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April 14, 2013 at 3:55 pm #982717Up::0
Are there any services out there that offer lead generation services? Things have been rather quite for me lately and looking at attracting some more leads.
Cheers!
April 14, 2013 at 10:20 pm #1138281AnonymousGuest- Total posts: 11,464
Up::0Hi Brent,
Have you tried entering ‘telemarketing’ or ‘lead generation’ in the Search function in the grey bar above the forum? We’ve had quite a few conversations on this topic recently, so I think you’ll find some leads in there.
All the best,
JayneApril 15, 2013 at 4:47 am #1138282Up::0These days lead generation cannot easily be achieved through hit and miss marketing tactics. It pays to use longer term strategies to attract potential clients and that’s why I love inbound marketing.
Having just had a brief look at your website I can see quite a few gaps in your marketing system, that if addressed, may help you attract more clients. If you’d like to know more, feel free to check out the free content on my website here: http://casmccullough.com. I am about to hold another micro business bootcamp next week, where we go over lead generation in detail, so feel free to check that out also, if it helps. All the best, Cas.
April 15, 2013 at 6:01 am #1138283Up::0allow me to be honest. quality lead generation = lots of sales. this means he service is very expensive. If you are solo and can’t afford to plop $5k minimum then i suggest you do some courses on lead generation and conversion.
IMO, anyone who says then can do it on the cheap is a liar or under selling themselves.
In any case, make sure you have a money back guarantee in place or some kind of performance guarantee.
Also, make sure you have a strong conversion strategy in place. Many successful businesses miss out on sales because the person responding to the inquiry is not adequately trained or there is no system in place.
Remember, getting leads and conversion are two different things. it’s like buying a car and then knowing how to drive it.
April 15, 2013 at 7:46 am #1138284Up::0I have just upgraded to using Infusionsoft for my email marketing and CRM, and can concur with Khalid that top quality lead generation systems can cost a lot. However, the program I was referring to is an introductory program run in a group setting, aimed at solo businesses who mainly want to DIY their marketing or who are just getting their head around inbound marketing techniques.
My done-for-you services are more in line with what Khalid has said, but if you do go down the road of paying a consultant or agency, working with another soloist can be a lot more economical than working with a brand agency based in a corporate office. I don’t see the point of charging astronomical fees when I have few overheads in comparison to marketing agencies that work out of expensive offices. Just wanted to clarify.
In any case, I hope this has been helpful. Have been meaning to post here for sometime but, until now, haven’t managed it… ah the life of a busy solopreneur.
April 15, 2013 at 7:47 am #1138285April 15, 2013 at 7:58 am #1138286Up::0Have a read of this: http://casmccullough.com/why-content-marketing-could-save-your-business/ and this: http://casmccullough.com/how-content-marketing-helps-brands-connect-with-social-consumers/. They might help you gain an understanding about how content marketing can help you generate leads and sales. Buying leads is not something I recommend but permission-based marketing, where you build a relationship with potential clients over time can be very effective at helping you generate leads. All the best!
April 15, 2013 at 8:12 am #1138287Up::0Thanks for the links – I’ll check em out. I know a big part of running your own business is marketing, I’m just getting sick of *trying* to get leads myself and would much rather give someone a % or something if they bring the leads to me.
April 15, 2013 at 9:40 am #1138288Up::0As always, it comes down to mindset. Price must reflect value and not cost if we are to have a sustainable and profitable business. I’ve been down the road of adjusting price because i do not have overheads like the big agencies.
We as solos have an advantage. We are nimble and we need to leverage it. How? First of all, invest in your self development and be at the top of your game. That requires money.
Take a look at my linkedin profile and notice how many courses are listed. That’s less than 30% of what i’ve actually got in my library. They don’t come cheap so the cost has to be factored in + a premium because most marketers are using out dated practices or reading free blogs. The client suffers and when things don’t work, we can say its “branding”.
Secondly, you need time for your self and to develop yourself. This requires a “boutique” mindset. ie fewer clients at higher prices or many clients in a workshop.
Time is the number enemy of successful people. The solo that gets this stops chasing low hanging fruit or giving discounts to low end clients. It’s not just bad for your business. It keeps you chasing non profitable clients. It takes a huge toll on your life and marriage (been there).
Finally, it’s costing more and more to get quality leads. It’s also taking more time. again, someone has to pay for this and going for “cheap” marketing will only get you so far. Real results come from out spending your competition (with a solid strategy in place ofcourse).
So my view is you don’t charge based on the competition or your overheads. Charge according to what people are willing to pay you – after you’ve demonstrated that you are the only viable option. There is nothing wrong but legally and ethically maximising your earnings.
