A Brief Note on Lead Generation
Most companies today would like to outsource their lead generation to a specialized vendor who is a master and knows the tricks of the trade on lead generation. This blog is to give BPO's an overview of how to successfully generate leads for their customers. Lead generation is the process of making contacts which may lead to a sale or other favorable outcome. It also creates interest or inquiry into products or services of a business.
Ways of lead generation
Here are few proven lead-generation tips, including the best methods and media for finding prospective customers.
- Internet
- SMS
- Direct Mailer
- Emailer
- Cold Calling
- Collateral
1. Internet
The Internet is now an essential element in business communication. When people want information, they surf the web to find what they need.
1.1 Website: You need a good website that maximizes your exposure … or you’ll look old-fashioned and behind-the-times. Your website needs to be attractive, informative, and easy to navigate so that you obtain a constant stream of new prospects. You also need to establish a system that deftly converts them into customers.
1.2 Search Engine Optimization (SEO): If you know how to use SEO, you will end up on your prospects’ shortlist when they search for answers or solutions to their problems. Potential clients will use a search engine to find an answer, in fact they may say to themselves “I will google that”.
1.3 Blogging: We have always been big supporters of blogging for business. The tricky part about blogging is that even though a blog doesn’t generate many direct leads, it’s still the most effective driver of leads to a website. A blog is directly connected to your SEO and increases your chances of being found online
1.4 Social Media: This may sound odd but this is what those social media tools are for in your marketing strategy. The success you have on social media is dependent on the quality of your networking. Of course the style of interaction does vary from one social media channel to another, yet it’s all about making the right connections, providing an easy way to connect and refer and getting attention for your services and products.
1.5 Pay Per Click: One way to land straight on your prospects’ radar is to have a direct control over the keywords you’re being discovered by, i.e. buy your way into the search results for the keywords that are most relevant to your business. With PPC you pay when someone clicks on your link and it’s completely trackable and measurable. PPC advertising is also typically more affordable than traditional advertising.
2. SMS
Most mobile devices support SMS text messages in some way. As a result, text message campaigns are a great way to grow your mobile lead generation where traditional methods like email or apps may have stalled.
3. Direct Mailer
An extremely flexible medium that gives you access to prospects, It allows you to present every benefit of your product or service over those of your competition in a manner that’s 100% consistent. This is not just in their offices and during the business day, but in their homes, in the evenings and at weekends. Reaching the right audience with the right offer and the right message is the key to success, because the only thing that counts is how many sales or inquiries your mailing generates.
4. E-Mailer
There are many benefits to using e-mailer – you can spread required content, make special offers and this way build a good subscriber list. When you are sending e-mailer to people, the key is to have great content. The better the content and the more exclusive your offers, the more attention you’ll get.
5. Cold calling
Cold calling can be used very effectively in conjunction with other types of marketing. It is flexible in scope, message, and the things it can accomplish. It works especially well with direct mail because it allows you to identify prospects and reach them directly through two media. It is also an enormously effective way to keep advancing and building your relationship and gently leading your prospects to a purchasing decision. It also gives you immediate feedback from customers and prospects as no other medium can, allowing you to find out what prospective customers want, what they like, and what they don’t like, as well as helping you qualify them.
6. Collateral
Writing articles and news stories for publication in the media that your prospects and customers would find interesting and would like to know about is the quickest, easiest way, and usually the first step, in building your reputation. You need to know how to come up with article ideas, research and write successful articles, get them published, use the reprints in self-promotion, and get people to respond to you and buy your products or services.
Few Examples –
- Hoarding
- News Paper
- Banners
- Leaflets
- No Parking boards
- Commercial Ads