Saturday, October 30, 2010

Who Else Wants To Learn How To Build A List For Lead Generation?

By Steve Mills

With very rare exception, the best method for lead generation is done with online list building. Even if you have a business that runs completely offline, you are very likely able to promote it online. Millions of small businesses continue to make the dreadful blunder of not using the internet for promotional purposes.

A lot business owners are put off by the fact that they do not have products that can be shipped to customers, or they are not the kind of purchases anyone would make over the internet. They do not even understand how the internet can help them increase their business.

Think about someone who owns a dry cleaning service, and someone else who has a restaurant and another person who is a dentist. None of them can wrap up products and send it to their clients in the mail, so they might not even consider having on online presence, worth their while. However, there is no doubt that prospects in their area go online to get information about what it is that they have to offer.

So, if they had a website, and did some basic search engine optimization (which is easier than it sounds), it would be fairly simple to get a number of first page listings, that people would land on when they go to search engines looking for their products or services, in their particular city. Some of those prospects, absolutely would click on the link that would take them to their website, and that could only help their chances of getting more business.

However, if that is the only thing the business owner is doing with their website, they are leaving money on the table, by neglecting the lead generation possibilities that come with every website. What if, when the prospect got to their home page, there was a form (possibly a floating form), that announced a really nice discount coupon, or a free valuable report? It could be information that helps solve a problem, etc.

Guess what is asked for, in exchange for this valuable freebie? If you said, the prospect's email address, you are absolutely correct. They will need to opt in to the company's newsletter, which is probably going to have more discounts, or valuable information is each issue.

When you get someone to your website, that is a good first step, but it is only a first step. You need them to come back, again and again. Most purchases or purchasing decisions are not made on a first visit. If you do not capture your first time visitors email address, in the manner described above, you will not likely get them back to your site.

The process is the same for every endeavor. It does not matter if you are a network marketer, trying to recruit new members or a car dealer hoping to sell last year's models before the new ones come in. People are using the internet looking for what it is you offer.

Now you know the components to list building lead generation: build a website using the same words that your prospects who are actively seeking your service or products use, when they go to search engines to find you. Then once they are on your site, you entice their email address from them. Your only decision is whether you will learn the specific skill sets required, or hire others to do it for you.

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