This is why i frequently advise members of the solo community to educate themselves when it comes to marketing and sales. Or at the very least, join a group coaching programme which usually starts around $500 – $2500 per year for the basic stuff.
If you don’t understand lead generation, go buy some books first. quiet time is good. If money is a problem. Go do some temp jobs but you need to learn so you don’t get taken for a ride by a crook or miss out on great roi because you hire an “Experienced” marketer who’s idea of self development is reading free blogs and $30 books instead of investing in advanced training by game changing experts.
When it comes to success in business, pros talk “return on investment” and amateurs talk “cost’. I’m sincerely sorry if this sounds harsh but there is too much “positive” thinking and not enough “accurate” thinking going on these days.
April 15, 2013 at 10:33 am #1138289Up::0Hi Brett,
If you just want some quick and dirty leads you might want to look at:
- http://www.serviceseeking.com.au/
- http://www.designquotes.com.au/
- http://www.graphics-design.com.au/
- http://compare-web-designers.com.au/
- http://www.auswebdesigners.com.au/
Source: http://www.designquotes.com.au/insiders/the-new-design-quotes-profiles-portfolios-and-reviews/
I imagine the quality is pretty low but if you just want to get out there and pitch to a few people this will be a quick starter.
Having said that, be sure not to overlook the more long-term options everybody else is touting.
April 15, 2013 at 10:57 am #1138290Up::0Thanks Khalid for the post! I’m definitely more in the good ROI boat rather than cost FWIW
James Rayers, post: 157929 wrote:Hi Brett,If you just want some quick and dirty leads you might want to look at:
- http://www.serviceseeking.com.au/
- http://www.designquotes.com.au/
- http://www.graphics-design.com.au/
- http://compare-web-designers.com.au/
- http://www.auswebdesigners.com.au/
Source: http://www.designquotes.com.au/insiders/the-new-design-quotes-profiles-portfolios-and-reviews/
I imagine the quality is pretty low but if you just want to get out there and pitch to a few people this will be a quick starter.
Having said that, be sure not to overlook the more long-term options everybody else is touting.
Thanks for those, but yeah, not looking to compete with others on price.
April 15, 2013 at 12:16 pm #1138291AnonymousGuest- Total posts: 11,464
April 15, 2013 at 12:36 pm #1138292Up::0CondorCreative, post: 157915 wrote:Thanks for the links – I’ll check em out. I know a big part of running your own business is marketing, I’m just getting sick of *trying* to get leads myself and would much rather give someone a % or something if they bring the leads to me.I hear you Brent! There are lots of strategies that I believe would work well for your business and they would be fairly easy to implement but having an overarching strategy in place is extremely beneficial. Perhaps, take your time and look around at who’s providing mentoring on lead generation specifically and see who resonates with you.
You can pay someone to help you but you’ll probably find you’ll still need other strategies in place, so taking Khalid’s advice to invest in a coaching program on the subject is probably a good idea.
All the best and let us know how you get on or if I can be of any further help.
April 15, 2013 at 10:37 pm #1138293Up::0Khalid Adam, post: 157921 wrote:We as solos have an advantage. We are nimble and we need to leverage it. How? First of all, invest in your self development and be at the top of your game. That requires money.Take a look at my linkedin profile and notice how many courses are listed. That’s less than 30% of what i’ve actually got in my library. They don’t come cheap so the cost has to be factored in + a premium because most marketers are using out dated practices or reading free blogs. The client suffers and when things don’t work, we can say its “branding”.
Khalid your advice is, as always, awesome. Do you have any courses you can suggest that you’ve taken and gotten real value out of? I’m big on self-directed learning and am always looking for the next curve!
April 15, 2013 at 11:55 pm #1138294Up::0Hi,
Anything by dan kennedy really but most aussies find his approach off putting – including myself. My wife hates him. He’s not too concerned about ethics or charity.
My belief and values clash with his.
So people generally miss out because they say it’s not appropriate for aussie culture, values, style of communication, industries, customers, etc
The trick is to adopt and adapt and this is where people struggle. It took me time to figure out how to apply the american style marketing and sales strategies locally and suit me as an individual, husband and father.
It is also a double edged sword because if you don’t “convert” his style, it can hurt your social standing, relationships and make you feel very lonely (speaking from personal experience)
Get his books (Any) and start reading. Observe any changes in your behaviour along the way – positive or negative.
Unfortunately, most of my modern and business marketing mentors are not role models for society or for family oriented solos so have to be extra careful on how to filter out the “bad” stuff and keep the good.
ScarlettR, post: 157960 wrote:Khalid your advice is, as always, awesome. Do you have any courses you can suggest that you’ve taken and gotten real value out of? I’m big on self-directed learning and am always looking for the next curve! -
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