Every e-commerce business that is successful relies on leads to increase sales. By now you probably know all the usual ways of finding potential customers such as networking online and offline, instituting a PPC campaign, initiating a referral program, etc.
However, sometimes you can find the best leads when you use a bit of creativity. These Lead Generation Techniques will help get your creative juices flowing to garner new, and sometimes unexpected sales leads.
Focus On Your Marketing Niche
No two businesses are alike. Each one is based on different principles, offers unique ways of servicing the customer, and differentiates their inventory from competitors. Use these differences to come up with creative Lead Generation Techniques.
Let’s imagine your e-commerce website sells autographed sports memorabilia. You might already be using social networking sites like Facebook or MySpace to reach your target market. But take it one step further. Search for fan pages or groups that are directly related to your merchandise, i.e. a fan page for a specific hot superstar. Members who are already interested in discussing and learning more about that athlete will surely be interested in purchasing a soccer ball with his signature.
How about partnering with an online gambling site? Offer to exchange ad space or at least links. Capitalise on the latest game’s winning team by promoting a special offer to the gamblers who benefited from a pay-off.
Perhaps your company sells accounting services and is considered eco-friendly. Don’t just look for B2B leads in the usual places; add your site to directories of green businesses, sponsor a contest that revolves around green initiatives, or partner with a salesman at the local car dealership that offers hybrid vehicles.
Offer An Affiliate Program
Rather than just monetising your website by becoming an affiliate marketer, why not offer an affiliate program of your own? This is an excellent way to generate new leads. Your marketing affiliates are incentivized to find new customers and you benefit when the leads come in from these new sources.
Your affiliate marketing program can be as simple as asking for leads and the payout as low as a few cents per qualified lead received. This is a win-win situation that costs you very little.
More Lead Generation Techniques
Does your website sell an eBook or even offer it for free? In addition to using your eBook as a tool to generate leads via a special offer for download, there are many creative ways to use an eBook as a lead generation tool.
Why not print out a few copies and set up a book signing? You could also participate in a virtual book tour. Offer the first chapter for free upon visitors filling out an information form then continue your marketing efforts with these new leads.
Attend conferences and meet-ups for groups related to your niche market. Offer to teach a class at a local college or through your city’s business association. Write guest posts for a related blog and run a contest for all visitors who leave a comment.
When it comes to Lead Generation Techniques for your e-commerce website, use your creativity to find new sources both online and off. You just may find one or more great resources for untapped penetration in the market.
Have a most outstanding day.
Sean RasmussenAussie Internet Marketing
www.SeanSEO.com © 2008 - 2010
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Lead generation is always a big problem for most businesses; home-based or bricks and mortar. If you can figure out how to get a constant source of leads flowing into your business, you will succeed without a doubt.
Good Article
John
Totally agree with you there John, without leads, profits are hard to come by. Glad you enjoyed the article.
Regards – Sean
You can try also SEM or Search Engine Marketing, most of visitors goes to Search Engine’s and search for what they looking for. In addition, Make use also of Social sites to market your product ans services e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Forums, Media, etc.
Some good advice there Samorvil, thanks for your input.
Regards – Sean