email us at [email protected]. For more info, visit www.hashtaqs.com.