If you're wondering how to generate leads online for free, or asking yourself whether generating leads online for free is even possible, we've got the answer. Yes, it is possible to generate leads for free online – there are many ways to do this that are often overlooked. From using social media sites to your advantage to harnessing the power of customer reviews, we've got a few tips to help you get started with online sales lead generation.
Use LinkedIn
There are many different ways you can use LinkedIn to generate leads for free – there's far more to this social media site than most people realise. Conducting an advanced people search and saving the search means LinkedIn will continue to search for people who fit your search criteria, updating you via email with a list. This is an amazing lead generation tool that just isn't used enough. Learn more on how you can use LinkedIn today - How To Effectively Use LinkedIn For B2B Marketing.
Harness the Power of Infographics
Using infographics on your site, in downloadable content and even on Twitter and LinkedIn is a great way to share expert knowledge and generate leads. You can use platforms such as Piktochart or other free tools to create eye-catching infographics that will engage prospects.
Give Guest Blogging a Try
If you've never considered guest blogging before, it's a great way to generate leads for your business. Many bloggers welcome guest blogs from experts in their field – you can use LinkedIn or a quick Google search to find relevant blogs that appeal to your target market, or ask your followers on Twitter for recommendations. Sharing your expert knowledge with a wider audience is a great way to engage people and generate leads.
Don't Forget about Nice Social Platforms
As well as the usual social media suspects – LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter – there are niche platforms which target various audiences, such as 'Untapped' a site aimed at beer drinkers. Niche sites related to your specific area of expertise are a great place to start building brand awareness and generating more leads for your business, for free.
Create a 'thank you' Call-to-Action
If people subscribe to digital downloads or a newsletter on your site, you probably already have a 'thank you' page set up. But does it have a call-to-action? If not, you could be missing out on a great free way to generate more leads. A call-to-action here encourages prospects to get involved with your brand – after all they have already subscribed, so they're definitely interested in finding out more about your company. Learn more about effective CTAs today - Four Tips for Developing Effective Call to Action Buttons.
Publish Content on LinkedIn
You can also use LinkedIn to publish expert content that is shared publicly or with your connections (you choose the audience). This helps to build brand awareness, keeping your business fresh in people's minds. So if they need your products or services, they will think of you.
Don't forget about your current clients
When your focus is on lead generation and winning new business, it's easy to forget about your loyal customers and current clients. They can actually help you to generate more leads online, by sharing their experiences with your company and recommending you to their connections. Keep in touch with current or past clients for feedback and exposure to a wider network of potential customers and you could find yourself generating a whole host of leads, for free.
Show Social Proof
Has your business won an award or been nominated for an award in your field? Sharing social proof of any awards, as well as reviews and case studies, helps to back up claims that you're an expert in your field. Linking to free online review sites such as Feefo and TrustPilot builds customer trust and makes it more likely you'll generate leads through your website.
It is possible to generate leads online for free – but the one thing you will need to spend is your time focusing on lead generation. These ideas are designed to help you make the most of free online resources to generate leads – some you may have already considered, and some may be new to you. You don't need to blow your marketing budget generating leads online; it can be done for free, and there are hundreds of ways to do it.
