Lead Generation Strategy: 10 Strategies to Attract Leads
Table Of Contents
10 lead generation strategies for SMEs, freelancers, and enterprises
1. Content marketing
Content is still king. Before there has even been any contact between you and a potential customer, good content builds trust with the reader. Advertisements and cold pitches don’t do that, which is why content is a good lead generation strategy.
Instead of interrupting people (as with advertisements), they come to you themselves via Google or social media. They read a blog, watch a video, or download an ebook, which helps them get to know your organization better.
And if you share practical or inspiring content, you will be seen as an expert. That trust ensures that they are more likely to contact you, sign up, or become a customer.
In addition, a well-written blog post works for you while you sleep—especially if you write it SEO-proof (Search Engine Optimized). This can generate traffic and leads for years, without you having to invest again and again.
So write valuable content and include a CTA (call to action). Ask readers to subscribe to your newsletter or let them download a free e-book in exchange for their email address.
Of course, you also want answers to these questions:
- Who downloaded which e-book?
- Who opened which email?
- Who clicked on your offer?
That’s great, because content marketing combines very well with CRM tools, such as FlowQi CRM. CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management, and with a CRM tool you can keep track of exactly what your leads are doing.
Want to see how that works in practice? Sign up for our BETA Program to try all our software for free. (See, that’s an example of a CTA!)
2. Free giveaways (lead magnets)
We already mentioned this above, but in addition to valuable content, you need a free offer to collect email addresses. This is called a lead magnet. For example, give people a checklist, a template, an e-book, a free training course, or a white paper.
3. Newsletter subscriptions
In your newsletter, you can then keep your leads informed of developments, new products, events, and updates. You also do this to strengthen the bond with your customers and further increase their trust in you.
Provide clear sign-up options for your newsletter on your website and convince your readers with the promise of free tips, discounts, or exclusive content.
4. SEO (search engine optimization)
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. This means writing content with smart and well-placed keywords (including those that people search for frequently) so that your content can be found in search engines.
There are hundreds of tips and tricks for this, but it’s worth taking the time to learn more about it. It generates free and targeted traffic to your website, and with it, potential leads.
If someone searches for “best CRM for SMEs” and you have written an SEO-driven blog post or landing page about this, you will attract the right leads.
5. Paid advertisements (SEA or social ads)
Paid advertisements allow you to promote your blog post or landing page even more. Think of Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads, or Instagram campaigns in which you direct people to a landing page with a registration form (and a lead magnet).
6. Webinars or online workshops
Another lead generation strategy is hosting webinars. Share your knowledge for free! Well, not all of your knowledge, but some of it. Organize a free webinar or online workshop full of relevant information that people can sign up for with their details.
7. Referral programs as a lead generation strategy
Referral programs are a good way to get customers through others. Ask existing customers or users to bring in new leads in exchange for a discount, a gift, or a bonus.
For example, you could say this in your newsletter, in a DM, or on a landing page:
- “Do you know anyone who would benefit from [my service/product]? Share this link with them! If they become a customer, you will receive [a discount/a gift/€25 store credit/a free session].”
8. Pop-ups and exit intent modals
Pop-ups still work well as a lead generation strategy. They grab attention—and with it, your visitors’ data. Have a pop-up appear at a certain moment with an offer or lead magnet, for example when someone is about to leave your site.
9. Quiz or test
Although a pop-up works well, it can also scare people away. Especially if you have a less commercial website. But people often enjoy filling out a quiz or test. Ask for their email address at the end of the quiz to send them the results or personal advice.
10. Live chat or chatbot with lead capture
A chatbot has become an indispensable part of service-oriented websites. It’s a simple way to quickly answer people’s questions. Use a chatbot on your website that answers questions and collects email addresses for follow-up.
Test FlowQi’s Lead Generation Tools
We cannot say what the very best lead generation strategy is, because that depends entirely on the type of organization and its products or services. Focus on what suits you, your team, and your target audience (and your budget!), and test it out.
With a simple and effective CRM system like FlowQi CRM, you make it much easier for yourself. Want to see how our software works in practice? Sign up for our BETA Program and try all our tools for free.