How to Use Lead Generation for Internet Marketing
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What Is Lead Generation?
Lead generation is simply the generation of interest in a certain product or service. And obtaining the interested parties' contact information. This can be achieved in many different ways, but that is the essence of it. So why is lead generation such a popular topic lately? Because it is going through major changes.
New methods of lead generation came about with the rise of the Internet. And since the Internet is still relatively young, these methods are still being tweaked, modified and enhanced. They're being integrated with other methods. And most importantly, they are working.
Online lead generation has not replaced the other methods of lead generation. Rather, it has enhanced and complemented them. It has given marketers new options and afforded them the luxury of trying new things that their competitors may not have picked up on yet. But we'll talk more about that later. First, let's discuss some of the older methods of lead generation.
· Broadcast Advertising - Advertising is one of the most recognizable types of marketing, and it can also be a source of lead generation. It takes on many forms, including but not limited to radio, television, and newspaper ads. Some of these advertisements simply serve to inform the consumer or foster brand recognition. But others are intended to generate leads.
New Features of Lead Generation
The Internet has introduced several new featuresof lead generation so far. These include the following:
These are just a few of the many ways leads can be generated on the Internet. New technology is being developed all the time, bringing forth new ways for businesses to get their messages across and gain the interest of potential clients.
Lead generation is simply the generation of interest in a certain product or service. And obtaining the interested parties' contact information. This can be achieved in many different ways, but that is the essence of it. So why is lead generation such a popular topic lately? Because it is going through major changes.
New methods of lead generation came about with the rise of the Internet. And since the Internet is still relatively young, these methods are still being tweaked, modified and enhanced. They're being integrated with other methods. And most importantly, they are working.
Online lead generation has not replaced the other methods of lead generation. Rather, it has enhanced and complemented them. It has given marketers new options and afforded them the luxury of trying new things that their competitors may not have picked up on yet. But we'll talk more about that later. First, let's discuss some of the older methods of lead generation.
· Broadcast Advertising - Advertising is one of the most recognizable types of marketing, and it can also be a source of lead generation. It takes on many forms, including but not limited to radio, television, and newspaper ads. Some of these advertisements simply serve to inform the consumer or foster brand recognition. But others are intended to generate leads.
- Direct Mail - Direct mail can take on many forms. Catalogs, advertising postcards, pre-approved credit offers that are found in mailboxes everywhere are examples of direct mail.
- Event Marketing - The most recognizable form of event marketing is the trade show. But the term can mean conducting lead generation at any type of live event.
- Telemarketing - Telemarketing was once a very common method of lead generation. Do Not Call lists have been established in many countries, however, making the conducting of telemarketing campaigns more challenging.
New Features of Lead Generation
The Internet has introduced several new featuresof lead generation so far. These include the following:
- Email Marketing - Email has become a very popular form of marketing online. It is extremely cost-effective, and if executed properly, an email campaign can be highly targeted.
- Affiliate Marketing - Affiliate marketing uses third-party webmasters or email marketers to promote products, paying them a commission each time a sale is made. This model is increasingly being used for lead generation as well. Affiliates simply entice consumers to request more information from a company, and are paid a set amount of money for each legitimate lead.
- Social Media - The social nature of Web 2.0 has brought forth a variety of new strategy of promotion and lead generation. Companies can set up profiles on social networking sites, promote their websites and blogs using social bookmarking sites. They can also post viral videos on video sharing sites.
These are just a few of the many ways leads can be generated on the Internet. New technology is being developed all the time, bringing forth new ways for businesses to get their messages across and gain the interest of potential clients.