Last Updated on April 5, 2023
In the modern era, social media is a massively important tool for all sorts of businesses. As a world filled with easy and convenient advertising tools, a huge, compulsive user base and easy to approach influencers at every turn it can’t be overstated how much of a missed opportunity it would be for you to discount social media as a viable business tool.
One of the best uses of social media, is as a way to generate leads for your company. This isn’t the same as generating direct sales, but it can be as fruitful, if not more since a well pursued lead is more likely to earn you a relationship with a customer which can end up turning them into a customer for life, or at least for a very long time.
So, without further ado, here are 5 ways to utilize social media to earn you those leads that you want.
1. Social Media Advertising
Having spoken all about using social media as a fresh, innovative way to boost your company, it is ironic that this is the first place that we are visiting. However, social media advertising is so much more effective than certain other types of advertising for a few reasons.
First of all, it’s completely scalable: if you only have $10 to spend on Facebook ads, then go ahead and get $10 worth of advertising. It might only generate you 10 clicks, but maybe 10 clicks are all you are looking for! Secondly, social media is, in general, a platform for entertainment, excitement and other past-times.
The effect of this tonal element is that your marketing won’t even really feel like marketing, it’ll be incorporated in the feed or timeline. This makes it much easier to get viewers to engage willingly and give you their lead, rather than relying on the subliminal effects of traditional adverts.
2. Live Stream
There are streaming specific sites, such as Twitch and Periscope, but there are also streaming functions embedded in most forms of social media, like Instagram and Snapchat. “Streaming can be a great way of connecting directly with your fan base or your potential customer base”, notes marketer Janice Wright, form 1Day2Write and Brit Student.
“It allows you to get creative with the face of your company and makes for direct one on one conversations with potential clients, which is a great way to accumulate leads.” Hold a live debate, or film a product being tested or launched. Find ways to bring your audience into the action live to help generate those leads.
3. Host Competitions
You want to be slightly careful with this one, since you risk giving away free stuff and not gaining anything from it. However, social media-based competitions can be a really great way to engage directly with your target demographic and generate leads with ease.
“Ideally, you want to make your prize good enough to motivate, but only something which would be desired by your target demo- don’t just give away something randomly chosen”, warns Jemima Rose, leads generator at WriteMyx and Australia2Write. Also, garner a few follows, likes and even addresses in the sign-up stage of the competition!
4. Employ Influencers
Influencers are like the bridge between companies on Instagram, and the everyday, would-be customers who make up the bulk of these platforms. Influencers have the unique appeal of being ‘regular’ people (i.e. not corporate figures) who can put out blatant content plugs and still garner massive amounts of support and positive feedback from followers.
If you pay an influencer to work for you, you can find yourself able to generate leads through highly targeted and relatively inexpensive marketing. Pick an influencer related to your company’s field and get them to host competitions, or film unboxing videos of your product and then use their community as the place to generate your leads for the best results.
5. Contact People Directly
When done correctly, you can simply send a message to people who you think might have potential to become your customer. It’s a little obtrusive, but it can be highly effective. Hashtags are your friends here. If you sell a new type of sore throat medicine, then search #sorethroat and see who has a sore throat.
If you sell cooking wares, then search through #cookery #kitchenware and #mealprep. It can be a tedious job, but there is something unique about being able to just message a would-be client like that. Cross-list with your location/geotag for best results.
Conclusion
Social media is so valuable to companies in marketing today. Make sure that you aren’t the only ones not generating leads out of social media. It’s pretty easy to get the hang of and can be extremely effective. So, with this list of suggestions, get out there and give it a go.
