9 Actionable steps to build a successful lead generation campaign
A successful lead generation campaign is key to a thriving business. But how can you build one that converts leads into paying customers? Let’s find out.
A successful lead generation campaign is key to a thriving business.
No leads = No profits.
No profits = No business.
Lead gen campaign acts as a bridge between your business and potential customers who are interested in what you offer.
According to Hinge Marketing’s Lead Generating Website Guide, companies that generate a significant portion of their leads online tend to experience remarkable growth rates.
When online b2b lead generation campaigns make up 40% or more of a company's total leads, their profitability soars.
But how can you build a lead generation campaign that brings in high-quality customers?
This is exactly what today’s article is going to be about.
9 Steps to build a successful lead generation campaign
Here is what you need to build an effective lead-generation campaign:
1. Identify your objective
When you start a lead generation campaign, you need a clear objective, like what you want to achieve to guide your whole campaign.
Think of it like planning a trip. You wouldn't just jump in the car and start driving, would you?
You'd pick a destination first because that tells you which roads to take and how to prepare. Your lead generation plan works the same way.
Understand what is lead generation first, then use the SMART strategy to determine your goals:
- Specific: Instead of a vague objective like "get more leads," be laser-focused about the exact kind of leads you want.
- Measurable: Define clear metrics to measure success, such as website signups, or the number of qualified leads generated each month.
- Attainable: Be ambitious for your lead generation goals, but also realistic. Consider your resources (budget, time, manpower) and set a goal that's achievable within the resources.
- Relevant: Your lead generation goal should directly tie into your big-picture marketing and sales objectives.
- Time-bound: Give your campaign a deadline. It will create a sense of urgency, help you track progress along the way, and keep you accountable.
2. Choose the right channels
Make sure you run your lead generation campaign where your potential customers are hanging out.
There's a whole toolbox of media outlets at your disposal. Traditional options include print magazines and newspapers.
Modern approaches consider social media platforms, search engine marketing, or industry-specific online publications.
When deciding on your media channels, think about your target audience. Who are they? What websites, social media platforms, or other places do they spend time on?
Next, consider the type of content each outlet is best for. Some are great for visuals like photos and videos, while others are better for longer written content.
Pick the one that fits your message and how you want to deliver it.
Finally, keep an eye on your budget. Some outlets might be too pricey for what you're trying to achieve. It's about finding the right balance between cost and potential return on investment.
3. Invest in SEO
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, and it means making your website show up higher on Google and other search engines when people search for keywords related to your business.
So, why is it important? Think about how you find stuff online. You probably type your query into Google, right? Like “How to build a lead generation campaign?”
Then you click on one of the first few links that pop up. You might be reading this article by following the same process.
So, if your website isn't showing up near the top of those search results, you're missing out on potential leads.
Investing in SEO means using the right keywords on your website, making sure it loads fast, and getting other websites to link to yours.
All these little tweaks tell search engines like Google that your site is trustworthy and relevant, so they're more likely to show it to people searching for what you offer.
4. Create an offer
Think about what your audience wants or needs. What problem can you solve for them? Your offer should be something they really want, like a discount, a freebie, or valuable information.
Keep your offer clear and easy to understand. You want people to know exactly what they're getting and what they need to do to get it.
Here are a few examples of lead generation campaigns offers:
- Free e-book or guide related to your industry
- Discount or coupon for first-time customers
- Free consultation
- Exclusive access to a webinar or online event
- Limited-time special promotion
- Free trial of your product/service
- Entry into a giveaway
- Access to a members-only resource library
These are just examples. Your offer should be specific and targeted for your audience.
As Alex Hormozi says:
“Make offers so good people feel stupid saying no.”
5. Promote your offer through multiple marketing channels
The more places you promote your lead generation campaign, the more chances you have of reaching potential leads.
You should make noise about your product/service and let people know that your brand exists.
Common marketing channels include:
- Social media: Share your offer on Facebook, Instagram, and X(Twitter). Use eye-catching images or videos and include a clear call-to-action to grab attention.
- Email: Send out targeted emails to your subscribers announcing your offer.
- Website: Feature your offer prominently on your website homepage or dedicated landing page.
- Paid advertising: Use platforms like Google Ads or Facebook Ads to target specific demographics.
- Content marketing: Write blog posts or create videos related to your offer and share them on your website and social media. Provide valuable information while subtly promoting your offer.
