Generating leads captures client attention through accurately designed, timed, and placed content. It involves creating sales-ready leads that will surely convert into customers.
As per HubSpot, lead generation is the top priority for marketers these days as it helps businesses generate more revenue. In 2021, total spending on digital lead generation advertising in the US was 4.6 billion, estimated to increase slightly by the end of 2023.
Lead generation is lengthy, considering it takes time to determine, profile, and nurture leads to convert them into loyal clients. Around 61% of marketers state having issues generating high-quality and consistent leads. So, let’s explore five creative ideas for lead generation success and ultimate sales boost.
- Create a Digital Footprint
Creating a digital footprint is a multifaceted way of generating leads. It involves using social media platforms; thought leadership; creating content like opinion pieces; using hashtags to engage with the right focus groups; commenting on third-party posts, and improving your credibility through different memberships, connections, and associations. Simply draw an action plan and get going.
Around 66% of marketers use social media and other digital tools to generate leads, which means, now more than ever, social media sales are crucial for lead generation success.
Besides, 70% of marketers or salespeople on LinkedIn participate in different virtual events for business-oriented purposes, further solidifying the need to create a digital footprint to generate successful leads.
Though not as beneficial as one-on-one meetings, virtual events, like presentations and webinars, are great opportunities to create brand exposure and awareness while disseminating information for future lead generation.
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- Content Marketing Is the King
Content marketing is the staple for any business’s successful marketing campaigns. Besides building quality content, both gated and ungated, knowing where to place the same can make a huge difference between a flowing and stagnant lead funnel. From blog posts and infographics to podcasts, whitepapers, videos, and digital catalogs, all the information you offer caters to your target personas and audiences, thus bringing you leads.
Research extensively and understand the competition for further success in generating leads through superior-quality content. Also, thoroughly perform backlink and keyword research to maintain your business’s SEO standing.
Another key strategy is personalizing your company’s web content per customer journeys and serving prospective clients the highest-converting content. Content personalization increased sales opportunities by 20% because of customized experiences.
80% of shoppers are likely to buy from a business that offers personalized experiences, and 77% of the consumers choose, pay more for, and even recommend brands that offer personalized experiences.
So, instead of being product-focused in your content, create human-focused, value-based content in varied mediums, correlating your products with how they can fix or solve the client’s problems. This value-based content marketing approach will help you bridge the trust gap and curtail the sales cycle.
And do not forget to create lead magnets, only accessible to users who share their details in exchange. These are types of gated content designed specifically for lead generation: the user must fill out a form to get a discount on certain products.
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- Give Direct Mail and Personalized Templates a Try
As per the recent report, 347.3 billion emails have been sent and received per day in 2023, a 4.3% increase from 2022, when the number stood at 333.2 billion. That makes it difficult to ignore direct mail as one of the best ways to generate quality leads.
Direct mails are exclusive and unexpected, working well into nurturing leads and bringing in addresses from recipients. They work perfectly for B2B, as Google can offer you company addresses. So businesses can use them for follow-ups and to generate brand awareness.
Further, creating custom templates for individual leads instead of sending the same old, generic, and substandard templates to everyone will create a better user experience, thus resulting in more leaves. Instead of creating privacy policy templates where users need to type in their information, create downloadable templates that offer benefits like free trials or subscriptions.
- Leverage the Power of Videos
Videos are viral among prospective buyers to learn about brands, products, and services. As per Nogen Tech, 91% of marketers use videos to market their products and generate more leads. And as per studies by Statista, 86% of marketers used Facebook videos for brand marketing in 2022, with YouTube being the most popular video streaming platform at 90%, followed by TikTok at 35%.
A strategy just for larger companies, video advertising is now being used by smaller businesses and even individuals to bring in quality leads and transform them into loyal customers.
The digital video marketing industry is growing exponentially, with total spending expected to reach $120 billion by 2024, as per Statista, thus presenting a huge scope for businesses of all sizes to reach their prospective consumers through videos.
With increased internet and social media usage, video content is everywhere, from blog posts and live sessions to social pages and even cute animations explaining complicated B2B demonstrations and products.
So, videos are one of the best tools for businesses to keep their potential leads engaged far longer than 2700-word content on the same subject. With attention spans deteriorating among people, the easier and quicker you can convey your company message and information, the more leads you will achieve.
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- Ask Satisfied Clients for Testimonials and Referrals
Referrals and testimonials from satisfied clients are among the most evidence-based ways to generate quality leads. Request satisfied clients for their ideas on your products and services while using their video testimonials in your emails and your website.
Having happy customers speak positively about your business and narrate stories that resonate with the prospects will not take time to bring in the most reliable leads. Testimonial advertising through word-of-mouth or face-to-face interaction is also valuable.
When clients share the work you do for them and how it brings value to their business, prospects automatically start to trust your company.
Conclusion
Lead generation is not the end of the story. Successful sales also involve getting leads engaged with your brand, following up, and motivating them to subscribe, buy from you or take any desired action that generates business revenue. With that in mind, optimize your current lead generation process by using the ideas above and start bringing in more prospects.