Build a Great Lead Generation Strategy That Works (7 Tips)

Every customer starts as a lead — someone interested in your business’s products or services. Logically speaking, the more leads that you generate through marketing or other digital strategies, the more potential customers you can introduce to your business.

Here are seven Chicago lead generation strategy tips that you can use to help grow your business:

1. Maintain an active social media profile.
2. Automate your email marketing plan.
3. Create a rewarding referral system.
4. Produce compelling video content.
5. Reach more people with influencers.
6. Partner with other local companies.
7. Offer highly valuable gated content.

There’s a lot to discuss, so get ready to take notes.

Let’s go!

Are you looking for a full-service digital marketing agency? See the DAP difference below!

1. Maintain an Active Social Media Profile

Search behavior has greatly evolved in the last few years. It has gone beyond relying primarily on service providers such as Google and Bing. People today also source information using social media platforms. Younger generations of consumers (Millennials and Generation Z) are especially reliant on this method.

TikTok, Instagram, and similar apps can direct the flow of internet traffic toward or away from your brand. Therefore, keeping an active presence on social media is one way of performing quick and simple lead generation for small business owners with limited resources.

For example, keeping a regular posting schedule can create a light but steady flow of traffic to your social media profile, as long as your content is engaging. Interacting with your customers in your posts' comments is another way to reliably generate interest in your brand. 

2. Automate Your Email Marketing Plan

Social media is only one way to draw attention to your brand. Another way is to generate leads through email marketing using the email addresses that you collect through your landing pages. If you are short on new leads, try turning popular guides or articles into gated content.

By offering valuable information behind a wall, you can scout interested parties while giving them more reasons to look into your business. Valuable, in this case, is not about providing information that will necessarily change people’s lives but can provide content or activities, such as quizzes and survey results, that are fun, interesting, and engaging. 

Gated content acts as a filter for high-quality leads because they are mostly people who want or need what you have and are willing to share their contact information to get it. Email marketing is time-consuming work, so look into automating yours for more efficiency.

3. Create a Rewarding Referral System

Despite technological advancements, referrals remain a major and fundamental Chicago lead-generation tactic. A good referral system rewards existing customers in exchange for having introduced your business to others and encouraging them to become customers. 

Many apps and services use this method of locking critical features and information behind a paywall because of its simplicity and to expand their user base. Allowing users to earn access to paid features through a referral program benefits all parties involved in the transaction.

An effective and fair referral system should have clearly defined guidelines for how and when customers get their rewards. Otherwise, you could potentially lose customers instead of gaining new ones. Use simple and clear language when outlining the rules of the referral program.

4. Produce Compelling Video Content

It is much easier to persuade people to act through the use of visual information than through textual or aural mediums. Simply put, most people prefer to watch a movie rather than read or listen to the material.

When you present your product or service in a video, people have an easier time understanding how it works and why it is valuable for them. They do not have to trying to piece together the information. Most of all, videos are easier to share and more efficient at delivering information.

5. Reach More People With Influencers

Today’s businesses understand the value of working with an influential media personality. Influencers have mixed reputations. Some provocateurs have made negative news splashes in mainstream media, while others are fantastic partners for businesses that want to grow.

You can choose one or more ways that you want an influencer to assist your marketing strategy. They can create sponsored content, make sponsored posts, or create tutorial videos that show their audience how your products work. You can also make a prewritten script for them to read.

Choosing the right partner is just as, if not more, important than marketing. Selecting a person to be your brand ambassador can have serious repercussions for your reputation if anything goes wrong. Additionally, consumers hold brands accountable, so avoiding conflict or damage to your business’s name is always best.

6. Partner With Other Local Companies

Partnering with internet personalities is not the only way to apply networking to your marketing strategy. If you want a proper Chicago lead generation strategy, consider partnering with other local businesses with similar goals. You can promote each other on your respective platforms.

You can also work together on original projects as collaborators to offer something new to all of your customers. To find partners, make it a habit to meet other business owners in your local community. Networking events and webinars are other excellent options to expand your reach.

7. Offer Highly Valuable Gated Content

As mentioned above, valuable gated content is an excellent, low-cost method of finding people who genuinely want or need your products or services. This lead generation method is much more than recycling old content, creating landing pages, and using emails.

The best way to attract high-quality leads with gated content is to create unique and exclusive content that people cannot otherwise obtain. For instance, it could be a one-off webinar that provides new or premium information that stands out from other content already on your website.

Summing Up

Lead generation is the first step in getting more customers. The more leads you have, the more opportunities you have to convert them into customers. By following Chicago lead generation tactics, such as partnering with other local businesses, you can boost the number and quality of your leads.

Need help building an effective lead generation strategy? Contact Digital Authority Partners (DAP) to learn how we can help.