While each channel, requires a different type of content to engage the audience, you can repurpose your content to decrease your cost.
For example, if you’re writing an SEO blog post on your website, you could convert it into 3 short posts for Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
You can also use that post for your email newsletter as well.
Similarly, if you’re creating reels for Instagram, you could reuse them for TikTok and YouTube shorts as well.
6. Optimize lead capturing techniques
People are busy and that’s why you shouldn't ask for too much information upfront.
Keep lead capture forms short and simple, and only request essential details like name and email address.
The less they have to fill out, the more likely they are to do it.
Make sure your forms stand out. Use contrasting colors, bold headlines, or even pop-up forms to grab attention. You want them to be impossible to miss.
Put your lead capture forms in places where visitors are most likely to convert. Best lead generation examples often include forms after valuable blog posts, on high-traffic website pages, or during the checkout process.
Why? Because once you have provided them with value, they might consider you an authority in the space and are highly likely to fill out your forms.
Also, consider offering incentives. People love getting something in return for their info.
7. Qualify your leads
Not every website visitor or person who downloads your freebie is ready to become a paying customer. That's where lead qualification comes in.
First things first, you need to establish criteria for what makes a lead qualified. Think about things like their budget, their timeline, and how well they fit your target audience.
Based on the criteria, evaluate each lead through surveys, phone calls, or automated lead generation tools.
Pay attention to what they're interested in, how often they're checking out your stuff, and how long they've been engaging with your business.
8. Nurture high-scoring leads
Once you've figured out which leads are the most promising, it's time to give them some extra attention and care to turn them into buying customers.
Reach out to your qualified leads through personalized emails and offer them valuable content. Share useful tips, resources, or special offers that show them you understand their problems and can help solve them.
Don't forget to listen. Ask them questions and really listen to their answers. It will show them that you care about their opinions and want to help them find the best solution for their needs.
Effective lead generation takes time, so don't expect instant results.
9. Close your deals
This is the exciting part where all your lead generation campaign hard work pays off and leads turn into paying customers.
Reach out to your leads who are showing strong interest and make sure they have all the information they need to make a decision. Answer any questions they have and address any concerns.
Offer flexible payment options or special deals to sweeten the deal and make it irresistible.
Don't forget to ask for the sale. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple, straightforward ask to seal the deal.
Let them know you're ready to help them get started whenever they're ready.
Successful lead generation campaigns are a big win, so take a moment to pat yourself on the back and celebrate with your team.
Then, get ready to deliver on your promises.
Best practices for maximum success of your lead generation campaign
Here’s how you can squeeze the most success out of your lead generation campaigns:
Improve lead gen landing pages
Make sure your landing pages are clear, concise, and easy to navigate. Use compelling headlines, eye-catching visuals, and a simple form to capture leads' information. Keep the focus on the offer and make it easy for visitors to take action.
Keep it about them, and not your business.
A/B Test different lead generation tactics
Experiment with different tactics to see what works best for your audience.
Try different offers, messaging, and designs to see which ones resonate most with your leads.
Use A/B testing to compare results and optimize your campaign for maximum effectiveness.
Try remarketing
Don't let leads slip away after they've visited your website. One remarketing campaign alone has the potential to boost conversion rates by as much as 161%.
Use remarketing ads to stay top of mind and bring them back to complete their purchase or sign up.
Target them with personalized ads based on their previous interactions with your website to increase conversions.
Host an online event (If you can)
Hosting an online event, like a webinar or virtual workshop, is a great way to attract leads and showcase your expertise.
Promote your event through email, social media, and other channels to reach a wider audience.
This will be an opportunity to provide valuable content and engage with attendees to build trust and nurture leads towards conversion.
Formaloo, your trusted lead generation campaign partner!
Optimizing lead generation campaigns is a continuous process, so be prepared to adapt and refine your strategy as you go.
As you focus on improving your methods, it's essential to have the right tools at your disposal to efficiently collect and manage leads. This is where Formaloo can help.
Formaloo’s user-friendly interface lets you create engaging lead generation forms that capture the information you need to convert visitors into leads.
With a variety of features like conditional logic, branching, and integrations with popular marketing tools, Formaloo empowers you to streamline your lead capture process and maximize your ROI.
Sign up for free today and start building your high-converting lead generation campaign forms.