Source: Freepik
You have already put the standard lead generation practices to work, and yet, they do not perform as expected. Maybe it is time to think outside the box and experiment with nonstandard lead generation practices.
Here are five unconventional lead gen practices to apply right now.
Create Quizzes to Enhance Lead Quality
Always focus on lead quality, not quantity. You could generate thousands of leads, but if they are not interested in your products, they will never convert into customers.
To generate qualified leads, you need to get to know them better. However, that does not mean you should create a three-page sign-up form for them to complete. Designing an engaging quiz, on the other hand, would gamify user experiences and help you collect customer data. People love quizzes because they expect them to reveal something new about themselves. Above all, by taking a quiz, customers know they will receive individualized product recommendations.
You can use quizzes anywhere on your website to address audiences at different stages of your sales funnel. For example, you could add a quiz to your product page. Based on their feedback, a customer receives a targeted product recommendation. Or, you could require a user to complete the quiz to access the full version of your eBook or guide.
Turn your Domain Name into a CTA
Studies show that 51% of all websites use the .com domain. As the most conventional TLD, .com builds trust with users and generates more clicks. However, remember that Google observes all domain extensions the same. This information may encourage you to start looking for a more creative domain extension.
Many brands, especially SaaS ones, use the .me TLD to turn their websites and landing pages into comprehensive calls to action. For example, Swiing.me is a popular music discovery app fueled by friend recommendations and artificial intelligence. By using .me, they created a call-to-action. I can already hear myself asking a friend: “Hey, thanks for swinging me this awesome song!”
Use ML for Predictive Lead Scoring
Lead scoring is a process of assigning values to each lead you generate. You can audit the quality of a lead based on numerous factors, such as the professional data they submitted or their engagement with your website. The goal of this methodology is to help sales and marketing teams identify priority leads and market to them appropriately to convert them.
However, unless you have years of experience at lead scoring, this process can be a daunting task. That is why you should consider using machine learning to score leads. These tools require reasonable amounts of customers’ historical data so they can recognize the underlying trends and address them appropriately. They parse through a multitude of data sets to identify patterns in customer behaviors. Based on them, they identify the best leads and make reliable market predictions.
Host a Live AMA Session
Planning exceptional AMA experiences is one of the most effective ways to position yourself as an authoritative industry player. Simply put, you invite an influential person in your industry to answer the questions coming from your audiences on Q&A sites or social networks.
For starters, choose whether you will host a live session or ask your audience to send questions via email beforehand. While the first option is more exciting and engaging, the latter one opens up new opportunities for lead generation. Most importantly, pick an authoritative and influential AMA host that will attract audiences and inspire them to ask questions. You have multiple options – the company CEO, a thought leader, or an inside topic expert.
To turn attendees into leads, encourage them to use your dedicated hashtags so you can identify them. Participate actively in discussions. Build rapport with your audiences and deepen relationships with them.
The next step if sending a follow-up email after the AMA session. Thank your prospects for attending. Share the behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes with them or provide helpful insights and content.
Harness the Power of Content Marketing
Content marketing is the nerve center of your lead generation strategies. By creating helpful, engaging, fresh, and authentic content, you will gain your target audience’s trust and eventually turn them into leads.
Based on the stage of a sales funnel, the content you create has multiple purposes – building brand awareness, creating interest in your products, encouraging prospects to consider purchasing from you, or helping users make shopping decisions.
Many types of content can serve as powerful lead magnets. At the awareness phase, those could be gated articles, whitepapers, or infographics. Th bottom of the funnel content includes free quotes, coupons, free trials, early-bird discounts, catalogs, etc.
The goal is to get a website visitor to sign up for your newsletter list by providing them with valuable content that meets the needs of customers at each stage of the sales funnel.
Ready to Improve your Lead Generation Strategy?
Lead generation is all about quality and relevancy. To grow your customer base, you need to narrow your target audiences and focus on users that are likely to convert into repeat customers. I hope those unconventional tactics may help you get the most out of your lead generation process.
What out-of-the-box lead gen tactics do you use?
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