When running a startup, lead generation can seem intimidating or overwhelming. However, you can drive incredible results using these 11 lead-generation strategies. But first, let us explain specifically what a lead is.
In marketing, a lead has demonstrated an interest in your business, whether given their contact information, subscribed to a newsletter, or filled out a customer survey. Since this person has shown signs of engagement, they are now at the top of the sales funnel.
At the top of the funnel, the goal is typically to drive people to business websites. Meanwhile, the second phase, or middle of the funnel, represents leads to be nurtured, and the bottom of the funnel is when you convert leads into customers. This is where the conversions happen.
Now Here are 11 Lead Generation Strategies for Startups:
Make Landing Pages Clear and Easy to Understand
When launching your business, it is essential to include information about your product or service in a way that is easy to understand for users. An excellent landing page holds a strong offer and should present your firm’s value proposition clearly and concisely. Utilize headlines and subheadings to provide critical information and calls to action.
Create Incentive-Based Referral Systems
Creating incentive-based referral systems is an excellent way to generate leads when running a startup. These strategies are effective for startups because they are easy to quantify using data analytics. For example, if you are advertising a service, you could generate referral codes for established clients and prospective customers. Then, if a new client uses this referral code in their first service subscription, the verified customer who referred the lead will get a referral discount too. Using this strategy will not just help build brand loyalty, but it will also attract new clientele at a faster pace.
Target a Niche Audience
As you market a startup, it is crucial to identify your niche target audience and ways to advertise your niche product or service. To best target an audience, it is essential to consider factors like economic status, job title, race, and gender, amongst other identifiers. When advertising your product, keeping these consumer traits in mind will help you engage deeper with your audience and breed brand awareness. Additionally, when promoting to a target audience, you can gain more insight into other similar products or services your consumers are interested in. Lastly, develop a niche audience to market your business to make it more likely for your leads to become customers. You will have confidence in the fact that, at the very least, these potential clients’ interests align with what you are marketing.
Optimize Your Website | Implement SEO
SEO or search engine optimization is another critical aspect of generating leads. Using popular keywords or phrases that align with your target market’s interests will make your site more likely to be found on search engines. Keyword implementation can be helpful when writing headings and subheadings and curating your meta descriptions.
Use Calls To Action
A call to action can convert a lead into a loyal customer. Therefore, it is essential to use effective and dynamic calls to action when looking to generate leads. Calls to action drive customers to decide or carry out an activity, whether by clicking a link, filling out a form, or subscribing to a channel. Strong calls to action utilize value propositions, use commanding verbs, and take advantage of buyers’ fatigue. Therefore, using calls to action can dramatically impact the success of your business’ lead generation process.
Offer Deals and Discounts
Discount strategies are excellent ways to convert leads. For example, if you offer a specialized service, you could partner with a site like Groupon, improving your lead-generation efforts. On the other hand, you can reach new customers by offering a discount for first-time subscribers and buyers. Discounts on products and services are a fantastic way for startups to generate leads.
Create Valuable Content
Another way to capture the attention of leads and potential customers is to create valuable content that stands out. The higher quality of your content is, the more likely it will be for your website to appear higher on search engines like Google. Especially if you are looking to target a local audience, local marketing strategies like local keywords can make your content more valuable. For instance, if you create blog content, use that platform to present readers with calls to action, value propositions, or drive a purchase. Valuable content is noticed, especially when you are first starting.
Start a Newsletter
Following the concept of creating valuable content, publishing newsletters is another fantastic way to generate leads. You can use this when sending out a newsletter to produce content that captivates your target audience. Ways to engage your audience using a newsletter can include offering industry updates, providing new discounts or product updates, or even just reminding your customers what your organization’s mission is. Use newsletters, and be sure to include valuable content for your audience. Remind your established customers to share your content and refer to your newsletter.
Add Live Chat to Your Website
Consider adding a live chat box to your website to drive action. According to IBM, 63% of consumers reported that they were more likely to return to a site that offered a live chat function. Therefore, implementing one could convert your leads into loyal customers. Live chat functions also provide new customers insight into your business and can help you close sales. These functions also improve customer service ratings and engage website users more. So if you are looking for a way to get in touch with your customers effortlessly, use a live chat function to get started.
Provide Progress Reports
Suppose you work in an industry that provides valuable information or insightful data. In that case, publishing progress reports is an excellent way to engage consumers and make them feel included in your business operations. After presenting customers with this information, ask questions. Ask things like, “how do you think we are doing?” or “how can we better help YOU?” Using questions and asking for feedback can give insight into your business that one cannot interpret through quantitative results. You can also restructure your lead generation strategies to align with consumer responses to provide better call-to-action techniques, engagement strategies, and overall conversion rates.
Utilize Social Media Platforms
Lastly, establishing a social media presence is crucial when running a startup and looking to generate leads. Through social media, your business will be able to more accurately reach your target market and allow more options for content creation. Also, having a social media presence, a unique logo, and a niche value proposition will help potential clients connect with your brand. Using social media, you can spark interest in potential customers and use engaging content to drive website traffic. Overall, social media plays an integral role in shaping lead-generation strategies and offers many tools that you can use to analyze competitors and industry changes. Keep yourself and your customers up-to-date on social media platforms, and be sure to utilize creative content.
Use these strategies when developing lead generation strategies, especially if you are running a startup. Check out our blog for more information on converting leads to loyal customers. We have all the tips and tricks you need to grow your business. Learn more and get better measurable results using our expertise. Contact us today if you have questions or want to hear from one of our consultants. At Summit Crew, we always look to get your business to the top.
If you need help growing your business and averaging 400% or more ROI from your digital efforts, give us a call today or schedule a free strategy session with one of our experts in digital marketing. You will have an opportunity to discuss your business and your marketing goals, and we will provide recommendations on what you should be doing based on our BOOST Method. This is a sales-pitch-free no-obligation meeting, just real advice.
