Inbound marketing has proven itself as a highly effective way for small businesses to generate leads and bring new customers on board. Inbound leverages content on your website to attract new prospects and convert them into paying customers. It works on so many levels, both from a B2B and a B2C standpoint.
Inbound marketing positions you as an authority in your niche. Through the content you distribute, you provide solutions to your customers’ pain points, making their life easier in the process.
If you are like most startups and small companies, you likely don’t have a dedicated marketing team to manage this process. However, that does not mean you can’t reap the rewards accordingly. Here’s how:
1. Put social media to work for you
Social media gives you access to a massive audience, but it won’t do much for you if it isn’t optimized to attract the kind of attention you want. LinkedIn, especially, can be a goldmine of sales opportunities. Here are some tips for optimizing your LinkedIn profile so that it supports your lead generation needs:
- Update your profile with a professional headshot.
- The more connections you have, the broader your reach. Connect with people in your industry as well as companies and individuals in related fields.
- Join groups and interact with them.
- Solicit recommendations and reviews from your happy customers and colleagues.
- Post regularly, preferably your own content or insights, but curated posts are also good.
2. Blog regularly
Blogs don’t have to be arduous or difficult. Just think about your customers, consider the problems they are trying to solve and answer their needs. Listicles, “top ten mistakes,” and “how-to” tip sheets are not only good for encouraging inbound traffic, but they also build trust among your audience, positioning you as someone who can help. If you don’t have time to write the blogs yourself, you can outsource your copywriting through freelance sites like Upwork and Fiverr.
3. Offer a free consultation
On your social platforms, whether LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, offering a free consultation is a great and low-key way to encourage new business. Customers who are looking for a solution have nothing to lose if it’s free, and it gives you a chance to sell your solution to someone who is ready to buy.
4. Solicit referrals
If you have a great group of happy customers for whom you have made life so much easier, ask them to recommend you to their friends and colleagues. Even past clients can be a good source of leads. Take a few minutes to reach out, thank them for their support, and ask if they know of any other companies that would be interested in your solution.
Are you unsatisfied with the quality of the leads you are generating? Leveraging an inbound strategy and keeping those touchpoints warm is a good place to start. Learn more about how we can help: drop by Business Workspaces for a tour today.
