Today, nearly every website has a blog section, and it’s not hard to see why. Blogging has proven to be an incredibly effective way to connect with customers and generate leads. HubSpot has reported that companies that prioritize blogging are thirteen times more likely to see a positive ROI. Plus, it gives you a place to share all sorts of valuable content, from how-to guides to insightful thought pieces. So, if you’ve been holding back on implementing a blog for your business, now is the time to start.
The Lead Generation Process
Lead generation involves getting potential customers, or leads, to share their contact information with you. This way, you can save their information and nurture the connection for conversion later on.
In other words, the lead generation process is the first step in guiding customers through the buying process. Once you have their contact information, you can take the lead through the various buying stages: awareness, interest, consideration and finally, conversion.
Why Is Blogging Important?
For business, blogging has become a vital tool in establishing authority and attracting potential customers. The purpose of a company blog goes beyond sharing company news and events. Blog posts are opportunities to highlight your workplace culture and expertise in your industry. By sharing informative posts about your product or service, you can provide value to your audience and position yourself as a valuable resource. What’s more, by consistently blogging, you can improve your SEO ranking and drive more traffic to your website. But getting visitors to your site is only half the battle. To truly maximize their value, you must capture their information using lead generation techniques.
Luckily, there are countless techniques you can use to improve your lead-generation marketing strategy and turn your blog into a powerful tool for driving sales.
1. Use CTA’s In The Text Of Your Blog Posts
While many of us have heard of the term “call-to-action,” we might not fully understand what it means. A call-to-action is a phrase or button that encourages a reader to take the plunge. They are commonly found on landing pages and in ads, but they are often overlooked in blog posts. By providing a link to a relevant e-book or white paper you can further engage your readers and help them take the next step towards becoming a lead. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-placed call to action in your blog post.
2. Use Your “Exit Intent Pop-Ups.”
Cosmopolitan Lead generation marketing strategy.
Have you ever experienced an “exit pop-up” when navigating away from a website? These annoying little windows can be a nuisance, but they serve a purpose for some of the most successful marketers on the web. As you prepare to leave a page, the pop-up takes over your screen, offering everything from free e-books to exclusive deals for signing up for a newsletter.
Cosmopolitan plays on its users’ curiosity very well! Visitors give their emails in return for makeup hacks with extra “secrets.”
3. Make The Most Of Margin Banners
The Daily Egg Margin Banner.
If you’re an avid blog reader, you might have noticed that almost every website includes margin banners on their right sidebar. These banners are commonly used to persuade readers to take action, whether it’s downloading content or subscribing to an email list. The purpose of margin banners is to capture the reader’s attention and direct them toward a particular action the website owner wants them to take. This lead-generation marketing strategy has proven to be incredibly effective, as it allows website owners to collect valuable email addresses and engage with their audience on a more personal level.
One example is Crazy Egg, which uses a margin banner to get visitors to sign up for their email newsletter. So, whether you’re a blogger or a marketer, understanding margin banners and how to use them effectively can significantly boost your website’s success.
4. Try A Welcome Redirect
If you’re a blogger who wants to capture their readers’ attention in an instant, there’s a technique called the “welcome redirect” that could work for you. This feature is available on WordPress via a plugin that allows you to redirect people to a lead capture page before they get to your blog. You should bear in mind that this is an active tactic, meaning your readers will have to interact with a pop-up before they even get to your content. This method may not always be welcome, so it’s important to A/B test to see whether it’s doing more good than harm.
5. Create Helpful Contents
Creating helpful content is one of the most effective ways to generate leads for your business. By delivering useful information that solves problems for your target audience, you can attract potential customers to your website and build a relationship with them. Whether it’s blog posts, videos, webinars, or social media posts, the key goal is to provide value to your audience.
Focus on answering questions they may have about your product or service, providing tips and advice that will help them achieve their goals and addressing their pain points. By doing so, you can establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry and ultimately drive more leads to your business.
6. Offer Your Readers Perks
One great method to consider is offering your blog readers a chance to buy products at a discounted rate. This gives your readers an incentive to make a purchase and it builds customer loyalty. By offering discounts exclusively to your blog subscribers, you also encourage them to return to your website to make future purchases. Additionally, discounted products can be a fantastic way to clear out excess inventory and make room for new products. Overall, offering discounts to your blog readers is a smart strategy that can boost your e-commerce business.
