First of all lets know a little about Lead Generation.
What is Lead Generation?
Lead is the manufacture of connections between well-matched consumers and target corporate vendors. Which really just means finding people who will buy what you have to sell. It's often seen as the grunt work of building an effective business, but where would you be WITHOUT customers? So, you need to learn the skill of generating leads.
Lead generation for MLM business can be achieved in many ways using:
- Search Engine Optimization
- Bounce Backs
- Networking
- Target Marketing
- Lead Purchasing
But, HOW precisely do you generate leads with these methods?
Let's take a closer look and find out how:
1.) Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO is used by smaller businesses right on up to Fortune 500 companies to improve online exposure and get a larger market share of customers. SEO can be broken down into two categories - Pay Per Click (PPC) and Natural or Organic.
If you're using PPC for your website, your site needs to be optimized for your target audience. This means you have to identify your audience first, and then put the right kind of content in your site for that market. Once the site is optimized with the key words and content for your target market check out the PPC sellers (i.e. Google AdWords) and launch your campaign. PPC can be effective if you know what you are doing, and conversely, can be expensive if you don't know what you're doing. Research all your options first, and take the time to learn how to use PPC properly.
Natural or Organic searches use a site's meta tags in conjunction with content. Both these things make a difference in the search engine rankings and the results returned from a search. This isn't paid for, it's all in how well you've done your tweaking job for the engine spiders to find and rank you. This method is admittedly a lot of work, as in, you must always supply the site with fresh and relevant content that targets your market. If you don't update content on a regular basis or swipe someone else's work, you'll drop in the rankings. You also have to know what various search engines are looking for in content and originality.
2.) Bounce Backs
Bounce backs are a response to an opportunity e-mail that someone sends you. These are good candidates because they're actively building a business. The down side to this lead generation method is you'll be receiving a lot of emails that people label as SPAM. Yes these e-mails are a nuisance, but they can also be pay dirt for you. Basically, you get on mailing lists, verify e mails sent to you, and then learn how to respond to the various solicitations/replies you get in return. This can actually be a lot of fun.
3.) Networking
It is often the simplest and easiest method for most people. If you love talking with people and building relationships through groups and forums, then just adapt your approach to the people you talk to who are interested in network marketing. It's as simple as just talking to people and being open and friendly.
Once they get to know you and like you, they'll be interested in what you are doing, and willing to hear what you have to say/offer. This approach does take a bit longer, as you can't just rush a relationship by saying Hello, my name is xxxx, did you know I market xxxx product? Take the time to really get to know who you are talking to, and in the process be a smart marketer and pre-qualify those you talk to. You can use Yahoo Groups, Google Groups and other online forums such as MySpace, and industry specific places, like MLM Gateway.
4.) Target marketing
There are a number of ways to do this. What you could do is contact other people in programs similar to yours and see how they are doing with their business. You never know when you will find someone who is either ready for a change or would like some help from you. This is another smart market move as it gives you access to people already into marketing. You know that old saying: "If you want something done, ask the busiest person."
Another area of target marketing, is talking to people with similar personal interests as yours. It's a good place to start communicating back and forth that can lead to you telling them what you do.
5.) Purchased Leads
They tend to come in many different flavors, meaning, there are a variety of qualities available. If you want to buy leads, make sure you check the source and their reputation before doing that. If you're willing to spend the money on quality leads, expect to spend a fair penny for solid leads.
If you're buying leads that need to be contacted by phone, then be prepared to act on them. There's also auto-responder quality leads. Yes, you have the ability to find leads on your own, without spending a lot of money, and you've already learned about that in an earlier article. Bottom line? Work hard, work smart and do the leg work on your own for the best investment you could possibly have in your own business. It will pay off in the long run.
