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Leads are everywhere when you’re open for business.

JANICE HURLBURT

During a recent video conference call, I had a heart-to-heart chat with a new client about her goals for her marketing campaign and how she planned to generate leads.

She shared her worries about not attracting the traffic she hoped for, didn’t see the results from all her marketing efforts, and wanted to discuss fresh and innovative ideas for marketing her new product.

That’s when I shared a perspective that can transform the way any business approaches marketing: “Leads are everywhere when you’re open for business.” This simple but powerful concept means that potential customers are not limited to traditional marketing funnels. They can be found in every interaction, even while waiting in line at a grocery store or chatting with new friends at a restaurant. There are different methods that happen naturally when we are receptive and ready to engage with them.

I appreciated her openness, and in response, I proposed 10 innovative marketing ideas, each with its unique value:

New Leads Need More than a Sales Funnel 

  1. Your funnels are not the only source where leads come in.
    The reality is leads are everywhere. A new lead could be someone who got an email invite to an event, a new follower on Instagram, a friend request you haven’t accepted yet, or even someone you met before and haven’t kept in touch with.

  2. Shift your mindset.
    You need to shift your mindset and make sure your door is open to gaining new clients. Recently, a client posted a video on social media where she was discussing her newly published book with a group of friends who weren’t aware of her accomplishment. Their curiosity was piqued! They all expressed enthusiasm about the book’s subject matter and each one wanted a copy for themselves. She was thrilled by their interest! There are leads right in front of you.

    Don’t forget to have a consistent follow-up system for past clients and new leads in place.

  3. The strategy of lead generation is to build trust and authority.
    There are many ways you can generate leads to build trust and authority. What are you doing to capture someone’s attention before they decide, “Oh, yeah, I’ll use you?”

    People form an emotional connection with you and your personal brand. No matter how interesting or well-done your blog posts may be, this is not enough. You have to give away something in return so they can get to know you and build that trust and awareness of your authority.

  4. What Systems are you using for Lead Generation
    Not every business will need to use the same systems to generate leads.

    You’ll need to consider 5 elements of a lead generation system.
    • Email Marketing
    • A follow-up system
    • Frequent Blog Posts
    • Website: Search Engine Optimization
    • Marketing Automation System
  5. Understanding the Art of Lead Generation
    People are attracted to authority and trust. This is why building authority and trust is essential to lead generation.

    I’ve been doing lead generation predominantly by going to networking events, zoom calls with prospects and associates, joining mastermind groups, staying in touch by emails with past connections, follow-up invites, posting short videos on social media, and connecting with people via Social Media.

    The technical side of lead generation includes the list above and the processes related to each item.

  6. Be Findable: Accessibility is Key.
    Check your website. Is it easy for people to find what they need and contact you?
    Having an engaging sales funnel or lead generation system won’t mean much if people can’t find you easily.
    If not, it’s time to implement changes. This might involve improving your website’s layout, integrating a chatbot for immediate responses, or optimizing it for search engines (SEO) to increase its visibility.

  7. Tell Your Story: People love stories.
    People are naturally drawn to storytellers – we connect with stories on an emotional level. This connection can foster loyalty and trust. So, what’s your story? Reflect on the journey that led you to start your business and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

    A good story should be about the people who are reading. The reader becomes a part of it when they read something like, “I was lost and this happened and this is how it changed my life,” or “I felt so much pain when my mom died.” especially if they are going through a similar situation.

    Others will love the story as a means of briefly escaping reality, experiencing your journey alongside you, and feeling your emotions.

  8. Ask for Feedback
    It’s important to know what your customers think. Make a short survey and decide on three 3-questions you would want to know related to your service, coaching program, digital course, or newsletter. This shows that you value their thoughts, helps build trust, and might even give you new ideas to improve.

  9. Have an Online Event
    Think about hosting a webinar or a Q&A session on a topic your business knows well. This lets you talk directly to your audience and show your knowledge. It’s a fun way to teach potential customers about your business.

  10. Give a Sneak Peek: The Transparency of Behind-the-Scenes
    Humanizing your brand is a surefire way to connect with your audience. One way to achieve this is by sharing ‘behind-the-scenes’ snippets of your business on social media.

    These sneak peeks could involve you packing an order, working at your desks, strategizing with a client during a video call, mapping out your new marketing campaign, or even taking a photo of your workspace.

    These glimpses into your operations help customers feel more involved, and they can cultivate a sense of curiosity about your business.

In the end, getting new leads isn’t just about one strategy. It’s about building trust, showing your authority, talking to your audience, and being easy to find. Even though every business is different, the same rules apply: be real, be involved, and be ready to adapt. Good luck in finding new leads!


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Janice Hurlburt Online Management

ABOUT JANICE HURLBURT

I help coaches and entrepreneurs shine their expertise online, by making the process of building their online presence fun, simple, and ready-for-success.

My digital agency will take care of the technology for you, help you shine like a star and get your expertise and efforts noticed. When you make me your partner in online management, I become the navigator of your journey, helping you map your success, attract the right clients, grow online and make more money.

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