7. Use “The Hello Bar”
Hello bar includes a call-to-action that drives traffic to your website
If you’ve ever visited a website with a bar across the top of its page that looks like this, then you’ve seen one of the most popular ways to generate blog leads today. The Hello Bar is a dynamic addition to any website looking to improve their lead generation efforts. With its ability to span across a page, it includes a call-to-action that drives traffic to landing pages and squeeze pages without being intrusive. What’s more, if users don’t immediately click, the Hello Bar stays with them as they scroll down to read your blog post. As far as lead generation for business goes, the Hello Bar can be a powerful tool. Use it to drive targeted traffic to build your email list like Derek Halpern did. With its help, he was able to gain 1,180 email subscribers in just 30 days.
8. Offer Your Readers Exclusive Content
When most people think of blog posts, they imagine free content. While we do advise giving your readers a wealth of free content, that doesn’t mean you can’t entice readers with premium options. That’s where exclusive content can come in handy. While free access to a blog might give you a good starting point, exclusive content can offer more in-depth information that can propel your business forward. It may come at a cost, but your customers will know that those who are willing to invest in themselves are likely to see a greater return on their investment. So, don’t be afraid to hold a little something back for those who are looking to take that extra step. Just make sure that your unlimited access content still has value to offer.
9. Leverage Slide-In CTA’s
As you’re scrolling through a blog post, you may have noticed a small box sliding in from the corner, inviting you to download the company’s latest white paper. Don’t be alarmed, this is known as a slide-in CTA. These helpful tools allow you to offer valuable content to your most dedicated readers who make it through your blog posts. The key to implementing these correctly is to offer in-depth content that is related to the topic of the post. Make your readers feel like they’re getting something valuable for the time they spent on your page. Slide-in CTAs are just one way to engage your readers and keep them coming back for more.
10. Blog Summary Downloads
When it comes to crafting the perfect blog post, we often find ourselves wanting to include everything under the sun. We love diving deep into topics, using images, examples and case studies to back up our claims. However, we understand not everyone has the time or energy to read through a lengthy blog post. That’s why we suggest offering shorter downloadable summaries for those who want to get the key takeaways without having to read the whole thing. By simply providing their name and email, readers can get all the valuable information without sifting through thousands of words. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.
11. Reach Out To Influencers
Transforming your blog into a lead-generation machine requires more than just creating expert content. If you’re looking to take your lead generation strategy to the next level, you need to put effort into identifying influencers in your industry.
At first, you might feel intimidated by the number of social media accounts you need to sift through. Start by searching for accounts with large and engaged followings. Once you’ve identified influencers, put in the work to engage with them. This can involve liking their content on Facebook or leaving thoughtful comments on their blog posts. The more recognizable you become, the better.
Finally, reach out to influencers in a friendly and relatable tone to set yourself apart from the thousands of emails they receive. This will increase your chances of positive responses.
12. Use A Chat Widget For Lead Generation
Three Girls Media Chat Widget
Chat widgets are a powerful tool that businesses can use for lead generation. By incorporating a chat feature into your website, you can directly engage with potential customers and address any questions or concerns they might have in real-time.
Three Girls Media, for example, understands the importance of utilizing a chat widget for lead generation purposes. You may have noticed we implement the feature on our own website. It’s a simple and effective way to connect with visitors and convert them into leads. By making it easy for potential customers to engage with your brand and learn more about your offerings, you’ll be well on your way to building a strong customer base.
Need More Leads? Supercharge Your Blog!
As your blog continues to grow, maximizing its potential is the next big step. When put into practice, you’re sure to see a significant impact on your lead generation efforts. So, go ahead and start implementing these tips today and watch as your website’s potential reaches new heights.
Let Three Girls Media Expertly Manage Your Business Blogging Needs
If you’re wondering how blogging can benefit your business, we’ve got the answers for you! At Three Girls Media, we offer a complimentary consultation to give you all the information you need to make an informed decision on whether blogging is right for you. Our tried-and-true methods have been proven to drive results, including increased organic web traffic, higher domain authority and improved consumer reach. We understand the importance of investing in services that will positively impact your business, which is why we strive to provide effective and reliable blogging services. Contact us today to learn more!
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