At the same time, lead generation can be extremely expensive and time consuming. Leads range anywhere from $5 to $25, depending on how difficult it is to get the leads.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money buying leads for your website or product. You can get more leads, traffic, and visitors using simple lead generation methods .
Free Business Lead Generation Method #1: Go Viral!
Viral Pictures & Memes
Anything that is ‘viral’ has the ability to spread online easily. One way to generate a viral picture which is closely connected with your products. Everyone likes funny pictures and they don’t mind sharing it with others.
For example, if you’re selling a health product, then you may create a funny/creative/thoughtful image related to your product or service with your website’s name on it. Then forward the image to your contacts or upload it to a social networking site such as Reddit or Imgur. If you create an original, humorous, and interesting, your image will be shared with hundreds of thousands of online users.
Viral Video
Videos are the most famous entertainment on the Internet. Overnight sensations have been born due to an uploaded video that went viral.
Produce original and creative viral videos about your product or message and put your link in it. If you got 3 minutes video, then make sure your website’s link is visible throughout the whole 3 minutes. If you don’t have the necessary tools to create a video or if you have a limited budget, then you can simply collect 5-10 viral pictures and make a movie slideshow with free software such as Windows Movie Maker. Then just upload it to You Tube or Google Videos.
Free Business Lead Generation Method #2: Yahoo Answers!
If you’re trying to think of fantastic ways lead generation technique for your new website or products, Yahoo Answers is what you need. Yahoo Answers is a social-based platform where potential leads can ask questions on virtually any topic.
Simply do a simple search on Yahoo Answers for questions regarding your niche. Then answer the questions your potential business leads ask, leaving a link to your website as a resource. The secret to using Yahoo Answers isn’t to ‘sell’ or ‘convert sales’. Instead, the purpose of Yahoo Answers is to generate interest in your product and/or website. Make sure your answer doesn’t sound ‘salesy’.
As you will gain reputation as a trusted member, more potential business leads will turn to you for additional advice.
Free Business Lead Generation Method #3: Forum Marketing!
Marketing on bulletin boards and forums is similar to Yahoo Answers. While forum marketing is fairly easy, it does take a bit of hard work and creativity. Getting business leads by marketing your service or product on internet forums is an excellent way to get your name out there. Forum marketing is a very “grass roots” type of marketing. If done right, this type of lead generation really can be a free source of leads and prospects for your business, product, or website..
Begin by doing a search for 10 or more forums that are related to your niche. Make sure the forums are fairly active. Join these forums and become an active contributor. Marketing on forums is one of the most effective lead generation method. But there is a catch!
Most marketers forget that online forums are actually mini communities. If you simply sign up and register with the intention of spamming your product…think again. Most likely, spam or salesy behavior will turn your audience off from you.
It is important to choose the right community that fits your niche AND THEN BECOME A PART OF THAT COMMUNITY. Respect the forum’s rules. Understand the culture of the community’s forum. Blend in as much as you can. Remember to build credibility and trust.
Free Business Lead Generation Method #4: Article Marketing
Article marketing, or ‘bum marketing’, involves writing articles about your niche product or service. Then the article is submitted to article submission sites such as Ezine Articles or Go Articles. Before you submit your article, you include a few links to your website or contact site. Writing articles can make you an ‘expert’ in your niche area of interest.
However, there is another benefit to article marketing. By including a link back to your website, you can help your website’s search engine rankings. Not only do you benefit from potential leads from those who read your article, but your website can improve in rank because of additional ‘link backs’ to your website….but that’s a different topic.
When it comes to lead generation, article marketing can give you a solid advantage over the paid methods, such as pay-per-click.
Free Business Lead Generation Method #5: Social Networking
Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and YouTube are household names. It is no longer possible to gain a strong business leads while ignoring these social media giants.
Keeping your finger on the pulse of social media marketing will get your message to millions of business leads and potential customers.
If you are a small business owner and don’t know how to advertise your product on social media, then start with Facebook. Approximately 650 million people around the world use Facebook to communicate and share information with one another. Creating a Facebook fan page and link it to your website can help expose your service and/or product to countless number of potential business leads.
Just as with article marketing, the purpose of social media marketing is to gain leads to your website or product, not to sell anything. Avoid spamming or sounding too salesy. Use social networking sites to promote your products and links. If you got a nice profile with beautiful pictures in it, i bet you’ll get a lot of visits from other members.
